Opportunities presented by the Infrastructure boom - a 360° view

In light of a recent Architects' Journal post - Infrastructure boom offers opportunity for architects - I feel it's important to judge the industry situation with a 360° view.

The success of an infrastructure project is heavily dependent on the integration of the buildings and structure with the landscape and public realm.

Take a new road as an example. Built to complicated standards, even when they’re efficiently and effectively delivered, they frequently fail, by making the surrounding environment pretty unbearable for pedestrians, cyclists and the natural visual environment around them. 

One way design could really support the integration of infrastructure is through committed design briefing and a client-side team that joins up the wider stakeholder needs with the engineering objectives.

Engaging the support of a design team is essential. But they must be given the opportunity to be involved; there is a fundamental need for early client-side design briefing and dedicated design leadership within the client body.

Design panels offer support and guidance, however, without the day-to-day decision making of an authoritative designer, many of the opportunities for improvement are watered down - or lost. 

So, although infrastructure is an opportunity for architects, the client-side role of authoritative, experienced designers is needed primarily to create the maximum benefits from the infrastructure boom - not just for designers and architects, but for everyone who will be affected.  

 Khaa is a transformative project design business that works with clients to achieve the best possible design outcome for complex, high profile projects.