Basic Principles to be followed in Building Construction

In the design of a building, architects should be guided by the following principles:

1. The building should be constructed to serve purposes specified by the client.
2. The design should be constructable by known techniques and with available labor and equipment, within an acceptable time.
3. The building should be capable of withstanding the elements and normal usage for a period of time specified by the client.
4. Both inside and outside, the building should be visually pleasing.
5. No part of the building should pose a hazard to the safety or health of its occupants under normal usage, and the building should provide for safe evacuation or refuge in emergencies.
6. The building should provide the degree of shelter from the elements and of control of the interior environment—air, temperature, humidity, light, and acoustics— specified by the client and not less than the minimums required for safety and health of the occupants.
7. The building should be constructed to minimize adverse impact on the environment.
8. Operation of the building should consume a minimum of energy while permitting the structure to serve its purposes.
9. The sum of costs of construction, operation, maintenance, repair, and anticipated future alterations should be kept within the limit specified by the client.

THE BALANCED SEE-SAW

Using the body to describe the transfer of load systems is a way of relating structural action to our own experience. It is necessary to move to the next stage and further relate these systems to the structure of buildings. Before doing so, it is useful to consider how a see-saw works. It is obvious when a see-saw is balanced and when it is not. The rules that apply to a see-saw have to be applied to all structures. The first rule is that all vertical forces must balance. Normally this means that the pull of gravity downwards must be resisted by forces acting upwards. These upward forces are normally generated by the supports to the system, i.e. the foundations. If the downward forces are larger than the upward, the system will disappear into the ground. If the upward forces are bigger than the downward, then the system will rise into the air. Because gravity is the main force on most buildings, the balancing of upward and downward forces is the principle concern. In fact this is a particular example of the general requirement of equilibrium that forces in any direction must balance. The second rule is that the turning effect at every point must balance, i.e. at every point the clockwise moment must balance the anti-clockwise moment. If this were not the case then the whole system would start gyrating around some point like a wheel around an axle.

Practices to Avoid

Do not group plants with different water needs together in the same irrigation zone. You will not be able to meet the water needs of any of the plants resulting in poor plant growth or death. A common mistake is to group a high water use plant such as a spruce together with a low water use pine. “Hydrozone” plants by grouping plants with similar water needs together so they can be effectively watered for best plant health. When removing areas from turf, do not cover them with solid sheet plastic and gravel, rock or volcanic cinder. Plastics shed water and create wasteful runoff. They exclude water and essential air exchange to plant roots, increase evaporation from surrounding areas by raising local soil and air temperatures, and can cause root injury due to heat buildup. Keep rock or gravel areas to a minimum. They tend to increase air and soil temperature. Use weed barrier fabrics (geotextiles) available in garden centers. These materials allow water penetration and air exchange. Cover landscape fabrics with mulch. Instead of rock and gravel, consider organic materials such as wood chips and chunk bark. They give a natural look and help retain moisture, as well as hold weeds in check. Use mulch either with or without a landscape fabric to save water. Rock may be required to cover a steep slope where wood chips and gravel may wash away. In these cases, use natural river bed cobble of varying sizes. Lay rock over a weed barrier fabric in much the same way as if you were constructing a rock wall. Another option for steep slopes is to install a natural rock garden with water-conserving alpine plants.

Basic requirements of seed germination

For basic seed germination you need a few things. First of all your seeds! It is always a good idea that if you are just starting out, to start with seeds that are forgiving and germinate easily and quickly! We all want to be successful as gardeners! If you are a vegetable gardener you start out with your tomato plant seeds in late February to early March. Obviously you would like to get a ten week minimum head start before it is planting time outside. Once you have your seeds, then you need to gather up your pots,bag of soil, a soil thermometer, a household fan, an inexpensive outlet timer, a watering can, plant tags and a heavy bag to keep them safely.

Phases of a building project -1

The definition of the various phases of development for a particular project from initial studies through post construction should be understood by the client and outlined thoroughly in the client-A /E agreement. The most-often-used phases of development include the following:

Feasibility Studies: To assist the client in determining the scope of the project and the extent of services to be performed by various parties, the architect may enter into an interim agreement for services relating to feasibility studies, environmental impact studies or reports, master planning, site selection, site analysis, code and zoning review, programming, and other predesign services. 
Environmental Impact Studies: Determination of environmental studies and reports required for a project and preparation of such reports, special drawings, or other documents that may be required for governmental approvals are normally performed under separate agreements. Attention should be given to zoning, soils, and the potential of hazardous materials in any form. If any impermissible hazardous materials are encountered, clients should be advised so that they can obtain the services of a specialty consultant to determine what course of action to take. 
Programming: If the architect is required to prepare the program of space requirements for a project, the program should be developed in consultation with the client to help the client recognize particular needs. Space requirements, interrelationships of spaces and project components, organization subdivision of usage, special provision and systems, flexibility, constraints, future expansion, phasing, site requirements, budgetary and scheduling limitations, and other pertinent data should all be addressed.

CLIENT OBJECTIVES FOR BUILDINGS – 3

 They bid competitively to provide this service or provide free design services prior to commitment to the project and as a basis for negotiation. Their design work is not primarily aimed at cost-performance tradeoffs, but at reduced cost for acceptable quality. The design/build approach to facilities is best employed when the owner requires a relatively straightforward building and does not want to participate in detailed decision making regarding the various building systems and materials. This does not mean that the owner has no control over these items. On the contrary, the owner is often permitted a wide range of selection. But the range of choices is affected by the fixed-cost restraints imposed by the designer/builder and accepted by the owner. When the facilities required are within the range of relatively standard industry-wide prototypes, this restriction may have little significance. A common misconception regarding design/build is that poor-quality work inevitably results. While there is a general benefit to the builder for reductions in material and labor costs, the more reputable designer/builder may be relied on to deliver a building within acceptable industry standards. Facilities where higher quality systems, more sensitive design needs, or atypical technical requirements occur deserve the services of an independent design professional.