What is the value of good design?

Since 2016, we have been working with the Wanindilyakwa People on a Housing Masterplan Study that culminated in the design and construction of new series of houses. These houses have been designed in collaboration with local community housing reference groups and community members and respond directly to the problems surrounding existing housing stock. The new community residential subdivisions and house designs incorporate important aspects of culture and country, and the delivery of Stage 1 and Stage 2 was enthusiastically welcomed by community.

Over the next several months, as the tenants occupy and inhabit the houses, a series of carefully crafted surveys are proposed to gather feedback and understand what has changed for the residents. What are the material (relevant and significant) changes that they have experienced that can be attributed to the new house designs? Do the new houses mean that they are happier, healthier and able to lead a stronger cultural life, connected to family and respectful of cultural protocols?

There is also a financial value to conducting this sort of analysis. Utilising the principles of ‘Stated Preferences’ and ‘Financial Proxies’ found in a typical Social Return on Investment analysis, outcomes such as improved social connections, happier family relationships, or stronger cultural lives can be given a dollar value. Doing this provides our clients with valuable return on investment data and helps to build case for future capital works expenditure and project feasibility.

We are excited to have the opportunity capture and describe all the social and cultural outcomes that these new house designs have created. Through a rigorous application of the SRODI principles, we will be able to determine the value of these outcomes and establish where we have made the biggest impact through design.