Why invest in quality?
‘But how can we afford nice design?’
This is a phrase we often hear from clients, especially as we face viability challenges. Looking back at some of the new housing built rapidly after WWII, much of it is now being demolished. The question should rather be: ‘what will poor design quality cost us in future?’ Claire expands on investing in and finding the funding for quality here.
Investing in quality homes
The financial case for long term investment in quality can be summarised as:
The increase in short and long-term financial value
The reduction in long-term financial costs through designing and specifying longer lasting buildings and landscape
Achieving faster planning consents through planning and political endorsement, including homes being welcomed by local people rather than resisted
Clearer alignment with regulation and policy including Building Regulations, Beauty (which is government policy) and Good Growth (which is GLA policy)
The increase in long-term human, social and environmental value including safe and good quality homes, improved wellbeing, sustainable homes which reduce fuel poverty
Leaving a visibly outstanding legacy from our generation of public housing developers and designers
The sources of funding which will enable that long term quality are:
Enhanced value achieved through customer recognition of a higher quality product
Additional ‘regeneration value’ which is achieved in later phases as ‘place’ is built over time
Additional value gained through taller/denser buildings, which are more likely to be agreed (and at pace) by the LPA due to trust in a high quality design team and a rigorous detailed design regime
Lower holding costs due to a quicker programme (fewer planning delays due to less LPA and/or local opposition)
Seeking a marginally reduced land receipt from developer partners in return for higher quality built outcomes
Our services
Designed around our Delivering Quality Framework, our services are arranged into four key themes. Find out how Municipal can support you on your quality journey.
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Delivering Quality Review
We work closely with public sector housing clients to review their recent housing completions, and also to assess their culture, people and quality management practices.
Services:
Delivering Quality Review -
Culture/People
We help public sector clients to enhance or transform their quality culture, through a diagnostic of the quality culture and expertise of their leaders and wider team members.
Services:
Cultural Audit -
Briefs/Standards
We help public sector clients to set clear and compelling standards for their housing development programmes as well as writing project briefs for complex major projects.
Services:
Design Standards Review,
Brief Writing -
Procurement
We help public sector clients to procure the right development and design partners for their projects, ensuring that qualitative criteria are properly considered as part of the process.
Services:
Developer Procurement,
Design Team Framework
Procurement,
Architect Competition -
Scrutiny
We help public sector clients to procure the right development and design partners for their projects, ensuring that qualitative criteria are properly considered as part of the process.
Services:
Design Review/Champion,
Post-Occupancy Review