Architecture Week: Is Good Design Important?

This week we have a whole week of blogs on the subject of architecture. Our second blog is from Matt Franklin.

Why Good Design Is Important For A Great Building.

Like what you see, use and live in?

When Roberta asked me to write a post on her blog, she asked me what I was passionate about when it came to property.

Harry Beck's original 1933 Underground Map

My first response was ‘good design’ and thinking that this was too obvious I then thought about other topics like, sustainability, technology or materials, but I realised that all of these topics could come under the heading of Good Design.

It is a big topic and part of a discussion that will go on for ever, so I don’t want to get bogged down in writing about the process of design or what design is, as I would rather touch on why it is important.

Think of an example of good design they are every where, like the London Underground Map, an ipod or the Great Ormond Street Hospital Logo, all of them stand the test of time, are simple in message, complex in design or thought and are easy to use or understand.

A well designed building is no different, and does not always come with a high price tag nor is it exclusive to certain types of buildings.

Subjective

I realise that design is subjective and while this creates the opportunity for positive discussion it also means that what may appeal to one person might not appeal to another.  However, it is still possible to appreciate good design, regardless of your taste, when you understand the reasoning behind it.

You probably do this more often that you think, for example, what internet browser do you use and why?  Do you understand the way it works?  Does it suit the way you work? Can you relate to the work that has gone into making it?  The chances are that the designers thought about every aspect of it right down to the last button.

A Well Designed Home

A well designed home goes beyond providing the basic requirements that we would expect from it by engaging us at a more personal and emotional level, which in turn allows us to enjoy the building and engage with it rather that using it as a tool or structure.

You only have to watch Grand Designs to hear people say how much better their lives are from living in well designed homes.

In summary, good design makes products, spaces and places better, which in turn improve our lives and it is worth adding that good design can:

1. Reduce construction costs
2. Reduce running costs
3. Save time in construction
4. Increase a buildings potential from a fixed budget
5. Provide practical sustainable solutions that help the end user get on with their life.

Fallagohey House-Ireland-RIBA Award Winner 2009

To help visualise what I mean I have included the picture of the RIBA 2009 award winning house, and the house in the picture above. Hopefully they show how varied good design can be.

Matt is an Architect at mbf DESIGN. You can also find Matt on Twitter here.

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