Technology and Design of the Pheasantry Building in London - Essay Example

? Technology and Design of the Pheasantry Building in London Insert (s) Technology and Design of the Pheasantry Building in London Introduction The modern technology and design of buildings has always been about aesthetics, sustainability, economics, functions and building science. Construction design has a number of both direct and indirect environmental impacts. For example, buildings such as Pheasantry require significant amounts of resources such as energy, raw materials and water particularly during occupation, construction and renovation. According to Allen and Iano (2008, p.203), a successful construction package should have a balance of these conflicting architectural design requirements. Building designers and constructors are increasingly facing a serious challenge of how to meet the meet the demands for newly constructed and renovated facilities such as accessibility, security and efficiency while at the same time minimizing the impact of their construction on the environment. On the other hand, considering the current economic challenges, it is also important to consider the cost effectiveness of renovating a building facility. In this regard, the renovation design and technology should also include sustainability initiatives to help reduce the environmental impacts and operation costs as well as improves the resiliency of the building. Located on the busy 152, Kings Road, Pheasantry is a historic architectural building that was originally used to raise pheasants for the previous royal households. The building has a previously reinforced concrete skeletal frame as well as troughed structural floor slabs. On the other hand, the ceilings are suspended using a frame and tile system and the walls are mainly plastered. A wide range of floor finishes have also been used over the screed base and the internal walls that separate each letting space in the building are made of concrete blockwork for the purposes of fire compartmentation. It is also worth noting that all the windows currently installed are double gazed and some of the existing services include an air conditioning system. This report provides a critical appraisal of the proposal for construction package that is intended to be used for the modernization and renovation of Pheasantry building in London. Considerations in the proposed package solution There are a number of considerations that should be taken into account in the construction technologies that are proposed in the construction design package. First and foremost, the client who requested for the renovation of Pheasantry building had specified that each part of the proposed refurbishment should be able to provide good value for the money invested both initially as well as over its life cycle. For example, one of the major concerns of the client is how to avoid premature failure during the renovation Pheasantry building and the client also needs the modernization of the building to create a building that has an environmentally sustainable image. According to Hegazy (2002), the contemporary building construction designs are increasingly using an integrated and synergistic approach that takes all the phases of the facility life cycle into consideration. The design of the floor and the ceiling part of the building should be able to meet a number of sustainable requirements some of which include less environmental impact and reduced maintenance. For example, although floor is the most ignored surface when it comes to sustainable building design, there are a number of ways through with modern technology can be used to modernize floors and make them more sustainable. For example, an effective base for radiant heating of the floor can be included in the project construction package. Generally, sustainable design not only supports commitment to environmental conservation and stewardship but it also ensures the achievement of an optimal balance between costs, societal, environmental and other human benefits while at the same time meeting the functional requirement of the intended building facility. The other related considerations include the resiliency of the modernized building and its adaptability. Resiliency is generally the capacity of an architectural building to continue functioning even under extreme conditions such as during natural disasters. On the other hand, the capacity of the modernized building to be used in multiple ways is an important consideration that can effectively addressed by using sustainable designs such as the inclusion of movable partitions (Cooke and Williams, 2009, p.89). Description of the package One of the most important innovation technologies that should be included in the proposed construction package for the renovation of Pheasanty building is the replacement of its current floor with modern green concrete floor. With regard to its versatility, durability and low environmental, green concrete floors are currently considered the perfect technology choice for modern buildings. After the removal of the troughed structural floor slabs and further excavation of the floor of the building, the entire floor of the entire building excluding the basement should be renovated using concrete. This will not only improve the aesthetics of the building but it will provide a cost effective alternative that will over the time save the client’s money. For example, in the subsequent floors of the building, decorative concrete should be used to provide a synergy of beauty, economy and sustainability while at the same time providing the client with a durable and low maintenance floor that will last many years (Bye, 2003, p.63). Additionally, when left exposed, green concrete floor technology can be used both a s a foundation slab and a finished floor and this will help the designers to eliminate the need for carpeting of the floor as well as installing other floor coverings that are usually replaced from time to time. Lastly apart from helping conserve materials needed for renovation, renovating the floor of Pheasantry building using green concrete technology such as decorative concrete will provide a number of other important environmental benefits such as improved energy efficiency as well as improved indoor air quality. Figure1: Renovating floor using modern concrete technology Critical analysis of the project construction package The modernization of the floor covering and ceiling of buildings is one of the critical components of construction packages for renovation of buildings. With regard to the floor design of the building, the project construction package for the modernization of Pheasantry building has included a number of design specifications that will ensure the floor of modernized and renovated building is not only cost effective but also sustainable in terms their of its long term and short term environmental impacts. For example, the floor design for the intended modernized building has effectively optimized the site potential using proper orientation and landscaping of the building as well as taking consideration of its potential effects to the functionality of the building and energy use (Bryan, 2010, p.17). Concrete flooring is currently one of the most cost effective and ecologically friendly building technologies that is increasingly used by building designers and constructors. Made from readily available and abundant materials, concrete not only help improve the air quality in the buildings such as Pheasanty but it can also significantly help reduce waste and cut down the clients heating bills. Another important reason why the proposed use of concrete technology will be the best in modernizing the building is that it does not require any additional resources or energy. In addition, the motors are contained with underground load bearing foundation box preserving the rural appeal of the estate. This building is split into three separate floors each with its own unique