Editorial

Citation

Finch, E. (2000), "Editorial", Facilities, Vol. 18 No. 13/14. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2000.06918maa.001

Editorial

Most of the papers in this issue of Facilities deal with considerations at the design and pre-design stages. whether it is modelling, brainstorming, or feedback from existing facilities, more sophisticated approaches are being applied at these early stages.

In the paper by Pitt and Jones, the potential compensation problems caused by large-scale facilities such as airports are considered. Two different pricing models are used to predict the effect of aircraft noise on property prices. By modelling the noise contours around such a facility, Pitt and Jones provide an approach that will enable airport authorities to assess the extent of claims at the early design stage.

Where do professionals' priorities lie with regard to fire safety? This is the question raised by Lo, Lam and Yuen in their paper, contrasting the building surveyor and building services engineer. The results indicate that the training background of the two professions has a considerable influence on their perception of fire protection priorities. Does this mean they are achieving fire safety in different ways, or is one approach better an another? Do the priorities reflect those of fire safety officers? We have to wait for a follow-on paper to find out the answer to this.

Smith and Jackson present the use of strategic needs analysis as methodology for use in the pre-design stage. Management briefings, participant selection, interactive workshops and supporting decision analysis software form the basic tools of strategic needs analysis. The technique is particularly important in terms of the potential for broadening stakeholder participation and overcoming the need for everyone to be in the same place on one day.

How do large, experienced clients arrive at the decision to build? This is the question posed by Woodhead. Decision approvers, decision shapers, decision influencers and decision takers all play a role in the complex formulation process. The decision model described by Woodhead is put forward as a guide to help understand this process. It is argued that careful analysis of the underlying assumptions may help to produce new, more effective approaches.

Ho et al., consider the use of benchmarking in the Asia Pacific region. Their study identifies a comprehensive list of metrics that are considered important by major corporations in the region. As is so often the case, many of the respondents continue to focus on actual expenditure, rather than cost effectiveness.

What happens when an office space is occupied during conversion? More importantly, how does the presence of operatives during a conversion impact on the occupants' perception of their work? The paper by Holm and Bröchner funded by the Swedish Council for Building Research investigates this area and comes to a number of conclusions based on three surveyed projects. Craftsmen often have a different view about what constitutes quality compared to to the office user. Of paramount importance is the provision of a high quality of service for companies seeking to improve their reputation in this market.

Edward Finch