Are cutbacks risking poor design and architecture?

There is an awful lot of funding cuts going on out there and it seems that creativity could be compromised because of a squeeze on project budgets.

Everyone from the design, architects and building firms is having to fight harder to ensure this level of ‘efficiency’ doesn’t have an impact on quality. Because quality, after all, is always the most important aspect of any scheme.

It’s the quality that architects and designers are always so passionate about. Without quality, you might as well not bother to create anything at all.

So how do you retain high standards when there’s an economic downturn going on? Well, this is the clever part. It’s about ensuring all materials offer quality yet value-for-money. It seems obvious but most designers would bite their right arms off to have access to some of the more exclusive materials out there. But there are plenty of low-cost alternatives and even though they come with a reasonable price tag, it doesn’t mean they’re not as good.

Plus the architects can help out a little by making the most of available light and space. Everyone knows that big windows let in more light and that goes a long way to helping the designers. And what about open plan designs which make the most of small spaces?

In my humble opinion, today’s build projects are successful because each and every person involved thinks about efficiency at every step of the way. But they also consider each other’s needs so quality isn’t forgotten but instead retained, despite tighter budgets.

Of course, architects and designers have always worked well together to bring the best out of a build project. It’s just that these days, they have to work harder to ensure each aspect of their jobs doesn’t impact on one another.

Clever co-working is the key to great design and architecture, especially in these dark days of austerity when quality could easily be compromised.