Good design creates inspiring places and greater, lasting financial value. It refines the purpose and aspiration of a project, improves how it works, creates additional benefits and elevates how people feel and behave in the final outcome.
Good design comes in many forms and is defined by much more than how something looks. Not only does “good design” mean different things to different people, it also changes at different times and in different contexts.’ 1 The more you think about it, the more complex the question becomes. ‘What is good design? It’s a seemingly simple question that’s surprisingly difficult to answer. Louis Kahn, Architect 1901-74 What is good design? A review of research exploring healthcare, education, workplaces, housing, justice, urban design and transport projects demonstrates that good design enables people, places and the environment to thrive.Ī great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable.
The qualities of these places – our buildings, streets and parks – informs our interactions, understandings, wellbeing and memories. Our everyday lives are touched by the places that surround us. Good design is not just about the aesthetic improvement of our environment, it is as much about improved quality of life, equality of opportunity and economic growth. We cannot afford not to invest in good design.
