2. I owe a great many thanks to a great many people who helped and supported me during
this project.
My deepest thanks to Des. Siddharth Kabra and Prof. Suvarna Patil the Guide of the project
for guiding me with attention and care. Both has taken pain to go through the project and make
necessary correction as and when needed.
I express my thanks to the Principal Prof.Prajakta Baste, for extending her support.
My deep sense of gratitude to Prof.Raghunandan Naik and Des.AnandTambde for support
and guidance.
Thanks and appreciation to the helpful people at CANS, for their support.
I would also thank my Institution and my faculty members without whom this project would
have been a distant reality. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to my family and well wishers.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
3. Index
Abstract
Need of temporary office cabins at construction site.
Basis requirements of temporary office cabin.
Scale of project
5 Case studies - Environment
- Location
- Material
- Response to safety
- Response to climate
- Facilities provided.
- Services provided
- Observation
- Communication inside the cabin.
- Communication outside the cabin
Case studies - Observation
- Usability - Office space
- Furniture &Workstations
- During day and late night working.
4. Target user andTarget buyer.
Stakeholders involved.
Responsibility levels.
User activity and Physical working requriments
Market research of existing portable cabins
Design Brief.
Definitions
Market research of global solutions for temporary shelters
Ideation
Material research
Final concept
Design detailing - Dimensions
- Technical drawings
- Material
- Joinery
Prototype
- Transportation of porta cabin
- Installation of porta cabins
5. Abstract
The construction industry in India is the country’s second largest economic activity after agriculture even
in terms of value.
This report aims to focus on need for office cabins at construction site and working conditions of
builders, contractors, site supervisors, site engineers, accountants and incharge.
The period of working at one site is not long enough to construct a permanent office cabin on site and
also it is not economical for such a short duration to construct a office cabin, dismantle it after the
construction is completed and again construct on the next site. Here the need for temporary office cabins
arises.Temporary office cabins provide them a space to work, discuss, display and relax. It also provide
protection from winds, rains and heat during summers.
This report presents the existing scenario of office cabins at construction site.The focus is to observe and
understand the needs of builders, contractors, supervisors, engineers, accountant and incharge associated
with their requirements for the office cabins.The report also includes the study of global solutions for
temporary shelters in order to understand the structural requirements, materials and qualities which will
support its temporariness.
7. Need of temporary office cabins at construction site
• When construction at a site begins it is supervised by site incharge, supervisor, directed by the contractor, engineers, guarded by
security and so on. Its records are maintained by the accountant and material machine incharge .
Thus Contractor, Site incharge, Supervisors, Engineers,Accountant, Material incharge, Machine incharge and
Asst. Supervisor/Engineers plays an important role at construction site.
• Contractor, site incharge and supervisor have onsite job of controlling,
supervising and observing site to improve work performance.
Machine and material incharge maintain records and stock required
on site, also transfer bills to accountant who maintains record of
expenses on site. Engineer looks after the technical requirements
on siteAsst. supervisor/engineers explains job/task to labors and
updates site performance.
Thus it is essential for these people to work on site.
• For working efficiently they need a space with required equipments
and storage of important documents.
• Also a comfortable space is require for people with dignity like
Contractor or site incharge to maintain privacy when required.
• This space should be secured and protected against all climatic
conditions.
• The period of working at one site is not long enough to construct a permanent office cabin on site and also it is not economical
to construct a cabin for a short duration.This office acts as site supervision office where client interface is not expected hence
aesthetics have less importance. Its not always necessary to build a permanent office cabin which would satisfy all these need.
Thus temporary office cabins are used.
8. Basic requirements of temporary office environment
Space Protection
/ Safety
Thefts
Weather
conditions
Sanitation Services
Electricity
Tele-
communication
Furniture
Cabinets
Work
stations
Chairs etc.
Internal functional
needs
Equipments
desktop
printer
scanner
Water
purifier
Display
site details
White
board etc
10. Scale of project
Construction site which would take 2-18 months for
completion.
Cabins would act as only site supervision office where
client interface is not expected.
11. Case study – 1
Tapovan Ghat Construction
Site
Case study – 2
Tapovan Ghat Further
Construction Site
Case study – 3
Dindori bridge
Construction Site
Case study – 4
Gangapur M.T.D.C
Construction Site
Case study – 5
Sinner factory
Construction Site
12. Location and environment of temporary office cabin at construction site.
Temporary office cabin is not located further or behind site. It is located infront or parallel to site.
Cabin is located near river, it is placed on uneven surface in dusty environment hence these
Temporary cabins on construction site need to be hard wearing.
