Proposed design for residential dwellings and retail super markets near Lichfield Basin - Essay Example

The proposal also highlights the preventive measures that need to be incorporated in view of flooding, soft and moist clayey ground, damp patches in buildings. The other design considerations include the spacing between dwelling and the development of garden in nearby area. Thus the single major aim of this design proposal is to develop sustainable dwellings and retails that are contemporary with good aesthetics 2. Performance requirements for buildings: The proposed site is a basin area and hence requires a careful design with respect to structural stability, good thermal and sound insulation and availability of natural lighting.

The materials that provide good insulation are prescribed in the EST guidance, “Insulation materials chart - thermal properties and environmental ratings” (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/housing , CE 71) and that for airtightness in “Insulation materials chart - thermal properties and environmental ratings” (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/housing , CE 137). . According to the Building Regulations Approved Document E of the Department for Communities and Local Government (Resistance to the passage of sound, 11 -17) of the building regulations, the attenuation values for airborne sound and impact sound could range from 3dB to 8dB.

The credits in the certification is 1 for 3dB attenuation and for 8dB attenuation, the credit is 4. Insulation tests are carried out in pre-completion and post completion stage by test bodies accredited by UKAS. The thermal insulation is assessed by the Heat Loss Parameter. The long term thermal insulation of the building depends on the structure of the building. The Heat Loss parameter gives a statistical measure of the thermal insulation of the external surface area including construction and airtightness.

A lower value of heat loss parameter specifies efficient design in terms of thermal insulation. The design and location of hot water cylinders, insulation pipes and cold water tanks needs more attention. ( I have removed some text here) During construction the design and mode of temporary supports need to be assessed and decided by a competent structural engineer who has sufficient knowledge about the load bearing ability of different materials. According to the Building and Construction Authority (“GUIDELINES FOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS”, www.bca.gov.sg/), the structural investigation of a building involves checking the structural plans, calculations of load bearing ability, testing the strengths of materials and carrying out load tests on parts of the building.

As stated in the technical guide, of Department for Communities and Local Government