Risks and promises of an European building quality evaluation grid

VLAD GAIVORONSCHI, IOAN ANDREESCU

Faculty of Architecture
“Politehnica” University Timisoara,
300223, no. 2/A Traian Lalescu street Timisoara
ROMANIA
gaivoronschi@artelecom.net , andreescu@artelecom.net
http://www.andreescu-gaivoronski.com

Abstract: - The evaluation of buildings according to value/risk criteria is a subject of present interest in
Europe. The energetic certifications are becoming mandatory in Romania as well. In Germany an evaluation
system was put in motion as a PILOT project in 2008. At present, the relation quality of life – quality of
architecture is a concern at European level and it has generated the concept of Architecture Policy in Europe as
the evaluation criteria for buildings prove to be not sufficient in case of architecture.Taking into consideration
the complexity of the evaluation criteria, from those that can be quantified to those hardest to measure, a
possible grid composed of seven evaluation criteria is proposed. We shall underline the risks related to this
subject, to the absence of an Architecture Policy in Romania and the danger of excessive European
bureaucratization of evaluations.

Key-Words: - risk, quality, policy, parameter, evaluation, architecture

The way places and
buildings are planned,
designed and looked
after matters to all of us
in countless ways.
The built environment
can be a source of
everyday joy or
everyday misery. It is
an important influence
on crime, health,
education, inclusion,
community cohesion
and well-being.
These are the first
sentences that can be
read on the CABE site -
Commission for
Architecture and Build
Environment of the Great
Britain’s Government. At
present, the concern for
the quality of the built
environment is generally
considered a priority not
only in UK but also in
the EU. Together with the
other work themes that
structure the working
groups of the ACE -
Architects Council of
Europe – a consulting
body to the European
Council, the
ARCHITECTURE AND
THE QUALITY OF
LIFE theme includes
working groups on
habitation, sustainable
edification and the
quality in architecture.
The subject of this paper
is the problem of
defining the concept of
quality for the built
environment and
architecture and the
evaluation of possible
contradiction in the
excessive
parameterizations in
this field.
1. Architecture marginalize architecture planners, architects and
from this process on one engineers and the society
and the quality of hand and by a more needs a policy that is
life precise understanding of unyielding and well
sustainable architecture/ structured, on concepts
On the 10th of April long term edification on clearly defined.
2008, in Brussels, the the other hand Architecture of value is
ACE organized the Concepts like housing meant to illustrate a
symposium audit or the costs of bad society, to symbolize the
“DESIGNING FOR THE design are already culture of a community
FUTURE: THE largely defined and or/and nation thus
MARKET AND analyzed in European implying a major
QUALITY OF LIFE” countries; by now there strategic interest.
under the high patronage are also monitorisation An accurate building is
of the European methodologies not necessarily
Commission President, (www.cabe.org.uk, architecture. Architecture
Jose Manuel Barroso. It www.buildingsplatform.e is more than edification
than defined the four u ). Following an on strict physical,
cornerstones of the acceptable and balanced materials and economical
quality of life that can be grade of parameterization requirements.
used to form a unitary of buildings/architecture On Architecture we can
conception regarding the would result in their firmly assert that:
quality in construction classification and - is an aspiration, an idea,
and architecture: hierarchisation (the spirit shaped in a built
- the economic energetic classification form and all these can be
cornerstone according to the energetic found both in the detail
- the social cornerstone auditing is the beginning and the whole but they by
- the ecological of this process) just like no means surpass the
cornerstone in the case of car tests. In rules for accurate and
- the cultural cornerstone turn this will clarify and efficient edification of a
The natural result of this simplify the mission of building. Besides
symposium was the those in charge of economical and
Brussels Declaration defining policies for technological suitability,
addressed to the architecture of quality. architecture is
politicians, followed at One example in this harmonious and balanced
the end of 2008 by the respect is the German integration into the urban
Declaration of European one – the DGNB and natural environment,
Ministers of Culture in Sustainable Building it is appropriateness from
favor of architecture Certification (Deutschen the point of view of
policies. Gutesiegels fur quality of the
At European level, the Nachhaltiges Bauen) that environment, it is social
concern for mutual started in the fall of 2008 suitability.
standards for architecture with the first office - it generated the
is a fairly new building certified during complex landscape of the
