The application of lean design to space planning and construction

Abstract

The construction industry is a major contributor to negative environmental impacts, yet design professionals have little incentive to encourage their clients not to engage in major building works. Case studies that explore lean engineering approaches to meeting clients’ spatial needs indicate that these techniques can achieve considerable space savings within existing facilities. The establishment of target value and target cost can provide a framework for more realistic remuneration of these professional services. A suite of techniques with which to clarify the client’s needs and values are described, followed by an outline of some of the tools that can be employed to analyse the client’s existing operations. This forms the basis for space planning exercises that aim to meet the target values with the minimum of construction work. The recommendation is that professionals engaging in this approach are remunerated on the basis of estimated target cost with appropriate share formula, but that the service being offered is well articulated from the outset and fully documented.