Design and planning of commercial and domestic buildings in the UK - Essay Example

Precisely this report examines the designing and planning of commercial and domestic buildings in the UK. The UK has set aggressive national goals in the building industry meant to increase efficiency and safety of buildings. It has identified emission reduction targets for 2020 and 2050 to be 34 percent and at least 80 percent in that order (Willars 2011, p. 1). To ensure that buildings are playing their role in achieving these targets, regulations have been put in place to ensure that designing and planning is undertaken in a manner that will make buildings environmental friendly.

DESIGNING AND PLANNING OF BUILDINGS IN THE UK Designing and planning of buildings take place in different phases. In all these phases there are procedures which ought to be followed. Basically as shown in the diagram below designing and planning of building projects is undertaken in four stages: prepare, design, construct and use. Table 1 (Different standards for planning and designing in the UK) It is advisable that these phases are followed so that the construction work is completed to the set standards.

Failure to follow regulations set is a violation of the law and is punishable. Importantly, such negligence will likely cost the public in one way or another. Building regulations are categorized into 14 sub-categories: Part A - structural safety Part B - fire safety Part C - site preparation Part D - toxic substances Part E - sound insulation Part F - ventilation Part G - hygiene Part H - drainage and waste disposal Part I - combustion appliances Part J - protection from falling and impact Part K - energy efficiency Part L - access to and use of land Part M - glazing Part N - electrical safety This report will utilize the RIBA Plan of Work 2007 in discussing the designing and planning of commercial and domestic building in the UK.

The RIBA Plan of Work is chosen because it will enable the achievement of the objective of the report in the best manner possible since it has been the “definitive UK model for the building design and construction process since 1963” (RIBA 2013, para. 2). RIBA Plan of Work 2013 is due to be released mid this year therefore the 2007 is appropriate for this report. However, much care is taken to integrate the ideas from Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), OGC Gateways (Scottish Government 2013), PFI procurement stages and National Audit Office Framework where necessary.

The RIBA Plan of Work 2007 is divided into five phases with a total of eleven sections. The five phases are: preparation (A & B), design (C, D & E), pre-construction (F, G & H), construction (J & K) and use (L) (RIBA 2007, p. 1). The following sections examine each of these phases in great details, pointing out the technicalities involved and the expectations. Care is taken to ensure that each section addresses the requirements of domestic and commercial buildings as per the UK regulations. PREPARATION PHASE Under the prepare phase, as categorized by CABE, the activities which cut across the board for RIBA plan of works, OGC Gateways and National Audit Office Framework are basically those involving getting ready to start off the project.

They can basically be said to be feasibility tests to find out if the project can be completed. According to CABE (2011), a client needs to be very much engaged in running a building project especially in the very initial stages. It is important that the procurement process is understood well by the client. CABE has gone ahead to outline the skills that