top of page

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
(ARC3413) 

PROJECT 1

Industrialised Building System

Project

This is a group assignment which predominantly relates to the topics of Industrialised Building System (IBS) as well as the materials’ embodied energy. Before embarking on this, project students will be exposed with different types and methods of the IBS system and the calculation of embodied energy of different building materials in the classroom. First, the group has to design a 3-storey apartment block using mainly IBS components. Then, the group has to construct a physical model of the building to imitate the actual IBS construction process and to record all the process in a video.

​

Objectives

  • To develop students’ understanding in different types of IBS construction method.

  • To apply appropriate IBS construction method in the production of a model for an apartment building.

  • To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of IBS construction process through model making.

  • To develop students’ understanding in matters related to energy efficiency and ecological impact.

  • To foster good communication skills among group members through proper delegation of works and production of the video.

​

Tasks

In a group of 5, students are required to evaluate their chosen environment in terms of lighting and acoustics performances. My group has chosen a cafe, Cat in the Box in Empire Damansara, Malaysia.

 

Analysis and  Evaluation Scope

  • Perform a study on a building preferably an apartment, which was constructed fully or partially using IBS method and identify all the IBS components used including appropriate sizes

  • Design one or two types of apartment units which size should not exceed 100 square meters and consists of a living hall, a dining area, three bedrooms and two toilets. The design should incorporate mainly IBS components such as precast wall, hollow core slab, precast staircase, toilet pod, prefabricated timber roof truss, etc. with appropriate sizes

  • The units should be arranged as follows and made into three levels. However, for the model one side of the building can be cut into half to show the cross section

  • Construct the IBS components of the model individually then joint all of them together in the actual way that an IBS building is constructed. All the process including fabrication of components and sequence of construction in the production of the model should be included in the video. A number of blow-up connection details of different parts of the model should also be produced

  • Also provide in the video some descriptions about the building and construction

​

After completing this project,  I am able to identify and collect relevant research data. I am also able to explain a set of architectural and structural documentation. Besides, I learnt to relate basic structural elements and structural principles in construction and am able to analyse and document construction methods and materials. Lastly, I can now critique issues pertaining to energy efficiency, embodied energy as well as ecological impact.

Project

This assignment is aligned with the Studio Design Project and aims to facilitate students in the technical studies and development of their design. It deals with the analysis and establishment of the structural and the envelope systems of the student’s design to ensure that the design has logical and workable construction systems. It also encourages students to think about construction as integral part of the design and not just an afterthought. This assignment was design with the intention to tackle this issue and to increase the technical competency of students.

​

Objectives

  • To encourage analytical and critical study of the principles, practices and details of building technology in the student’s own design.

  • To encourage students to consider the construction aspects throughout the design process.

  • To adapt and implement the alternative construction systems into the students’ design.

​

Tasks

Task 1: Alternative Design Schemes (20%)
1. Conduct some precedent studies of recent, complex or unique construction systems that could be applied in the design. They should include the following:
     -  The roof system (reinforced concrete flat roof, green roof and the common roof trusses are prohibited)
     -  2 facade systems (the common glass curtain wall systems are prohibited)
     -  The structural system including the floor system (the common reinforced concrete post-and-beam system is prohibited)


2. Next, conduct a thorough study on all the systems to answer the following questions:
     -  What is the type of construction system used?
     -  What is/are the material(s) used in the system?
     -  How is the system constructed? (i.e. detailing)
     -  What is/are the advantage(s) of the system?
     -  What is/are the disadvantage(s) of the system?
     -  Why did you choose the system considering the advantages and disadvantages of it?


3. Then, using the similar systems as the ones in the case studies, produce

     -  Alternatives of façade design schemes for the current studio design project. Each design scheme should include only the front and the rear façades (in scale

        1:100) together with the neighbouring buildings. The drawings can be created based on the students’ current progress in the studio.


Task 2: Sectional Perspectives (20%)
Task 2 on the other hand is intended to facilitate students to develop practical construction solutions and detailing for their own design through the production of sectional perspective drawings of spaces. Students are required to produce detail sectional perspective drawing of TWO interesting spaces (as shown in Figure 1) in their design; which consists of a room on the ground floor and a room on the top floor.

​

PROJECT 2

Integration Project

Upon completion of project 2, I am now able to analyse and document construction methods and materials while evaluating existing construction system and detailing of the selected project. I can now critique issues pertaining to construction principles, materials, techniques, codes of practice, process of assembly, and detailing and also generate alternative construction solutions by means of sketches and drawings.

​

bottom of page