Explorations in Architecture - Research Paper Example

Explorations in Architecture Abstract The aim of this report is to guide and advise our client with regards to the entire project. This is to be achieved by looking at the recommendations provided by the all teams involved in the project. The recommendations have been broken down into all the stages involved in the completion of the project using the RIBA working plan. The team members in this case include, Land surveyor, Quantity surveyor, planning consultant, structural engineer, CDM Co-ordinator, architect , fire brigade, statutory authorities, estate agent, local planning authority, local highway authority, and the client team. Introduction Site redevelopment is among the many production process in architecture and it entails the combination of a number of inputs with an aim of coming up with the desirable output in the long run. In the case of site development, the product is a design that will be able to meet the requirements and desires of various stakeholders including, the client, the Solicitors, the Architects, local planning authority, and palling consultants. The site development process is a complex one taking place through several stages and for a considerable time frame (Larson, 2012, p. 72). The redevelopment process can be divided into several main stages including: Stage A (Inception) Stage B (Feasibility Strategic Briefing) Stage C (Outline Proposal) Stage D (Detail proposals) Stage E (Final Proposals) Stage F (Production Information) Stage G (Tender Documents) Stage H (Tender Actions) Stage J (Mobilization) Stage K (Operations on Site) Stage L (Completion & Occupation) However, the site redevelopment process is not necessarily a sequential process and the stages involved in most cases overlap or repeat themselves. In each respective stage, different stakeholders have different role with the main one being offering recommendations to the client. Main Project The initial stage in the process of redeveloping the site is the Inception/ Preparation stage (Stage A) which involves initial steps of the project design. The main task taking place in this stage includes setting up the client’s organization for the project briefing. Some of the key tasks involve the identification of the objectives of the project, the business case of the client, and sustainability aspirants. The site is also examined at this stage through providing site information and offers recommendations for any further information required. The other task includes feasibility studies preparation as well as assessing the possible options to act as guidelines to the client as he/she decides on the proceeding after this stage (Larson, 2012, p. 68). The tasks in this stage call for the hands of different stake holders who are expected to offer recommendations on ways forward in their respective responsibilities. The people involved in this stage include the project manager and the client. The Project manager offers recommendations that offer interface between the client and the design team. The PM provides advice to the client on the contract forms, managing risk, reporting and monitoring, and procurement options. The client is involved in each stage of the project design. The Feasibility Strategic Briefing stage (stage B) entails conducting studies on the sites planning, design, costs, and site conditions. This stage also involves the procure design team. The people who come in this stage include the client, the quality surveyor, architects, other design specialists and project manager. The architect uses his intellectual and creative skills to offer recommendations on the design of the site. He also offers advice on the client requirements in the entire project. The Quantity Surveyor advises the client on the projected construction costs. This involves recommending the labor amount needed and the required material. He also advises the client on procurement routes, cash-flow, inflationary allowances and suitable contractors. Other design specialists here are the site specialists who offer advice and recommendation about the site design (Larson, 2012, p. 78). Stage C is the Outline Proposal stage where the brief is developed further. Procure additional consultants is also conducted. The people who come in at this stage include the client, project manager, the interior designer and other design specialists. The client assents to the advice from the other specialists and is responsible for any liability. The project manager continues with his role of guiding the client before making any decision. The Interior design forms part of the architect’ team and also offers recommendations on site and material choices. Other design specialists are also involved in this early stage by offering more details about the design and the suitability of the site. Stage D (Detail proposals) in this stage, the full design of the project is presented by the architect, the preliminary design provided by the engineers, and also the cost plan is prepared. The parties coming in at this stage include: all statutory authorities, specialists, approving authorities; the Interior designer, the Estate agent, local highway authority, local planning authority, Fire brigade, Statutory authorities, Broker and bank/financial institution. The interior designer offers the final recommendations on the final design (Paull, 2010, p. 34). The estate agent offers recommendations to the client on site purchases as well as development proposals negotiations through the project plan. The local highway authority comes in when the redevelopment principles needs to be assented. The local planning authority offers recommendations on development plans and comes up with a wide framework of acceptable development in the site. This authority also has to offer recommendations on the site’s suitability to the local community. The Fire Brigade offers recommendations on the safety of the site and the project at large confirming that