SR380 What is quality in buildings? (May 2017)

Buildings have wide types and uses including residential, commercial, institutional and industrial. These broad categories have varied service requirements, ranging from basic protection from weather for equipment and animals to the enabling of controlled indoor environments for people and contents. This report addresses the quality requirements, in broad terms, of these buildings. Common types of defect are discussed, including a literature review of the causes of these defects. Procedures developed overseas for improving building quality at the various stages of project scoping, design, construction and commissioning are discussed and assessed.

Building quality is not easily defined or measured. This is not surprising when the definition of 'quality' has been debated throughout history. This report discusses three levels of quality:

• Basic quality, or a building without defects.
• Enhanced quality, with a focus on buildings that are fit for purpose for users now and in the future.
• High quality, for buildings that are 'beyond good'.