Design for Economy

Keller Center–Harris School of Public Policy in Chicago by Farr Associates, Woodhouse Tinucci Architects, a 2020 COTE® Top Ten recipient.

Framework for Design Excellence: Design for Economy

Good design adds value for owners, occupants, community, and planet, regardless of project size and budget.

How do we provide abundance while living within our means?
How will the design choices balance first cost with long-term value?
How can the performance of this project be improved in ways that are cost and design neutral?

Focus topics

building size
material use
operational requirements
financing and incentives
community links

High impact

Best practices

Resources

Projects

If you can do only one (or a few) thing(s):

Reuse an existing building if possible.
Edit your palette and keep the total number of materials to a minimum.
Rightsize the program early and keep the square footage as efficient as possible while managing design for change.

Additional information

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is published and distributed with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

AIA does not sponsor or endorse any enterprise, whether public or private, operated for profit. Further, no AIA officer, director, committee member, or employee, or any of its component organizations in his or her official capacity, is permitted to approve, sponsor, endorse, or do anything that may be deemed or construed to be an approval, sponsorship, or endorsement of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Image credits