Residential Building Design - Assignment Example

BUILDING DSIGN COURSEWORK Name: Course: Tutor: 11, 05, 2014 Task 1: Suitability and environmental factors affecting the site Just like any other country, Saudi Arabia has legislations that seek to protect the environment by ensuring that all the construction projects meet the sustainability and environmental standards established by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In addition, each site has its challenges that mostly emanate from the environment and affects the conditions on site. Some of the factors that need to be consider for this site include the flow of wind, the direction of the sun, the humidity, average temperatures, and the purity of the air among other factors to be considered. These factors are imperative because the project is to be located in Saudi Arabia, where there are higher temperatures whereas the air is less humid. Being a residential development, the comfort of the user of the house should be given prior importance. For any house to be habitable and comfortable for the users there is a need to ensure thermal comfort by designing better and functional ventilation and air conditioning systems (Chan, Scott, & Ada, 2004). This site is highly suitable for this kind of development because of the accessibility and availability of support services. In addition, the site is closer to a mosque, which is an important aspect of the Islamic culture. This will help suit the needs of the users as they will be closer to the mosque hence convenient. Proximity to the road is also an important aspect that is worth mentioning as it solves makes it easier to move to and fro the house without a lot of struggle (Wamelink, Stoffelem, & Van der Aalst, 2002). Task 2: Project Brief The proposed residential building should have the following features: It shall be located in Saudi Arabia It shall be a maisonnette; with the ground floor and the first floor The roof shall be a flat roof It should have the following spaces; kitchen, lounge, dining, and two master bedrooms It should have a flat roof (Chan, Scott, & Ada, 2004). Task 3: sustainable building materials Concrete It is a widely used construction material in Saudi Arabia. It can be used to make concrete products like concrete blocks, which are usually used for external walling in most residential houses. It is a sustainable material because most of the raw materials for its production are derived from the abundant natural materials like sand and coarse aggregates. For instance, coarse aggregates are derived from the rocks, which are available in Saudi Arabia (Flaga, 2000). Concrete blocks have good properties and cheaper although highly durable hence preferred as some of the sustainable materials for green building in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Concrete is also used for slabs and columns although in such instances, it is usually reinforced concrete and helps in giving the building its structural support because of its high strength. Concrete is also durable Glass It is one of the most sustainable materials because of its ability to be fully recycled. It is usually preferred for glazing in windows, and doors of the house. It has good aesthetics and improves the appearance of the building. It also has better thermal properties hence suitable for the desert conditions in Saudi Arabia. It is an energy saving material, which when used in buildings allow for natural light to permeate through the building. This enhances the working environment inside the building hence making it conducive for the users. In addition, buildings also contribute to the health and emotional well being of the people within the building. It is also imperative to mention that glass, as a construction material makes the building attractive because of its aesthetics (Flaga, 2000). Bricks Bricks are also sustainable materials because they are derived from earth, which is readily available in nature. It also does not involve complex processes to manufacture like other materials, which pollute the environment or consume a lot of energy to process them. Brick and stone, when used on a building add to its attractiveness and natural aesthetics. The material, alongside being aesthetically attractive is also sustainable. The colorful keys coupled with the brick bonding patterns makes the entire building look beautiful and attractive. Bricks are mostly used for external walls and internal partitions because of their good thermal properties. In addition to the aesthetics, bricks are also cheap and when used in construction, there is usually no need for external finishes (Flaga, 2000). Task 4: Roles and responsibilities of construction professionals Title Responsibility Project Manager Shall be in charge of the entire project. Shall coordinate all the project activities and the members of the project team for successful achievement of the project goals Shall be responsible for all the approvals regarding the project (Bailey & Bell, 2011) Construction contractor He shall be in charge of all the construction activities and delivering the final product as it He shall be answerable to the project manager Site Manager Shall be in charge of coordinating activities on the ground and notifying the project team on the progress of the project Shall inform the project manager of any changes required or challenges encountered in the execution of the project (Bailey & Bell, 2011) Project Logistics Manager Shall coordinate all the activities involving approval and procurement of materials and hiring of plant and equipment on site Coordinating with the project team members where there is a need for an emergency Architect Shall coordinate with the client to come up with the brief for the development Shall carry out the feasibility studies and site analysis to ascertain the suitability of the project and the site chosen for the construction Shall advise the client on the need the required professionals for the completion of the design documents Shall also advice the client on the most appropriate procurement route to be used for the project He shall