Housing Development Process - Coursework Example

Housing Development Process: Introduction: Housing is one of the most fundamental needs of the society of all times. Houses constitute an important element of the town planning, as they cater for the residence of the whole town. Houses are constructed in such a way that they can resist maximum loads that have been encountered so far in the history of a particular type or location. In fact, they can take much more loads than what is predicted about them by the designers, because individual elements forming part of the house are constructed with a significant factor of safety. Traditionally, houses have been designed for safety and the techniques have worked well. However, emphasis on the architectural requirements of the houses has not been significant in the conventional practice of house development, although it is as important as the structural engineering concerns of the development. Importance of an architect is further exaggerated by a social change that has increased peoples’ interest in fashion, looks and aesthetics. An architect ensures their achievement in the finished look of the house. The housing development process: The housing development process requires careful consideration of various factors other than the design and aesthetics of the house. The development scheme originates from the need in a particular area, and the expenses available to the developers prior to development. Once the process of development of houses is felt beneficial for the community in a certain area, the developers look for the most appropriate site. A site that is near to the market and can offer many facilities at shortest distance from the house is considered the best for development. Once the site is selected, the developers accumulate funds either from banks, or by investments from the public. Then the site layout is prepared. Labor accommodation, site offices, and other facilities required for the development are clearly demarcated in the site layout. The project commences with the formulation of preliminary design by the architects that is matured by the structural engineers. Cost estimates are prepared simultaneously. Once the final design and cost estimates are identified, the construction begins. The houses are constructed as per the design and schedule prepared in the start of the project. It is ensured that the construction complies with the specifications devised by the architect in the start of the project. What is equally important is to ensure that the project completes exactly upon or before the time expected by the customer. Exceeding the finishing time can incur huge monetary losses to the developer in the name of liquidated damages. Once completed, the house is shown to the customer for approval. Any defects notified by the customers are supposed to be removed within the defects liability period. Role of Architect in the housing development process: A vast majority of architects build their experience in the housing development. The housing development process is largely acknowledged as the “bread and butter” of the architects. (Aun, 2010). Housing development sector is one area that particularly plays an important role in exposing the architects to public. Architects assume the most fundamental role in the development of a house in that they prepare the basic design that is materialized through construction. Indeed, the whole construction process revolves around the design devised by the architects. They are the first to play their part in the development of a house. An architect works in collaboration with other entities involved in the development process. His role fundamentally revolves around analyzing the feasibility of the sites selected for the housing development. An architect is responsible for creating initial sketches of the house. The preliminary sketch is modified as more and more relevant information is found till the final design is materialized. After completing the architectural design of the house, an architect lays down the specifications that are supposed to be considered in the process of construction. Not only this, an architect assists the project manager in determining the cost estimates of the design proposed. Although the role of an architect is more profound in the initial stage of the development process that involves the development of design, yet his contributions towards the development process continue until the project is complete. He assists the contractor in monitoring the construction and advises on upcoming issues as required. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, work of an architect involves “the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments.” (ASLA cited in Hengel, 2008). Architects conventionally tend to pay less heed to the safety concerns of the development and concentrate more upon the orientation, space, room and looks of the house in order to ensure that the final product will be airy, full of light, free from the effects of rain and snow and good-looking. Architects tend to ensure that the space available for the house is appropriately utilized as per the requirements of the customers. Modern engineering practices call for a collaborative effort on the part of both the architects and the civil engineers. It is often difficult to balance between the aesthetic and engineering aspects of the house as both are compulsory for the challenging environment of the modern world. However, there has been an emphasis on joint working of architects and civil engineers on the design of the house. Architects are more concerned about the aesthetics of the product because it is they, who are pointed out if the customer is not satisfied with the finished look of the house. People have gradually become more conscious about the looks of their house, and good-looking houses are in huge demand all over the world. Most people know quite less about the engineering aspects of the house but can judge the work of an architect merely from the look of a house. Since architects’ effort is fore-front in the final presentation of the house to the customer, they become a little possessive about their name and hence tend to compromise upon the engineering aspects of the house. Customers’ interest in getting their house constructed in a way that would make it look as elegant as possible makes the role of an architect quite critical in the housing development process. Architects assume a big responsibility in earning the satisfaction of the client. Relation of Architects with other parties involved in the development process: Entities involved in the development of a house include but are not limited to the project manager, developer, lead service provider, property manager, asset manager, attorney, architect, general contractor, accountant and tenant representative. (CSH, 2006). All entities have their own roles in the development of a house and jointly work making use of their respective expertise. Relations of architects have been appreciable with almost all parties involved in the development of a house in conventional development practices. However, there often happen conflicts of opinion between the architects and structural engineers. Such conflicts are natural to arise as both entities work upon the same project and their nature of job is similar in that both have a great influence on the overall design of the house. A structural engineer ensures the safety concerns of the house and designs it accordingly, which often comes in clash with the design proposed by the architect, that was built from an aesthetic point of view. Rest of the entities like project manager, construction manager and others more pertain to the overall management of the project and their nature of job is considerably different from that of an architect. Therefore, clashes between architects and entities other than structural engineer are rare to be seen. There is room for improvement in the relationship of architects and structural engineers. Both architecture and structural safety are equally essential for the development of a long-lasting house. Hence, both need to compromise upon certain matters in order to ensure that the final product is as close to perfect as possible. An architect’s success in his/her professional career is a matter of attainment of the right skills and other characteristics that are often not an important part of the curriculum formally taught to the architects in schools. (Bredemeyer and Malan, 2002). Conclusion: Architects assume a very important role in the overall house development process. Architects are fundamentally responsible for making the finished look of a house comply materialize the dream image in the eyes of the customers. Job of an architect is often subject to controversies because it occasionally conflicts with the engineering and structural concerns of the house. “An expert visualiser, good at abstracting and modeling solutions, the architect sees the “big picture”, and views a system and its context as a set of interacting components.” (Agile Architect, 2003). Not only the aesthetics, a responsible architect ensures that the design he devises is cost expensive and still according to the demands of the customer. It is indeed, a difficult job to accomplish given the high prices of the architectural services and the components of the design. Therefore, an architect’s efforts are compulsory to make a house development project successful and acceptable to the customers. References: Agile Architect 2003, The Role of the Agile Architect: The Architects Roles, Responsibilities and Skills, Questa Computing Ltd, viewed 30 October, 2010, . Aun, CS 2010, The Roles and Responsibilities of the Architects under the Housing Development Act, PAM CPD Seminar 2010, viewed 30 October, 2010, . Bredemeyer, D and Malan, R 2002, The Role of the Architect, Bredemeyer Consulting, viewed 30 October, 2010, . Corporation for Supportive Housing 2006, Roles and Responsibilities of Development Team Members, pp. 1-3, viewed 30 October, 2010, . Hengel, M 2008, Landscape architects role in developments growing, viewed 30 October, 2010, . Read More