What is architecture

Architecture is from the Latin word architectura, a word used to describe the job of an architect. The ancient Greek arkhitekton was the chief builder or master technician of all craftsmen and artisans. So, what comes first, the architect or the architecture? The word architecture can have many meanings. Depending on the context, architecture can refer to:

  1. any man-made building or structure, like a tower or monument
  2. a man-made building or structure that is important, large, or highly creative
  3. a carefully designed object, such as a chair, a spoon, or a tea kettle
  4. a design for a large area such as a city, town, park, or landscape
  5. the art or science of designing and building buildings, structures, objects, and outdoor spaces
  6. A building style, method, or process
  7. A plan for organizing space
  8. any man-made building or structure, like a tower or monument
  9. a man-made building or structure that is important, large, or highly creative
  10. a carefully designed object, such as a chair, a spoon, or a tea kettle

a design for a large area such as a city, town, park, or landscapethe art or science of designing and building buildings, structures, objects, and outdoor spaces . A building style, method, or process. A plan for organizing space

ARCHITECTURAL PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Contract between clients and architects, identifies types of building design services (schematic documents, development documents, construction documents ….etc.) and the tasks contained in each.

Several trends are affecting how architects approach and carry out building design.

  1. First is the fact that clients continue to seek greater value from design services.
  2. Clients who are more sophisticated; and better informed increasingly expect their building facilities to fulfill a range of needs beyond those mandated in health and safety regulations.
  3. This expectations challenges architects to be cognizant of these clients' needs and to responds to them creatively
  4. Other trends present opportunities for architects to increase their design capabilities and to expand their rangeof creativity.
  5. In the regulatory arena, the growing use of performance- based building codes promises to provide architects with more freedom in meeting regulatory requirements.
  6. In the technology arena, software advances are giving architects more powerful tools to shape and evaluate design solutions.

BUILDING DESIGN SERVICES

Why a Client May Need These Services

  1. To respond to rapid or sudden growth
  2. To move to a new location
  3. To update or replace older facilities
  4. To improve productivity in operations
  5. To implement major organizational restructuring
  6. To bring an existing facility up to current regulatory standards
  7. To transform or create a new image or brand identity

Why a Client May Need These Services

  1. To respond to rapid or sudden growth
  2. To move to a new location
  3. To update or replace older facilities
  4. To improve productivity in operations
  5. To implement major organizational restructuring
  6. To bring an existing facility up to current regulatory standards
  7. To transform or create a new image or brand identity

Knowledge and Skills Requiredfor the architect

  1. Ability to evaluate program requirements critically
  2. Ability to create concepts that respond to program requirements
  3. Ability to delineate concepts and design solutions
  4. Understanding of building materials, components, and systems
  5. Understanding of building codes, standards, and regulations
  6. Familiarity with contracts and construction documentation
  7. Ability to communicate concepts to the client and consultants
  8. Knowledge of construction costs

TYPES OF ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE AND THE ROLE OF THE ARCHITECT.

  1. Consultancy( design, shop drawings ,material selection , specifications, documentation, and supervision )
  2. Construction (contracting)(working drawings, quality control, site supervision
  3. Government job (inspection, regulations, approval process, studies and researches).

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AND COMPANY STRUCTURE.

Depends on the nature of the company , most of the companies providing consultancy services may contains specialized departments, such as architectural dep. Structural dep. MEP dep. and others.

1. Standard outline for writing specification sections:

a. General b. Products c. Execution

2. Quick checklist on products or materials:

a. What is it and what does it do?

b. Who is it made by?

c. How to apply?

d. What does it cost?

e. Warranties?

