Building values into valuable buildings

18/01/2012 Written by: Phil Hampshire and Emilia Melville No comments

We are all touched by spaces which inspire, stimulate or comfort us. Great buildings capture the public imagination, and become part of our cultural identity. Many of these buildings have stood the test of time and have been adapted to suit our changing needs, as culture and society evolve with time.

The buildings and landscapes which capture our imagination have the power to influence our values; not only by embodying our commitment to energy efficient, low impact and environmentally friendly construction, but by the very space that is created, the way people interact with each other in that space, and the way that space makes us interact with the outside world. Architects and engineers often use examples of great spaces to demonstrate the power of good design. This leads to questions about why these spaces move us – what are the underlying values which make this design great?

Being in a great space makes us physically experience what we value, an understanding which is more difficult to access just through thinking and mental processes. The Great Court in the British Museum is an example of such a building, where a previously dark and inaccessible space has become a luminous meeting point with a direct visual connection with the outside world, through the roof, to the sky. This promotes connection with nature, a sense of trust and openness to other people. Rejuvenating and using a neglected old heritage building in the centre of a city can remind us of the importance of our culture and heritage, and make us notice other neglected buildings which have potential. Great buildings can act as a catalyst to influence design and planning in the surrounding environment, and beyond this, to redefine the culture and identity of a place.

Those who commission a new building, a refurbishment, or a change of use of an existing space aim to maximise the value of what is delivered. The attributes of a building or place which are considered to be of value are again shaped by the values of the people involved. Value is defined as what you get for what you give. Traditional value engineering tends to focus on minimising the ‘what you give’ side of the equation, as this is easier to measure in terms of costs and time. The ‘what you get’ side of the equation is more difficult to quantify, but offers untapped potential for improving value. Understanding the values behind performance criteria can help effectively deliver what is really valued, leading elegant and simple design.