Site Information And Contstraints Flashcards
Factors that effect site design
The features of the site selected for the project will have a major influence on the design. Factors include;
Building Use- What the client is going to use the building for, eg, residential, business or industrial purposes
Project spatial requirements- Each project will have requirements that impact the design eg proposed size and layout, circulation space, number of floors and rooms, and their use. This information is vital to establish initial cost analysis and to identify suitable sites which could accommodate the project
Flexibility and remodeling projects- The client may have their own vision and ideas of what they want their project to look like. Architects need to be able to work with the client to meet their needs while ensuring the integrity of the building
Future extension of the building- The design should consider the future use of the building and any plans for residential or business expanding. This will require investigation into the potential site and the surrounding area. For example, if the client is planning a retail park, how many shops do they intend to build, is there room for more shops in the future, and is there room for sufficient parking
External and internal aesthetics- The clients requirements for the aesthetics on the inside and outside of the building will have a significant influence on the design. The client may want a modern-open plan style or a more traditional style. The materials the client wants to use are also important to determine, as each material will have its own properties and appearance that impact the site an design
Sustainability and energy efficiency- Among the most important issue for the client is energy costs and the possible incorporations of energy efficient processes within the building. Lifetime energy costs are a major financial factor for a building so clients may wish to incorporate new and innovative techniques to reduce costs. Examples include solar panels, wind turbines, biomass boilers
Age demographic of the building user(s)- It is important to consider the end user of the building, the target market. The requirements for student accommodation at a university will be different from the requirements of a retirement home, as older people are more likely to have physical disabilities and to spend more time in their rooms
Target market sector- When a client is considering investing in a project they need to know there will be demand for its use, for example, by providing office space, a new city centre hotel or or student accommodation close to a university. If they are building residential accommodation, they need to know which type of accommodation will be in demand. For example, detached, town houses or apartments. With a good understanding of the market, the client can understand what is in demand and how to profit
Needs of different building users- Legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1955 and the Building Regulations to ensure that buildings are accessible to all users, including wheelchair users and others with mobility issues. Designers must also consider the implications of the building being used by specific groups, such as children, who not only need the facilities to be on a smaller scale but also must be kept safe
Security requirements- The design and construction of a secure and safe building is a key objective of any design team. Four key areas are; Fire protection, health and safety of the users (such as air quality in the building), protection against natural hazards such as high winds and flooding, security of the building users and assets
Corporate image and branding requirements- A business’s brand symbolises the way it wants its customers to experience the company. It represents the strengths and values of the company such as quality, value for money or customer service. For example, the business may want to emphasise its commitment to sustainability, as in the case study below. Tech companies may wish to have modern, cutting edge offices that reflect their outlook. Therefore, it is important that the designers know the image the client wants to portray and must design accordingly
Site features
Size and location of the site, for example, if it is in an urban or rural setting
The configuration of a site (how its different elements fit together and how easy they are to access)
The orientation of the building, for example, reducing potential heating costs by using solar gain as passive heating
Access to and around a site, for example, the ability of existing roads to deal with increased traffic
The topography of the site (its shape and features such as slopes, hills etc)
Geotechnical reports
These are reports that are carried out to determine the foundation type required to support a building. It involves a narrow shaft drilled into the ground where soil can be sampled
Ground contamination
It is important to establish if the proposed site is greenfield or brownfield. If it is a brownfield site, the location and use of existing or previous buildings need to be determined, as there may be associated health risks from the previous use that will have to be eliminated
Building services availability
Whatever the project is, and wherever it is to be situated, the availability and location of building services such as water, gas and electricity must be established. Part of the initial site study will determine what services already exist
Existing buildings and structures
It is important to identify the existing buildings on a site. This can provide additional information on the ground conditions and type of foundations previously used. The client will then need to decide whether to incorporate the existing building in the new project or if the building is to be demolished
Neighbouring structures and temporary/permanent support
Investigation of the foundations of the neighbouring structures may indicate whether they will be disturbing by vibrations associated with construction work, which could increase the risk of the building collapsing
Existing underground service
Construction projects usually require excavation, which presents the risk of striking underground services such as sewers, electricity cables or gas mains. This is not only dangerous, it could be expensive and disruptive trying to restore these services
Trees
It is necessary to establish the location of any trees on site. The trees may be protected under Tree Preservation Orders. The new building design must consider how this impacts the project. If a tree is close to a building, then its roots could damage the structure
Rights of way
Public rights of way are paths which the public has the legal right to access, to enable them to enjoy walking in the countryside. The local authority is responsible for your upkeep. If a right of way is identified on a potential site, the client must protect the route or provide a suitable alternative
