Optimisation of Public Building Projects in the Design Phase

Abstract

Currently, as a result of the recession, governments are deeply involved in public investment projects to promote economic growth. Public building projects (museums, universities, theatres), compared with private investments, have a range of specialist requirements. Among others, public project should serve political, cultural, social and urban interests. In the preparation phase, those interests are dominant, and overall cost-efficiency is only a secondary level decision factor. However, this factor must be taken into account and together with all other requirements, is an essential part of the project design phase. This process must be a part of a well-established feedback mechanism, which incorporates public requirements, building cost calculation, and other decision making factors related to the public investment project.
A number of methods are well known for operational cost optimisation such as LCC analysis, Value Engineering, and benchmarking. After close investigation of the scientific literature, the author will describe potential organisational models, which incorporate evaluation and optimisation of building operational costs. The article suggests further research directions.