Transcripts
1. Introduction: Designing a building can be a long and complicated process. But it doesn't have to be.
Throughout this class, I'll be teaching you a process, you can go through
that makes designing a building more structured
and more simple. This class is not
just for designers, its for anybody working on
a construction project. Hi, my name is Russell. I'm a Chartered
Architect from the UK, Which means I'm registered with the Architects
Registration Board (ARB) and I'm also a Chartered member of the RIBA You may have
seen me on YouTube, TikTok or Reels, where I create videos sharing
knowledge I've learned while living and working abroad. Since becoming
an architect, I've had quite diverse experience
across five continents, working on a variety
of projects, different sizes, different
scales and different stages. What I've found is that one of
the most important aspects of a successful design and
the a successful drawing package is that it
usually comes down to understanding and utilizing, the correct
design work stages. This class is aimed at
anybody involved in the design and
construction of buildings. I get surprised all
the time by clients, builders, designers,
anybody on a project, that don't quite grasp the design work stages and how that process works when
planning a project. No one really explained
this to me clearly. So I thought I'd
make this video to reveal and break down simply the process an architect goes through when
designing a building, Starting from: How
you start a project. The design stages you
go through before, during, and after construction. By the end of this class, you will understand how the
architectural design process works, in stages and what are the core outcomes of each stage. So you can apply that
knowledge on a design and construction project. To ensure a project moves along fluidly
and successfully. When you understand
the design stages, designing and constructing
the building becomes more clear and more organized. I'll see you in the class.
2. Class Project: So before we get started
for the class project, I thought it would
be fantastic if you can simply upload an image or photo or something and identify
what design work stage that is. Maybe you're sketching a plan of a house. A construction detail
or writing a list of rooms. It might be a 3D image or model. It could even be a photograph of a building that's already built, like a house or a
photo during construction. It will be one of the
seven stages I'll be talking about in this class. So please upload your image, photo,
drawing... whatever and write on it, what you think
design work stage it is. And I'll look forward
to checking them out.
3. Why Stages?: So why stages? Well, even designing
the simplest buildings, are always more
complicated than it looks. But if you want to get something actually built, then you rarely simply design
it in a few days or weeks, and that's it. The overall
architectural design and drawing process
of a project goes on for a long time'
Sometimes years. This includes all the other
disciplines as well. The architectural design
usually changes, develops, and improves over time
as it takes in input, not solely by the architect, by from everybody in
the project team. You need to lay
more information on the design as you go. So that involves managing all the input and information
strategically. So, for example, you don't really want to be thinking about internal ceilings and lighting when you are just
working on the initial concept. And you don't want
to be thinking about plant rooms and
generators after you've already
designed the locations and sizes of all the rooms, Late informational
design changes is like opening a can of worms. Leonardo da Vinci once said, "Art is never finished. Only abandon." That goes
with everything in the creative industry,
including architecture. Therefore, it's important
to set deadlines: Stages of a project. Otherwise you would never get
anything done. Or it will be an extremely unorganized process, even during construction, Unforeseen circumstances
happen and redesigning maybe required. So always think of stages
when working on a project. You also need to bear in mind
that stages will overlap. For instance, a
client might tell you to finish everything in one go. So it's up to you to manage
that process or break it up.
4. Stage Overview: Okay, So I'm going to simplify
this as much as possible. The stages of based on
love RIBA Plan of Work. I never really understood
this until years to come. Personally, I think the RIBA over complicated everything. I mean, they used to be 11
stages for heaven's sake. Now there's only eight People also change the names
everywhere you go. For example, Schematic Design, Pre-Concept,
Design Development, DD You could simplify it down to just design stages which
are only three stages. No 'work stages'. Which architects
are mostly involved in. These are: Concept,
Spatial Coordination, and Technical Design, which a construction drawings.
The other stages, which are all important, don't really include
much design work. Which are pre-designed, which is Preparation and Briefing
and post-design, Construction and Manufacturing,
Handover and Use. Bear in mind, these will overlap considerably depending on
the construction contracts. Hardly any projects is the same. So let's have a look
through the process as we go through it simply
from the beginning.
