« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This research project was commissioned by the Scottish
Executive to investigate the views of building design
professionals about the Policy on Architecture. It was
carried out by means of a telephone survey and a smaller
number of face to face interviews. The most significant
outcomes are briefly described below.
ROLE OF DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF THE DESIGN TEAM IN
THE DESIGN PROCESS
When approached to discuss attitudes towards
architectural design in Scotland, the vast majority of
structural and civil engineers felt they did not have a
role in influencing the design of the buildings or public
spaces for which they formed part of the design team. In
addition, the vast majority of surveyors felt they only
have a limited role in the design process itself.
PERCEPTIONS OF CURRENT STANDARDS OF
DESIGN
Less than half of design professionals rated current
standards of design as 'good' for all aspects of the built
environment. The strongest areas were felt to be Brownfield
housing developments (44% good) and new public spaces (43%
good), while views were divided towards new industrial,
office or retail developments (39% good) and new public
buildings such as schools and hospitals (35% good). The
design of these developments is believed to be influenced
in a positive way by a number of factors. From
professionals' comments they are often one-off developments
which should have a more positive consideration for their
environment, planning constraints and required purpose.
The highest level of dissatisfaction is aimed at
Greenfield housing developments - 1 in 5 felt they are
good, while the clear majority (55%) felt they are poor.
Planners, structural engineers and architects were the most
critical of the professional groups. Views are evenly
divided among surveyors and developers. Criticism was made
of the lack of inventiveness or challenge to these
developments. It was accepted by many that design is often
compromised by the balance between development costs and
return on investment. However, many also believe
developments are often made to standard specifications
without involvement of a qualified architect.
With the exception of some traditional buildings and
notable prestige projects, general standards of design in
Scotland were believed to be behind those of the rest of
the
UK and Europe.
For many, responsibility lies with local authorities in
Scotland. However, there was a general acceptance of the
need to raise public awareness and debate about our built
environment.
DRIVERS AND BARRIERS TO GOOD DESIGN
Design professionals felt it was difficult to define
good design. The design of a building reflects its time,
purpose and environment and is strongly influenced by
budget, planning constraints, knowledge of the client and
experience of the architect.
The most commonly mentioned ways in which design
professions felt the quality of design in Scotland could be
improved included increasing public understanding of the
importance of good design, changes to the planning system,
better training and improved funding.
Funding is clearly important. With the exception of
one-off, prestige projects, many felt sufficient funding is
not made available for publicly funded initiatives such as
schools and hospitals. Design is often felt to be
compromised by budget; and procurement models, such as
PFI
and
PPP,
are often felt to undermine the good design.
Knowledge and expertise of the client is also extremely
important. Professionals would like to see an increased
willingness to challenge the quality of design for all
types of development from prestige project to large-scale
housing developments. The acknowledgement of good design
through awards and competitions is felt to play a role,
but, education programmes and changes to the planning
system were felt likely to have a stronger influence.
Professionals are commonly critical of the planning
process - often regarding it as a hindrance to good design.
Although important, it is also frequently perceived to be
slow and often short-sighted. Many planning departments are
believed to be under-staffed and insufficiently
experienced. Some architects actively mention
'dumbing-down' design in order to shorten the planning
process. Too much importance is placed on precedent and
procedure and planning department are criticised for their
reluctance to challenge the quality of design in planning
applications. There was very little criticism of local
authorities that have placed design higher up the agenda of
planning decisions.
A POLICY ON ARCHITECTURE FOR SCOTLAND
60% of design professionals said they were aware of the
Scottish Executive's Policy on Architecture for Scotland.
Awareness was highest among planners (77%), landscape
architects (68%) and architects (65%). It was, however,
much lower among other professionals. All professionals,
including planners and developers are more aware of the
Scottish Planning Policy (
SPP1):
The Planning System. Awareness of the Policy and all the
documents derived from it was much higher among planners
than other professions.
Under half (42%) of professionals credited the Policy
with having had an impact on their work. A similar
proportion (42%) felt
SPP1
had made an impact. Professionals more commonly
acknowledged impact in their work as a result of the
subsequent planning publications including Designing Places
(55%),
PAN 68:
Design Statements (55%) and
PAN 67:
Housing Quality (53%)
There was some expressed frustration among design
professionals that the Policy, while encapsulating
professional aspirations, does not sufficiently challenge
or influence the activities of the professions. The
documents that followed the publication of the Policy
appeared to have provided more guidance, set standards for
design and outlined requirements for the planning process.
Reflecting levels of awareness, planners were more likely
to have felt that the subsequent planning publications have
had an impact on their work.
There was widespread support amongst the building design
professions for the values of the Policy on Architecture.
Almost 90% of professionals felt all of the aims of the
Scottish Executive's Policy on Architecture were important
to the quality of the built environment in Scotland. The
most important aims were 'to lead by example in the work
they commission' (76% very important), 'campaigning for
better quality buildings and the built environment' (73%
very important) and 'increasing public awareness and
appreciation of good design in buildings and the built
environment' (68% very important).
Professionals were very supportive of the role of
education in improving the quality of design. As well as
raising public awareness, the majority would like the
Executive to work more closely with schools to make young
people more aware of their environment and encourage
greater interest and community involvement in matters
affecting the built environment. Centres of excellence,
such as the Lighthouse, prominent public buildings, such as
the Scottish Parliament, competitions and awards and the
media have all influenced public debate on the quality of
design in Scotland. While some professionals mentioned
examples of community involvement in the design of public
places working well in the past. There is also reluctance
among other professionals for the public to be involved in
the design process without first educating and raising the
levels of public understanding.
« Previous | Contents | Next »