Government Policy on Architecture 2009 – 2015 - Department of Arts ...

Action 9The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local <strong>Government</strong> and the Officeof Public Works will, in accordance with the requirements of the Capital WorksManagement Framework:i. investigate appropriate incentives for best practice in regard to future-proofing ofbuildings. The objective is that buildings be designed for resilience, and in terms ofenergy as net resource-generating environments;ii. develop relevant guidance documents on key sustainability criteria. Such documentswill have wide application, for example as design aids and in evaluating applicationsfor new building developments in order to ensure compliance with their objectiveson sustainability, functionality and value for money as referred to above and asbenchmarks against which to assess competition entries. The future adaptability andthe ease to which the materials used could be recycled at the end of their lifespanare among the factors to be considered;iii. ensure that buildings procured in all public building contracts are designed for easeof maintenance and upgrade. In support of this action the Department of the Environment,Heritage and Local <strong>Government</strong> and the Office of Public Works, in conjunctionwith the <strong>Government</strong> Construction Contracts Committee and with the assistanceof relevant agencies will prepare a guidance document on the application ofwhole life costing in building projects in the State.30 <strong>Government</strong> <strong>Policy</strong> on Architecture 2009 – 2015