requirement. It was much the first pilot phase. future Europe
easier to define joint - it is functional and
standards for buildings as ecological suitability,
structural systems 2. Architecture sustainable and long term
(eurocod for example). edification with a
The parameterization, the and building minimal energetic
standardization and the consuming; it is also
classification that The policy for economical aptness, a
followed, although risky, architecture implies a balanced ratio of cost and
is generated by the need common task for value. Under the same
to include and not politicians, urban price per square meter
you can raise buildings or
you can make
architecture. Expensive
buildings are not
necessarily architecture,
cheap buildings can be
architecture.
- it is ambiance, interior
atmosphere with which
we identify; architecture
is vision, silhouette,
living image we
memorize; architecture is
technical creation
involving a composition
of forms and volumes,
the proportion of parts
and the whole, of
emptiness and fills;
architecture is coherence
and hierarchy of parts
and the whole.
- it is meant to express
the future but at the same
time be thoughtful and
respectful to the values of
the past; it has the ability
to express and symbolize
the aspiration of the
society as a whole.
- it transcends the
fundamental need for
shelter through her
function as metaphor, a
poem even, chiseled for a
long time. Therefore
architecture is a matrix
generating the human
civilization, building a
world. The Egyptian
pyramids, the antic Greek
and Roman temples, the
gothic cathedrals, the
palaces of Renaissance
and Baroque period or
the heroic constructions
of the modern time are
all built architecture.
The experience and
competences of architects
on global and European
scale, as they are defined
from the university
curricula to the
continuum qualification
while exercising the
profession, combine the
creativity and artistic
talent with technical
knowledge, with
knowledge of culture and
human sciences, of
project management and
of environment and
technology protection.
The activity of the
architect represents a
complex act of technical
and esthetic creation; the
professional services
offered by the architect
materialize the public
and/or private financial
projects into built
volumes harmoniously
integrated into the
environment through a
coherent and a quality
architectural expression
3. Parameters of
quality in
architecture
When defining
parameters of quality in
architecture and their
scores we must make a
distinction and take into
consideration two major
risks:
- excessive
parameterization and
quantification in order to
include as many defining
elements for quality
- maintaining architecture
into an ineffable area, as
an incommensurable art.
3.1. The English
example
The two diagrams give us
a general vision, at the
scale of the community,
of what the place and role
of urban factors of
quality mean into the
larger framework of
defining factors for life
quality according to the
government of Great
Britain. The concept of
community architecture
was born in England at
the end of the ‘70 as a
reaction to real estate
pressures coming from
the private sector. In a
way, these diagrams are
the natural result of a
community spirit
conservatory but capable
to develop complex
projects in an avant-garde
fashion. The debates with
the civilian society, the
architecture and urban
competitions, the
coordination of different
interests at a large scale,
setting objectives for
medium and long term
and public-private
partnerships generate
long term projects.
Figure 1 - Local area
factors contributing to
good quality of life
Figure 2 - High quality
places – the four
elements of quality of
place
3.2. The German
example
Credit Criteria DGNB ;
Total mark: Bronze <
3,0; Silver<2,0;
Gold<1,5; Location
quality
(number of credits
achieved/max. number of
credits available)
Ecological Quality
Global Warming
Potential , Ozone
depletion potential ,
Photochemical Ozone
Creation Potential ,
Acidification Potential ,
Eutrophication Potential ,
Risks to the Regional
Environment (, Other
Impacts on the Global
Environment ,
Microclimate , Non-
renewable Primary
Energy Demands , Total
Primary Energy
Demands/ Proportion of
Renewable Primary
Energy , Potable Water
Consumption and
Sewage Generation ,
Surface Area Usage .
Economic Quality
Building – related Life
Cycle Costs , Value
Stability .
Socio – cultural and
functional quality
Thermal Comfort in
Winter , Thermal
Comfort in Summer ,
Indoor Hygiene , Location
Acoustical Comfort ,
Visual Comfort , Connection
Influences by Users ,
Roof Design , Safety and
Risks of Failure , Barrier-
free Accessibility, Area
Efficiency , Feasibility of
Conversion , The evaluation criteria
Accessibility , Bicycle
Comfort , Assurance of
the Quality of the Design
and for the Urban
Development in the
Competition , Art within
Architecture .
Technical Quality
Fire Protection , Noise
protection , Energetic and
Moisture Proofing
Quality of the Building’s
Shell , Ease of Cleaning
and Maintenance of the
Structure , Ease of
Deconstruction,
Recycling and
Dismantling .
Process Quality
Quality of the Project’s
Preparation , Integral
