DQM Canada

DQM

DESIGN QUALITY METHOD ®

The Design Quality Method (DQM) ® - the only patented approach to POE...The DQM ® is used by all UK auditing authorities and many funding bodies...

The Design Quality Method (DQM) originated as a post occupancy review approach to assess building design and performance, holistically. Its successive use by UK auditing bodies, to assess new schools, hospitals and universities; led to its increased use by public sector bodies – in prisons, colleges and offices.

The DQM ® is a patented approach that assesses building performance through a series of matrices. The matrices are implement using a range of analytical techniques, which are designed to capture holistic information. This includes factors such as energy consumption, fabric performance, material reliability and whole life costs.

The DQM ® is much more than a post occupancy review tool, as it is the product of over a decade of tacit and explicit knowledge on building performance. It is a bespoke process with an enviable pedigree of hundreds of buildings - in contrast to remote tick-box certification processes.

The unique aspect of the DQM ® approach is enabling understanding of the complex relationships between people and the built environment. We use state-of-the-art techniques to capture occupant interaction and feedback, often through the medium of film. This approach requires a deep insight into the operations, vision and strategic goals of our clients, who find the DQM ® vital in assuring quality and optimisation in their buildings.

The DQM uses expert opinion, professional judgment, user opinion and measurement to independently assess design quality and building performance. This results in the triangulation of expert and occupant opinion with scientific evidence, to ensure that lessons are learnt and best practice is applied.

HMP Low Moss, Scotland

2013

®

The DQM was successfully patented in Canada this year and DQM Canada is based in Toronto, Ontario. Dr Ian Ellingham is leading the DQM initiative in Canada. Ian is an architect and consultant who specialises in whole life sustainability of the built environment. Ian is also an associate of Cambridge Architectural Research and has a long association with the university. Further international patents are pending.

DQM Matrices ®

Six matrices with clearly defined levels of design quality...

1. ARCHITECTURECovers the relatively subjective area of aesthetic merit as well as the more prosaic qualities of specification, site layout, space planning and sustainability.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGSympathetic integration of environmental services is crucial, as is their optimal operation maintenance and sustainability - which is scientifically measurable.

3. USER COMFORTInternal comfort conditions are also scientifically measurable and links between them and occupant efficiency are increasingly evident. The integration of art and science creates ideal environments - eg the quality of daylight is equally as important as the quantity.

4. WHOLE LIFE COSTSThe balance between capital and running costs often affects future building performance. Specification choices can have long-lasting effects.

5. DETAILED DESIGNDesign details and quality of workmanship and installation are crucial to the success of a building’s operation and maintenance.

6. OCCUPANT SATISFACTIONOccupants are asked to respond to several structured interview questions and rate their satisfaction with their buildings. Anecdotal evidence often concurs with expert opinion.

DQM Solutions Ltd...We are a multi-disciplinary team of

professionals, with many decades of experience in all aspects of consultancy in the built environment...

We demystify sustainability through independent design and post occupancy review - empowering our clients with the knowledge to create commercial and societal advantage through the intelligent use of buildings. Our unique and specialist service originated and continues in public and private sector building programmes, which gave us unrepeatable access to a database of hundreds of buildings.

Our tacit and explicit knowledge base is unrivalled and continues to grow - on an international basis. The DQM ® is cited internationally as the industry standard approach to post occupancy and design review...from Scotland to Western Australia.

Improving building performance...

Everyone involved in a building project wants to achieve a better building, but design quality means different things to clients, users, architects, cost consultants and contractors. Negotiating design priorities is an important part of the development process. Post project review and POE is recommended under Stage L of the RIBA Plan of Work.

For more information, contact:Martin CookM: 07805 633431E: cookm@dqm.org.ukwww.dqm.org.uk

National Railway Museum, York

improving building performance

The

D E S I G NQUALITYM A N U A L

MARTIN COOK