Design quality for buildings - Revision history

Editor at 13:17, 28 July 2025

2025-07-28T13:17:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:17, 28 July 2025
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	NB [https://www.gov.scot/publications/construction-procurement-handbook/ Guidance for public sector contracting authorities on the procurement of construction works], published by the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate on 21 Dec 2018 defines design quality as: ‘… a combination of functionality (how useful the facility is in achieving its purpose); impact (how well the facilities creates a sense of place: and build quality (performance of the completed facility). Design quality is about much more than style or appearance – it incorporates the key requirements of the stakeholders, functionality, whole-life value in relation to maintenance, management and flexibility, health and safety, sustainability and environmental impact. It is not merely subjective; it can defined and measured.’		NB [https://www.gov.scot/publications/construction-procurement-handbook/ Guidance for public sector contracting authorities on the procurement of construction works], published by the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate on 21 Dec 2018 defines design quality as: ‘… a combination of functionality (how useful the facility is in achieving its purpose); impact (how well the facilities creates a sense of place: and build quality (performance of the completed facility). Design quality is about much more than style or appearance – it incorporates the key requirements of the stakeholders, functionality, whole-life value in relation to maintenance, management and flexibility, health and safety, sustainability and environmental impact. It is not merely subjective; it can defined and measured.’

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Benchmark		* Benchmark

Designing Buildings at 09:08, 15 July 2021

2021-07-15T09:08:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:08, 15 July 2021
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−	The standard of design quality required on a project should be defined by the client.	+	The standard of design quality required on a project should be defined primarily by the client.

	Design quality is not always the primary objective for the client; time or cost may be more important. Furthermore, it is only realistic to specify a very high standard of design quality, if the budget is available to achieve that standard.		Design quality is not always the primary objective for the client; time or cost may be more important. Furthermore, it is only realistic to specify a very high standard of design quality, if the budget is available to achieve that standard.

−	Design quality can have a number of different meanings and ~~should~~ so it needs to be defined in a clear way that is prioritised, measurable and testable. The client should appoint an internal senior design champion to be responsible for ensuring the design achieves the required design quality.	+	Design quality can have a number of different meanings and so it needs to be defined in a clear way that is prioritised, measurable and testable. The client should appoint an internal senior design champion to be responsible for ensuring the design achieves the required design quality.

	The design champion's role is:		The design champion's role is:
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	* To monitor and evaluate design quality throughout the design process.		* To monitor and evaluate design quality throughout the design process.

−	If the client has little experience of design and construction projects, they may wish to appoint an independent client ~~adviser, such as an RIBA client design~~ adviser to assist them.	+	If the client has little experience of design and construction projects, they may wish to appoint an independent client adviser to assist them.

	When defining objectives for design quality the client should consider:		When defining objectives for design quality the client should consider:
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	* Existing corporate policies (such as environmental policies).		* Existing corporate policies (such as environmental policies).
	* Key requirements of the business.		* Key requirements of the business.
−	* Key requirements of stakeholders and user panels.	+	* Key requirements of stakeholders and user panels. Note: Stakeholder objectives can be conflicting, and preparation of a stakeholder matrix can assist in managing these conflicting requirements.
−	* The views of external organisations such as Historic England ~~or Design Council Cabe~~.	+	* The views of external organisations such as Historic England.
−	* Local and national legislation ~~(for example local planning requirements for energy use)~~.	+	* Local and national legislation.

	Benchmarking and visiting existing similar buildings can also be of benefit.		Benchmarking and visiting existing similar buildings can also be of benefit.
−
−	~~NB: Stakeholder objectives can be conflicting, and preparation of a stakeholder matrix can assist in managing these conflicting requirements.~~

	It is important that assessment of design quality is carried out in a structured, formal way, and is properly recorded. Design quality can be defined, prioritised and measured quite precisely, and criteria weighting can help in the appraisal of options, in particular where conflicting views exist amongst those carrying out the assessment.		It is important that assessment of design quality is carried out in a structured, formal way, and is properly recorded. Design quality can be defined, prioritised and measured quite precisely, and criteria weighting can help in the appraisal of options, in particular where conflicting views exist amongst those carrying out the assessment.
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	* The impact on the local community and environment.		* The impact on the local community and environment.
	* Whether the design is accessible and welcoming.		* Whether the design is accessible and welcoming.
−	* Accessibility ~~for people with disabilities~~.	+	* Accessibility.
	* Quality of views and outlook.		* Quality of views and outlook.
	* The internal environment; lighting, heating, air quality, acoustics, etc.		* The internal environment; lighting, heating, air quality, acoustics, etc.
	* The ability of individuals to control their environment.		* The ability of individuals to control their environment.
	* Comfort of furniture.		* Comfort of furniture.
−	* Use of colour, texture, light and ~~architectural features~~ to enliven the environment.	+	* Use of colour, texture, light, planting and so on to enliven the environment.
	* Flexibility of layout.		* Flexibility of layout.
	* Overall standard of materials and finishes (including life-span and maintenance issues).		* Overall standard of materials and finishes (including life-span and maintenance issues).
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	* Innovation of design.		* Innovation of design.
	* Buildability.		* Buildability.
−	* Whether the design is safe to use and maintain.	+	* Whether the design is economical and safe to use and maintain.
	* Security.		* Security.
−	* Whether the design is economical to manage and maintain.
	* Whether the design exploits opportunities for standardisation and prefabrication.		* Whether the design exploits opportunities for standardisation and prefabrication.
−	* Whether the design can adapt to changing demands.
	* Whether the design takes account of current and proposed legislation.		* Whether the design takes account of current and proposed legislation.
−	* Whole-life cost assessment including disposal method ~~and cost~~.	+	* Whole-life cost assessment including disposal method.
	* Risks associated with the design.		* Risks associated with the design.

