20th - 24th August 2012

UN-Common Places...

This week went by okay, I'm finding myself facing really difficult challenges at work. I have been drawing up burnt down shops for refurbishing, finishing off new office drawings for council, The company is  Greystone Wendy houses this was tricky as there was a mix up with title deeds, set backs on site areas for new proposed roads and I made quite a lot of mistakes seeing that most of the time I have to puzzle out the work on my own.
Above all of this, my latest hard jobs includes drawing up a house in Tamboerskloof from almost unreadable plans which I managed to scale up using a grid. The house has split levels as it is one really sloppy site. (someone must have been trying to test my love for sloped sites because I really hated this job) to make it worse is WHAT I had to draw up, a 6-passenger funicular, which is a sort of an escalator mixed with a elevator as the entrance on site is very far away from the main house and one has to walk up a series of stairs in order to get inside, which is probably no fun in winter.
This was quite a challenge for me as not only is it situated on a sloped site but it is set at an angle in order to get from point A to B and me and the boss man had quite different views as to how it should be drawn up. Because he was not in office I already opted for my perspective on the matter. Leaving him with no room to help me. Apart from him being busy he has not done a job like this before. And obviously to him I did not accomplish his standards in this one, so I'm not sure if I look at it as an accomplishment that no one has done before or a disappointment...

On a lighter, happier note. I had a chance to draw up fire plans for a small shop in Pinelands situated within a local mall. Although the job was small I quite enjoyed it  as I got to use my bosses very interesting fire layout library and see how fire plans are worked out.. pretty cool stuff...

Whale Project

STW/CTD: Exercise 5 - Design Development

STW/CTD: Exercise 4

Progress Mark 2

BILL OF QUANTITIES

The Bill of Quantities is a document drawn up by a quantity surveyor. It comprises of a list of materials and costs of an estimated quantity of the materials needed from start to completion of the building process, these could also include labour costs and services. The costs of construction should be proportional to the clients’ budget.

An additional extra fee is always added to this document in case of future problems with the construction that may arise.

ARCHITECTS’ ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

An architect is someone who designs buildings and spaces. Although this seems as a simple thing to do a lot has to be taken into consideration such as orientation of building, safety of occupants, building regulations, typography, climate, energy efficiency, etc.

• Always keep up with new building trends and technologies.
• Be able to produce municipal/council drawings.
• A senior technician architect can sign off their own drawings once registered. 
• Should be able to measure up sites, measure up or scale drawings.
• Be able to visualise and design according to the client’s wants and needs as far as possible.
• Be able to create aesthetically pleasing designs which are always improving and responding.
•  To its surroundings, climate and typography.
• An architect should be able to work within a team of professionals as well as an individual.
•  And should have basic knowledge of how to run a business.

SIGNING OF CONTRACTS

I feel in response to the work I have been doing within my internship that this is a very if not the most important part of an architects’ work.

A contract must be signed before any work has been done for a client AND before any of the work produced by the architect proceeds to be built. The contract should provide clients with a list of the architects’ costs and what work will take place for the client.

The importance of signing a contract cannot be stressed enough! It is the clients legal word that they will be paying for work done that they fully understand why they are paying and that they agree to the costs involved and cannot thereafter refuse to pay. It also states clauses where the client is held responsible for aspects of the design which they should be held accountable for.

There are different contracts that need to be signed by the architect. First before any work is done with plans the architect had to have a contract signed by the client agreeing on payment to be made for the work that the architect will be doing. Thereafter forms needs to be signed before applying through council, this is to state that the client approves of all work the architect is submitting and that the plans are following all requirement by council. Also there is a new energy efficiency form stating that new building regulations are followed and applied to the design.  The client has to sign all four copies of the plan submitted to council alongside the architect and if boundary lines are crossed neighbours consents must be added and they too need to sign the plans.

Once plans are approved and building is to commence, there has to be a contract between the architect and the builder this includes all work that has to be done and fees that has to be paid, there is always a small amount of money set aside in case of problems on site. 

Tender Document

A “tender” or “tender document” is a document that outlines a customer’s project requirements. Tender documents can take many forms but generally include the project requirements, resources currently available and an overview of how the final selection will be made. The tender document will include a budget, future visions and a clear breakdown of what’s required.

