Problems in the Design of Sunny Bank Bowls Club - Case Study Example

Running Head: PROBLEMS IN THE DESIGN OF SUNNY BANK BOWLS CLUB Title Name Title Date Problems in the design of Sunny bank Bowls Club 1.0 Design context Introduction Sunnybank bowls club has a long history having been built in 1956. It is located at the junction of Gager street and Turton street in Sunny bank Queensland. The site has one main building with another taller structure behind it. Both these buildings are made of concrete with iron sheet roofing. In front of this long building there is a wide open field in which some sporting activities take place. Between the two streets and the site there are two side-walks adjacent to the site’s two sides. The site must be easily accessible (Ian 2001). The site is open and can be seen from the Turton Street as well as Gager Street. At one corner of the field and exactly at the meeting point of the two streets there is a sign board with information about the site for example the meals provided and the timing. On the Gager street side there is a small entrance with a gate possibly for those walking on foot or riding bicycles. The site is not aesthetically appealing since the compound is not decorated well. There are no flowerbeds around the compound and the buildings have not been painted in bright colors. There are no beautiful trees and well trimmed lawns to add beauty to the site. Generally the aesthetic appeal of the site is low. Sunnybank Bowls Club Inc are suppliers of a full range of services and products for bowling clubs among them tenpin bowling clubs, turf and bowling on a very extended area of service (Geraint, Heard, 1981). 2.0 Design Analysis 2.1 External Design features The exterior of the site does not communicate any sense of active entertainment that is supposed to be happening within the building. It should have had many indicators of ongoing entertainment. This may discourage some users from coming to the site. The site should be large but it is not. The building is not a one story and does have many windows for lighting. Poor lighting could cause discomfort to patrons (Ian 2001).The designers failed to make proper use of the primary interior elements like the main entrance, entrance gallery and concourse, games area to make a dynamic exterior with an appearance that is extremely inviting. Glazing has not been maximized at the entrance and therefore the people entering the building and the passersby do not get a good view of the activities taking place within the building. The building should have had large windows near the entrance to show the attractive activities being done inside (Geraint, Heard, 1981).The theme displayed in the interior is not reflected on the outside. 2.2 Interior Design features The building has a number of problems in its interior design as well. Natural lighting in the inner parts is inadequate. Some dining and circulation spaces have no windows to the sky lights and to the outdoors. The size of the inside is not big enough and as a result congestion is visible in the dining areas and other sections as well. This makes it hard for staff to control the clients. There are no adequate signs and sign boards for orientation of visitors within the building. Alternative exists are also not visible around the building. There is no evidence of vandalism in the building but there are also no measures to control vandalism incase it arises (Geraint, Heard, 1981).Considering the amount of people frequenting the site necessary amenities such as toilets, change rooms and retail outlets are not adequate. The entertainment rooms are filled to capacity with no adequate room for free movement. The issue of ventilation is also there because the windows are few and are placed on only one side of the building. Because of the canopy on the front side of the building enough light does not find its way through the windows. The floor seems to be so slippery and could therefore result in people falling down (Ian 2001).Facilities within the inside of the building have not been designed for use by people with special needs. Mobility for such people within the building can prove to be difficult. For example the car parking is not located close to the entrance. The building is not very flexible and therefore extending it may be hard and also it may not be easy to fix it in case of new trends (Daly, Daly 2000). 3.0 Evaluation of solutions 3.1 External analysis The brick walled entrance in front of the site should be broken down and expanded into a bigger entrance to be used by cars. The strength in this solution is that it will create convenience for visitors but the weakness is that it might disrupt activities at the site. The parking space should be transferred to the front part of the site for easier visibility by people coming in. It should be next or at the end of the main entrance for easy accessibility. This solution is good since visitors will easily locate the parking and exiting with a car will become easier. The weakness is that it might require that re-designing for other facilities be done (Geraint, Heard, 1981). The aesthetic value of the compound should be increased by flowers being planted all around the building in beautiful beds. This solution is cheap but it might take long for the flowers and trees to grow and this may require irrigation for long periods which might disrupt normal activities at the club (Daly, Daly 2000). The wire mesh fence can be made with a well trimmed low live fence to allow for beauty and easy visibility into the site by people passing on the roads. Good painting should be done on all the structures on the compound with emphasis on bright colors. The blend of colors must be attractive and where possible. This is important and will improve the image of the club, however repainting could be very costly and therefore needs proper planning (Geraint, Heard, 1981). 