Page 50 - Build 165

Medium-density housing
and on the maintenance and renewal requirements.
Start on the right foot
At the design stage, consider the durability and maintenance requirements of materials selected for the location and environment.
Other considerations include access to enable maintenance, client and developer attitudes to costs and maintenance, material and nish costs and the complexity of design and detailing.
Early barriers to maintenance
Maintenance is not a key consideration for many developers, owners or designers. To ensure it is an integral part of MDH design, barriers that need to be overcome include: ● a view at the design stage that maintenance is something other people will deal with
The maintenance needs of medium- density housing can be more complex than for stand-alone homes.
● a build-it-now and x-it-later view rather than one of anticipating future trends and drivers a ecting the energy performance of buildings
● poor understanding of the maintenance requirements of the materials, compo- nents and nishes speci ed
● a lack of involvement of facilities managers in the design process
● a lack of awareness of:
the implications of design and cost decisions on building maintenance among building developers, owners and designers
the maintenance needs and funding requirements of the completed building by the body corporate.
Use standard and durable materials
Maintenance activities and costs may be lower where the design and detailing of MDH incorporates standard, universally applicable components or materials with proven or veri able long-term durability.
Incorporate durable materials and compo- nents that do not need additional surface treatment, such as copper or high-strength concrete. The external nish reduces ongoing maintenance.
48 — April/May 2018 — Build 165
FEATURE SECTION