Is it possible to reduce costs and guarantee quality simultaneously in construction? In other words: What cost-effective strategies exist for creating durable, environmentally sustainable buildings – spaces that provide comfort and ensure enjoyment for generations to come? DETAIL confronts a pressing issue that will accompany us for some time to come. How can we cut costs while keeping high standards? What potential do simple solutions hold?

In this issue of DETAIL magazine, editor Barbara Zettel compiled trailblazing projects that tackle these questions. They attest to how architecture can streamline construction expenses by embracing simplicity – without sacrificing quality. For a better comparison, we included the construction costs per square metre in each case – figures supplied to us by the respective architectural firms. Of course, it is essential to evaluate these costs in relative terms, considering the variations between countries and the intricacies of each building. In Switzerland, for example, construction costs must be assessed differently than in Spain, and they are higher for public buildings than for single-family homes.

Is it possible to reduce costs and guarantee quality simultaneously in construction? In other words: What cost-effective strategies exist for creating durable, environmentally sustainable buildings – spaces that provide comfort and ensure enjoyment for generations to come? DETAIL confronts a pressing issue that will accompany us for some time to come. How can we cut costs while keeping high standards? What potential do simple solutions hold?

In this issue of DETAIL magazine, editor Barbara Zettel compiled trailblazing projects that tackle these questions. They attest to how architecture can streamline construction expenses by embracing simplicity – without sacrificing quality. For a better comparison, we included the construction costs per square metre in each case – figures supplied to us by the respective architectural firms. Of course, it is essential to evaluate these costs in relative terms, considering the variations between countries and the intricacies of each building. In Switzerland, for example, construction costs must be assessed differently than in Spain, and they are higher for public buildings than for single-family homes.