5. Stage 1: Preparation & Briefing: Preparation and Briefing. This is the stage before you
actually design something. So you could call it 'Pre Design'. You need to understand
that the brief rarely comes from a single
document from the client. The brief will likely
evolved from a series of meetings to get an idea
of what the client wants. This can easily overlap
into later stages as well. So three important documents that are required at this stage, are Site Analysis and Schedule of Accommodation and
Feasibility Sudy. Site analysis is the
study of the site, its boundaries and everything
in and around the site. The amount of
information will usually depend on the time
available you have. And more data will
likely come throughout the project, as you realize more information about the site. I remember at
University we created a huge document showing
everything about the site, from sound readings to even future developments that will happen around the site. It will depend on
the type of project. However, generally, the more information you know about
the site, the better. But I usually find it all depends on how much
time you have. You know, I've had times before when I've only had a
couple of hours to do a Site Analysis in
Google Earth. Crazy. The second critical document
I would have at the end of this stage would be
Schedule of Accommodation. This lists every room and
the size in square meters. It's essential to know
all this information before you start
the design process. Also, the more you know
about each room the better. Again, this will
come down to time, but you at least need each room
name and rough size in area because size will matter
when it comes to costing. And the third important
document required around this stage is Feasibility Study. This is basically a rough
idea of size of the building, which gives an idea of price and whether the schedule
of accommodation will actually fit on the site. To see if the project
is feasible or not. I suppose there is a bit of
design involved in this stage. So how do you work out the cost
and the price a building? Use Gross Floor Area. Firstly, measure all covered
floor areas to the outside of the external walls to
get a Total Gross Floor area. These are only covered areas. So areas that have no canopy or roof should not be included. You can include areas like
this that have a covered area, but don't include areas like this that don't have
a covered area. Secondly, once you have the total size of the building
and gross floor area, find the average price
per square meter of a similar building
in your location. So use that to calculate
the rough cost of a building But you probably don't
need to give the price. Just give them the areas. Let them figure that out. So be careful not to do work
that you don't need to do. So these are the kind
of things you need for Preparation and Briefing
stage. Bear in mind. this will vary from
project to project.
6. Stage 2: Concept Design: So what is a concept? Well, it starts
with a core idea, which is a driving force for the overall design of a building. It becomes the force or
backbone of the whole design. Could be about the views.
Could be about a journey. Could be a simple box with a hole. Could be a bag of shite. A lot of people say a
concept is an abstract idea. It can be that however, a proper concept
design should include a series of drawings
for planning. These are called general
arrangement drawings, which should include
a Site Plan, General Arrangement Plans,
Sections and Elevations. And usually some 3D and perspective views of
the building design. These should show
how the building functions and what
it looks like. You might also use
these drawings for government planning
application approval. The trick is here, is not to show too much of the
design in detail just yet. You need to show how
the building works in function and concept. But at the same time, a lot of the detailed
information you might not have
figured out just yet. Also, you need to be
clever in a way to show some parts of the
design ambiguously. Because a lot of things
will take time to figure out. During
the next stages.
7. Stage 3: Spatial Coordination: Now on to Spatial Coordination. That's exactly what it is, coordinating the
spaces or rooms. This is where a high a level degree of coordination is involved
betwee the Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, (MEP) and
Structural Engineers. Mostly, the idea is to lock in the plans as
much as possible. So the General Arrangement
tdrawings, that be, the Plans, Elevations, and Sections don't
change after this stage. For me, the most important
thing to do at this stage, is get together an
Equipment and Riser Schedule like this one here. This is the first
thing I request when working with MEP engineers. It will give you
all the equipment sizes for the rooms and any equipment that needs to be accessed or even hidden. Like generators, Electrical Rooms, and even AC condensers on
the roof and water tank. This will in turn give you all the penetrations
in the floor slabs, which will help you
coordinate the structure. The structural
engineers, you have to think what will
affect the room size. Imagine a room volume between
the ceiling and the floor. You don't want that
volume changing. Otherwise it's going to
have drastic implications later on in the project. So here are five things
you need to think about. One, development of rises,
locations, dimensions, access requirements to
lever requirements, flu locations and
other MEP elements that impact the
external envelope. Three, how structural
bracing will be incorporated into the design. And four, strategies
for the MEP services, including access and
other considerations, More detailed
plant room configurations, including escape provisions
and maintenance access. These are the kind of
things you need to put on the drawings were the
other consultants. So you can lock in
spatial coordination and move on to the next stage. Again, asking for an equipment
and rises schedule from the engineers will help you
considerably at this stage, At the end of this stage, all architectural
general arrangement drawings should be done
in sufficient detail so all other consultants on
the project can commence with production,
construction, information.
