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With architects increasingly asked to demonstrate the added value of their work, Dr Kelly Watson of Hatch Regeneris discusses how they can more explicitly harness the wider social value of projects
last couple of years, and this is certainly true for the UK design and construction sector. Both public and private sector clients are increasingly asking their suppliers and wider project teams to consider, articulate and evidence how they will deliver wider value as part of built environment projects. For local authorities, this requirement is driven by the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 which ensures contracts are awarded based on value for money, rather than upfront cost savings. Similar legislation has been developed in Scotland (Procurement Reform Act 2014) and Wales (Future Generations Act 2015). Social value refers to the range of economic, social and environmental impacts that accrue to stakeholders, end users and local communities due to interventions, investments and developments. Yet, too often this conversation is focused on the construction phase of development, with an emphasis placed on supporting jobs, offering training opportunities, apprenticeships, staff volunteering, and other CSR activities. While this is an important part of the social value story, it misses the potential to add value from much earlier in the project process, nor considers the impact of the designed asset once completed and in operation. It is a challenging ask for architects and designers, as their core contribution comes at a much earlier work stage, and there is less opportunity for design practices to offer project-related apprenticeships, training or outreach in the same way as a construction firm can.
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Recognition that social impact is also generated through both the design process and the physical asset itself is growing. The
he social value agenda has visibly gained prominence and attention across a variety of sectors over the
‘Social Value in Design of the Built Environment’ report by the Supply Chain Sustainability School argues that important decisions made during early design stages actually de-limit the kind of social value it is possible to achieve later in the project. The UKGBC ‘Social Value in Development’ report also emphasises the importance of considering social value across the full project process, from investment and commissioning decisions, all the way through concept and ‘optioneering,’ planning, detailed design, construction and post-occupancy stages. The MHCLG ‘Building Better, Building Beautiful’ Commission is another example of where the design of the built environment is gaining prominence at a national level, with its first report now available to read. There are a range of emerging drivers that are pushing designers to consider social value measurement – it is becoming a work-winning factor for many projects,
ADF DECEMBER 2019
with social value contributing up to 30 per cent of the quality score on some public sector contracts. The market is moving in this direction; it is a significant factor in being able to attract and retain talent, especially in the younger workforce. There is a growing consensus about the importance of responsible business practices, in a wider context of public sector cuts, socio-economic impacts of austerity still being felt, and an acknowledged climate emergency. As a result, it is not just contractors who are required to answer social value questions as part of proposals and tenders. Architects, engineers and other designers also need to be able to articulate the added value of their work in a meaningful way. For many, social value seems implicit to the core mission of the profession. However, a lack of evidence means the social contribution of architects is often overlooked. This is a challenging
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