Recently ‘Urban Home” invited the Texas female AIA fellows to meet with them to discuss architecture and to define “good design”. The link below will take you to their site. If you are interested follow the link and be sure to click on ‘download pdf’ to get the whole article with images.
My response to describe good design is as follows:
To paraphrase Sir Denys Lasdun, “Good design is when the client gets, not what he said that he wanted, but what he never even dreamt that he needed!” Good design is so much more than aesthetics. Of course it includes form, and response to the site, but function and economy are equally important. In addition, if a client knows exactly what he wants, then he doesn’t need an architect; he needs a good builder. Good design also includes a meticulous attention to the use of materials and details so that the construction awes at every level.
jstansfeld 
I think that might be the most perfect definition of good design. Thank you for sharing this one. I am off to read.
Thank you, I also suggest that the article has a number of good definitions, so I hope that you enjoy reading. You might enjoy Susan’s comment (see below),
I liked Lasdun’s interpretation of good design.
Yes, I agree. He made the comment circa 1966/67 at the opening of the Royal College of Physicians building, designed by him.
I enjoyed reading about your student days and how you came to choose architecture as a profession, Jane. In some ways it seems one has to be what is called “a renaissance woman,” in order to consider all the variety of thought and experience that goes into such design. And then, as always with art, with craft, but probably especially with architecture, the spectres of usefulness and money enter the arena to temper the possibilities. I found this a very interesting post. Thank you!
As always I enjoyed your insightful comments.
Great comment Susan well said. I wish that I could have been as erudite in my comment on what is good design. I think that you should take your fifth grade class presentation on the road it is too good not to get repeated many times and in many places.
nice article. Thanks for sharing, Jane. Good perspective by all. I once did a career day for a 5th grade group. I was teamed with a builder/developer. He did his presentation first and derided architects through every step. When I presented I began with how we learn to be architects. We study the sun and wind and temperature effects. We study how shapes affect us, how textures, how lighting affects us. Then before showing my slides I talked about how all of those elements can evoke desired emotion. The bank lobby slide showed coved lighting, rich carpeting, largely green colors, warm woods.This is where you trust people with your money. The church slides showed high arching ceilings in various shapes notably the upside down ark theme repeated by many architects. This is where you feel reverence. Etc. The kids were wowed. The builder apologized. Architects must feed there families, too – sad we often have to “design” garbage to be competitive….
misspelled their….sorry