Design Principles and Applications - Assignment Example

Client Brief Requirement Initial stages of a project that a client engages a professional contractor or designer in require specifications and reservations that the client has over the project. Throughout the design process, the ideas of the designer and the client are brought together by the client brief. Clients submit their own ideas to the designers who assist them in understanding the entire process through a well outlined explanation on the same. Designers encourage clients to forward their reservations since it is the first step towards the understanding of the needs of the client; because a designer works to satisfy the needs of the clients. A client brief is therefore a rough draft or sketch of the project design that the architect uses in making sure that the client’s preference in designing is not compromised or lost completely. Generally, clients’ make their requirements list to be met by the architect without much professional information and they are usually faulty but not always a waste of time. Client oriented designers and architects always consider having the clients requirements incorporated in the final design (Collins, 229). The need for the client brief is to ensure that the project is clearly thought out between the client and the architect, with reflections, information, budgeting and assessments easily facilitated for the project. Involvement of the client makes sure that discontent is eliminated at the earliest possible instance and clarifications sought well enough to facilitate development of a good design. In this case, Moulton College will be required to submit a client brief which does not necessarily have to be very complicated. Enough information and detail should be availed in the design requirements for the farm manager’s house. Firming Up the Brief To ensure that the designers’ ideas based on professional principles are in congruence with the clients’ needs and specifications, the clients’ are assisted by the designers in understanding some design concepts. While it is not possible to have all clients’ needs incorporated due to some technicalities, some requirements may be useful in the design when the designer understands them. “Firming up the brief” involves understanding of the clients’ specifications in the design work. Problems Encountered During Briefing Communication and effectiveness of the client brief is faced by some challenges which both the client and architect should be prepared for in case they arose. Designers and architects have a higher propensity to ignore and assume the input of a client in the design. This is usually warranted partly by the fact that the architect tends to emphasise the implementation of the design and a little effort is usually made for the briefing. Many architects have a tendency of imposing their designs bearing in mind that lack of information on the clients’ part contributes to loss of valuable project time (van der Voordt and Wegen, 78). Another cause of challenge in the implementation of briefing process is due to the priority that the client’s needs are given in place of the professional input which is always specialized in the business. Many designers want as brief information as possible concerning the design and would like the rest to be left on them. Professional integrity seems to be interfered by the concept of client briefs and many designers would rather avoid the intricacies involved. Alternatively, some professional constructors feel that the final project success is proportional to polarization of interests for the sake of the program. It is usually not possible to always have clients who offer full cooperation to the designer. Lack of cooperation makes the designer’s input to considerably fall. Solutions to the underlying client brief problems lie in the ability of professional architecture to change the social aspect of the profession and make it more dialogue oriented, of course with observation of the professional code. The understanding of the client brief is facilitated by the existence of intensive dialogue and compromise between the client and designer since it is possible for contrasting interests to deliver a good project design. Contact between the client and the architect is useful in the formulation of the design as much as it is in the implementation of the design. Influence of Site Factors on Design Process and Final Design There are several factors that are based on site and make a significant impact on the entire design element; process and final design. Impact of site aspects regarding the process of designing includes such issues as cost, size, suitability and accessibility. The cost of the plot of erecting the project is assessed and if the client cannot afford a certain site, another choice is made within the clients’ economic capacity. The project must be facilitated by the procurement of a suitable plot of land with the necessary requirements befitting the structure. Design process will take into consideration how the brief and the designers’ requirements are met by the site condition. Suitability depends on the ability of the site to support the building of the project in a generally acceptable condition. If the assessment of the site shows that it is not suitable, for instance if the site can not support the construction of a story building due to ground stability issues, the design at the site might be stopped. Alternatively, the structure design may demand a certain size requirement which may not be met by the particular site that the plot offers. Size constraints may result in the clients’ briefs being revised or altering the entire design if a survey is not done in advance. But as a general rule, designers ought to take site assessments and measurements prior to the actual design. Several considerations are made during design, with an aim of enduring that the structure designed and built does not pose risks to the people living or frequenting it. Bearing in mind that the building should be as secure as possible health and safety are considered and planned for in the design. Sustainability of the structure takes into account all the environmental issues that touch on quality of security and health factors. For instance, drainage, sanitation, ventilation and humidity control by the structure design should ensure that health hazards are not occasioned by poor design. Security concerns are taken care of at design level by ensuring that the structure protects the people frequenting or living in the structure. Generally, it should be safe to stay in the structure without fears of collapsing endangering the lives of the inhabitants. The material designed for use should facilitate the assurance of security even from external sources during sheltering (Salisbury, 87). Chart showing roles and responsibilities of parties involved in design stages (presentation 2 slides) including communication Presentation Clients’ Responsibilities Preparing the brief Carrying out studies to ascertain whether the project is within practicality Assessing the site, for instance subsoil assessment which could require a structural engineer Engaging the constructor for queries and doubts so that clarifications are sought and sorted out Initiate in-house assessments as the brief requires to assist in the construction of the project Appraise and offer decisions on issues raised by the architect Update the brief to ensure that the architect considers all additional requirements Put to record all conversations held verbally concerning the project to ensure that everything goes as agreed Architects Responsibilities Internalize all the requirements of the client and assimilate them as much as possible in the design Research on similar projects and relevant published material to internalize their details Create a link with the client for clarifications as and when required Employ a detailed planning solution pointing out the problems arising in the course of the project progress. Confirm site surveys validity before relying on them Detail the design team on every detail of the project Initiate conflict resolution with the client in case conflicting interests or demands arise Design the outline scheme drawings for the project Determine the project design timetable and cost in an outlined schedule (Salisbury, 1998, p78) Works Cited Collins, P Changing ideals in modern architecture, 1750-1950. Montreal, Canada: McGill-Queen’s Press- MQUP, 1998. Print Salisbury, F. Briefing your architect. Woburn, MA: Architectural Press, 1998. Print Van der Voordt, D. J. M., & Wegen, H. B. R. Architecture in use: an introduction to the programming, design and evaluation of buildings. Burlington, MA: Architectural Press, 2005. Print Read More