13. Material
• Flooring : On the bottom frame 18 mm thick plywood is
fixed with a waterproof carpet on top of it.
• Roof : Self draining type roof is made out of thick M.S.
sheet.
• Cabins Paint : Epoxy Zinc Phosphate primer & synthetic
Epoxy paint for final 2 coats. (Corrosion free and fire
proof pain
• Main Entry Door :The door is of external opening type
made out of the same material as wall panels with door
closing unit.
• Windows :Aluminum powder coated windows, sliding
type are provided, made of aluminum section, 5 mm
thick, with tinted glasses fitted to it.
• Portable Cabins Shell :The shell is fabricated steel .
• Side and EndWalls : Exterior wall is made up of M.S
specially corrugated sheet whereas 9 mm particle board
is used for interior walls. Panels are vertically
corrugated.
14. Safety
• The windows are provided with grills to ensure safety, Sliding tinted glass allows opening
and closing as per requirement also ensure privacy.
• The door is provided with locking arrangement and insulation.
• All electrical wiring are concealed.
Response to Hazards
• Cabins Paint : Epoxy Zinc Phosphate primer & synthetic Epoxy
paint. (Corrosion free and fire proof paints)
• Portable Cabins Insulation : 50 mm thick
Rock wool insulation shall be used for walls and 50 mm
thick Rock wood insulation to be provided for roof.
15. Response to climate
The peripheral edges of the door are sealed with double gaskets to make it waterproof & leak proof.
Epoxy Zinc Phosphate primer & synthetic Epoxy paint is used. (Corrosion free and fire proof paints)
All gaps are sealed at edges to prevent ingress of moisture.
Self draining type roof is made out of M.S. sheet, adequate roof bows are to be provided.
Roof is adequately cambered for draining of rain water
Office cabin is usually placed 1ft above ground level to prevent it from rusting.
Exterior wall are made up M.S corrugated sheet.The steel sheet are treated for corrosion resistant
17. Services
Electricity
The cabin is provided with electrical wiring suitable for 250 volt, 50 HZ single phase AC power supply.All
electrical wiring is concealed
Electricity is provided by Digiset.Cables are connected through windows
18. • No provisions are made inside office cabins in case of emergency or medical
conditions.
• In case of accidental emergency no facilities except First aid kit are provided.
• provision should be made inside the cabin so that one can take rest during
accidental emergency.
• Common toilets are used on site, no attached washrooms are provided inside the
cabin.
• Wash basins should be provided inside the office cabin, as staff members work
outdoor in dusty environments.
• No shed is provided for protection of labors and other staff during heavy rains or
summers
• Cabins are provided with concealed wiring but not with plumbing services.
19. Communication
Physical communication E - communication
• Information is transferred or
exchanged amongst staff members
verbally through meetings or discussions.
• Information is transferred or exchanged
amongst staff members through e-mails
or presentations
Communication
20. Communication inside the Cabin
Important documents and messages are transferred through e-mail or mobile phones.
Information is also exchanged verbally.
21. Communication inside the Cabin
Site plans and other important instructions are displayed on cabin walls for referance.
Important tasks are displayed or noted on boards to communicate members.
22. Communication inside the Cabin
Tasks and other information is explained to members through presentations or
Discussions.
23. Communication between two office cabins or outside office cabins
Site incharge &
supervisor office
Machine incharge &
Stock keeper’s office
Mr. Meheta,
Shinde sir is
waiting for you
For calling someone urgently, office boy is requested to go and pass the message.
Phones are used to communicate but they are not received because it is impossible
To here in that noisy environment or often they are not in range if site is located in remote
Areas.
Noisy environment.
Time consuming activity.
24. Case study 1 & 2
Furniture and work stations are temporarily placed inside the cabin.
While group discussions, presentations or task explanations desks are joint together to form a
discussion table.
25. Case study 3 & 4
Furniture and work stations are permanently placed inside the cabin.
During group discussions, presentations or task explanations it is not possible to joint desk and form a
discussion table. site plans or other instructions are displayed on cabin walls or on pin boards.
26. During night
Work station needs to shift aside work stations are located aside. Providing
sleeping space for 2-3 people
During emergency or late night working shifts, it is not possible for the Asst.supervisors
to leave the Construction site even during night time.
27. Observations
Communication outside the office cabin should be improved.
It is hardly possible for anyone to here mobile phones in noisy environment on construction site.
Allowing office boy to pass the message is time consuming.
