Key attributes of designers’ competencies for design for deconstruction (DfD) implementation in Ghana

Abstract

Successfully integrating design for deconstruction (DfD) principles into the construction industry will require articulated design guides and designers’ competencies. This calls for understanding the attributes of designers’ competencies essential for effective DfD implementation. This study explores the attributes of designers’ competencies for DfD implementation in the Ghanaian construction industry. The study adopted an exploratory sequential mixed design method with an initial qualitative data collection phase followed by a quantitative data collection phase. Responses from the qualitative phase (via interviews) were thematically analysed, while data obtained from the quantitative phase were analysed by means scores and standard deviations, the Normalized Value test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. The study identified ten attributes of designers’ competencies for DfD implementation. The four key competencies were identified as, in order of importance: proper expertise and motivation; designers’ knowledge of material quality and durability; strong understanding of construction; and effective coordination of element and component dimensions. The results of this study shed light on a less explored aspect of competencies for DfD implementation in the construction sector, especially in the global south. It provides fresh data and new insights into the attributes of designers’ competencies for DfD implementation.