features; one of which is available for private hire and perfectly suited for children’s parties, corporate functions or large group bookings. With regard to its durability and life cycle performance, concrete flooring is both strong and durable and can last a life time if properly cared for. In this regard, modernizing Pheasanty building floor by replacing the building’s previous floor finishes will help save the resources and energy that may otherwise be needed to renovate the floors from time to time. On the other hand, the low maintenance property of concrete floors is attributed to the fact that the floors are generally less susceptible to stain or discoloration and this means that a variety of chemical cleansers can be used on the floor without any effect on its appearance (Bougdah and Sharples, 2009, p.104). Lastly, unlike other flooring technologies, concrete surfaces does not usually attract or retain dust and small dirt particles and this has resulted concrete in a number of environmental benefits some of which include improved air quality. The Pheasantry in London building was first opened as a Russian dancing hall in 1916. The beautiful and historic building is located at the heart of the stylish Kings Road. This unusual building with its attractive caryatids at the front door, open space between the streets and the entrance and above a large sculpture of a spear-wielding soldier at the front gate has accommodated restaurants for several decades. On upgrading the Pheasantry, the plan should be an artistic creation that defines all the stipulations of a planned building, including the size, designs, building materials, construction methods and procedure. As a high performance building, less operating energy, embodied energy will take much greater importance. Studies such as U.S LCI Database Project show buildings build only on wood tend to have a lower embodied energy than those built with bricks, concrete or steel. To reduce operating energy use, designers suggest that reducing air leakage through the building envelope should be done. Specific high performance windows as well as extra insulating ceilings and floors should be applied. Passive solar building designs are commonly implemented in low-energy houses. The Pheasantry Designers should consider adjusting the ceiling and placing sunshades, porches and trees so as to shade the ceiling during summer while maximizing solar benefits in the winter. Further more effective ceiling placement can provide a cool environment during the day and lessen the need for air conditioners thus reducing cost. Solid wood products especially flooring, are commonly used as they are environmentally friendly and in situations where the occupants are known to have allergies to dust or other particulates it has proved to be suitable. Wood is considered to be hydro-allergenic, and its smoothness prevents the buildup of small particles, thus making it a good material to be used in ceiling fitting. Wood products also improve ventilation by absorbing or releasing moisture in the air to moderate humidity. The best hardwood to be used as recommended by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, are vinyl, linoleum tile or slate flooring instead of carpets. Ceilings offer a surplus of green varieties, from natural mineral fibers to metals, bearing in mind that sustainable options are always readily available. The ceiling is decorated with cornice, two glass paneled windows and radiator which makes these rooms very comfortable. The failure and life cycle cost aspect is the construction with FSC timber which is potentially one of the greenest ways of building though, the UK seems to have a rather backward attitude towards timber construction. There was also difficulty in raising a mortgage and finding architect and engineers skilled in timber designing. This method of ceiling is very sustainable because the materials used are highly recyclable making it up to the architect to decide the best option for designing the ceiling, in which on considering the Pheasantry present ceiling, the Mineral fiber which is an eco-friendly option as it is made naturally from occurring resources thus avoiding environmental depletion will be the best option instead of Metal ceilings which take long, intensive process to mine, mill and fabricate making it an expensive and time consuming method of ceiling fitting. Wood being renewable, and is also eco-friendly is another alternative especially the more rare and imported woods. The designer should consider, that in the realm of ceiling it’s no longer a sacrifice between form and function, this is because, today’s esthetically pleasing ceiling should meet all the space’s functional needs (Mumma, 2002, p.67). The use of green paints to create a subtle yet undeniably green ceiling can be considered. The green color together with an array of parametric patterned ceiling petals, created for acoustical absorption and reflection of light, gives all the attribute of a sustainable ceiling in which by an external look, looks like a panel and gives no idea of the success be hide it. On making choices about how to make the acoustics better, making the decision with green materials is subtle as this will ensure that the ceiling has a high level of recycled content and its low emitting. Furthermore when working on the furniture panel, avoiding blockage of daylight will be wise. The results of this architectural pathway would be a cast premium that is more justified by happier, healthier tenants and customers as well as soft rewards to a building with environment friendly qualities, thus adding value to the eyes of prospective customers which in turn boost the business. One of the major design constraints of using concrete flooring technology is that concrete is a great conductor of heat and can therefore get cold or hot when exposed to different temperature levels. This constraint can however be overcome by installing radiant heating system on the floors of Pheasantry building to help in heating the rooms. It is however worth noting that when installing vapor barrier sheet or radiant heating systems, the constructors will be required to pour some micro-topping layer over the concrete floor surface (Stetiu, 1999, p.129). Conclusion In conclusion, the proposed construction package for the modernization of the Phesantry building particularly the floors and the ceilings has a number of sustainable benefits. Although concrete flooring has a few limitations such as its high thermal mass, the proposed construction package will not only create a balance of the conflicting architectural design requirements but will also help reduce the environmental impacts and operation costs of the modernized building as well as improve its resiliency. References Allen, E, Iano, J. 2008. Fundamentals of building construction: materials and methods. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Bryan, T. 2010. Construction Technology, Analysis and Choice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.  Bougdah, H. and Sharples, S. 2009. Environment, Technology and Sustainability. Oxford: Routledge.  Bye, G. C.2003. Portland Cement: Composition, Production and Properties. New York: Pergamon Press. Cooke, B. and Williams, P. 2009. Construction Planning, Programming and Control. 3rd ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. Hegazy, T. 2002. Life-cycle stages of projects. Computer-Based Construction Project Management. Sustainable building 8(2), 17-26. Mumma, S.A. 2002. Chilled ceilings in parallel with dedicated outdoor air systems: Addressing the concerns of condensation, capacity, and cost. ASHRAE Transactions 108 (2), pp.220-231. Pushkar, S., Becker, R. 2005. A methodology for design of environmentally optimal buildings by variable grouping. Building and Environment, 6(4), 40-41. Stetiu, C.1999. Energy and peak power savings potential of radiant cooling systems in commercial buildings. Energy and Buildings 30(2), pp.127-138.    Read More