The Process of Managing and Design of Projects in the Construction Industry - Essay Example

Measures 11 meters longer than the Empire state building. It has a large area consisting of roof lights specifically intended to idealize daylight within the building. It consists of a Meridian 15.45mm glazing cream heat strengthened with roof lights in addition to other glass installed in the project to enable roof lights allow filtration of natural light. Creation of channels and handrails of stainless steel provides retention of connectivity of two levels with grouted balustrades of glass allowing ground level viewing. It uses of 28.55mm clear toughened sentry glass for special loading requirements. Maximization of chilled energy efficient beam air conditioning system to cool the store up to 60C has been necessitated by circulating water around the building cooling the surrounding air which consequently cools the beams. The surfaces and edges configurations bring about the two dimensional shopping centre by using squares to produce volumes in both platonic and non-platonic forms. The shape of the centre is based on designer’s memory of some vacation in Italy. It uses both human and the multiple scales to show greater levels of visual objectivity. The scale is greatly dependent on the users who are adults and children visiting for window shopping and buying. It is therefore a simple building form with big literal size with glass cladding of light absorptive type. The shopping mall is constructed on a commercial harbor landscape which maximizes materiality of surrounding architecture. The building envelope of this shopping centre is meant to bring a difference in the conditioned and unconditioned space. Walls and doors of the unheated shopping mall, wash rooms and the restaurants will constitute the building envelope while those separating the unheated shopping mall and the elevators are not. Floors of the unconditioned basements with those of adjacent spaces are not on the building envelope. Shopping mall 3D structure Example: Springvale homemaker centre in Victoria, Australia i) Retail warehouse Structural features, form and building envelope: The building has large gently sloping roofs with open vaulted ceilings and steel truss systems. It has large walls roofs and magnificent floor panels. The straight walls prevent bowing and curve hence enabling installation of tall shelves and cabinets. The building envelope considers the heated and unheated general warehouses for rack, bulk, and storage of bins, shipping space, crating and toilet space. The design focuses on functionality and efficiency, safety, comfort, display of aesthetics, landscaping, and work safety among others. The form of the retail warehouse considers storage space, office space, and dock yard for loading, space for light industry and centers for computers. Meanwhile warehouses are designing based on future and current needs; maximize space with good and sufficient employee movement and material handling. Layout and configuration should be optimized for quick material handling and storage. Connect the exterior and interior for goods flow in the process. Aisle widths, design of lighting, mezzanine space, fire guards and egress design is provided for alternative material handling methods. 3D Retail Ware House Example; International trade centre in Baltimore, US ii) Low rise residential terrace housing development  This consists of narrow two-story terraced bungalows sitting on large block s in the city suburbs. These flats are indeed increasing in numbers. The locality may constitute both detached and semi-detached houses. The choice of terraced forms is its prevalence in the inner city which came into existence before the establishments of car bazaars. Population growth has necessitated the growth of multi unit apartments. This has also been provoked by pressure on environment and economy to reduce family numbers. Construction of such houses is based on urban consolidation policies Vis a Vis those of lower density suburbs hence the cultural element in construction. The low story buildings compounds many factors which include transport, housing needs of students and also those families with young children besides environmental amenity. The building height usually in form of storey’s numbers is determined by gross plot ratio which is stipulated for the site. The height of the buildings is also determined by controls plans and street block plans. Low-rise terraced buildings are within the walk-up range of between one to three stories and essentially meets the demands of users which could be about 100 to 190 square meters constituting the enclosed floor space. The forms have considerably low unit costs arising from constrained purchasing power of users. Its growing demand is informed by the geographical distribution which literally means being built by local contractors and few machines and large manual labor. Demand for these buildings is high with capacity to absorb during economic fluctuations. For a two storey commercial development an aggregate height can be 12m and 6m floor to floor height. Example: Inner city suburbs of Paddington, Australia iii) Large two storey extension to a traditional house This is literally determined by individuals peoples taste and greatly influenced by location and character of the house. Design of some neighboring houses is also critical. Traditional extensions have the capacity to seamlessly augur well with the two storey extensions ultimately promoting the idea of a whole unified structure by retaining the impression of the house over a long period. The extensions take the form of contrasting building elements which gives a counterpoint to an existing house. This is enabled by completing great loft conversions which will allow for added living spaces without necessarily encroaching into conservatories, gardens and sunrooms. The extensions integrate existing large storey buildings which require formation of structural openings. It employs traditional methods of craftsmanship to be blended with modern building standards to ease residence in listed homes. The extensions of a complete hyped roofing, sunroom and a linked kitchen will consequently give good living and eating space. The extension could be timber framed joined with oak trusses and staircase linked into a prresent thatched roof cottage produce an astonishing family house. Refurbishments and extensions to constitute old school sliding sash windows, oak floor and modern lantern roof lights. Example: Extension and renovation properties at Buckhurst hill, UK Assumptions: a) The actual building costs are not highly varied with standards costs b) Construction materials are ready sourced and provided in time c) The building will impress the tenants, home owners and property buyers d) The form and building elements will put into consideration safety, health and comfort of users. 