1. DQM
Canada
DQM
DESIGN QUALITY METHOD ®
The Design Quality Method (DQM) ® - the only patented approach to POE...
The DQM ® is used by all UK
auditing authorities and many
funding bodies...
The Design Quality Method (DQM)
originated as a post occupancy review
approach to assess building design and
performance, holistically. Its successive
use by UK auditing bodies, to assess
new schools, hospitals and universities;
led to its increased use by public sector
bodies – in prisons, colleges and offices.
The DQM ® is a patented approach
that assesses building performance
through a series of matrices. The
matrices are implement using a range
of analytical techniques, which are
designed to capture holistic information.
This includes factors such as energy
consumption, fabric performance,
material reliability and whole life costs.
The DQM ® is much more than a
post occupancy review tool, as it is the
product of over a decade of tacit and
explicit knowledge on building
performance. It is a bespoke process
with an enviable pedigree of hundreds of
buildings - in contrast to remote tick-box
certification processes.
The unique aspect of the DQM ®
approach is enabling understanding of
the complex relationships between
people and the built environment. We
use state-of-the-art techniques to
capture occupant interaction and
feedback, often through the medium of
film. This approach requires a deep
insight into the operations, vision and
strategic goals of our clients, who find
the DQM ® vital in assuring quality and
optimisation in their buildings.
The DQM uses expert opinion,
professional judgment, user opinion and
measurement to independently assess
design quality and building performance.
This results in the triangulation of expert
and occupant opinion with scientific
evidence, to ensure that lessons are
learnt and best practice is applied.
HMP Low Moss, Scotland
2013
®
The DQM was successfully patented in Canada this year and DQM Canada is
based in Toronto, Ontario. Dr Ian Ellingham is leading the DQM initiative in Canada.
Ian is an architect and consultant who specialises in whole life sustainability of the
built environment. Ian is also an associate of Cambridge Architectural Research and
has a long association with the university. Further international patents are pending.

2. DQM Matrices ®
Six matrices with
clearly defined levels
of design quality...
1. ARCHITECTURE
Covers the relatively subjective area of
aesthetic merit as well as the more
prosaic qualities of specification, site
layout, space planning and
sustainability.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Sympathetic integration of
environmental services is crucial, as is
their optimal operation maintenance
and sustainability - which is
scientifically measurable.
3. USER COMFORT
Internal comfort conditions are also
scientifically measurable and links
between them and occupant efficiency
are increasingly evident. The
integration of art and science creates
ideal environments - eg the quality of
daylight is equally as important as the
quantity.
4. WHOLE LIFE COSTS
The balance between capital and
running costs often affects future
building performance. Specification
choices can have long-lasting effects.
5. DETAILED DESIGN
Design details and quality of
workmanship and installation are
crucial to the success of a building’s
operation and maintenance.
6. OCCUPANT SATISFACTION
Occupants are asked to respond to
several structured interview questions
and rate their satisfaction with their
buildings. Anecdotal evidence often
concurs with expert opinion.
DQM Solutions Ltd...
We are a multi-disciplinary team of
professionals, with many decades of
experience in all aspects of consultancy
in the built environment...
We demystify sustainability through
independent design and post occupancy
review - empowering our clients with the
knowledge to create commercial and
societal advantage through the
intelligent use of buildings. Our unique
and specialist service originated and
continues in public and private sector
building programmes, which gave us
unrepeatable access to a database of
hundreds of buildings.
Our tacit and explicit knowledge
base is unrivalled and continues to grow
- on an international basis. The DQM ®
is cited internationally as the industry
standard approach to post occupancy
and design review...from Scotland to
Western Australia.
Improving building
performance...
Everyone involved in a building
project wants to achieve a better
building, but design quality means
different things to clients, users,
architects, cost consultants and
contractors. Negotiating design priorities
is an important part of the development
process. Post project review and POE is
recommended under Stage L of the
RIBA Plan of Work.
For more information, contact:
Martin Cook
M: 07805 633431
E: cookm@dqm.org.uk
www.dqm.org.uk
National Railway Museum, York
improving
building performance
The
DESIGN
QUALITY
M A N U A L
MARTIN COOK