Financial and socio-economic impacts of implementing active design principles in South African office buildings

Abstract

The drive towards sustainable construction increasingly demands a balance between socio-economic, financial viability, cultural relevance, and user satisfaction. Limited empirical research exists on the financial and socio-economic impacts of active design principles in South Africa, especially from the perspective of Quantity Surveyors. This study aimed to establish a foundational understanding of the financial and socio-economical impacts associated with the implementation of active design principles to improve built environment sustainability, cost management and workplace wellness. An exploratory, case-study approach was adopted, involving interviews with purposively selected participants. Key findings identified four significant phenomena: health and wellness in construction, financial factors, socio-economic factors, and barriers and limitations. One notable limitation included the limited implementation of active design principles in the South African Construction industry. This study highlights the importance of integrated stakeholder collaboration and recommends the industry-wide adoption of active design principles to enhance user value. This study also emphasizes the emerging role of Quantity Surveyors in driving innovative sustainable concepts in the construction industry. It is beneficial for built environment stakeholders as it provides valuable insights and empirical evidence regarding the implementation of active design principles and the resulting health and financial outcomes. This study offers a unique opportunity to support built environment sustainability through social, economic, and health benefits and is among the first to compare actively designed and conventional buildings in South Africa, providing novel insights into how Quantity Surveyors can influence sustainability through workplace wellness and socio-economic value creation.