3.3 Internal Design features At the building entrance there should be glass glazing to cater for beauty and visibility of the inside by those outside the building. Glass glazing can also give a facelift to the club. However it may cost a lot and may require that the club be closed shortly for the renovation. The number of windows on the building should be increased so that more light can enter the building. Increasing the number of windows may give the building a bad image since it was designed for the number of windows it has. If they are increased however there will be plenty of light in the rooms hence comfort to the people inside (Geraint, Heard, 1981). Problem Solving Planning Tool for internal design features Identified Design Problems and its symptoms (Section 2) Impacts of the problem on venue viability (Section 2) Alternate Solutions -ranked in order of recommendation (Section 3) Strengths of solution (Section 3) Weaknesses of solution (Section 3) Suggested Priority to address in report Problem 1: Furniture in the building is old Impact 1: Many young people are discouraged from visiting the club Solution 1: Buying new furniture to replace the old ones  New furniture can attract more people  More money will be spend on the purchase 2   Impact 2 Image of the venue may be destroyed when people spread negative words about it Solution 2 The management can decide to let the old chairs be used for more time as decided  Management will not spend a coin on the replacement of the chairs  Some loyal customers may abandon the club because of its lack of sensitivity   Impact 3 The aesthetic standard of a bowls club may not be achieved Solution 3 Chairs can be obtained for a given period on lease  It may be a cheaper way of getting to use new chairs  Money will be spend but the chairs will not belong to the club permanently Problem 2 There is no sufficient natural light within the building Impact 1 People feel uncomfortable inside the building and the aesthetic value of the inside is reduced Solution 1 Creation of more windows on the building  It will increase the suitability of the building for its purpose and attract more people  More windows may destroy the image of the building 1   Impact 2 It could discourage some people from coming there Solution 2 Construction of another new building  The management will get a chance of making it better than the old one  It may require a lot of money to bring up a new structure Problem 3 The space inside the building is small Impact 1 There is congestion and discomfort to the patrons and staff are unable to control the activities within the building Solution 1 Regulation of the number of people entering the building at one particular time The people allowed to enter will have their comfort and enjoy hence a good reputation to the venue Suggested Priority to address in report Many people will be locked out hence loss of business to the bowls club 3 Impact 2 Accidents result from overcrowding when people move, eat or play Solution 2 Expansion of the building to increase available space The building will accommodate more people hence satisfaction to clients  The process may disrupt normal operations and cost a lot of money 2   Solution 3 Closing down the venue and opening a new venue  It will allow the management to design the site with all the necessary facilities  The process may take long and could cost a lot of money       Problem 4 Signs and sign boards for orientation of visitors are inadequate Impact 1 Many new comers feel out of place and fail to come back again Solution 1 More signs and sign boards should be placed in strategic positions within the building Visitors will feel more comfortable and may be encouraged to come back The building may have too many signs hence some people may feel it looks bad 5 Impact 2 The venue fails to satisfy the requirements of a standard bowls club and may be closed down by authorities Solution 2 Security personnel should be standby at strategic places to direct the visitors  The security personnel may double in directing visitors and watching against theft and vandalism  This option may cause anxiety in the clients and increase congestion in the building 1     Problem 5 There are no alternative exists on the building Impact 1 In case of accidents or any kind of commotion many people are injured Solution 1 Sufficient entry and exist points should be created on the building People will be able to escape to safety in case there is a fire, a fight or any other kind of danger The extra entry and exit points may encourage theft and vandalism and therefore may require extra security 4 (Ian 2001) Ranking of solutions Rank Reason Buying more chairs It may not be too costly and will attract more clients Repainting It will raise the standard of the venue Planting flowers It is cheap but can take time for flowers to mature Fixing signs in the building It reduces inconvenience to visitors Glass glazing it can interfere with normal operations Changing the entrance it needs a lot of planning (Daly, Daly 2000). Increasing facilities for disabled not many disabled people come to the club Regulating incoming people some people may move to other clubs Increasing number of windows it may require venue closure Opening up a anew venue is too expensive References Geraint J., Heard H., (1981) Handbook of sports and recreational building design Volume 2, Architectural Press Daly W. Daly J. (2000), Recreation and Sport Planning and design; Human Kinetics Ian R. (2001) Advanced Leisure and recreation; Heinemann Read More