History of Construction and Building Sites

History of Construction

• Construction: art, science, or business
• Construction: how materials are put together as a whole
• Construction: building from site preparation through finishing operations
• Building: an enclosed structure on land for habitable use
• Construction is ancient
• Construction began with a need for a controlled environment
• Over time, construction evolved, marked by key principles
• Durability of materials
• Building height and span increased
• Degree of interior environment control
• Energy available for construction

The Building Site

• Soil type affects the size and type of the building's foundation
• Soil type affects the drainage of ground and surface water
• Soil type affects the plants that can grow at the site
• A building's integrity depends on the underlying soil and its strength under loading
• Clay soil: Clay expands when exposed to moisture
• Clay soil: Clay shrinks when dry
• Clay soil: Soil shifts and cracks, making it less appealing
• Sand and gravel soil: Sand has large particles
• Sand and gravel soil: Sand doesn't retain water when mixed
• Sand and gravel soil: Compacted sand offers more stability, but it's prone to sinking due to its granular nature
• Loam soil doesn't shift, expand, or shrink
• Loam soil handles water well
• Loam soil is ideal because it incorporates the best qualities
• Rock soil makes an excellent foundation
• Rock soil has high stability and bearing capacity
• Rock soil resists water damage and supports residential or commercial buildings

Soil Testing

• Soil boring: drills holes in the ground to collect soil and bedrock samples.
• Soil boring determines the soil's physical and chemical properties
• Soil boring determines suitability for engineering projects
• Soil Boring is important because it investigates subsurface conditions
• Soil Boring determines soil suitability and assesses hazards

Topography & Climate

• Land forms and ground shapes affect the foundation type
• Land forms and ground shapes affect the building form and its relation plane
• Land forms and ground shapes affect site drainage
• Land forms and ground shapes affect the micro-climate: wind, temperature, and solar radiation
• Variations in local climate are affected by ground elevation
• Variations in local climate are affected by Land Forms
• High-altitude locations are colder than areas closer to sea level due to the low air pressure
• Avoid disturbing natural drainage to prevent local floods
• A site's topography may be a steep slope, moderate slope, or flat slope

Climate Factors

• Grass and ground covers lower temperature by absorbing insolation and encouraging cooling by evaporation
• Hard surfaces elevate temperatures
• Light-colored surfaces reflect solar radiation
• Dark surfaces absorb and retain insolation
• Large bodies of water act as heat reservoirs and tend to moderate temperature variations
• Types and locations of plant material affect micro-climate
• Vegetation affects visual screening of exterior spaces, and sound dispersion, and absorption of sound
• Factors to consider when selecting trees:
  • Foliage form, density, texture, & color
  • Potential growth height and spread
  • Speed or rate of growth
  • Size and depth of the root structure
  • Requirements for soil, water, sunlight, air, and temperature
• Trees affect the environment by providing shade
• Trees affect the environment by reducing sky and ground glare
• Trees provide wind protection
• Trees intercept precipitation and filter the air
• Trees aid in soil stabilization, increase permeability, and prevent erosion
• Trees define space and redirect views
• Trees provide visual screening and privacy
• Trees attenuate airborne sounds
• Grass and ground covers reduce air temperatures by evaporation, stabilize soil, and increase soil permeability
• Vines reduce heat transmission by providing shade
• The sun is the source of radiation
• A building's location, orientation, and form should use sun thermal, hygienic, and psychological benefits
• Passive solar design uses sun energy to light interior spaces with non-mechanical means
• Examples of passive solar design include building orientation and sun-shading devices

Sunshading Types

• Horizontal types--most efficient toward south/southern orientations
• Vertical types--serve well toward the east/west orientations
• Eggcrate types--combinations of horizontal/vertical types efficient in hot climates
• Wind affects air infiltration into a building
• Wind affects the ventilation of interior spaces and outdoor courts
• Wind affects the lateral load on a structure
• Passive cooling is a low-energy design for a building that maintains a comfortable temperature
• In tropical climates, the east and west facing sides of a building receive the most heat
• Active cooling is cooling and ventilation through electromechanical means
• Precipitation affect the roof form, its construction, and gravity load
• Precipitation affects the presence and drainage of water on a site
• Precipitation affects the choice of building materials

Sensory Factors

• Considering desirable and undesirable views will determine the building form and orientation.
• Views can determine the building's fenestration
• Views can determine the plant materials used in landscaping the site
• The level, quality, and source of sound affects the building mass
• Sound affects choice of materials and the assembly
• Sound affects control methods

Regulations

• Zoning ordinances govern the use and bulk of buildings and structures
• The ordinances say what activities can occur on a given piece of land.
• Zoning Ordinances determine land coverage, setback lines, the maximum height of the building and structure, and total floor area
• Building codes affect the way building sited and constructed
• Statutes establish the relationship between: -The type of occupancy -Fire-resistance -Height, floor area and separation from neighbors

Building Elements

• Substructure: Underlying structure forming the foundation
• Shell: Exterior framework or walls and roof
• Superstructure: Vertical extension above the foundation
• System: collection of parts forming a unified whole
• Structural- Building's skeleton
• Electrical- Power distribution
• Mechanical- HVAC, conveying equipment, communication systems
• Plumbing/Sanitary- water and waste management
• Electronics and safety
• Fire protection

Building Materials

• Factors in selecting building materials: -Visual qualities -Functionality -Existing regulations -Environmental sustainability -Economy

Architect Roles

• As Designer: Architects produce architectural designs and plans based on the requirements of the owners and the building rules and regulations.
• As Prime Professional: Architects need to understand how the plans are being translated during construction.