Design Quality in New Housing: Learning from the Netherland's

By Matthew Cousins | Published by Taylor & Francis | 2008

167pp

ISBN 978-0415447706

Review by Oliver Spratley

Design Quality in New Housing - Learning from the Netherland’s provides an irresistible range of case studies.

A prevalent Dutch design paradigm is showcased and set alongside some of the best examples of UK housing schemes: All embellished with a palette of improved materials that lend themselves to create an enhanced resolution, in terms of sustainability.

Rather than necessarily relying on loose and sometimes ambiguous planning policy, this book extols the virtues of engaging the community - a process that helps obtain the vital feedback with which to respond in design terms, for an improved livability.

The design process in the Netherland's rejects double standards with a practice that encourages feedback that embodies the core principle determinant for establishing the next design iteration. To what degree aspirations have been met and how lives have been implicated, it would seem is recognised, acknowledged, and acted upon.

This book acknowledges the challenges faced regarding design subjectivity. Meeting differing aspirations, will always be the designers breadbasket and no glove will ever fit all, however, through this book important questions are raised - particularly those with consideration to the role of the design process. Analysis of which presents the opportunity to play an affective role, with primary responsibility, being to integrate with the community, rather than merely being a consultant to a developer.

Standards of design in the Netherland's implies and illustrates a process of design execution that is more cyclical and less abstract than say that of the widespread product of UK property development.
The author gathers these excellent case studies (including UK projects such as Accordia, Cambridge and Donnybrook Quarter, London) with comprehensive feedback and observations that address criteria such as spatial diversity, sustainability and the human scale that amongst others define the Dutch Fifth National Policy Document on Spatial Planning.

Questions are raised such as to why effective codes already established in Netherland's and Scotland have not been adopted in England and Wales whilst considering everything from Vitruvian categorisation to PPS03 in the UK.
This book recognises that quality in housing is achieved through the combination of establishing urban design codes for cohesive frameworks and the application of architecture professionals, using their creativity and imagination for a built environment of rhythm and vitality.

Interestingly what this book gives us is the sense that a successful design process is not just about ticking boxes but rather an ongoing exploratory and cyclical process of improvement and of adaptation.
Design Quality in New Housing Learning form the Netherland’s is generally well illustrated and an excellent acquisition for all built environment academics and professionals.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Design Quality in the Netherlands
1. Design Quality in Dutch Housing
2. Case Studies of New Housing in the Netherland's

Part 2: Design Quality in the United Kingdom
3. Design Quality in Housing in the United Kingdom
4. Case Studies of New Housing in the UK
5. Low and High-Rise Doll's Houses and Dan Dare Steel and Glass Towers? Design Quality in the Thames Gateway

Part 3: Learning from the Netherlands, Design Quality in New Housing in the UK and the Netherlands
6. Findings and Recommendations of Design Quality in the UK and in the Netherlands