The relationship between the design and maintenance of buildings

Abstract

As construction costs increase and the need for more buildings increases, it is important that the present stock of buildings is well maintained to ensure a long life span. But many buildings are not maintained to the acceptable standard and thus have shortened life spans. The research looks into the possible reasons for this, with emphasis on the relationship between the design and maintenance of buildings. The research is carried out in Nairobi. The case study is at the University of Nairobi, with particular r,eference to Nqala Hall of Residence. The findings revealed that although there is a well established relati9nship between the design and maintenance of buildings, it is well often not taken into serious consideration. Maitenance problems were attributed to lack of this, in addition to a peer and ineffective maintenance policy and to the carelessness of the user. In view of the above weakness in the maintenance of buildings, the study recommends that designers be legally bound to consider maintenance as one of their basic desian criteria: maintenance policies should be more efficient and integrated and the user should be educated on the maintenance of the building