Blog 2

 The Site

The processes used for building design and construction have changed over the years, but the site has always been important. The traditional systems for building design are: structural systems, MEP(Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing), enclosure systems, and interior systems. The Architect is in charge of placing the building onto the site. This also might include help from a civil engineer or landscape architect. The site greatly affects the interior as well such as adding sunlight, heat, views, outdoor rooms, etc. The sun especially impacts the interior. It provides natural light, heat, and sometimes glare. 

Wind can also affect the interior and can be used to provide thermal comfort in a space. External views also greatly impact interior design. A designer can either help in deciding the placement of windows to maximize views, or decide placement of objects to go with the views and emphasize them. A designer must observe the site and consider different aspects of it like if it’s regulatory, aesthetic, or environmental. All of these parts of the site and design process are very important for creating a successful design. 

Enclosure Systems

The Enclosure system deals with the foundation of the building. This depends on the location and soil type of the site. Shallow foundations are typically used for residential projects, while deep foundations are used more for commercial projects with a higher load. 

The Enclosure system also includes the roof of the building. There are many different types of roofs. Interior designers don’t deal with the roof since it is structural, but they do have to respond to the shape of the roof chosen. The main framing materials are wood, metal, and concrete. There are also different roofing materials such as asphalt, wood shake, metal, tile, and slate. Different roofing materials can affect the interior by reducing heat gain. These materials also impact the slope of the roof. Low-sloped roofs usually rise around 3 feet for every 1 foot or less. The roofing material also affects how durable and long-lasting the roof is. For example, the traditional Dutch thatched roof has a lifespan of 15-40 years. High sloped roofs usually rise around 2 feet for every 1 foot or more. 

Sustainability

Sustainability is an important thing to remember when deciding on materials for a roof. There are many things a designer can do to make a building more sustainable. Using recycled materials or having a green roof can be very beneficial. They can also use lighter materials in places where heat gain may be an issue. The most sustainable building is one that already exists, such as a Brownfield Site. A Brownfield site is one that already exists and has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Using rainwater and the landscape around the site can also be very beneficial. The LEED rating system helps to respond to water usage and landscaping of a site. There are also solutions for waste to help with sustainability. One example is the living machine. The living machine is a wastewater system that mimics the wetland environment to create a more sustainable site. 

HAWAC Case Study

I learned a lot of very interesting information when completing my case study of The Harm A. Weber Academic Center, designed by British architect and Cambridge University Professor C. Alan Short. This building is organized into 3 main elements: a “block” element for the library and studios, a “bowtie” element for the classrooms, and a “bar” element for offices and more studio spaces. These three sections can be easily seen in the floor plan. The main material used throughout the building is concrete. The exterior walls are stick-framed extensions 4 feet from the concrete walls. The exterior finishing materials are brick veneer for the lower levels and metal paneling above. The window element finishes are a white metal paneling system. The most sustainable aspects of this design are the glazed atrium in the center of the “block” element and the natural ventilation design. The atrium provides daylight as well as fresh air. The natural ventilation system takes cool air from the lower levels and circulates it throughout the rest of the building. The design is very successful in harvesting daylight throughout the placement of exterior windows and the central atrium. The site is also very sustainable because of how it was placed on the site. This design is very successful for energy stewardship and health and wellness attributes. This case study was very interesting because I spend a lot of my time in this building, but have never realized all of the different materials and parts of the building, or how sustainable it is.