Key findings released from a national Galaxy poll commissioned to gauge the Australian community’s views on the benefits of good design for public buildings and public spaces; and the importance of involving qualified and experienced designers in public buildings

97% of Australians believe that cities and towns are better to live in when public buildings and public spaces are well designed.

99% say that it is important to invest in the good design of hospitals and schools.

93% of Australians agree that ‘having a qualified and experienced designer involved from start to finish [public buildings and residential apartments] would result in fewer defects than if left to the builder alone’

Australians believed all of the following design principles were important factors to be properly considered in the design of residential buildings:
• New buildings should use green/conservation principles such as minimising power use, recycling water, and maximising use of natural light (79%)
• Proposed building size takes into account the impact on local infrastructure such public transport, community facilities and traffic density (78)
• The new building considers the benefits to both residents and neighbours (77%)
• The size of the building should suit the scale of the street and surrounding buildings (76%)
• The new building contributes to the character of the streetscape and local area (74%)
• The building optimises safety and security and clearly defines public and private spaces (73%)

When asked whether it would be good if explicitly agreed design quality principles for apartment buildings were implemented in their state, 49% of Australians say that it ‘definitely’ would be good, and a further 45% say that it ‘probably’ would be good. Only 6% say that it is not needed.

If an apartment building was to be built in their area almost everyone (97%) would want the principles of design quality to be professionally considered and implemented in the design of the new building.

The survey by Galaxy Research commissioned by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia included a national sample of 2593 Australians aged 18-64 years across all State and Territories weighted to latest ABS population estimates. The full Report is available here.

For media comment: Kate Doyle, CEO 0400 564 936

The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) is a not for profit company owned by the State and Territory architect registration boards. It is the national organisation responsible for coordinating and facilitating national standards for the registration of architects in Australia.