Design & Specification Flashcards
How were the RIBA plan of works stages represented in the CPD events you attended?
The CPD sessions covered each of the eight stages, ranging from Strategic Definition to In Use.
Through these sessions, I was able to gain an understanding of how to apply this framework in my projects.
Can you explain how you interpret a client’s brief in order to meet their project requirements?
- I aim to understand their vision and requirements thoroughly.
- I arrange meetings with the client to discuss and clarify their objectives, preferences, and budget.
- After taking all these factors into consideration, I develop a design which best meets the client’s project requirements.
Can you explain to me any challenges you have faced when obtaining a client brief?
- One challenge was when a client gave a vague brief for a residential project due to not having enough information on specific user requirements.
- I overcame this by conducting a joint MS teams call with the care provision and client to gain detailed insights into their requirements and expectations.
What statutory requirements do you consider during the design phase?
- Building regulations to ensure safety of the design together with accessibility and sustainability.
- Planning permission to ensure the designs do not negatively impact on the surrounding area.
What’s the process for ensuring a design has received necessary approval like planning permission and building reg compliance?
I undertake pre-application consultation with the local planning authority early in the design stage.
Once the design is completed, I then make sure statutory procedures for submitting the applications are provided by producing the necessary drawings and documentation.
What are the H&S regulations within the design stage?
The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015.
How do H&S regulations impact the design stage?
Health and Safety regulations significantly impact the design stage by considering various factors, such as:
- Fire safety
- Ventilation
- Hazardous materials.
Failure to incorporate these elements into the design could lead to serious health and safety risks.
How do you ensure your designs do not negatively impact the local aesthetics?
To ensure my designs do not negatively impact the local aesthetics, I conduct thorough site analysis and research on local history, culture and architecture.
This helps to create designs that resonate with the surroundings without compromising on functionality, all while adding value to the local landscape.
Can you give me an example of how you made design decisions keeping safety, aesthetics and local requirements in mind?
In my designs, I aim to achieve a balance between safety, aesthetics and local requirements.
For instance, while designing the internal and external alterations at Cherry Meadows I incorporated wide entrance doors with ramped access.
At the same time, I was mindful of creating a visually pleasant environment for the residents without commercialising the aesthetics.
In your experience what is the biggest challenge in meeting all statutory requirements while designing?
The biggest challenge in meeting all statutory requirements while designing is to incorporate these regulations without compromising on the aesthetics and functionality of the design.
However, with pre-design research and a collaborative approach, this challenge can be successfully managed.
How do you ensure that your design process is compliant with the RIBA Plan of Works?
Review the design against the strategic brief and the draft design against the construction brief to ensure compatibility.
What is the RIBA Plan of works?
– Introduced by the Royal Institution Building Architecture.
– Outlining the process of a construction project from the initial appointment of the project team (strategic definition) through to the building being used (Use).
– This helps to ensure that each stage is completed accurately and efficiently.
What are the RIBA stages?
0 – Strategic Definition
1 – Preparation and Briefing
2 – Concept Design:
3 – Spatial Coordination:
4 – Technical Design:
5 – Construction:
6 – Handover:
7 – Use:
Can you explain the RIBA stages in any more detail?
0 – Strategic Definition:
- Agree appointment with professional team.
1 – Preparation and Briefing:
- Develop the client brief.
2 – Concept Design:
- Design options /pre-app advise
3 – Spatial Coordination:
- Spatial coordination to consider user requirements and building services to allow for stage 4 to progress without any further iterations.
- Submit planning application.
4 – Technical Design:
- Submit Building Regulation application.
- F10 submitted to HSE.
5 – Construction:
- Compliance with planning permission & Building Regulations.
6 – Handover:
- Rectify any snags /Building handed over /Contract concluded.
- Issue Practical Completion Certificate.
7 – Use: The building is operated and maintained efficiently.
What stages of RIBA relate to design?
Stage 2: Concept Design
Stage 3: Spatial Coordination
Stage 4: Technical Design
What H&S regulations are required during the design phase?
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015:
* Pre-Construction Information
* Construction Phase Plan
What’s included in a specification document?
- Prelims
- External works
- Internal works
- M&E
- Summaries
Give me an example a clients brief has impacted a specification document?
Whilst obtaining the client brief for the Cherry Meadow scheme – the client required each flat to be handed over separately.
