Design and Specification Flashcards
Can you name and describe 2 types of specification?
Prescriptive specifications - Used for complex construction when the client requires certainty about the end product. The design would also be complete lending itself to a traditional procurement route.
Performance specifications - This gives the contractor more flexibility around supplies and methods of work.
Name all RIBA Stages?
0 Strategic Definition 1 Preparation and brief 2 Concept Design 3 Spatial Coordination 4 Technical Design 5 Manufacturing Construction 6 Handover 7 Use
3, What is your role in Stage 2 of the RIBA plan of work?
The architectural concept will be approved by the client, my further roles would be to undertake design reviews, prepare stage design programme, obtain pre-application planning advice, agree route to building regulation compliance and submit outline planning application.
4, What legislation governs the access approved documentation and how have you used this document on a project?
Equality Act 2010. On the Liberation House project, the disabled WC’s backed onto the risers. The provisions were not compliant with Approved document 8 (Part M) and as part of the works package the WC’s were to be removed and reinstated. This included provisions for automatic taps, doors were fitted with light action privacy bolts and emergency release mechanisms, the heat emitters were screened and replacement to colour contrasting grab handles, this also included grab handle repositioning in accordance with Diagram 18.
5, What info was included within your planning application on Ellora?
This included a P2 planning application form which is for changes to the outside of your home, location plans at 1:2500 scale, photographs of the site, sufficient and accurate plans which included a site plan, floor plan and elevation plan.
Where there any planning conditions associated with this project?
Not specifically as the location leant itself to this development in accordance with the island plan 2011. Although, as the works were in a heavily built up location the planning authority requested all works to be conduct in working hours, albeit this was not far outside the nuisance act.
Can you take me through the sequence of operation of one of the buildings elements you designed on 43 Bath Street?
The warm roof. At the rear of the property there is a section which was built approx 1970, this was not listed. The warm roof was constructed off a cavity wall. Joists were spaced at 400mm apart with a plasterboard ceiling installed to the bottom sections to form a void, timbers firings are when installed to the top, 12mm plywood sheet is installed and a VCL layer is bonded atop, tapered insulation was laid to provide accurate falls and u-value requirements, then a 18mm plywood sheet, the waterproof covering was a Renolit single-ply membrane.
What product was specified for the secondary glazing?
This was a bespoke sliding system constructed of timber and single glazing replicating the existing sash window. It was specified to fit inside the reveal, as was directed by a planning officer in a pre planning consultation. The glass specification was Low E glass to minimise heat loss.
What are the five document statuses (i.e guidance note/mandatory standards etc)?
1-International standards (mandatory) 2-RICS practice Statement (mandatory) 3-RICS Code of practice (mandatory or recommended good practice) 4-RICS Guidance Note Recommended good practice 5-RICS Information Paper
Name some design philosophies?
Occupational Design
KISS (keep it simple stupid)
Pragmatic design
What is occupational design?
Design centred around specific end user requirements
What is pragmatic design?
Creative approach with more than one design solution
What are the three common threads in design?
1 - Sustainability
2 - Compliance
3 - Safety
What is the most important common thread in design?
Safety
How can you ensure no errors arise from a poor project brief?
regular project testing
How would you ensure documentation is effective in project communication? (design and spec)?
1-Highlight purpose
2-Highlight status
3-Standardised content (e.g. terms).
What information would you need in a project brief?
1-Project description 2-Team and resources 3-Uncertainty and risk management 4-Data Management 5-Programme and cost management 6-AOB
What is Embodied Carbon?
Carbon footprint of material. It considers the green house gasses released through the supply chain.
What is Operational Carbon?
This defines the quantity of carbon released during the operation of a building.
How have you mitigated Embodied Carbon?
On Liberation House i specified the timber construction over concrete block for the riser enclosures.
How have you mitigated Operation Carbon?
On 43 Bath Street I have advised my client that secondary glazing would improve heat retention thus reducing the operation carbon of the building.
On 4 Ellora what consideration were given to neighbouring properties regarding the upgraded external insulation?
I advised my client that there would be a junction at the demarcation of his neighbours property.
On 43 Bath Street did you investigate suitable sustainable features and incorporate them within a design?
Yes, this was secondary glazing, upgrade roof insulation and internal hung insulation.
How did you upgrade the roof on 43 Bath Street and were there alternatives?
Installed insulation between the rafters - this created a cold roof.
Warm roof could have been installed however the timber trusses would need strengthening and this risked less ventilation to the roof space and associated damp issues.
What insulation did you use for 43 Bath Street and were there alternatives?
Glass wool insulation
This allowed tight fitting between joists.
Sheeps wool and hemp fibre are alternatives however these were not inline with my client cost restraints
What is a U-Value?
Measurement of how quickly energy will pass through one square metre of a barrier
How are U-Values expressed?
Watts per square metre per degree (W/m2K)
What considerations were given prior to upgrading the roof insulation at 43 Bath Street?
