The importance of Architectural Design

Why is Architectural Design important?

We spend nearing 90% of our lives indoors – inside our homes, inside our schools, inside our workplaces, plus a myriad of other buildings. We effectively exist inside of buildings!

It’s therefore not surprising that our physical and mental health is influenced by the buildings we spend our time inside. For example, lack of natural light and poor ventilation will impact the wellbeing of a building’s inhabitants – whereas a light and airy building that optimises space efficiently, can boost spirits and energy. A well-designed building should provide both a safe space and sensory stimulation.

The design of a building matters. Whether we are aware or not, we react to and are changed by our environment.

“We shape our buildings and thereafter our buildings shape us”
Winston Churchill

Architectural design is primarily concerned with functionality. A building has to meet the needs of the person or people using it. Safety is also a primary concern; a new building needs to be structurally sound, designed to withstand the test of time and built in-line with current building regulations. However, architecture is not only concerned with practicality, functionality, and endurance. Architecture is also an art form that is concerned with the aesthetic beauty of a building.

What are our Design principles?

“Design is going to be much more personal and, in some ways technical, as people use their homes for work, school and beyond. Designers are going to have to be very conscious and thoughtful about how to make people’s lives better in the spaces they have.”
Christiane Lemieux

• Location is an important factor. For residential building proximity to local services may well be a key determinant as well as schools, healthcare, green open spaces, shopping, hospitality and employment opportunities.
• Distinct and well-managed landscaping able to mature over time, contributing to the property value. Expanding where possible on existing habitats and biodiversity.
• Improving the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use energy, water, and materials. In effect design that extends beyond the walls of buildings and will therefore include site planning, local community and land-use planning issues.
• We recognise that modern homebuyers do not want to be passive consumers. They aspire to a have choice of house types and designs that offer well-designed and flexible spaces that can adapt and be extended to suit their changing lifestyles and life needs.
• Buildings can and do draw on their locality and therefore we understand that the choice of materials is important. People respond well to good proportions, imaginative details and well considered materials.
• Finally, spacious well-designed interiors are important to people. Good internal air quality, space and daylight positively impacts health and wellbeing.

With the use virtual reality applications, as designers we are able to plan buildings with increasing precision. We can easily assess changes to the building layout and their impact on space and sensory stimulation, prior to construction.

Good architectural design pays for itself, saving time, money and mental health.