When a public building such as a school or hospital is completed it makes sense to review how effective the design has performed for the users and the government departments providing funding for the running and maintenance of the assets.

The following aspects are critical for efficiency of the public sector:

• User satisfaction about functioning of the design and comfort performances and the impacts on staff efficiency.
• Energy efficiency
• Acoustic performance
• Water conservation
• Maintenance and capital replacement costs
• Aesthetic appeal to the general public

After a building has been completed for at least 12 months and all of the contract and commissioning items are completed, then our team can begin.  The first step is to evaluate results in a technical way and compare back to the current generic government brief or generic design.  The resultant report will be about the strengths and weakness of the built project so improvements can be made in future projects

Usually comfort and air quality is measured, energy and water use monitored and levels of artificial and natural light evaluated.

Less tangible aspects such as user satisfaction or dissatisfaction compared to an equivalent benchmark is used to make recommendations and rate the effectiveness of the project.

Comparisons with other buildings that are more the standard are used as a way to illustrate the pay back periods of key innovations in the project being evaluated.

A Life cycle costing is usually a critical part of the reporting framework. Often a comprehensive audit, and theoretical modelling will be used to verify all data.

Our firm can enlist the expertise at Murdoch University when required to expand the technical expertise when needed, and especially where there is a research component in the study.

• 1990,  Evaluation of the Solar Energy information centre and the effects on thermal mass of a structure on energy efficiency, MERIWA funded report.
• 1993,   Perth Zoo project for the Perth Zoo Board with UWA, with support from the LEED fund
• 1996 - 1998,   2 year study and post occupancy analysis of the Perth Zoo Infrastructure Offices in South Perth and comparison with the Bayswater Shire Offices.  This study was produced in conjunction with the UWA Dept of Mechanical Engineering and the LEED Fund (managed by Dr Laurence Spencer).
• 2002,   Evaluation of numerous schools as part of the report on schools in WA for the Minister for Works (appointed by Senior Cabinet Minister, Graham Kierath)
• 2003 - 2009,  Assessments of state high and primary schools in WA for DHW

This type of work carries large responsibilities and relies heavily on the 40 years technical experience by Adj Professor Garry Baverstock and his technical team of higher educated specialists such as associate, Andrew Ferguson (MSc).  Often there are grants involved and some extra engineering or scientific experts are needed to be part of the evaluation team.

The information can be of great financial benefit to a client and therefore it becomes an investment, not a cost, particularly when a government department will be repeating the type of projects over many decades.  Improvements will result in savings of public money.

Interested in this service? Why not contact us for information on how we can work with you.