Bats and nesting birds
Asbestos
Structural capacity
Ventilation at eaves
How did you upgrade the insulation to the walls at 43 Bath Street.
Internal insulation with no cavity (at party walls)
Internal insulation with cavity at front face (to allow moisture movement in the solid brick wall).
Were there any considerations for upgrading insulation to the walls at 43 Bath Street/
I ensured the listing did not include the internal area?
What was the listing on 43 Bath Street?
Grade 4 listing
- West facade
- Shop front
- Windows
- Slate roof and chimneys
When is the Edwardian period?
1901-1910.
What is Part 7?
Stairs, Ramps and Barriers
What does SER stand for?
Structural Engineers Registration
What is the SER for?
Scheme for Certification of Design (Building Structures)
Prior to submitting structural design drawings to the building control department they must be certified by an SER engineer
What are the key points you identified in RICS Design and Spec guidance note?
Design Philosophies (Pragmatic / KISS)
Common Threads (Sustainability, Regs, Safety)
Establishing the Project
- Project briefing
- Feasibility
- Project Options
- Scope of investigations
- Change Control
Outline Design and Specification
THIS GUIDANCE NOTE IS BORING AF
What is a design?
What is a specification?
Design - Drawings
Spec - written details the design, materials products and workmanship
L2 - What other things could be included in ‘related documentation’ (in contract docs)?
ER
Bills of quants
CDM/MIC Pre Construction Info
How would you apply spatial parameters and requirements? (L2) (Queensway) (RBP)
f
L2 - How have you prepared sketch designs to demonstrate compliance with a clients breif?
f
L2 - How have you detailed installations of components, how did they connect and perform?
f
L2 - How did you - Development of initial proposals to a detailed stage?
f
L2 - How have you prepared a design risk assessment?
f
L2 - How have you expressed recognised performance standards and guidance?
f
L2 - Explain sustainable materials?
f
L2 - How have you integrated sustainable materials into design?
f
Tell me about some building regs?
How many can you name?
f
What is the functional requirement of a: Wall? Foundation? Window? Roof?
f
What is a BBA standard?
f
What is the latest versions of CDM in the UK?
What are the CDM regs about?
2015
Regs for managing H&S -
What is the construction phase plan?
f
What common materials have high embodied energy?
Concrete
Steel
Glass
What scale would a detailed drawing come in?
1:20
1:5
Depends on planning/requirements.
4 Ell the planning app required 1:20
What different building controls are there?
Local Authority Building Control
Approved Inspector
What is the process when planning/building regs?
Regularisation/retrospective application
What are the five HSE steps for DRA?
f
What is the difference between performance spec and prescriptive spec?
Performance - standards to be met (not materials)
Prescriptive - fine detail included materials
What advice would you give regarding specifying some elements of you work (repairing the lift, etc) look through my work and add in!!
f
How much insulation was there in the Liberation House roof?
f
What is novation?
Contractual rights transferred from one party to another.
What insulation did you have at Ldubs?
Kingspan Thermotaper
Why was this insulation suitable?
Warranty
U value
For mechanical fixings of single ply
rigidity for plant
L3 - What advice did you give your client regarding access at 43?
?
L3 - How were you able to coordinate all consultants design for works at 43?
?
L3 - Other than windows, what advice did you provide your client in relation to design or specs at 43?
?
L3 - What was the advice you gave relating to listings at 43 and what other buildings have you done this for?
?
L3 - Did you offer advice relating to the design of the new enclosure?
Location
L3 - Did you give advice regarding regulations / compliance / standards?
?
L3 - apply all these to other projects
- queens
- R Bank
?
L2 - Which versions of NBS do you use?
NBS CHorus (but this is now out of date)
L2 - In your design/spec works - what has been included in ‘pre ambles’?
Description of parties
Background
Tendering procedure
Objectives
L1 - What are preliminaries?
Description of requirements for the works but not specifically the package of works. For instance, welfare facilities required under MIC 2016.
L2 - How do you organise your specification of works?
In accordance with the common arrangement of work sections (this is ground up)
L1 - What is a specification?
List of the work required
L1 - What is a BOQ?
Document prepared by QS providing project specific info on measured quantities on items. These are produced to provide greater clarity and fairness for tenders.
L1
?
L1 - What are the function requirements/performance required for a cavity wall?
?
L1 - What are the function requirements/performance required for a cavity wall?
?
L1 - What are the function requirements/performance required for a Pitched roof?
?
L1 - What are the function requirements/performance required for a strip foundation?
?
L1 - What are the function requirements/performance required for a suspended timber floor?
?
L2 - What is a design risk assessment?
Tool used by designers to identify hazards in design and to work out how to eliminate or curtail these.
L2 - How have you expressed performance standards for one of you projects?
?
L2 - How have you investigated and advised on sustainable features in one of your projects?
?
L2 - how have you applied spatial parameters in your projects?
Distance
fire travel distances
