Value Architecture: keeping the design, improving the outcome

The National Institute of Building Sciences defines value engineering this way:

A CONSCIOUS AND EXPLICIT SET OF DISCIPLINED PROCEDURES DESIGNED TO SEEK OUT OPTIMUM VALUE FOR BOTH INITIAL AND LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.

The goal of getting the best value seems innocuous enough. Everyone wants a good value.  And when it comes to the design of a new building or community, it’s important that the short-term cost is within the budgetary limits.  Sometimes, however, “value engineering” is perceived as the ax that cuts away at an otherwise beautiful design.

Perhaps the better place to start is “value architecture.”

For example: When an architect produces a design for an eye-catching glass entrance canopy on a trendy new hotel the owners love it, and the design is approved.  And then the budget comes back and the owner knows there will need to be a few cuts. Sometimes with drastic measures like removing the canopy altogether.

With value architecture, we can modify the canopy from glass to a clear polycarbonate that will meet the same building code requirements yet significantly cut costs.  The grand entry still looks stunning and only the trained eye will know that it’s not the actual glass.

The idea behind value architecture is not to decrease space or lighting. You don’t want the building to be uncomfortable or unsafe.  Instead, the focus is on coming up with solutions that start with the budget first so options can be considered at the time of the design, instead of the inevitable sticker shock when the first quotes come in months later.

Cutting the cost of construction by reducing the scope of work or quality standards should never be considered “value engineering.” This kind of cost reduction doesn’t consider the overall value, long-term cost savings, or aesthetic design.

With value architecture, we are able to take the approved designs and use alternative glazing or standardized sizes to make sure the cost is in line with budgetary constraints.  If the whole project is approached from the idea of optimizing the cost of the building from the design stage (value architecture) then everyone comes out on top.

In fact, the General Services Administration, the agency behind federal building projects, actually involves “value engineering” long before the project gets to the bid phase:

GSA CONCENTRATES VALUE ENGINEERING EFFORTS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PROJECT DESIGN BECAUSE EARLY REVIEW AFFORDS GREATER SAVINGS AND ALLOWS A CHANGE OF DIRECTION, IF APPROPRIATE, WITHOUT AFFECTING PROJECT DELIVERY SCHEDULES.