Design Economics

Design Economics

• Design cost parameters – purpose:

• Aim is to identify how changes in parameters of a building will affect its
cost
• Many elements effect the cost of a building
• Architects design the building for the client and should fulfil its values and
requirements
• Client Requirements:
• Aim is to achieve value for money
• Must perform to client specification
• Whole life costs
• Design will influence the method of construction,
• and therefore the duration
• Client will have a budget
• Clients want to attain value for money
• Design is subjective
• Need to carefully assess the cost of building design
• To little is known about the relationship between
• cost and design
• Value for money is increased by improving utility with no change in cost
• A failure of cost planning that if the original cost target has been achieved, no further
• improvement is undertaken
• Site considerations:
• Each site has different characteristics
• Sized of the site required will be determined by the type of project
• Geographical location – London, North – Economies
• Location rural, urban or city centre – Access problems
• Greenfield or brownfield
• Existing services – gas, electricity, water – Services surveys diversions
• Access – Existing road
• Ground conditions – rock, sand etc. – Foundation costs, groundworks can be expensive
• Cost of land – location, desirability