The national standard for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods.
17. Do buildings exhibit architectural quality?
PPS 1 (sustainable development): ‘Good design ensures attractive, usable, durable and adaptable places and is a key element in achieving sustainable development.’
Architectural quality is about being fit for purpose, durable, well built and pleasing to the mind and the eye. Good architecture works well for its intended use. Housing design should be well thought through and cater for the residents’ needs. From the design of the exteriors and interiors to the surrounding landscaping, planners, developers and design teams should ensure that a significant proportion of home-buyers have their spirits lifted by what is on offer.
Good architecture is less to do with a particular style and more to do with the successful co-ordination of proportions, materials, colour and detail. Windows need to be arranged to look good but also to work for views and light inside the home.
Details need to be considered as an important part of the building and not as an add-on. Particular care should be given to corners, roof lines and how the building meets the ground. These have a significant effect on the overall impression of a building.
‘72 per cent of home buyers believe that well-designed houses will increase in value quicker than average.’
CABE/MORI, 2000
Watch our video explanation
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The 20 Criteria
Environment & community
Character
Streets, parking & pedestrianisation
Design & construction
| Does the development provide (or is it close to) community facilities, such as a school, parks, play areas, shops, pubs or cafes? |
Further reading
- By design – urban design and the planning system: towards better practice (DT LR, 2001); Section 2, p16
- Design review: how CABE evaluates quality in architecture and urban design (CABE, 2006); p14