3. Detailed checklist on evaluating new products or materials:

a. Structural serviceability (resistance to natural forces

such as wind and earthquake; structural adequacy

and physical properties such as strength, compression,

tension, shear, and behavior against impact

and indentation).

b. Fire safety (resistance against the effects of fire such

as flame propagation, burn through, smoke, toxic

gases, etc.).

c. Habitability (livability relative to thermal efficiency,

acoustic properties, water permeability, optical

properties, hygiene, comfort, light, and ventilation,

etc.).

d. Durability (ability to withstand wear, weather resistance

such as ozone and ultraviolet, dimensional

stability, etc.).

e. Practicability (ability to surmount field conditions

such as transportation, storage, handling, tolerances,

connections, site hazards, etc.).

f. Compatibility (ability to withstand reaction with

adjacent materials in terms of chemical interaction,

galvanic action, ability to be coated, etc.).

g. Maintainability (ease of cleaning; repair ability of

punctures, gouges, and tears; recoating, etc.).

h. Code acceptability (review of code and manufacturer’s claims as to code compliance).

I. Economics (installation and maintenance costs).

DESIGN INFLUENCES

  • Every project situation is deferent
  • Different requirements and limitations
  • Cultural, environmental, technological, aesthetic contexts
  • Challenges and opportunities

It is both (problem –seeking) and(problem-solving) process.

  1. PROGRAM

a)Requirements and limitations

b)General or specific descriptive of needs

c)Suggestive solutions

2. COMMUNITY DESIRES

a)Public agency(ies) approvals

b)To meet objections or to gain support.

3. CODES AND REGULATIONS

  • Projects constructed in Oman must comply with a number of governmental regulations, these include building codes, zoning regulations, environmental regulation, civil defense (firefighting) and contractor licensing laws, among others. (See local order no. 23/92 building regulation for Muscat). Muscat Municipality.

4. SITE AND CLIMATE

  1. Physical characteristics: size, configuration, topography,

Geotechnical etc.

  1. Climate: wind, solar orientation, temperatures, humidity, precipitation, etc.
  2. Environmental factors: view, existing vegetation, drainage, etc.
  3. Access
  4. Adjacent land uses and other site factors.

5. BUILDING CONTEXT AND EXISTING FABIRC.

The surrounding environment Influence:

  1. Materials
  2. Fenestration( openings )
  3. Color
  4. Detailing
  5. Existing structure

6. BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

a)Building configuration, materials, and systems are rarely arbitrarily chosen and are only partially based on aesthetic criteria.

b)Dimensions may be dictated largely by mechanical systems or even by the knowledge and preferences of the local construction industry.

7. SUSTAINABILITY

a)The ability of a society, ecosystem, or any such ongoing system to continue functioning into the indefinite future, without being forced into decline through exhaustion of overloading of the key resources on which that system depends.

b)For architecture, this means design that delivers buildings and communities with lower environmental impacts while enhancing health, productivity, community, and quality of life.

8. COST

a)Project has limited budgets.

b)Cost considerations significantly influence almost all issues from building size and configuration to material selection and detailing.

c)Budget: fixed of flexible

9. THE CLIENT

a)The good client: is there such a thing as “good client”?

b)Some clients have a clear idea of program, budget, and other project objectives, including the final appearance of the building.

c)Others look to the architects to help them define the project objectives, as well as to design a building that meets these goals.

THE VALUE OF PRE-DESIGN

  1. Extend “pre-design” as long as possible.
  2. It is defense mechanism against those “hot ideas” that will come up midway through the project.
  3. Invent ways to force yourself not to dive into design immediately.
  4. Find ways of getting the client involved in this “discovery phase”
  5. Identify and achieve consensus on the five or six real issues the project brings you to solve.
  6. Challenge the design team to find as many ways as it can to translate constraints into three- dimensional potential forms without actually designing the building.
  7. Look for ways –writing diagrams, mass models, etc. – for describing both the minimum requirements and your highest aspirations for the project.
  8. Ask yourself: how will you know later that you succeeded?
  9. Describe –again without designing the building – the strongest, best formal concepts to be explored in the design.
  10. Involve the client in the program, budget, and expectations.

