Design Development Consultants Kent
Approach
 
Design Quality
Our approach is based on a belief that the key to successful development is design quality. This is not restricted to high-end cutting edge design or an "add-on": it means design decisions taken throughout the planning and design process. It is not possible to identify an important stage as every stage is important. This includes decisions on all of the following;
  • site identification (which sites to or to not develop and for what purpose)
  • development density (what level of density would be appropriate for that site)
  • layout (with many considerations relating to detailed context analysis)
  • built form and massing (the third dimension- tragically often overlooked at this critical stage)
  • architectural style (the most appropriate style for the job given the context, the brief and the client)
  • details (including construction details, level of specification, and workmanship)
 
 
Recent Initiatives and Design Parameters
There is a need to be aware of all current planning guidance. At Designscape, we strive to always be aware of such developments and to act upon them on behalf of our clients. There are a number of recent developments and planning initiatives which aid in realising the goals;
 
- PPS1
PPS1 refers to the creation of sustainable communities. To this end, it has significantly raised the level of expectation regards design quality.
 
- Brownfield Land
The use of brownfield land has two fundamental benefits: allowing appropriate development to improve the townscape of urban areas while also diverting development pressure away from greenfield sites.

- PPG3 and the forthcoming PPS3
This policy guidance encourages a return to higher density development and away from the low densities of suburbia. This has many benefits including encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport. Such densities also allow the creation of genuine urbanism and townscape. For clients, it also provides policy support for maximising the development potential of a given area of land.

- CABE and DCLG (former ODPM)
Central government has recently taken a more pro-active role in shaping development for the better. This has included key publications by bodies such as the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

- Sustainable Communities
The goals come together in the quest for Sustainable Communities. In short, the approach is to adopt the criteria of the three over-arching aspects of sustainable development and apply these at a more local, community level. These aspects are social, economic, and environ-mental. A community should be sustainable in all three aspects.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Successful Development
There are many measures of success. At Designscape, we strive to realise development that is successful at every level. Working within the parameters of current planning guidance, it is perfectly reasonable to suppose that a development can go ahead that;
 
 
-makes social sense
providing accommodation that is welcomed by the wider community and that meets a clear demand, contributing towards the facilities of the wider area, meeting the aspirations of its residents or other end users in its detailed provision, making a cultural contribution by creating a new landmark or simply creating good urbanism where previously there was an unwelcome gap or an eyesore.

- makes economic sense
achieving a satisfactory level of profit for its developer, raising the local tax base through council tax and Section 106 contributions, and providing living accommodation for workers and where relevant providing workspaces.

- makes environmental sense
utilising brownfield land thereby taking pressure off the countryside, undertaking adaptive re-use of buildings or sites often involving de-contamination, strengthening the viability of public transport in the area by introducing more users, minimising energy use by being energy-efficient in its layout, design, construction and use, and as far as possible being self-sufficient including features such as green roofs, photovoltaics, wind turbines, and rainwater recycling.

Broadening the Debate
Alongside our project based work, we strive to broaden the public debate regarding quality in the built environment. Part of this philosophy is entering ideas and design competitions. Another key component is our work as the Urban Design Advisor to the London Borough of Greenwich. Our goal is to avoid the trend towards polarisation of opinion and to demonstrate that if handled correctly, development can be a force for the common good.
 
 
 
 

 

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