This increase in participation leads to far greater benefits for the project than just progressing in a very linear way, resulting in one solution produced by a single design team.
This idea, of course, would need further collaboration across the DC ecosystem.. To bring the session to a close, there was a round-up of the issues and barriers that need to be solved in the short term.How to deal with irregular site design, different business drivers and limitations of template designs.
How to do the above and meet acceptable price points.How to find sites with reliable power.How to shorten overall programme durations.
How to develop the expertise and constraints of the supply chain, including integrators to get them “on the curve”!.How to find outlets for waste heat.
How to deal with fragmentation across Europe in regulations/standards.
How to deliver value across the board within service level agreements..The principle of Platforms is to design to the commonalities between spaces both within and across sectors, with the result that construction can make use of a standard ‘kit of parts’.
This brings a wide variety of benefits, not least flexibility.. By recognising that the space required for a treatment room can be the same as for an office, say, designing on that principle means that, should the need arise, it is easy to convert an office into a treatment room, or vice versa.This is a rational, logical approach.. Our hospital for Circle Health in Birmingham was designed to a grid of four and eight metre spaces.
While the reason for this rationalisation was to allow for flexibility and future expansion, a change in business planning meant we had to bring this requirement forward, and expand the hospital while construction was underway, but also while keeping the lower floors operational.. Rationalisation of the internal grid does not limit the options for the external appearance or the aesthetic design of the building.A Platforms approach places no constraint on the architect’s freedom to create a uniquely beautiful building that responds to its environment..
(Editor: Slim Treadmills)