Design quality
Design Quality Criteria
It is fundamental to the ambitions of the sector to deliver design quality and the task of the colleges to insist on the very best from the design team. Good design requires a well defined project as well as creative and talented designers. The college needs to develop – with the help if its design team – its aims, expectations and ambitions for the project and constantly check them against the design as the project progresses through to completion. Being a client is discussed on another page.
A number of design quality indicator tasks have been developed and it is worth looking at the one developed by the Construction Industry Council supported by the DTI, CABE, Constructing Excellence and the OGC at www.dqi.org.uk/DQI
The Learning and Skills Council commissioned Bond Bryan and Turner and Townsend to produce the LSC Design, Cost and Quality Study. After assessing CABE and other design quality documents a list of Quality Criteria relating to the further education sector has been developed. These criteria are reproduced below and can act as a base point for the development of project specific design quality criteria.
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Is the building attractive to students?
- is it easy for find, to enter, and to understand for all college customers?
- does it appear to be open, accessible and inclusive?
- is it light, welcoming, cheerful and feel safe and friendly?
- are the key front line facilities easy to find and access?
- does it promote a sense of community and ethos? Are the colleges values reflected in the design?
- is the environment uplifting and inspiring?
- will students want to stay in the building for long periods?
- will people want to come in just to experience the building?
Does the design support the education delivery?
- is the layout efficient (e.g. net: gross) and effective?
- is space used imaginatively? (e.g. social/learning space)
- is the learner at the centre of the design?
- does the design promote individual learning, group work, informal tutorials and pier group work?
- is ICT at the heart of the design?
- can the design adapt well to possible changes like more part time study, on-line distance learning, use of different media?
- are there flexible spaces for exams, socialising, different study patterns?
Is the design functionally effective?
- can the design be considered fit for purpose?
- is there a clear brief and a design accepted as meeting it? Are there policy statements?
- does the design meet “hard” design criteria (i.e. measurable issues such as area, energy consumption, acoustic criteria)? There are many of these and they can be listed.
- does it meet softer, value driven criteria such as inclusiveness, adaptability etc?
- will the design be easy to operate with minimum staff requirements (e.g. security, ICT support)
- is the building secure, safe (health and safety) and feel comfortable to all users (personal safety)
- will the architectural, structural and building services solutions interfere with the smooth running of the college.
Is the project appropriately located and sited?
- is the college accessible to all modes of transport, particularly public transport?
- is the college by itself, or part of, an attractive destination?
- can the college stand for a landmark or beacon in its community?
- is the investment visible?
- can people easily identify with the college?
Is the design of good architectural quality?
- is the architectural ambition appropriate - a major urban landmark or a modest intervention in a historic setting
- is there an appreciation of context - conformity and/or contrast
- is there a clear and appropriate choice of materials, detail and architectural language?
- how will views of the building in context look, in different weather, seasons or at times of day?
- does the design make a positive contribution to the context?
Is the design flexible and adaptable?
- can the design respond to different customer group expectations?
- can changing use patterns (weekday/weekend or term/vacation) be easily accommodated?
- can different environments be changed hourly, weekly or annually as necessary?
- does the structure and primary envelope allow for change? Can the building services adapt? Can the fire, acoustic and sustainability strategies adapt?
Does the project meet a minimum of very good BREEAM rating?
- Are energy efficient lighting systems and controls employed throughout?
- Is a Green Transport Plan implemented and benchmarked?
- Are local ecosystems understood and protected/enhanced by the project?
- Does the design promote an understanding of Ecology?
- Does the design optimise the use of daylight?
- Are spaces well ventilated and naturally ventilated wherever possible?
- Have water supply and disposal services been designed to minimise water use?
- Have any water recycling systems been included?
- Was the BRE Green Guide to Materials used in materials selection?
- Could the building design have used fewer materials?
- Has a whole life approach been undertaken towards materials selection?
- Has provision been made to reduce and recycle waste in operation?
- Have ozone depleting chemicals, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) been avoided in the materials specified?
- Was whole life costing used to evaluate the economic merits of the project and the alternatives?
- Ethical investment. Do all subcontractors and suppliers have environmental policies in place?
- Did the Procurement method positively discriminate towards the local community? Is investment made in the local community by using local suppliers of goods and services?
- Does the project contain elements that promote positive engagement with the local community?
- Does the project contain elements that promote positive engagement with the business community?
Is the build of high quality?
- are the material choices and detailing appropriate and of good quality?
- will these choices wear well?
- is the construction quality and workmanship well executed?
- has structural and constructional efficiency and economy been fully considered?
- have acoustics, sustainability and environmental services been fully considered and integrated into the design?
- is the design economic in its use and detailed design and materials?
- has ease and economy of construction been properly considered?
- is the design safe and easy to maintain?
Does the project respond to its context?
- has the context for the project been fully evaluated and understood?
- how has the design responded to this?
- will it become a popular destination in its community, or a cherished part of its setting?
- can the project be easily accessed by community or other groups?
- does the project contribute to economic or social regeneration or sustainability?