However, the client was only familiar with JCT Minor Works contract which does not satisfy sectional completion.
What are preliminaries?
Used to describe the project allowing for costs of items to complete but are not the work themselves (access, welfare)
What are preambles?
Description of who’s involved in the project and the objectives.
Does a building have to be compliant with building regs at all times?
No, there are several exemptions such as:
- Maintenance work
- Minor repairs
- Greenhouses (not used for retail)
- Some agricultural buildings (check with B Control)
- Temporary buildings (erected for less than 28 days)
I would always run this by Building Control if I was unsure.
Bloomfield: How did you inspect the property to understand the construction and prepare a sketch of the existing layout?
I undertook a site visit to understand the property’s existing layout.
I took measurements of each room and then used CAD software to develop design proposals.
What was the client brief for the residential refurbishment scheme in Bolton?
To carry out internal alterations to accommodate the needs of a disabled family member.
I carried out a feasibility study to investigate the possibility of a ground floor therapy room and accessible bathroom within the existing rear extension to the full width of the rear elevation.
What documents did you consider for the works at Bloomfield?
Doc M: Access to and use of buildings.
BS8300: Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment.
The design satisfied Doc M and was tailored more towards the specific user needs given by the Occupational Therapist to allow for sufficient movement around the bath /changing tables and allow for a mobile hoist.
What were the specific needs of a disabled family member that the design had to accommodate?
To provide both the interior and exterior features to accommodate the wheelchair user.
I prepared floor plans, elevations, cross-sections, and detailed drawings of each room, including their utilities and fixtures.
How did the consultation with the Occupational Therapist influence the design and specification?
The consultation with the occupational therapist was crucial.
They provided advice on the specific needs and requirements for wheelchair user which influenced the final design and specification in terms of space planning, safety measures, and fixture selection.
This included a specialist bath that was required to suite the needs of carers to assists.
Bloomfield: What were some of the suggestions you gave your client during the design briefing?
I suggested areas where the client could save on budget without compromising the functionality and aesthetics. (utilising the existing space)
I also suggested they consider eco-friendly design elements such as censored lighting features.
Bloomfield: What sustainable features did you incorporate into the design and why?
- Energy-efficient appliances such as lighting and sensor taps within the bathroom.
- Insulation upgrades to the extension in accordance with Approved Document L.
Bloomfiedl; How were the final designs agreed upon with your client?
- The final designs were agreed upon following a design meeting with the client incorporating feedback from the Occupational Therapist.
- A finalised drawing was issued which was approved by the client.
Bloomfield; What process did you follow to prepare a detailed design and specification for the refurbishment scheme?
- I first started with a design based on the client’s brief.
- I then incorporated the specification to incorporating details like materials, finishes, and fittings.
- The final design stage involved creating detailed construction documents with all technical specifications which were then shared with both the client and the construction team.
Was there any challenge in obtaining statutory consents with building control?
I did not face significant challenges in getting statutory approvals.
How many designs did you prepare for client consideration?
3 designs were prepared for client consideration.
- These differed in terms of layout.
How did you ensure that the design met the needs of the disabled family member?
By collaboratively working with all stake holders including the family and Occupational Therapist.
What was the existing construction of the Bloomfield property?
Cavity wall construction with suspended timber floors and pitched roof with concrete tiles.
Modern extension to the rear was built around 2010 with cavity wall construction and a suspended concrete (beam and block) floor.
How did the extension connect to the existing building?
Relatively modern construction so i would assume by using a stainless-steel wall starter system as the brickwork was not toothed to the original.
This joined the new walls to the existing masonry as apposed to a toothed connection eliminating potential problems of not achieving adequate mortar bonds.
What did you consider in relation to access & Sanitaryware?
Approved Document M: Volume 1 (Section 3: wheelchair user)
BS8300: Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment.
Occupational Therapist requirements.
Bloomfield; What did you consider in relation to sanitary facilites?
Approved Document M – for wheelchair accessible sanitary fittings:
- Basins maximum 850mm from finish floor level.
- Level access shower
BS8300
Spatial requirements set by the Occupational Therapist.
Can you explain in more detail what BS 8300 is?
Approved Code of Practice: Considered best practice.
Providing guidelines and recommendations on how to design buildings and their surroundings to be accessible to all, including those with disabilities.