Five project phases

  1. Schematic design
  2. Design development
  3. Construction documents
  4. Bidding or negotiation
  5. Construction contract administration

Schematic design

General scope, conceptual design, scale, and relationships among the components of the project

OBJECTIVES

•Arrive at clearly defined and feasible concept

•Present it in a form that achieves client understanding and acceptance

•Clarify the project program

•Explore the most promising alternative design solutions

•Provide a reasonable basis for analyzing the cost of the project

TYPICAL DOCUMENTATION INCLUDE

•A site plan

•Plans for each level

•All elevations

•Key sections

•An outline specification

•A statistical summary of the design area and other characteristics in comparison to the program

•A preliminary construction cost estimate

•Other illustrative material: perspectives, renderings, models, computer simulations , or additional drawings

Drawings

•1:200 for large buildings

•1:100 0r 1:50 for smaller buildings and interiors

Outline specifications

•General description of the work that indicates the major systems and materials choices for the project and provides the information necessary to communicate the appearance and function of the building.

Preliminary estimate of construction cost.

•Preliminary area analysis

•Preliminary construction cost estimate

•Limited detail” only” major trades and systems

•Preliminary analysis of owner’s budget

•Recommendations for changes.

OTHER SERVICES COULD BE REQUESTED FROM THE ARCHITECT

•Life cycle cost analysis

•Energy studies

•Tenant-related design studies

•Economic studies

•Models

•Brochures and promotional materials

APPROVALS

•Obtain formal client approval (in writing if all possible)

•If approval is given verbally, send the client a letter confirming the architect understands of the approval and ask the client to initial the letter and return a copy.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

  1. Refinement and coordination
  2. A really polished work of architecture
  3. Minimizes the possibility of major modifications during the construction contract documents phase.
  4. Define and describe all important aspects of the project so that what remains is the formal documentation step of construction contract documents.
  5. Clear, coordinated description of all aspects of the design.
  6. Fully developed floor plans, sections, exterior elevations, interior elevations, reflected ceiling plans, wall sections and key details.

design development could be summarized as following :

  • Drawings
  • Specifications
  • Recommended adjustments
  • Formal presentation and approval by the owner.

Schematic design 

Design development 

Construction documents

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

Definition

Construction documents are the written and graphic instructions used for construction of the project. These documents must be accurate, consistent, complete, and understandable.

Objectives

  1. prepare an accurate, consistent, and complete set of architectural construction documents for a project
  2. explain construction documents to the client .
  3. check and coordinate the integration of structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems with the building and site
  4. based on the specifications, prepare a production sequence flow chart to illustrate the relationship between construction documents and the construction process
  5. when applicable, prepare phasing documents to illustrate the construction sequence
  6. Prepare Drawings, Specifications and other documents setting in details. the requirements for the fabrication, procurement, shipment, delivery and installation of furniture, furnishings and equipment for the Project.
  7. Organize and prepare bidding information, bidding forms, the Conditions of the Contract, and the form of Agreement between the Owner and Contractor.
  8. Administer the filing of documents required for the approval of governmental agencies and the like having jurisdiction.

BIDDING OR NEGOTIATION

Definition

Bidding and contract negotiation involves the establishment and administration of the bidding process, issuance of addenda, evaluation of proposed substitutions, review of bidder qualifications, analysis of bids, and selection of the contractor(s)

“Arriving at a contract for construction”

If the project is to be bid,

  1. competitive bids are solicited from a number of contractors after the Construction Documents are finished.
  2. Client have the option of accepting one of the bids as given, rejecting all bids, or negotiating a modified bid with one of the bidders.
  3. Client are not obligated to accept the lowest bid, nor are you obligated to accept any of them.
  4. Client may choose to select a single builder and negotiate an agreement with him.
  5. Architect to Assist the Owner in obtaining bids or negotiated proposals and assist in awarding and preparing contracts for construction

