Design - Economic
Clients appreciate the economic impact of project design. At the design stage the functions of the building, and operation and maintenance costs are set. Direct benefits of good design are reduced maintenance, management and running costs, while indirect benefits are gained through improved satisfaction and productivity of the building users. A high level of client satisfaction boosts image and reputation, and encourages repeat business.
Design will also impact on the economic performance of the construction process, by designing in health and safety, standard materials specifications and other measures in partnership with the supply chain.
Use the DQI, to develop appropriate levels of functionality and flexibility.
Using the Design Quality Indicators (DQI) at inception allows clients to clearly express their requirements and sets a framework for specific consideration about the quality of the product. It helps to inform client and user choices and develops a better understanding of the value of good design, develops the brief, sets benchmarks and assists in understanding the trade-offs between different choices. The DQI can be used throughout the building process, and post occupancy, to evaluate whether the original intentions have been achieved.
The DQI operates through trained facilitators, who assist stakeholders to complete a non-technical questionnaire that addresses the 'Functionality', 'Build Quality' and 'Impact' of the building. The respondents give their opinion on 90 statements, and then weight the criteria as to how important they think they are. The meetings at which the questionnaires are filled in and discussed are called reviews. The results of all the respondents are aggregated to give the scores in a diagram, such as the one below.
Some school children came to the review, and it was the best attended DQI review at the time. The DQI helped resolve some final snagging and landscaping issues. The head teacher felt the school was 'like heaven', with good daylighting and a well thought through design.
Appraise options using whole life costing
Through PFI and enlightened clients, more consideration is being given to whole life costing. The Royal Academy of Engineering found the ratio 1:5:200 demonstrates the typical relationship between:
| 1 | the initial capital cost of an office building |
|---|---|
| 5 | its cost in use over 20 years |
| 200 | the value of the business done in it over 20 years |
Conventional commercial development concentrates on the '1', ignoring the rest. PFI development has the potential to be an improvement because it takes account of operation and maintenance costs. The next stage is designing to release more value from the business, the '200', by optimising the building and its infrastructure for the occupiers' needs, which can be considered to be the whole life value or performance.
Guidance is now available from sources such as the OGC, CIPFA, DfES and Constructing Excellence (see links to relevant resources in right hand column). These guides show that considering whole life value will help you choose the right building solution and exceed the expectations of building users and owners.
At Catchgate a wind turbine is providing all the power the school needs. Both schools collect rain water for toilet flushing, using the Eco Vat system. The pump for the system is powered by photovoltaic cells. N-Power, Northern Electric & Gas and Northumbrian Water sponsored the systems. Displays in the schools show pupils how much energy and water is being used and saved. This has proved a great hit with pupils and staff, and figures are being used in the curriculum.
Design for accessibility
New legislation affecting design for accessibility comes into force in 2004: the final part of the goods, facilities and services provisions of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act. The new duties require businesses (employing over 15 people) and public service providers, to make permanent physical adjustments to premises. The Disability Rights Commission has provided guidance to help service providers.
Some clients may want to go beyond legislation to ensure all members of the community are able to access their buildings safely and securely. This covers a range of issues including signing and waymarking, the use of colour and layout. For example, many schools now use wall and door colour to identify areas used by different age groups, and local authorities are experimenting with colour in street furniture and paving to help the visually impaired.
The entrance, lifts and circulation space are all wheel-chair accessible, and the space within the offices, chamber and public space is generally highly flexible.
Watergate School (demonstration project 257) is a new building providing 80 places for primary school pupils with severe learning difficulties and includes a nursery class and hydrotherapy pool. The quality, fitness for purpose and maintenance characteristics of the design and construction have a profound impact upon the children, staff, parents and carers. These features were identified as the main drivers for the project; consequently the school staff, governors and children have been actively involved in the project from inception to completion. The school has recently moved in and all is running smoothly. The school building has been designed as an accessible environment for teaching and learning that meets the special educational needs of its pupils and the demands of the curriculum.