Constructing Environments

ENVS 10003

Week 3

Ben Hayman

641736

Week 3

This week our task was less hands on and more feet on, and in that I simply refer to the gym session I no longer need to go to given the far distance between our 4 sites. These sites we visited differed in many ways.

The first site we visited was the ELC. The ELC was a relatively new commissioned renovation. The building itself is of lightweight construction combining many materials to produce what is seen.

The windows are double glazed to allow for a level of insulation whilst still maintaining their transparency.

The steel framework that is evidenced throughout the structure provides great contrast between its soulless aesthetics to the otherwise warm windows that provide excellent views.

The cement floors are another aspect of the building that remains an obvious feature. The floors were most likely made of the durable cement due to the foot traffic that was to pass through the halls. The difference with this building and the Doug McDonnell would be the varying roof heights that they each possess. Also the long beams would require a custom design to hold up the glass.

Our second site was the MSLE building

Potential construction restraints:

The cramped working areas most likely required a lot of work to be done before getting to the site to try and restrict possible injuries on site

Links to other buildings:

This building blends in to its surroundings extremely well, maintaining an air of a symbiotic relationship with its surroundings

Construction type:

Type 2 as there are steal panels

Structural Systems:

Load bearing wall systems that support the structure made from an assortment of materials

Materials:

Steal, concrete, exposed brick and glass

Our third site was the Queens College developments

Potential construction restraints:

Having kept the old wall new underpinning must first be put in place before the new attachment can begin

Links to other buildings:

It seems to be a building paving the way for a set of more modern buildings spread throughout the heritage sites

Construction type:

Type 2 as the concrete is highly flame retardant

Structural Systems:

Cantilevered porch and a flush edge end wall

Materials:

Concrete Asphalt timber and steel

Our fourth and final site was Ormond Theology Reception

Potential construction restraints:

The load bearing ability of a fully glass façade is questionable as steel columns used as reinforcement for he structure were used

Links to other buildings:

The reception is laid out much like the reception in the Ian Potter gallery with very high roofs and somewhat of an open plan reception

Construction type:

It is made of aluminum and concrete leveling with the façade containing steel and glass and thus is a Type 3 building

Structural Systems:

Concrete slabs dug in to hold the steel framework from above

Materials:

Steel, Glass, Aluminum and Concrete