An architect will have different tender documents with the different companies whose service will be needed for the construction of the building. The tender document will include a breakdown of costs and quotes to the different procedures and materials needed, through construction. The tender documents are presented to the client by the architect and the client would give approval of the go ahead if they are satisfied.

Additions To The South African National Standards - Part X

The built environment is constantly changing its approach to the way it is formed over time due to many different reasons such as improved technology, nature conservation, aesthetic appeal, etc. Due to recent environmental concerns such as global warming and carbon footprints everyone is trying to help play a role in conserving our planet. The built environment plays a major part in damaging the earth. Countries all around are looking for ways to save energy and use alternate methods of producing energy such as solar power and conserving energy. Belgium has taken this a step further by changing national building regulations, our country along with many others are now following in their footsteps.

Changes to the National Building Regulations are as follows:

Amendments to section A:

A7 (layout drawings)

(M) In the event of a water heating system installation, the location and capacity of the water heating system must be provided.

(N) Where provided, details of insulation are required to satisfy the energy requirements of section XA.

A19 (1) (Competent Persons)

(C) The requirements of section XA are satisfied by a competent person in accordance with SANS 10400 XA.

A19 (12)

(C) Where regulation XA is by a competent person in accordance with the requirements of SANS 10400 Part XA, the competent person who is responsible for such determination shall on the completion of construction and commissioning  of the building submit to the local authority a fully completed form 4 as contained in SANS 10400–A.

Additional Section X:

A1 (Energy Usage in Buildings)

Buildings being occupies shall be designed and constructed so that buildings:

(A)   Are capable of using energy efficiently while still fulfilling its requirements

(B)   Have features and services which facilitate the efficient use of energy

A2

50 % of hot water heating must be provided by means other than electricity, e.g. solar power.

Although the changes will help on conserving energy there are changes that also take place that limits and architects ability to freely design. Such as windows are not allowed to exceed 15% of a rooms floor area, although there are loop holes such as using thermal glass in order to exceed the 15% it will be extremely costly to the client, and also architects are held fully responsible if the new additions and alterations are not met.

The Therme Vals by Peter Zumthor

The Therme Vals which is a hotel and spa was designed by architect  Peter Zumthor. It is built over the only thermal spring in Graubunden Canton, Switzerland.

It was built in conjunction with the already existing hotel which was located next to the spa. the hotel and spa are connected via a long narrow passage.

MAIN IDEA OF THE BUILDING:

The main idea that the architect was going for was to create a natural  cave. a spa that might appear as if it was always there and formed from the mountain itself.

 

FORMAL CLUES:

The spa is designed using mostly horizontals and verticals. (post and lintols) although it is made to look as if they are that way naturally. The building is made up of stacked stone which looks as if it has just been placed on top of one another. with slits of light here and there to keep up the appearance of the spa being a natural cave.

 FUNCTIONAL CLUES:

The idea of the spa was to create a natural space where people could come to to break away from everyday life. It is a place for relaxation. There are many different chambers or "caves" within the spa each one different and unique. They differ in temperature, colour, scents, depths of water and texture of walls. All made specifically to create different atmospheres within the space. One could look at it as a journey of sensory experience, all meant to rejuvenate the body and soul.   

CONTEXTUAL CLUES:

The Spa is located on a natural spring in a valley among the Switzerland mountains. It is a secluded location which is perfect for the effect the architect was going for, a natural spa and hotel away from everyday life. This is evident as the architect did not want time to be known while in the spa.

TECHNOLOGICAL CLUES:

The Therme Vals was made using mostly quarried Valse Quarzite stone, which is the natural stone which is found in the Swiss Mountains. This helps the architect to achieve his effect of the spa being a natural timeless cave.

I really enjoyed learning about this building because the architect Peter Zumthor has achieved with this spa what I would one day like to achieve with every building or space that I design. Which is an atmosphere that is felt only in that specific place. The building is not only a building but an experience. And that's what inspired me to study architecture in the first place. That is in my opinion the difference between a building and architecture.