Returns policy

Only by returning to a scheme can its designers know how it actually performs in practice as our revisit to the Laban dance centre demonstrates (p32). A revisit gives designers the opportunity to assess what is working well, what could have worked better and why. More importantly, perhaps, by going back to a building its designers will be able to understand whether or not their solution has met the client's expectations.

The series of PROBE studies, first published in BSj more than 10 years ago, gave a valuable insight into the need for this kind of response. Designers found the feedback from industry experts invaluable in highlighting common failings, not just in the performance of the services but in all aspects of a building's design.

Look back to learn was also a key tenet of CIBSE's new president, John Armstrong's, address (news p9). John has spent his working life in the management, care and maintenance of buildings and their engineering services. This experience has made him acutely aware of the issues building owners and tenants encounter in operating their buildings and the need for engineers to be included in the feedback.

The new president wants designers to talk to facilities managers and to building operators so that they can learn from the occupant's experience in order to, as he says, "complete the circle". It is a novel and simple solution to the perennial problem of feedback. And with CIBSE's links to British Institute of Facilities Management it is an ideal that it could be realised during the president’s term in office. What might be more of challenge will be to get engineers to put aside fee-earning new work for such a dialogue to take place.

I’d like to applaud John on such a laudable and important initiative. Facilities managers have wealth of knowledge that building services engineers would do well to seek.

So go out and talk to one today. Andy Pearson