Work stations inside the cabin should be flexible enough to form a conference table, discussion
table, individual work station or sleeping bed.
Display board are required at the time of presentations or task explanations.They occupy space
when not required.
No provisions are made outside the cabins to communicate when cabin is closed.
Site progress and updates should be displayed so that it can be visible to everyone.
28. Storage
No dedicated space is provided for staff luggage and other material.
Staff luggage/bags contain laptops and other important material hence should be
kept in secure place;
Luggage of supervisor as well as asst. supervisor are stored together.
No dignity levels are maintained.
29. Storage
Dedicated space is provided for staff luggage and other material.
Files are properly stored and records are maintained and secured.
Staff luggage is stored in cabinets of staff section where as incharge’s luggage is stored in
Separate cabinet.
30. Case study – 5 factory construction site
• Factory construction site at sinner is 6 years old.
• Since 4 years construction work has not been progressed.
• Office cabin is located on site since 6 years without any maintaince.
• No important work activity has been progressed inside the cabin.
31. While moving cabin along with the site all furniture and other equipments are removed
out of cabin.Whereas cabin with permanent furniture joinery can be moved along with the furniture and work stations.
Transportation and installation of temporary office cabins
32. Transportation and Installation of temporary office cabins
• The eight corners are sufficiently strengthen to facilitate transportation, lifting
and placing
• Porta cabins are transported through trailers and and installed with the help of crane
or hydra.
33. Installation of temporary office cabins
Uneven Land surface is leveled before installation of office cabin.
Office cabins are placed on cement blocks to avoid direct contact with ground.
37. User, activity & physical working requirements
Site incharge
Control & maintain
Work performance Engineer
Controls construction
activity
Engineer
Supervisor
Machine supervisor
Store keeper
Supervisor
Site incharge
Asst.engineer
Cabin and desk
[ Dignity need ]
38. Senior
supervisor
Supervises construction
activity, Update site progress
Asst. Engineers & Supervisors
Convey important messages & instructions.
Maintain labor records.
Manage construction activity.
Explains task to head labors
Engineer
Asst.Supervisor
Machine
supervisor
Storekeeper
Accountant
Labor head
Senior supervisor &
Engineer
Store keeper
Accountant
39. Data entry operator
Maintain accounts & bill records
Store keeper
Maintain material stock
Supervisor
Asst.Supervisor
Machine supervisor
Store keeper
Labor head
Engineer
Supervisor
Asst. supervisor
Accountant
44. Market research for existing portable cabins
M.S portable cabin
M.S sheets are welded on
Fabricated steel frame.
Outer skin – M.S sheet
Insulation – Glass wool
Inner skin – particle board
Durability of M.S cabins is more than that of GRP or cement panel cabins. But requires
Maintenance. Scrap value of M.S cabins is highest.
45. Cement sandwich panel cabin
Cement panel
Interlocking
Thermocol insulation
• Cement panels are fixed on a fabricated steel frame with the help of tapping screws.
• Panels are interlocked
• Scrap value and duration of these cabins is less as compared to M.S cabins.
• But these cabins are very light in weight.
46. GRP cabins
Glass-reinforced plastic
• GRP sheets are fixed on a fabricated frame.
• These cabins light in weight but not durable as compared to M.S cabins.
• concealed wiring is not possible .
• scrap value of these cabins is very less.
47. Design Brief
To redesign a temporary Portable office cabin at construction site to provide dignified working conditions.
The cabin should have –
Space for
Presentation - where one can present infront of 8-10 people.
Discussions or Conference meetings - where 8-10 people can sit & everyone should be visible.
Workstations - where staff 8-10 members can work efficiently.
Secure storage -Where 15-20 box files, staff luggage like helmets, bags, laptops,Tiffin box etc can be stored.
Privacy -When Partition is required [inside the cabin]
For dignity members like Contractor or Site incharge or Senior supervisor / Engineer.
Accidental emergencies Resting space, so that atleast one relax be comfortable.
late night working - where 2 people can sleep or relax.
Protection from
heavy rains/summers
For staff members as well as outside labors for protection.
48. Durability
5-6 years overall.
Some Items / Modules may need Replacement / Maintenance in between.
Points to consider
Low transportation and installation cost as well as efforts.
Low maintenance.
Cost efficient.
Easy to use – even for non-skilled and illiterate labors.
Respond to various climatic conditions in India.
49. Definitions
Temporary
Something which has a limited or definite lifespan.
Something which cannot stop and has to move on.
Temporariness
Something which has an allotted time frame and acts within it, after the time has lapsed its life ends.
