Design & Coordination Basics
Architects cannot work alone
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Architects cannot work alone
Last updated
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Often times, you will need to work with the project engineers across disciplines on a wide variety of design and coordination issues.
Below is an overview of the many design considerations that require both architects and engineers to work out together:
Checking for consistency with design of structural elements and external works in relation to architectural design requirements
Aspects:
Structural elements - Types of walls, parapet/kerbs, floor, columns, roofs, beams, railings
Dimensions - Headroom, clear width & height, thickness, setting out, storey height, beam depth & column sizes
Openings - for doors, windows
External works - driveways, drainage, detention tank, entrance culvert, slopes, retaining walls, levels.
Checking for consistency with design of fire safety provision, sanitary/sewerage, gas/water as well as ventilation provision in relation to architectural design requirements.
Aspects:
Ventilation - Types of Mechanical Ventilation, Ducting layout, Air conditioning
Sanitary/Sewerage Layout
Water - Domestic tank and supply
Fire protection - Sprinkler provision, smoke purging/extraction, hosereel, hydrant, fire pumps
Gas - pipe layout, incoming location
Checking for consistency with design of equipment location, lighting provision and lighting protection among other building services in relation to architectural design requirements.
Aspects:
Electricity - Substation Design, Lead in, Drawpit
Lighting - Fitting type, illuminance, temperature, lux, positions based on false ceiling layout
Fire safety - Exit Light/Sign, emergency lighting, voice comms, fire alarm panels
Cable/switch types, location & layout - eg. office layout
Fibre optics - Internet
Telephone line
Security systems - CCTV
Lightning Protection System
The list above is non exhaustive.
Architects need to collaborate and prepare the necessary information for effective design:
Site plans with site boundary, buffers, driveway and building layout
Fire plans - locations of hydrants, fire rated walls/compartments
Combined services design layout (CSD) - Underground, high level at all storeys, roof plans
Plans, sections, elevations of buildings
Typical details
Survey plans - with all existing site information (public drains, infrastructure)
Any other relevant design and compliance requirements
With tight design collaboration and coordination upstream during a building project, there will lesser issues during construction 🚧.
So do not ignore your engineer and blindly assume the design can be built!
