Module 4 - Building Analysis & Programming Flashcards
What considerations should an Architect give to a program for a project that will be separated into several phases?
The budget or schedule may require the building be built in stages. Finding clear and logical portions to build in phases is an important skill in the design process.
Depending on the program requirements, the project might require staging areas to keep materials cool and dry, or require access for special equipment, like cranes or concrete trucks.
How should an Architect approach the layout and design of interior spaces?
Space planning encompasses the heart of interior design. Definition of spatial areas, zones of furniture/equipment, and weaving circulation patterns - all contribute to life, productivity and comfort.
These spaces and patterns grow from the template of client’s preferences and priorities, structure of the facility, and the connections within them. In addition, required space, furniture standards, building codes and accessibility standards then continue to refine the design.
The flow of people and information within a space should be facilitated and flexible for future growth and needs. The design also must exercise constraint, caution, and creativity through the elements of privacy, security, and fixed structural and building systems.
Which form of spatial organization allows for future expansion and growth?
Clustered Organization
Due to its flexible nature, spaces can change with ease and accept future growth. The tool of proximity accommodates various forms and functions. Compactness and geometrical order are not primary features, if at all.
What 4 conditions are out of the Architect’s control when it comes to cost estimates?
- Market Conditions
- Inflation and the Cost of Good & Services
- Contractor Means & Methods of Construction
- Unknown Site Conditions
For the Programming phase, what are 3 ways cost estimates can be performed?
- Based on a unit cost system, such as cost per hospital bed, cost per theater seat.
- Historical Data based on similar type of projects previously completed.
- Cost per square foot.
What is the Quantity Survey Method of construction cost estimating?
This detailed method of measuring typically benefits contractors’ understanding of construction cost. It is not typically used by Architects. This method takes elements of fixtures separately - measuring lengths of pieces, even trims and fittings.
Knowledge of construction means and methods aids calculation of waste, labor, length of time for installation, types of equipment needed for trades, as well as allowances for contractor’s overhead and profit. It yields a far more accurate picture of what the construction cost would be upon completion.
In a basic sense, what must be considered when designing the structural system of a building?
The vast range of physical loads also shape the elements of the structure: animated and inanimate objects, as well as resistance to anticipated and unanticipated loads.
Materials, equipment and other dead loads, and varying loads - such as snow, ponding of water on the roof, wind and earthquake - must be calculated and elements properly sized for.
International and building codes direct structural choices as well. If conflicting information appears in building codes, the most stringent one prevails.
What is a critical element to consider when laying out the ductwork design for the mechanical system?
Due to the significant sizing of ducts, ceiling clearance must be provided and considered in the design phases of a project. Main ducts branching directly from the centralized system - measure considerably large, where as ducts branching from them diminish in diameter run to service spaces.
When spread and strip footings carry load, the reaction of the earth induces bending, much like an inverted:
beam.
What consideration should furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) be given during the programming phase?
The FF&E selections can have a considerable impact on the design of the building.
You should figure out these potential impacts during the programming phase to ensure your design can work with the clients needs.
What should an Architect consider when helping an Owner select FFE?
- Budget
- Schedule
- Spatial requirements
- Effect of building codes
- MEP/Structural requirements.
What is Expandability?
The capacity of a building to be enlarged easily or added onto as needs change or growth occurs. This allows the building to accommodate growth with expansion.
Describe Convertibility.
Allows an existing building or space to be changed to allow for a new use. For example: a school assembly hall may be later converted into classrooms in a future construction phase.
What is Versatility?
The ability to use the same space for a variety of functions. This allow for maximum use of the space and provides for several different activities.
With regards to the project budget, how are Quantity and Quality related?
Quality and Quantity are related in that a change in one will ultimately result in a change in the other.
Sometimes these changes may be negative, such as if an Owner decides to increase the quantity of an item in the building and thus will have to reduce the quality in order to keep the budget the same.
When considering an existing building, what would be concerns for a Renovation?
The condition of building might require most of the walls to be replaced. Old water damage might have brought stains or mold that would require extensive replacement of drywall/plaster.
Certain conditions might be cheaply solved with a new coat of paint, while others require more extensive (and expensive) work. Surveying the building(s) will help prepare a rough breakdown of the potential cost of saving and renovating the building.
When considering an existing building, what would be concerns for Preservation?
If the building was built in a desirable historical style (or is officially listed on the National Historic Register), preserving it to restore it to it’s former glory could be part of the project. This could greatly affect the cost and schedule or the project, but could also create an incredible design opportunity.
An evaluation of the condition of the existing building will help determine if preservation is feasible.
What is Radial Organization?
the radial system directs flow in or out of a common center, with straight channels of circulation radiating from this center point.
Radial systems are the patterns that circulation routes follow as cities expand.
Congestion grows as these radial routes converge at the center. To avoid this congestion, a series of bypasses can be introduced (beltways or ring roads).
In terms of Programming and the cost of construction, what 4 factors can the Architect not control?
- Market Conditions
- Inflation and the Cost of Goods and Services
- Contractor Means & Methods of Construction
- Unknown Site Conditions
What would the budget be for a 50,000 SF new school building if we used $150 /SF for construction costs?
50,000 x $150 = $7.5 million
What 4 factors influence the cost of construction?
- Scope: the size, extent and design of the building
- Quality: level of finish, technology and detail
- Schedule: the timeline for completing the project, faster schedules typically cost more money
- Experience: the comfort and ability of the contractor to work with the systems and materials
What 5 ways can an Architect influence the cost of a project?
- Project size
- Finish quality
- Detail complexity
- Program requirements
- Number of trades used during construction
What 3 costs should the Owner consider at the beginning of a project?
- Initial Costs
- Future Costs
- Operational Costs
What 5 factors are considered Location Factors when considering the design of a project?
- Geographical
- Geological
- Guidelines and Regulations
- Contextual and Environmental Influences
- Climate
