Design for Change: The Architecture of DEGW: The Architecture of Ideas

The London consulting and architectural office DEGW has taken a leading role in conceiving innovative designs for work environments and in devising new ways for companies and organizations to reorganize buildings. Founded in 1974 by Frank Duffy, Peter Eley, Luigi Giffone and John Worthington, the firm became internationally known for its design of "intelligent" buildings, and its blend of thorough analysis, extensive consultation, and strategies for ensuring the flexible utilization of a building. This book explains how these strategies were arrived at, dealing with the following questions: how can buildings be adapted for change in the course of their lifetime?; what roles do the behaviour and expectations of the occupants play?; can architectural forms be classified in a typology of function?; how important is ventilation and light to the work atmosphere?; how can building, grounds, and even entire cities be renewed and re-utilized?; which new strategies exist to assess, acquire and manage buildings? The essays in this book address illustrative case studies from the DEGW practice, and seek to demonstrate the firm's wide international experience.