what does a sustainable approach really mean for … does a sustainable approach really mean for the...
TRANSCRIPT
This is … ?
- Thinking out loud about some of the consequences of ‘sustainable’ design, especially for the design process.
- Further material may be found in the accompanying conference paper, and on …
- www.usablebuildings.co.uk
Better briefing
Targ
eted
brie
f mai
n he
adin
gs
Context
1. Goals
2. Site and local
3. Environmental
4. Technical change
5. The wider future
Qualities
1. Space requirements
2. Image
3. Operational
4. Building performance
5. Cost
Implications
1. Users
2. Organisational effectiveness
3. Management
4. Investment
5. Strategy
Assumptions Needs Expectations Outcomes
Are assumptions properly thought through and in the open at the
outset?
Are all points of interest properly
represented and resolved?
Are strategic implications and consequences
thought through?
Are user needs made crystal clear?
Are risks and potential
downsides realistically
mapped out?
Are value propositions
clear?
Is usability and manageability
for the occupier properly
resourced?
Are expectations
managed appropriately
and realistically?
Are likely outcomes monitored
against effects of
change and potential
volatility, e.g. for future
adaptability?
Are likely and actual
outcomes evaluated against the
brief requirements?
Are targets met?
Does the building work as intended?
Are user needs met?
What are the lessons for the future?
Brief taking, reality checking, communicating design intent, making sure things work properly, making sure needs are met.
© Building Use Studies 2008
Educational, health, business etc
including sustainability
More emphasis on users’ needs
“People are the best measuring instruments. They are just harder to calibrate.” Gary Raw
UK dataset 2007 for perceived productivity and overall comfort
AC: air conditioned; MM: mixed mode; ANV: advanced natural ventilation; NV: natural ventilation
More modesty, less pretentiousness
"I still would prefer straight to slanted walls, so as to put up bookshelves and a blackboard." Noam Chomsky, who has an office in the Stata Center.
"The building (MIT Building #20) allowed researchers to fail without making them feel humiliated," Singh Intrachooto
http://www.eecs.mit.edu/building/20/
MIT Stata Center
MIT Building #20
Management input
Technological complexityTechnological complexity
Management input
More Less
Management input
MoreType A
Effective but often costly
Type D
Can be thoughtful and imaginative, but rarely user-friendlyManagement
input
Less
Type C
Risky with performance
penalties
Type B
Effective but often small scale
So …
• Better briefing. Identify constraints realistically in the brief. Set goals. Learn from outcomes. Targeted briefing. Honest, open feedback.
• More attention to basics. Air tightness, density, reduced demand.
• More emphasis on context. Do a few things very well, suited to the situation.
• Better commissioning. Soft Landings. Widen professional boundaries. A less adversarial approach.
• More attention to reality and less to good intentions.
• More emphasis on users’ needs. Understand dissatisfaction.
• More modesty. less pretentiousness. How buildings learn over time.
• Better management of technology. Where needed but beware of unmanageable complexity and silly performance assumptions.