the design meets the safety requirements. The statutory authorities offer recommendations on the inclusion of statutory like electricity, water, sewage, cable, water and gas with regards to the stage at which they will be introduced in the design ands the costs involved. The broker advises the client on financial planning and the securities involved in the site redevelopment. The financial institutions offer recommendations on the costs involved in the project (Geiser, 2008, p. 167). Stage E which is the Final Proposals stage is where the full design of the project is presented and all the costs involved checked. This stage involves architects, the interior designer, the planning consultant, land surveyor, and CDM co-coordinator. The CMD co-coordinator is in charge of effective communication between the client and his project manager, designers and contractors. The interior designer, the planning consultants, and the architect approve the final design and recommend any possible changes in their respective specializations. This stage is followed by the production information stage (Stage F). In this stage, the client is provided with the final drawings, specifications, and schedules. The participants in this stage are the designer/architect and the structural engineer (Thompson, 1999, p. 53). The engineer offers recommendations on the design of the project and advises the architect on the structure types to be used. The designer offers different perspectives of the design with the interest of the client being given priority. Stage G which is the Tender documents stage entails the development of bills of quantities as well as tender documents. The participants are the solicitor, the financial institution and broker. The solicitor is involved in the site redevelopment through leases completion and sale contracts. The Solicitor also advises the client on all the legal agreements required in the designing and project redevelopment. The financial institutions recommend as well as commit themselves to settling bills and tender documents. The broker, advices the client further on financial planning which including the bills and tender documents. Stage H (Tender Actions) involves procurement of contractor and the involved parties include the client, specialist contractor and sub contractors. Both the specialists and sub-contractors are concerned with the construction of the project. They advise the client on all that is involved in the construction stage and also offers recommendations on any variations that may take place during the project and the agreement of the Final account after the construction has been completed (Stevenson, 2004, p. 78). The mobilization stage (stage J) entails the construction work at the site. This will therefore involve the contractor, subcontractor, the project manager and CDM coordinator. The structural engineer offers advice on the structural elements on the design during the construction. The contractors are majorly involved in offering recommendations on the planning of all the pertinent activities in the construction process. The PM offers recommendations on pre-start meeting and the insurances of the contractors. The CDM coordinator is mainly concerned with the safety and health of the contractors. The Contractor offers recommendations on planning and the execution of the construction work. Stage K is the ‘Operations on Site’ stage and it is where the procurement of Equipment, furniture and fittings takes place. Those involved in this stage include the design contractor and the subcontractors. The design contractor advises the client on the best furniture, equipment and fittings that best suit the design. The subcontractors are concerned with the installations of these equipments and fittings. The final stage is Stage L that is the Completion & Occupation stage and it involves the final work on the project. The design team comes handy in this stage and recommends the best ways of furnishing the project (Lawson, 1997, p. 74). Conclusion and Evaluation Different stake holders have different roles to play in each of the many stages involved before the project reaches its completion stage. The involved parties are charged with the responsibility of offering recommendations to the client in their area of specialization. However, this does not mean that each involved party has a specific stage where he or she comes in but the roles interrelate and stage where they are involved overlap. The main goal of these recommendations is to ensure that the client ends up with the best work with the completion of the project (Green, 2001, p. 56). Reflection This project has shown signs of positive progress which was just as expected on its onset. The project has successfully adopted wider remits having an open development as a sustainability route of open source. The project implementation with regards to the embedding of the available resources into the final project is reaping rewards. The redevelopment design has met all the Architecture and construction regulations and the trail project has proved that the project is practical (Willis, 1997, p. 93) Bibliography Geiser, R. 2008. Explorations in Architecture: Teaching, Design, Research. New York, Birkhauser Green, R. 2001. Architect’s Guide to running a Job, New York, Architectural Press Larson, E. 2002. Code of Practice for Project Management for Construction and Development, New York, Wiley-Blackwell Larson, R & Larson, E. 2012. CBAP Certification Study Guide, New York, Watermark Learning Publications Lawson, B. 1997. How Designers Think, New York, Architectural Press Paull, J. 2010. Cape Blanco Greetings Centre Feasibility Study, Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press. Stevenson, J. 2004. Building Regulations Explained, New Jersey, Spon Thompson, A. 1999. Architectural Design Procedures, New Jersey, Arnold Willis, A & Willis C.1997. Specification Writing for Architects and Surveyors, New York, Architectural Press. Read More