Experts from the defence sector also agree that people flows are integral to achieving the right building design. Describing one large - and highly successful - Ministry of Defence training facility built under the PFI, a former director of the service contract for the project said:
"The building is just for that - people flows - you have the accommodation on one side, then the central hub, with the refectory and library, then classrooms on the other side. So, in the mornings, the students get up and wash or shower, then they make their way to the refectory and then on to the classrooms. Then after classes finish, they go back again.
The beauty of this arrangement, in terms of cleaning, for example, is that you can clean the refectory and kitchens, and the classrooms, for the morning, and then whilst the students are at classes, you clean the accommodation in time for the evening. This also saves on manpower, you don't have to do all the cleaning at once, so you can have a smaller team".
The same expert agreed that there are significant benefits to be gained from the right design. Understanding flows is important for every aspect of the service, from the movement of porters delivering goods and services around the building, to the movement of printing resources - paper flows - around the building. He added, 'there's no doubt that the service is improved by involving the service partners in the design stage - you know where you operate from and to'.
This principle applies at every level, from the shape of the building, to the location of specific rooms and functions: 'for example, where the offices are located - the contract director's office is in easy reach of the customer's office, so it is just a short walk when you need to get in touch'.