1. Design and construction process a) RIBA Plan of Work This helps to organize the process of managing and design of projects in the construction industry especially buildings by administration of building contracts in a sequence of work stages. The order of work may be different or overlapping depending on the mode of procuring materials. The plan includes: i) Preparation stage constitutes appraisal and design brief which entails identifying the business case, needs and objectives of the project and resulting constraints. Feasibility studies have to be carried out with options assessment in which the client gets informed. There has to be origination of inventory requirements into design brief by checking on the constraints and requirements. The purchasing method, procedures and the company’s structure together with consultants are identified. ii) Design involves concept, design development and technical design which show implementation and preparation of design brief and other data. Outline proposals need to be prepared in the case of structural and building services systems. The stage outlines specifications and associated costs plans. In addition, procurement routes are reviewed and application is requested for planning permission. Technical design and specifications and prepared while it should be adequate to provide project elements and components which is also listed in the statutory standards and construction safety. iii) Preconstruction includes production information, tendering and tender action. Product information enables provision of tenders and other additional information through statutory approvals and other vital construction information. Potential contractors are identified and evaluated and finally tenders are appraises and obtained for recommendation to clients. iv) Construction involves mobilization and construction to real completion by appointing contractor, providing sufficient information and arranging site for contractor. The building contract is brought to completion and information from contractors reviewed. v) Utility entails post practical completion and final inspections are done and the users are aided during earlier phases of occupation. Ultimately project performance in use is reviewed. b) Method statement Are important for construction of building envelopes and is intended to meet customer requirements. It is primarily concerned with quality, safety of employees and logistics. The method statement is therefore prepared and adhered to in each contract. This closely follows regulations by national building specification cladding. Every contractor of a building is required to provide this tool entailing work package specifying their responsibility and this has to be in synchrony with other specialists working on connected works. It has to be agreed by the main contractor and architect. The main contractor is vested with scope and degree of work definition, assigning duties, correlating separate method statements and ensuring architects and consultants gets the document. The statement shall include lifting and quality plans together with safe systems of work which can be included in the project health and safety plan. Method statement should comply with construction management and design regulations. 2. Sustainable buildings a) It is important to initially develop site safety and work plans. From the nature of construction materials used in the brick house extension it is apparent that asbestos is hazardous and hence done manually. Asbestos abatement is done after obtaining permits and notifications. All other utilities have to be disconnected especially those linked to the Royal Victoria Dock. Hydraulic excavators through undermining process are applied to topple the building. The house should be demolished away from Royal Victoria Dock by undermining the buildings brick base. At this phase safety and cleanup should be prioritized. Hydraulic shears and hammers will be applied in removing the structural steel in the warehouse extension. The excavators will play the role of shearing extensions and basically dismantle the steel structural elements. To ensure dust control from bricks, fire hoses held by workers in fixed secure location or lifts are used to allow a wet demolition. b) Legal and environmental considerations involve adhering to Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1995 stipulates regulations and buildings. i) Ensuring that the building should collapse into its own foot print to prevent damage to adjacent structures. ii) Flying debris should be controlled from causing grave harm to onlookers. iii) Care should be taken when handling demolitions involving asbestos and other hazardous or harmful materials. Strict compliance to policies and procedures is required to control removal and security of asbestos. iv) When using explosives and mechanical devices, safe work SA should be notified. v) Before undertaking any demolition of any structure, development consent is required prior to starting the work. This is in tandem with the development Act. vi) The occupation health, safety and welfare regulations1995 requires that safe work SA be informed of the demolitions if a building or supposed structure is over height of 6 meters, uses explosives and mechanical equipments which needs to be based on the building or the