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Left: Arkitema Architects has designed a new psychiatric clinic, Esbjerg Psychiatric, that has enabled doctors and staff to reduce the physical restriction of patients by almost 70 per cent and medication by 60 per cent. Photo: Niels Nygaard. Right: Lendager Architects has created a single-family home with 100 per cent up-cycled materials, reducing the carbon footprint by 85 per cent compared to a typical single-family home. Photo: Jesper Ray.
The impact of good architectural design goes far beyond aesthetics Danish architecture is renowned for its elegant and conscious methods of design that can both benefit and improve on society. By Peter Andreas Sattrup, Danish Association of Architectural Firms
It is attractive, sure. But what are the real effects of architecture on social, environmental and economic principles? How does it create value? Speaking of which, what defines value?
The powerful effects of architecture – the Danish cases To better understand these questions, the Danish Association of Architectural Firms asked both architects and clients to nominate projects that have proven to be beneficial. It was not an easy job – cases and research have been identified and collected during the last year from a variety of sources. The effects turned out to be surprisingly powerful, demonstrating that architectur62 | Issue 93 | October 2016
al design generates value across the social, environmental and economic dimensions for clients, users and societies. The impact of good architectural design goes far beyond aesthetics and improves life in many ways.
a very basic point of view, a question of understanding the needs of people and designing buildings and urban environments that improve the quality of life with the available social, environmental and economic resources. A new school and urban venue – VUC Syd – created by AART architects attracts 40 per cent more students and stimulates a 70 per cent increase in the number of students who continue their education after exam completion. Photo: Adam Mørk.
As always, we should remember that value is not inherent. Great architectural design enables people to live or work under improved conditions. Healthy, functional and inspiring environments are assets to us all.
The value of architectural design Architecture addresses the fundamental need for a healthy environment in which people thrive. The creation of value through architectural design is, from
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