It should be noted at the outset that there is never a single design response. Design needs to relate to context and there will always be a range of potential solutions. The evaluation of design quality is probably as subjective as the design itself. It is primarily related to three attributes: impact, build quality and function.
In terms of impact, a design solution should respect local character and context. It should be assimilated into its setting and use materials appropriate to its context. As an integral part of this, the impact on the environment should be minimised in terms of factors such as noise impact and flooding.
Build quality relates to the structural integrity of the development, its fixtures, fittings and finishes. It covers the whole-life cost of the building. Is it designed and built to last? Is it easy to maintain? Will it be adaptable/flexible? Will it (eventually) be easy to dismantle? Attention to detail is a key component in delivering quality. The individual components of a building should be considered both in isolation and in relation to the development as a whole.
Function is clearly a core part of any proposal for a waste management facility. A new development must be fit for purpose. Due to the type of operations taking place, health and safety considerations must be taken into account. If there is a public interface at a facility, safety requirements are heightened further. The scale and number of vehicles visiting a facility mean good layout and access will be essential.
The ability to evaluate the design of new waste facilities is fundamental to the process and needs to recognise the way in which waste management facilities function. Evaluation should be open and integral throughout the delivery of new facilities, from setting out the initial brief to the completed building.