Class #2: Evidence Based Practice

Objectives

1. Be informed about the growing need for evidence based practice in architecture

2. Learn about a new model for integrating research into the development process

3. Obtain insight into how the model can be applied in architecture

4. Obtain awareness of stair safety as an important ergonomic problem in architectural design

Using known best practices in making design decisions. Integrates knowledge gained from practice and research. Rely on"high quality" evidence to support decisions....what works and what doesn't.

Why is it important?

• Decisions in professional practice have a significant economic impact
• The health and welfare of the public is at stake
• Every stakeholder seeks to reduce risk
• Information technology makes the latest knowledge very accessible
• Techniques available for grading "evidence"

Examples of the growing importance of EBP

• Green Building Council-LEED
• Whole Building Design Guide
• Congress on New Urbanism
• Center for Health Design

Discussion: Which is the most valuable source of information about radiotherapy facility design?

• Requirements in a building code or standard
• Results of a research study that compared current facilities
• Previous personal experience of the designer's mother
• Complaints of hospital staff
• A design manual developed by a radiation therapy manufacturer

Design as Knowledge Translation

Each has a history - traditional building design evolved over time and through experience

Knowledge is embedded in the form

Architects usually design by precedent - easy way to transmit embodied knowledge

Modernism

• Responded to rapid change - technology and society
• Uniqueness and novelty were highly valued
• De-emphasize transmitted knowledge (beleived to be obsolete)
• Disconnected the designer from embodied knowledge
• Lead to huge mistakes - unsustainable
• Devalues research and consensus

Growing interest in re-establishing a tradition of shared knowledge

• Study of traditional buildings - The Original Green
• Form based codes - The Smart Code
• Consensus standards - GUDC

Why is research important?

• New problems need to be studied quickly - no time to let evolution take its toll
• Quality of life and life itself is at stake
• Powerful political and economic interests at work
• Knowledge is power

Discussion: What is the best strategy to control infection in hospitals?

Knowledge Translation is a topic of research interest

• Bridging the gap between science and practice
• Bringing new knowledge to use more quickly
• Reducing failures - orphaned products
• Need to Knowledge Model - Integrates theory in Knowledge Translation with theory in New Product Development

Relevance to Architeture

• Buildings are basically collections of products
• Architecture itself is increasingly being practiced as a product development enterprise
• Examples:
  • Building enclosure
  • Structural systems
  • Theme buildings
• Addresses KT throughout the design and development process
• Think about architecture as a New Product Development Process

Case Study: Stairways in Apple Stors

Steve Jobs has chosen your firm to design the new series of flagship Apple stores that will both provide continuity with the past series of designs and explore some new design directions. All the stores will be different but all will have a similar layout and aesthetic to reinforce the Apple brand. Before going ahead with the new design, the company wants to insure that they don’t repeat mistakes of the past. The existing stores are very attractive and have established a strong identity for the company. However, reports from the field indicate that there may be some safety problems with the glass stairways. This is a critical issue that needs to be addressed in the new urban stores, which are often two stories with the entry at the top floor.

Here are links to some existing stores:

New York

Shanghai

London

Boston

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