8. Stage 4: Technical Design: Stage 4: Technical design. This got me a bit
confused to start with because I thought
it was a design stage, but a lot of people refer it
to as Construction Drawings. But don't get confused with
actual construction on site So it's mostly details at large scale of the
building envelope. So Construction Drawings
basically mains, details, Construction Details. So now you can draw your
construction details without worrying so
much if the building changes because you've
already locked in the General Arrangement
drawings. So hopefully now they'll be minimal changes to room spaces shouldn't disrupt
your construction details. Now you can probably see why working in stages is important. This stage is not just for the architects
construction drawings, but for all other
consultants as well. Exact plant drawings, structural details or
reinforcement drawings Lighting design,
full drainage design, sanitary schedule, and so on. Every consultant should be
able to simply get on with the work, when issued your drawings for
the previous stage. Every consultants should
be able to get on with their drawings when issued
with this drawing set. This is kind of a
first and proper issue for construction.
9. Stage 5: Construction & Manufacturing: Stage 5: Construction
and Manufacturing. One of the things
architects don't realize is that as they role and their interest, to check all the
other consultants drawings, Depending on the
contract, of course, architects should review
all consultants drawings, including MEP and structures drawings before they are
issued for construction. This is actually an obligation
on a lead designer, which is quoting from the IBA, coordinating their design
of all construction, ALL elements including
work by consultants, specialists or suppliers, and establishing a
verification procedure. Now its construction,
the contractor will begin all of
these specialists and detailed drawings
like shop drawings for things like lifts,
doors and windows. You're not expected to
design actual lifts, but you expect it to
check that and make sure it fits with
your overall design. Generally, depending on the type of contract during construction, supply information as
required by the contract. You may do this through
sketches or some people like to add them to the
construction package as they go. This can help with
as-built drawings. You have to be careful you
don't change the design and change control procedures
should be in place. This even goes for the
previous stages as well. If any issues do come
up at this stain, individual consultants
should focus on their own design aspects. Coordination work should
only affect details now, not affect general
arrangement drawings. I'm sure coordination
issues will arise, but they can be dealt
with at workshops.
10. Stage 6 & 7: Building Handover & Use: The final two stages of
building are Handover and Use. You might feel a mix of emotions after the building's
been handed over because she dedicated a
large amount of your life to the project faculties
management and asset management may take over and look after
the building. You may have to step back a
bit because you probably not involved in the project
anymore because it's finished. Post-occupancy evaluation of
the building is important. You have to see what
people like, don't like. And if the spaces
and building you designed have actually
been used as you intended. You can learn a lot
from that alone. For instance, I
designed a space in an office, and it was designed
for people to have their lunch
there at lunchtime. But he it taken over by security and they
just hang out there. So you've got to learn
from these things and make sure they don't happen. Again, you can do
post-occupancy evaluation on a number of things from evaluation of
building performance, verifying project outcomes,
to track and energy, water and
sustainability outcomes to see if there had been met. Don't let pride or emotions
get the better of you. It's a building, okay? It's not the whole world.
11. Take-Aways: So those were the stages
of the design process. You have to remember that
none of these stages are rigid and it's very difficult
to draw a line under them. So you have to be quite
flexible in the way you work. But what you should
try and do is get a sign-off procedure in
place for each stage. For instance, each
consultant should check and sign off
each other's drawings. This can be very
difficult to do, but having an engineer or anyone on the construction
team overlooks some design drawings
can help you pick up stuff you've
never seen before. The key is to work
together as a team. The earlier you get
the consultants working on the early
stages of design, the more likely the
project outcome will be more successful. Another takeaway to remember is the way an architect works. It's like layering
information in stages, like a piece of
tracing paper, in more detail after another. So after this class, I hope you understand a little bit
more how an architect works and how a project evolves from design
to construction. And hope this will help
you if you're ever involved in the design
and construction project. Anyway, please leave
a comment and let me know what you think
of the class and D, let me know what else
you'd like to learn. And hopefully I'll see
you in the next one.
Architect_Russell, Russell M. Henderson