Editor at 17:30, 23 March 2021

2021-03-23T17:30:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:30, 23 March 2021
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	* ‎Improving quality in the built environment.		* ‎Improving quality in the built environment.
	* Manufacturer’s certificate.		* Manufacturer’s certificate.
		+	* Project performance management.
	* Quality in construction projects.		* Quality in construction projects.
	* Quality management systems (QMS) - beyond the documentation.		* Quality management systems (QMS) - beyond the documentation.

Editor at 16:41, 15 March 2021

2021-03-15T16:41:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:41, 15 March 2021
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	* Quality manuals and quality plans.		* Quality manuals and quality plans.
	* Re-evaluating the design life of buildings.		* Re-evaluating the design life of buildings.
		+	* Scottish housing standard.
	* Value management.		* Value management.
	* Visitor flow.		* Visitor flow.

Editor at 19:20, 11 February 2021

2021-02-11T19:20:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:20, 11 February 2021
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	* Design life.		* Design life.
	* Design process essentials.		* Design process essentials.
		+	* Design quality indicator DQI.
	* Design review.		* Design review.
	* Design risk management.		* Design risk management.

Designing Buildings at 10:34, 29 October 2020

2020-10-29T10:34:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:34, 29 October 2020
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	NB [https://www.gov.scot/publications/construction-procurement-handbook/ Guidance for public sector contracting authorities on the procurement of construction works], published by the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate on 21 Dec 2018 defines design quality as: ‘… a combination of functionality (how useful the facility is in achieving its purpose); impact (how well the facilities creates a sense of place: and build quality (performance of the completed facility). Design quality is about much more than style or appearance – it incorporates the key requirements of the stakeholders, functionality, whole-life value in relation to maintenance, management and flexibility, health and safety, sustainability and environmental impact. It is not merely subjective; it can defined and measured.’		NB [https://www.gov.scot/publications/construction-procurement-handbook/ Guidance for public sector contracting authorities on the procurement of construction works], published by the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate on 21 Dec 2018 defines design quality as: ‘… a combination of functionality (how useful the facility is in achieving its purpose); impact (how well the facilities creates a sense of place: and build quality (performance of the completed facility). Design quality is about much more than style or appearance – it incorporates the key requirements of the stakeholders, functionality, whole-life value in relation to maintenance, management and flexibility, health and safety, sustainability and environmental impact. It is not merely subjective; it can defined and measured.’
−
−	~~{{:CQI_CTA_setup\|Article}}~~

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

Designing Buildings at 07:53, 18 September 2020

2020-09-18T07:53:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:53, 18 September 2020
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	* [http://www.dqi.org.uk/ CIC Design quality indicator online].		* [http://www.dqi.org.uk/ CIC Design quality indicator online].

−	[[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Property_development]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Property_development]]

Editor at 12:25, 20 July 2020

2020-07-20T12:25:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:25, 20 July 2020
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	* Quality management systems (QMS) - beyond the documentation.		* Quality management systems (QMS) - beyond the documentation.
	* Quality manuals and quality plans.		* Quality manuals and quality plans.
		+	* Re-evaluating the design life of buildings.
	* Value management.		* Value management.
	* Visitor flow.		* Visitor flow.

Designing Buildings at 11:08, 20 July 2020

2020-07-20T11:08:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:08, 20 July 2020
Line 75:		Line 75:

	NB [https://www.gov.scot/publications/construction-procurement-handbook/ Guidance for public sector contracting authorities on the procurement of construction works], published by the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate on 21 Dec 2018 defines design quality as: ‘… a combination of functionality (how useful the facility is in achieving its purpose); impact (how well the facilities creates a sense of place: and build quality (performance of the completed facility). Design quality is about much more than style or appearance – it incorporates the key requirements of the stakeholders, functionality, whole-life value in relation to maintenance, management and flexibility, health and safety, sustainability and environmental impact. It is not merely subjective; it can defined and measured.’		NB [https://www.gov.scot/publications/construction-procurement-handbook/ Guidance for public sector contracting authorities on the procurement of construction works], published by the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate on 21 Dec 2018 defines design quality as: ‘… a combination of functionality (how useful the facility is in achieving its purpose); impact (how well the facilities creates a sense of place: and build quality (performance of the completed facility). Design quality is about much more than style or appearance – it incorporates the key requirements of the stakeholders, functionality, whole-life value in relation to maintenance, management and flexibility, health and safety, sustainability and environmental impact. It is not merely subjective; it can defined and measured.’
		+
		+	{{:CQI_CTA_setup\|Article}}

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

Editor at 15:54, 29 April 2020

2020-04-29T15:54:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:54, 29 April 2020
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	* Design flexibility.		* Design flexibility.
	* Design life.		* Design life.
		+	* Design process essentials.
	* Design review.		* Design review.
	* Design risk management.		* Design risk management.