Architectural quality is to become one of the key criteria for publicly funded construction projects under an action programme published last night by the Minister for Arts and Heritage, Ms de Valera.
The programme, "Action on Architecture", fleshes out a Government policy document adopted by the Rainbow Coalition before it left office in 1997, which included a commitment to promote high standards of design and construction.
According to Ms de Valera, the new action programme marks a significant step in advancing the 1997 policy statement, though she concedes that achieving its objectives will be a long-term task.
In her foreword, the Minister says: "Everyone experiences architecture, whether we think consciously about it or not, and the quality of our built environment profoundly affects the quality of our lives".
She said it was vital that the Government "recognises the social and cultural importance of architecture in society". In publishing the action programme, she was identifying "specific steps which the Government is confident will adhere to that criterion".
Twenty-nine actions are to be taken over the programme's four-year lifespan aimed at promoting more awareness of architecture, starting in the schools; leading by example in the public sector, and strengthening architectural input in the planning process.
Good architecture contributes to our sense of well-being, the programme says. "Poor standards of design and construction represent a waste of effort, energy, materials and opportunity. They debase our quality of life".
It suggests that good architecture is more likely to be achieved in a society where people are aware of the practical, psychological and cultural role of the built environment.
Though a building might comply with every statutory regulation on structural and fire safety, drainage and ventilation, it could still be "ugly, inefficient and depressing".
The programme proposes to enhance the role and value of architecture as a resource in the education curriculum at all levels, including having an "architect-in-residence" scheme for teacher-training colleges as well as primary and post-primary schools.
The Arts Council will also have a key role in promoting public awareness of architecture through the appointment of a full-time architecture officer, who will work with planning authorities to promote design excellence.
Using the Internet, a "Virtual Architecture Centre" is to be developed as an all-Ireland initiative, providing interactive programmes and virtual exhibitions and links to relevant websites, with public-access terminals located in the major cultural institutions.
ENFO, the environmental information service, is to expand its role to include more exhibitions on sustainable building while Dúchas, the Heritage Service, is to incorporate contemporary architecture into its heritage awareness programmes.
"In view of its special responsibility in setting an example for the community at large, the Government must present itself as an exemplary client committed to quality in areas of building procurement and property development", it says.
"Consistent with the requirement for maintaining economic advantage, the achievement of high standards of design and construction should be an objective of contracting authorities . . . All proposals for capital expenditure should take account of full life-time costs."