come up with detailed plans and all the design documents required including, elevations, sections, 3Ds, and specifications to include all the materials and construction techniques. Shall present the drawings for approvals from the local authorities Shall be involved in the preparation of the tender documents Shall be actively involved in the choosing of the contractor for the project Shall continuously assess the construction work to ensure everything is done according to the specifications and design (Bailey & Bell, 2011). Quantity Surveyor Works with the Architect to develop the project design and advices the client accordingly with regard to the financial implications of the project Work in liaison with the Architect in conducting a feasibility study regarding the project and advice the client accordingly. Shall prepare, negotiate, and analyze costs for the tenders and contracts Shall coordinate the work efforts as the project progresses Shall also advice the client with regard to the legal and contractual matters that emerge in the course of the construction process Value the completed works and make arrangements for the disbursement of funds for payments Shall be in charge of controlling the financial expenditures of the project and advice the client accordingly. He shall also carry out the risk assessment and management of the project Shall collaboratively prepare specifications for the project Shall prepare the final account for the project after completion of the project(Bailey & Bell, 2011). Civil Engineer Shall receive the brief from the client and the architectural drawings from the architect He shall come up with a detailed structural design for the building to be delivered within the budgeted costs Shall prepare complete structural design documents to be used for tendering Shall obtain structural approvals for the project Shall be part of the design team and expected to prepare reports regarding the project Shall monitor the construction of the building until it is fully constructed. This will ensure that everything is one according to the design (Bailey & Bell, 2011) . Services Engineer Shall receive the project brief from the client and all drawings, structural and architectural Shall come up with a detailed design for all the services within the building, including ventilation, drainage, plumbing, electrical and air conditioning systems within the building. Shall conduct environmental assessments of the project Shall undertake value management Shall be involved in the monitoring of the project to ensure everything is constructed according to the instructions provided in the design documents. Shall advice the project manager on the need for the regular testing and commissioning of specialized works in the project like the air conditioning system and drainage systems (Bailey & Bell, 2011) Landscape Architect Shall conduct a detailed site analysis Shall develop and design a detailed master plan for the project Shall design plans and elevations of the outer spaces of the site Shall prepare specifications for the landscape of the site Shall appoint the appropriate contractor to carry on with the construction of the outer spaces according to the specifications (Bailey & Bell, 2011). Task 5: Process involved in planning and regulation application for the project The following is the process involved in the application for the planning and regulations: Applying for design approval After all the drawings have been completed, including the architectural, structural, and the services drawings, they are submitted to the local authorities for assessment and approval. The local authority does their evaluation to ascertain whether or not the proposed development abides by the regulations of Saudi Arabia. Where errors are found, recommendations are made and rectified prior to the approval of the documents (Richard & Long, 2013). Applying for the building permit It is an important permission from the local authority to ensure the site is inspected and approved for construction. Application for this permission involves inclusion of the approved drawings for the project. After the permit has been issued, application for the other permits and licenses follow sooth (Richard & Long, 2013). Applying for the temporary services After site hoarding and erection of the site huts, the construction manager for the project should apply for the temporary services to the site. Some of these services include electricity, water, and site access. Applying for the environmental approvals Prior to the commencement of the any excavation works on site, it is imperative to apply for the environmental approval from the relevant authorities, who shall carry out a comprehensive assessment of the site and check whether or not they abide by the environmental regulations for the entire construction project. Appropriate fees should also be paid for the same before being approved (Richard & Long, 2013). Applying for the insurance It is mandatory that prior to the commencement of any construction work, an insurance cover should be obtained to cover the work to be done, the workers and the third parties. This is a health and safety requirement for the entire construction project. When all these permissions and approvals have been obtained, the project can commence (Richard & Long, 2013). References Bailey, IH, Bell, M, & Bell, C 2011, Construction law in Australia, Pyrmont, N.S.W., Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia Chan, PC, Scott, D, & Ada, PL 2004, Factors Affecting the Success of a Construction Project, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Volume 130, Issue 1, pp. 153-155 Flaga, K 2000, ‘Advances in Materials Applied in Civil Engineering,’ Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 106(2000), P.173-183 Richard, J & Long, PE 2013, Construction Contract Notice Letters, New York: Long International Wamelink, JWF, Stoffelem, M, & Van der Aalst 2002, W.M.P. International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction, CIB w78 conference, Aarhus School of Architecture, 12 – 14 June 2002. CIB: Denmark Read More