structure. vii) An assessment of associated risks be done alongside demolitions and should be completed by competent person at all demolition stages. c) Disposal and Recycling of Demolition Materials Wood: comprise almost 40-50% of waste stream. The re-use alternative is used as fuel for industrial boilers or co-generation plants. Some wood materials are treated copper chromate arsenate and other chemicals hence care be taken in disposal. Wastes of this nature need to be disposed under guidelines on hazardous wastes. Waste wood can be used in industrial fuel source, bedding for animals, and cover for landfills, mulch, composting and other building products. Gypsum drywall entails about 8-15% wastes and can be used for soil amendments, raw ingredient in cement manufacture, animal bedding and composting bulking agent. Asphalt shingles: constitute about 60% in the US market which can be recycled into new shingles, and preparation of hot mix asphalt for sidewalks and driveways. Bricks: it is highly demanded in waste stream diversion in St Louis US for crushed materials in fills and high quality. Resale of bricks is an important architectural element and support of an underground economy for small jobs. Concrete: Highly recycled in the UK and US as base product for roads and buildings. It can also be applied in for building driveways, drainage, pitfalls and rural roads. Metal: available in small quantities as wiring, fasteners and siding. Copper and aluminum are taken by trades people and underground market place for wood products which are untreated 4. Offsite construction methods a) Advantages of offsite construction methods i) Construction times are very predictable ii) Construction costs are easily determined iii) Quality and performance are evaluated right first time iv) Agile design solutions v) Good speed on the site of construction vi) Good value and significance for money Disadvantages i) Difficulty in comparing them in relation to cost, sustainability and time. ii) A whole life cycle of products requires consideration including raw materials, transport, manufacture, operation efficiency, lifespan and recyclability iii) Demands consideration of time comparisons to give accurate predictions. iv) Requires project by project predictions in order to build a set-up of costs. b) Form of prefabricated construction system i) Lean assembly It simplifies the process of assembling by modularizations, industrialization and continuous flow. Operations are reduced hence lowering chances of errors, rework and wastes. The lesser the operations quality of work goes up and it is highly possible to predict timelines and costs. Power float finish with smoothness is guaranteed as a result of wall reinforcing. The mortar is in concrete form without stone and has good thermal properties with no beam filling. Windows and doors are made of steel, wood or aluminum. ii) Prefabricated panel system buildings (Karmond) Provides cost effectiveness to conventional construction hence providing good quality, price and value. It gives a new perspective to choice of metal buildings which are very strong. It gives wider selection of roofs, finishes, accessories and possible customized construction with metals which fits user’s needs. The structures can expand and easier to relocate which allows future growth and flexibility besides withstanding the effects of earthquakes and hurricanes. It adequately meets stringent building codes and uses small equipments like cranes, forklifts, and commercial facility. iii) Moladi Concrete formwork system It allows for participation of entrepreneurs and contractors who are set to empower and consistently develop communities. Essentially for low cost housing in which Moladi mortar is removed and taken for re-erecting in following foundations. It is exceptional and better than conventional brick and mortar in terms of strength and speed. It takes a day and the mould is ready in a day for painting. It does not require plastering, beam filling, wastes, chasing for plumbing and electric piping. It is based on a green building system with compatible truss system. d) Moladi concrete formwork in development of prefabricated structures is a good method that is environmentally and economically viable. It generates wealth and opportunities by giving rise to beneficial projects in both formal and non-formal sector. Sustainability of project is the most desirable element in construction as it combines the standards of construction, economic class of users and the needs of the people who will reside. It is based on the assumption that adjoining space will be sufficient for expansion of housing structures. References Anderson, M & Anderson, PC 2007, Prefab Prototypes: Site-Specific Design for Offsite Construction, Princeton Architectural Press. Chappell, D & Willis, A 2010, The Architect in Practice, John Wiley & Sons. Ching, FD 2000, Building Construction Illustrated, John Wiley & Sons. Chudley, EA 2011, Construction Technology, 5th edn, Construction Technology. Engineers, ASOS & Institute, ANS 2006, American National Standard Construction and Demolition Operations: Control of Energy Sources (lockout/tagout) for Construction and Demolitions Operations, The Society. Hoegen, P & Stikker, C 2009, Superstructure, State University of New York Press. Jahn, B & Dettenmaier, P 2007, Offsite construction, McGraw-Hill, University of virginia. Keeler, M & Burke, B 2009, Fundamentals of Integrated Design for Sustainable Building, John Wiley & Sons. Keeping & Shiers 2008, Sustainable Property Development, Blackwell, London. Lawson, B 2007, Environmental Impacts of Building Materials, University of New South Wales, Sydney. Lennon, M 2005, 'Recycling construction and demolition wastes', A Guide for Architects and Contractors, pp. 1-25. Marshall, D 2006, 'Construction of Houses', in Estate Gazette, Macgraw-hill. Mitchell, M 2000, Building construction: Part 1, structure and fabric, , Longman. Robin, B& 2007, 'Construction of Buildings', Blackwell Science, vol 2. Sustainability, ASOCECOO 2004, Sustainable Engineering Practice: An Introduction, ASCE Publications. Read More