Planning , Optimization
and Complexity of the
Approach to Planning ,
Evidence of
Sustainability
Considerations during
Bid Invitation and
Awarding , Establishment
of Preconditions for
Optimized Use and
Operation , Construction
Site, Construction Phase ,
Quality of executing
Companies, Pre-
qualifications , Quality
Assurance of the
Construction Activities ,
Systematic
Commissioning .
Quality of Location energy save, Waterproof from the basic level, that
(78.6%) insulation is accurate constructions
Risks at he Microlocation Requirement F – Noise according to laws and
, Circumstances at he protection standards in place up to
Microlocation , Image Surely, the quality superior levels of quality
and Conditions of the requirements for architecture.
and constructions are at a
Neighborhood , basic level; the
to comparaison with those 4. Objective
Transportation , Vicinity presented previously is
to Usage-specific telling.
criteria,
Facilities , Adjoining subjectiv
Media, Infrastructure 3.4. A diagram of the e criteria
Development . quality of and a
architecture studied
for buildings, put in place possible
by the working group
in Germany, in a pilot diagram
QUALITY of ACE
phase are an example of
Figure 3 Qualitative
the philosophy on the Quoting from the speech
classification of buildings
subject of quality in the given in Timisoara in
Anglo-Saxon countries.
They are meant to be
extremely objective and
accurate. Among them
art within architecture
seems out of place. The
process quality category
is very interesting.
Certain public-private
partnerships have come
out as successful
projects, receiving even
awards.
3.3. . The quality
requirements from
the Law number 10 2008 by Ole Boumann,
from 1995 Quality in the director of Institute of
This diagram was
Constructions put in presented by architect Architecture of Holland
and an important
place in Romania Silvia Demeter Lowe
personality of
during the symposium
architecture theory and
Requirement A – organised at Brasov by
critique, sustainable
Resistence and stability the National Order of
architecture is not only
Requirement B – Archtiects in march
the architecture that
Explosion safety 2009.
qualifies through
Requirement C – Fire The diagram is definitely
measurable parameters
security in a begining stage as it
such as carbon emission,
Requirement D – completely lacks the
energy save, etc. as the
Environment recovery economic parameter, the
majority of us understand
and the protection, confort is associated with
this term. Sustainability
hygiene and health of the esthetic, etc. Is is relevant
is at the same time the
people the intention to classify
joy that architecture, an
Requirement E – buildings on five
environment generates.
Thermical insulation and qualitative levels starting
Thus the quality of life is artificial lighting; - Sustainability
connected to a parameter noxious substances - Building-related Life Considerations during
called EMOTION. control; -acoustic Cycle Costs; - Value Bid Invitation and
Architecture can be conditions, noise control; Stability Awarding;-
loved; it can even - waste management, Establishment of
produce smell control; 4.2.Parameters Preconditions for
effects/emotional described by Optimized Use and
reactions at a 4.1.2.Ecology objective criteria of Operation ;- Construction
subconscious level. Site;- Construction Phase
analysis, assessment
The parameters that can Green space and green ;-Quality of executing
based mainly on
define the quality of a infrastructure; - global Companies;- Pre-
building/architecture, of estimation qualifications ;- Quality
warming potential; -
an environment, vary Ozone depletion potential Assurance of the
between two great 4.2.1. Functionality, Construction Activities ;-
;- Photochemical Ozone
categories depending on Comfort, Maintenance Systematic
Creation Potential;-
the mainly subjective Acidification Potential ;- Commissioning .
character of the Eutrophication - Optimal use;- Thermal
assessment or the Potential ;- Risks to the Comfort in Winter ;- 4.2.3.Social And Urban
capacity to measure Regional Environment ;- Thermal Comfort in Values
objectively, scientifically Other Impacts on the Summer ;- Indoor
its performance. Global Environment ;- Hygiene ;- Acoustical - Social objective, Social
Microclimate ;-, Non- Comfort ;- Visual potential; - Assurance of
4.1.Parameters renewable Primary Comfort ;- Influences by the Quality of the Design
described by Energy Demands ;-Total Users ;- Roof Design ;- and for the Urban
Area Efficiency Development in the
objective criteria of Primary Energy
Demands/ Proportion of ;-Feasibility of Competition;- attention
analysis, assessment
Renewable Primary Conversion ;- designing for older,
based on Accessibility ;- Bicycle
Energy ;- Potable Water disabled and younger
measurement, Comfort ; -Ease of
Consumption and people; - Quality of
calculation Cleaning and
Sewage Generation ;- public space; -Urban
Surface Area Usage ; Maintenance of the integration; - Connection
-Ease of Deconstruction, Structure to transport systems and
Recycling and to infrastructure;
Dismantling ; Energetic
and Moisture Proofing
Quality of the Building’s
Shell

