In this sense, Design to Value begins with near-anthropological analysis, delving deep into the various needs of each project’s constituents, from client to planner to end users.

There are a few ways to challenge this, including CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) modelling and the use of alternative discharge stacks (e.g.strobic fans), which may be necessary for some office to lab conversions.

Of course, local standards elsewhere will vary.. 5.Existing office buildings may struggle to accommodate new laboratory utility plant and distribution.. A typical lab will consume two to five times as much energy as an office and may also have additional back-up power requirements.This means more power and cooling, and therefore more plant (e.g.

chillers, heat pumps, generators, UPS) and distribution which can be difficult to install due to lack of space.Also, existing office utility plant may simply be too old, inefficient, or unreliable for lab use, making upgrades necessary..

While purified water can be generated locally, drainage for lab sinks and equipment can be challenging due to a lack of risers in a standard office and difficulties achieving falls, so an overhead pumped system may be necessary.

Liquid waste may need to be collected and even treated on-site, which again means additional plant space, and potential spillage (e.g.The facts are becoming increasingly clear: putting grass on roofs or achieving a gold plaque changes almost nothing; we need ambitious and holistic solutions at every level..

In the past, shifting a project to prioritise the environment was often and easily rejected or written off as something that could be and needed to be sacrificed on the altar of cost.Design to Value naturally seeks wider and synergistic value, leading, supporting and embracing these needs as an opportunity to innovate: the environment is not an encumbrance, but a space for crucial change through design..

Thinking beyond standards, Design to Value can look at absolutes and even further can look for redemption.The most significant and perhaps difficult question needed to be addressed in every project is: how can we not build things we don’t really need even if they have a financial return?