Site Considerations and the Building Enclosure

Delia Tacheny
INT 322 - Building Systems

Weekly Summary

This second chapter addressed, as titled, "Site Considerations and the Building Enclosure." As Interior Designers, understanding the context of the building and site are key to making decisions for the Interior. Architects, Engineers, and Interior Designers must all work together during the problem-solving and design process. 

Though the processes of building design and construction are changing (just as every industry experiences change over time), the primary systems of a building include: the structural systems; mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems (MPE), enclosure systems, and the interior systems.

As for the site, it is the role of the architect to decide the placement of a building within a site, though it is helpful at times to include a landscape architect, civil engineer, or interior designer in the process as well. The primary factors to consider are the building's relationship to the sun; the possible effects of wind, cold, and rain; the most optimal views; and the use of any exterior spaces. The overall considerations are regulatory, aesthetic, and environmental (both natural and manmade). 




This chapter continued on to review various enclosure systems and the related construction terminology. This part was more so a review for me, as we took construction class Freshman year. That being said, I appreciated the refresher. 

First of all, it's important to understand different foundations. Residential homes and smaller buildings typically use shallow foundations, in which the various options are slab-on-grade, a crawl space, or a basement. Anything below grade is considered the sub-structure. 
Larger buildings utilize deep foundations; two types of deep foundations systems are piles and caissons. Piles are mechanically driven into the soil while caissons are reinforced, cast-in-place concrete. 

Next, the reading discussed wall types of which there are bearing walls, stud walls, or column and beam structural frames. Though once made of stone or brick, modern bearing walls are typically made of concrete and are used in foundation walls. Stud walls are made of either light-gauge steel or light-frame wood construction and are placed at set intervals. Pro tip: when referencing studs, it's important to understand the difference between a stud's nominal and actual size.

Last, roofs are an obviously important structural feature, and impact the interior as well as the exterior. There are many different types of roof shapes which can be referenced in the book. Roof framing materials are either wood, metal, or concrete. Many other design features apply to roofs such as the use of exposed rafter ends vs the use of a soffit and fascia; or the addition of elements such as cupolas, monitors, and parapets. The reading also discusses various roof slopes and materials. 

The reading comes full circle back to sustainability, which is always a concern and consideration. The three biggest things in this case are optimal use of energy and light from the sun, being aware of thermal control, and the recyclability of water.


Case Study of HAWAC

The Harm A. Weber Academic Center is practically home for most of us in the Interior Design and Architecture department, and fittingly, HAWAC is LEED gold certified. 

According to the document, the building is primarily made of concrete in both the walls and floors/ceilings, much of which is exposed to allow for surfaces that radiate warmth or coolness. The exterior walls are stick framed extensions about four feet from the pre-cast concrete walls, which allows space for vertical air flow in the natural ventilation scheme as well as a relief for solar shading. This hybrid natural ventilation design seeks to draw cool air at the lower level and circulate it throughout the entire building. The lighter color of the concrete was chosen to reduce the Heat Island Effect.

The exterior finishes include brick veneer on the lower level, proceeded by a combination of EIFS (exterior insulation finishing system) and metal panels the rest of the way up. The windowsills, jambs, and heads are all finished in a white metal panel system with the intention of indirectly bouncing light into the space.

A significant feature of HAWAC is the glazed atrium, which sits central of the library and all the studio spaces. The atrium is a conduit of both natural lighting and fresh air circulation. 

As for the site, the building replaced a parking lot which sat in the middle of the campus and replaced much of this area with sustainable landscape including indigenous plants.

HAWAC illustrates many of the key points addressed in the reading, and we are grateful to have such a unique building here at Judson. 






Comments

  1. Delia,

    I really liked your blog and your description on site consideration and building enforced. The photos you used relate well to the information you described. Such as the site analysis and the diagram of the residential building. I also really liked your depth on the roof shape and materials. Your case study of HAWAC was very detailed and well written. I liked the image you used on the library because it shows the daylight coming in as well as the ventilation system.

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  2. Delia,
    I liked how you started off explaining the importance of sun studies when picking a position for a building. The pictures you used were beneficial in understanding what you were explaining. I appreciated how you described the different foundation needed for the different sizes of buildings that could be designed. In your site analysis you did a great job explaining the purpose of HAWAC and why the building is LEED gold standard certified.

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  3. Delia,

    Your summary of the reading was nicely done. I really enjoyed how you summarized the chapter with your own understanding from what you learned in construction class Freshman year. Your case study of the Harm A. Weber Academic Center Building was also really well done. I like the picture you added, it helped visualize what you were describing and helped to locate where certain materials were being used.

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  4. Delia,
    Excellent Blog Entry. I am glad you mentioned the reference to Construction course Freshmen year. Our goal in Interior Design is to become CIDA accredited as soon as possible. Within CIDA standards it is imperative that we touch on certain topics several times with in your education.
    You will notice this across the curriculum.
    This being said, I appreciate your weekly summary. Your paragraph on site considerations was well done.
    I also though your discussion of foundations and roofs was informative.
    HAWAC is such a strong example of sustainability- we are so fortunate to study it.
    50/50 Total Points

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