Vitruvius, the author of the Roman treatise on architecture
‘De Architecura’ made a famous statement that is still quoted by architects. He
said that a 'well building hath three conditions: firmness, commodity and delight'.
Put in the more modern language, we could say this means that a good building
should be solid and sturdy, and be useful and pleasing – or perhaps provocative
– to the eye.
Some traits, that a ‘good’ building should have, can be
listed as:
- Functionality
- 2Sustainability (What is sustainable design will be governed by many factors & these would differ wit different socio/geo-climatic conditions)
- User friendly/ ergonomic
- Value for Money proposition
- Durability
- Economical- To build; operate & maintain; & dispose
- Aesthetic
- Provocative (Meaning does it engage passer byes? Different from being aesthetic. More like will you remember the building after some time?)
- Easy to dispose ( meaning that in case one wishes to ‘part’ with the asset one should be able to do so with ease)
- Salability (For commercial buildings particularly. Meaning it should be possible to parcel the building into small & large units with ease so as to be able to service buyers with different needs )
- Future proof (Meaning even if life styles change or there is a change of usage envisaged it should be possible to achieve this goal. This is important as market needs may change while project is being executed or soon after completion)
- Accessibility (Disable friendly. Should permit universal access.)
- Buildability: Meaning design should be such that it is easy to build
- Efficiency (Should be using spaces efficiently. Can be clubbed with VFM & functionality)
- Connectivity with people who use/visit (Should put visitors/user at ease. Slightly different from being user friendly)
- Inspirational (Meaning it should encourage builders & planners who follow to aspire to meet the standard set. This can add value to neighborhood)
- Modular (Especially in commercial projects. Allow some portions to be completed ahead of others. In larger projects modular will mean more repetitions of shuttering, bulk buying of materials etc. This helps keep costs down)
- Scalable (Where projects are to be designed for future expansion the design must ensure easy integration of latter portions with least disturbance to existing users. Special care will need to be taken for bulk services as not envisioning future loads is as bad as putting in higher capacity in initial phases. A balance will need to be struck.)
Not all designs will have all the above traits. It will not
mean that the design is not good. However any design which has many of the
above traits should be called a good design.
Somethings which need to be kept in mind are:
- Keep columns in alignment
- Provide beams over walls or in alignment where there may not be a wall but a notional segregation of space may be taking place
- For residential accommodation try evolve a design where entry is from a more or less midpoint. This helps in splitting space into public & private
- For affordable housing make structure as efficient as possible. Look at all critical items and find ways to cut them out. Eliminating one door, door frame brings down costs. Adopting local materials, techniques never fails in keeping cost down. Possible to handle rainwater without formal drainage system made with pipes
- In any commercial project ability to design it on a modular basis so that some portions can be commissioned as they get completed is good business sense. Attempt must be to start revenue stream as early as possible
IIs it so difficult to adopt these?