4.1.1.Safety, Health

-Safety in use; -safety in 4.2.2. Process Quality

maintenance; - safety and
structural stability; - fire Quality of the Project’s 4.3. Parameters
safety; -Security and Preparation ;-Integral described by
barrier-free accessibility ; Planning ;- Optimization subjective criteria of
Quality of indoor and Complexity of the assessment
climate, umidity, fresh 4.1.3.. Economy Approach to Planning;-
air. etc; -natural lighting, Evidence of
4.3.1. Cultural Value The interest shown the
last few years by
-Art within architecture, Romanian politicians for
Proportion and spatial a restructuration of the
structure (topology);- construction code is
Inner atmosphere and understandable; the lack
character; -Art of place, of quality criteria shown
site integration;- Vision in Law no. 10 is striking
and style, The expressive when comparing to
value; - Image and European concerns, even
identity; - Opening if other standards for
views; - Aesthetics of environment protection,
facades; Sensitive health, urban planning
treatment of historic etc can be found in other
buildings and sites. laws. There is only one
important observation
that has to be made:
Before assembling a
construction code
calibrated on the same
engineering- scientific
principles it is mandatory
to create an architecture
policy in Romania in
agreement with European
policy, hence an
architecture code
Figure 4 – Proposed including the appropriate
Figure 5 –Proposed diagram for buildings/ architecture evaluation
parameter proportion evaluation criteria. More
than that, according to
the 2008 Cluj
Declaration, Brasov 2009
5. Conclusions Declaration of the O.A.R.
(Romanian Order of
5.1.Romanian Architects) and the
documents to be
legislation in the
presented at Iasi in 28 th
European context.
February 2010 during the
The risks of inaction O.A.R. Council it is
necessary to modify and
adapt the auction
legislation. The manner
of receiving the design
order must also be under
evaluation and there is a
real necessity to define
the institution of
competition in
architecture and urban
planning. This is
especially true when
interests of the
community, of the public
space are at stake. The
democratic exercise,
otherwise difficult, must
not leave room to random
decisions; it implies
competitions judiciously
organized and a change
in auction legislation.
5.2. The risks of
excessive
bureaucratization of
the quality system
The keen aspiration to
measure, classify,
evaluate and hierarchies
this domain too, will lead
to improved buildings
from an ethical point of
view – improved
objective parameters. On
the long term, new
architectures, avant-garde
ones, architectures with
qualities that can’t be
physically measured will
prove to be more fragile
when the feed-back of
these classifications will
influence the market.
How can you measure
the value of use of an
image or atmosphere? Or
the social potential of a
building? Projects can
only partially simulate
qualities with a
subjective component.
Only time will set apart
theses values, they can
only be partially
anticipated.
It would be sad if an
“European” evaluation
system would transform
contests like Mies van
der Rohe for European
architecture into simple
operations executed by
computer. The digital
bureaucratization would
poorly substitute the
human failings and
subjectivity of the jury
with bureaucrats’
calculations.
Also, if the evaluated
buildings will be
executed more and more
at the great speed of BIM
(building integrated
management), the future
seems more than
promising, with no risks,
as these projects already
have evaluations criteria,
competitions and awards.
The excessive
measurement can also
generate bureaucracy and
waste. In time, the
bureaucracy will need to
reproduce itself and
numerous experts will
have to get work. These
factors will increase
corruption and create
waste particularly in
countries that have an
inclination in this
direction.
Contemporary
architectures with
artistic, cultural and
social value will rapidly
become the new historic
monuments classified as
such, exotic examples in
a world that became
robotized digitalized and
objective.

References:
[1]Günter Löhnert, Der
Weg Zum DGNB –
Zertifikat, Detail Green,
No.02, 2009, pp. 28-29.
[2]The Governmentţs
strategy for improving
quality of place, World
Class Place – Planning,
building and the
environment, 2009
[3]Designing for the
future: the market and the
quality of life, conference
proceedings, April 2008
Brussels, Belgium.
[4]Architecture and
Sustainability,
Declaration and Policy of
the Architect’s Council of
Europe, ISBN 2-930164-
03-4; EAN
9782930164038
[5] www.cabe.org.uk
[6]
www.buildingsplatform.e
u