Great building design is often the art of balancing priorities such as appearance, cost, speed of construction, and creative use of valuable space. Increasingly the challenge is also liveability – creating an internal environment that is pleasant for building users, promotes positive wellbeing and which minimises energy use.
Health problems associated with artificial lighting, heating and ventilation are well documented. Channeling natural light and airflow to control the internal environment promotes greater wellbeing for building users. It also reduces costs compared to relying mainly on mechanical and electrical systems.
The journey to better liveability starts with the building fabric. Designing ways to cope with external temperature extremes into the fabric of the building is better for the environment and for occupants than overuse of mechanical heating and cooling. Acoustic performance is also critical in many projects – particularly in education – and should ideally be designed-into the building structure rather than added later.
An Integrated Approach to Liveability
The liveability challenge makes building design and construction an increasingly more integrated process. It’s no longer sufficient to come up with an inspirational design and then think about how the internal environment needs to be controlled. Maximising natural heating, lighting and ventilation and minimising energy use are prime considerations from the outset.
With the evolving design focus comes greater consideration on the methods of construction. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) bring the ability to design thermal and acoustic properties into the fabric without adding significant weight, wall thickness or complexity. They also offer the ability to configure walls, roofs and window openings with very few design constraints imposed by the construction method.
In the education field, the iFAST system has proven its worth on projects of all sizes, from small extensions up to a three storey, 900 place secondary school rebuild. In all cases the internal environment created is exceptionally pleasant for staff and students and energy costs are low.
Similar benefits have been realised through innovative projects in healthcare and residential housing. These have simplified the process of creating liveable and healthy interior environments without compromising on the aesthetic elements of the design.
New Methods, New Thinking
Achieving the highest levels of liveability and wellbeing means more than just rethinking materials and construction methods. The entire process from design to fit-out is being revolutionised to become more integrated and efficient.
The expertise of those who create and assemble the structure needs to complement the skills of designers, architects and engineers. All partners need to work in integrated ways to create optimised solutions that balance cost, simplicity and building performance.
Achieving the highest standards of liveability and promoting positive wellbeing demands new methods and new thinking. It also demands a different kind of construction partner – one that can add value throughout the process and contribute to innovative, practical and superior design solutions.
