EXTERNAL ENVELOPE 49 VE may still have its day
Uncontrolled value engineering has rightly been criticised for its focus on cost cutting and poor-quality construction outcomes. Adam Sumner of Pura Facades thinks the time is now right to re-assess the potential of VE in the industry as part of a responsible, but pragmatic specifi cation process.
T
he specifi cation of construction products is a complex process that has fundamental implications for
the aesthetics, safety, function and cost of a building. Quite rightly, the term ‘value engineering’ has come in for substantial criticism since Grenfell Tower, however is the time now right to reappraise the practice of ‘specifi cation reassessment’ as long as it conforms to the principle and spirit of the Golden Thread?
The history of VE Value engineering was pioneered by US fi rm General Electric during World War II, when three engineers noticed that substituting materials and methods often reduced costs. Called “value analysis” or “value control,” this technique crucially did not affect the quality or performance of the end products being manufactured. In principle, value engineering focuses on the functions of components and materials, rather than their physical attributes. It promotes the substitution of materials and methods with less expensive or more readily available alternatives. The ultimate formula for value is often defi ned as a function divided by cost. By the 1980s, these engineering-based concepts were becoming widely adopted in other industries such as construction, automotive and aerospace. In the UK, the post-Grenfell Hackitt Report criticised the overtly simplifi ed, cynical use of VE to win contracts, based purely on cost reduction. Now, a more nuanced approach is becoming carefully considered by the building sector, involving all of those involved in the specifi cation chain, including architects, designers, developers, contractors and product manufacturers. Concepts such as the Golden Thread, the new Building Safety Regulator and a shift in culture towards ‘safety fi rst’ is heralding an era of more responsible value engineering.
ADF MARCH 2025
As part of a company with over 25 years’ experience in cladding, Pura Facades prides itself on always doing the right thing when it comes to building safety, but an overly cautious ‘belt and braces’ approach to specifi cation can lead to huge construction ineffi ciencies, unnecessary cost infl ation and problems with project completion. Safety should always take precedence, but there are myriad other considerations that deserve attention before a fi nal decision is made on often complex building systems. Take, for example, a recent development we are involved in at Canary Wharf – an unused offi ce block which is being transformed into a luxury apartment complex.
Having been approached by the main contractor to supply more than 8,000 m2
of
high-quality stone cladding, our engineering team assessed this request and suggested there could be a better way. In close co- operation with the architect and contractor, we proposed an alternative solution which comprised a mixture of lightweight glass
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Concepts such as the Golden Thread, and the new Building Safety Regulator, are heralding an era of more responsible value engineering
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