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

Definition

Construction contract administration tasks carried out in the architect’s office include facilitating project communication, maintaining project records, reviewing and certifying amounts due contractors, and preparing variation orders

OBJECTIVES

  1. Represent, advise and consult with the Owner/client during the construction of the Project.
  2. Administer the Construction Contract.
  3. Visit the site at appropriate intervals to determine that the Work is being performed in accordance with the Contract Documents.
  4. Review and certify the amounts due the Contractor.
  5. Review Contractor's submittals such as Shop Drawings, Product Data and Samples, and collect written warranties.
  6. Prepare variation Orders and Construction Change Directives.
  7. Review final placement of furniture and inspect for damage, quality, assembly and function in order to determine that furniture, furnishings and equipment are in accordance with the requirements of the Contract Documents.
  8. Determine the dates of Substantial and Final Completion

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION (OBSERVATION)

Definition

Construction contract administration tasks carried out in the field include observing construction for conformance with drawings and specifications , reviewing and certifying amounts due to contractors

OBJECTIVES

  1. Understand the relationship between construction documents and the construction contract administration process
  2. manage field observation and documentation tasks
  3. evaluate completed construction for compliance with the construction documents and specifications

BUILDING REGULATION FOR MUSCAT

DEFINITION

  1. building :a structure incorporatinga group of elements to serve a common or different purposes and functions . it includes the walls and all civil works and may consist of one floor only or a number of floors.
  2. Permanent building: any building or structure made of bricks ,block work, stone work reinforced concrete or stones etc. or metal framework or any other solid permanent material.
  3. Temporary building: any building or structure made of other than those stated in the definition of the permanent building, also any building or structure erected by a special permission for a limited period of time , are included in this definition.
  4. Leveling floor : a floor built at split level below the ground floor where there is a natural slope within the plot boundary . one side of this floor should be totally clear above the ground level where the natural slope is lower.
  5. Basement : an underground floor below the ground floor . but connected to it from inside.
  6. Projecting balcony( balcony-veranah):an extended area projecting beyond the building façade/ elevation line. It may be open or have a horizontal roof.
  7. Open to sky :a space or an open-to-sky area within the building which may be surrounded by walls on all sides (closed open-to sky) or on three or two sides ( open , open-to-sky).its function is to provide ventilation and natural light to the rooms and adjoining parts of the building.
  8. Height of the building : is the clear height of the building measured from the main road level in from of the building to last level of the building . if there is no main road but some streets around the building .the street with the heist level is taken for measuringthe height of the building.
  9. Major building permit :a permit for construction issued by the municipality (building permit department) or other authorized departments of municipality after a scrutiny of documents and approval detailed drawings of the building.
  10. Minor building permit :a permit for construction issued by the municipality (building permit department) after scrutiny of the documents of the building and the land on which it is constructed ; it is issued in case of secondary addition to the building in unplanned areas ( old areas) and other works that may or may not require detailed drawings.

AREAS AND DIMENSIONS OF ROOMS

DESCRIPTION MINIMUM AREA (sq.m) LEAST DIMENSION

Bedrooms 12.00 3.00

Office 8.1 2.7

Shop or showroom 8.1 2.7

Kitchen 5.00 2.00

Bathroom 4.00 1.8

Toilet 1.5 0.9

OPEN TO SKY

no / No of floors / Internal space overlooking the open –to- sky / Minimum area of opening (sq.m) / Least dimension of sides (M.L)
A / 1-3floors / Bedrooms or offices / 7.5 / 2.5
B / More than three floors / Bedrooms or offices / (1/5x height )2 the outcome of this formula should be 9sq.m / 3.00
C / 1-3 floors / Kitchen bathrooms toiles, stairs / 7.5 / 2.5
D / 4-6 floors / Kitchen bathrooms toiles, stairs / 9 / 3
E / More than 6 / Kitchen bathrooms toiles, stairs / 12 / 3