Temporary installations need to have certain features to make them compliment their temporariness such
as – Mobility, Flexibility, Portability, Modularity etc.
Module and Modularity
A self-contained component of a system, often interchangeable, which has a well-defined interface to the
other components.
Consisting of separate modules, especially where each module performs or fulfills some specified
functions and could be replaced by a similar module for the same function, independently of the other
module
Modularity is the property of being modular.
50. Portable-
Able to be carried or easily moved
To carry something from one place to another.
Mobile and Mobility
To move
Movement of something from one place to annother
Foldable-
That can be folded to minimum or compact.
Space saving.
Compact
Having all necessary features fitting neatly into a small space
Flexibility –
The quality of having options.
Space saving
51. TEMPORARY PORTABLE shelter may include following points-
Flat pack
Contraction
Expansion
Ready to assembly
Interlocking
Portability
Replace or changeability
Durability
Modularity
Low maintenance
Flexibility
Spaces saver
53. Links
Modularity may lead to -
Flexibility in
terms of space
Multipurpose
Compact
Reuse
Flexibility
[ involvement of Module
According to need ]
Availability of options
OR
Changeability
Replace
Portability due to Compactness or its ability to flat pack
54. Market research of Global solutions for temporary shelters
Example – 1
IKEA – Refugee shelter
Target was to send flat-pack style shelters to areas in
desperate need of temporary housing, with the aim of
replacing the commonly used white canvas tent, and
attempting to improve living conditions for people in
refugee camps
The shelters are constructed primarily from polymer panels that clip into a wire frame. On top sits an aluminium-
mesh roofing sheet that is designed to reflect sunlight by day and retain heat by night. Solar energy charges a USB
outlet for electrical needs.The target price range for mass production is under $1000, making it affordable in bulk
to international organizations.
All too often people are displaced by poverty, war, and
natural disasters. Most of the time, those people end
up taking refuge in canvas tents that aren’t designed for
long term use.
55. Solution
Five people can sleep comfortably inside, which is
twice the size of the regulation refugee tent.
The shelter will provide better security and
ventilation than other relief shelters available
56. The homes have solar-panelled
roofing, allowing inhabitants to
generate their own electricity,
extinguishing the need for candles
or kerosene lamps.The roof also
helps to deflect solar reflection by
70%, keeping the interior cool
during the day and warmer at night
57. Assembly
shelter set up in four hours.
No tools are required
Assembly of the hut is easy and can be built in just four hours and will last three years
58. Packaging
The whole shelter comes flat-packed, allowing for easier and cheaper transportation.The portable shelter is made
of a metal frame with stiffening wires to support walls and roofs made of lightweight plastic panels.
59. Example – 1
Shegeru Ban
Flat pack shelter
Interlocking joinery
Light weightFlexible space
Material : box board
Portable
60. Example – 3
Shegeru ban
Emergency shelter
Cheap, lightweight and easily
available material
modular, flexible partition, Simple joinery
Material : PVC pipes,
fabric, Mdf
Easy to assemble – disassemble
Thus portable
61. Modularity in terms of expansion
and contraction
Flexible space
Shelter structure strength is minimum
Thus shelter qualify only for few day or a week.
Also material fails to provide protection against
Weather conditions.
62. Example – 4
Modular shelter
Pre-made parts are manufactured in factory and assembled on site to form a module.
These modules can be added or reduced in size by adding or reducing modules itself
63. Example – 5
Modularity
Modular shelters generally consist of universal modules that are manufactured in a factory and then
shipped to a build site where they are assembled into a variety of arrangements
64. Example – 6
Temporary shelter
Origami inspired
Flexibility is used to increase or reduce space according to need.
Flexibility leads to foldability and foldability leads to compactness which provides portability.
65. Fan folding mechanism.
Ideation.
Concept - 1
Becomes compact for ease of transport Can be expanded on site
Triangular Modules can be Increased or Decreased according to need
Flexible/Removable partition – can be removed at the time of conference
To form a continuous space
67. Upper floor is lifted up with the help of hydraulics or crane.
Crane is required on site to lift the cabin fromTrailer and place it on the ground near site area.
Crane is hired on daily basis and not on hourly basis hence can be use to lift the upper floor of cabin without any
Extra charges reducing the hydraulics cost.
?
?
?
68. Ideation.
Concept – 3
Modular
Triangular Modules are placed to form a cabin.
The module fits into the cavity foe ease of transportation.
On site module is turned reversed with the help of a carne and is attached to its cavity to form a cabin.
Number of modules can be increased or decreased according to one’s need.
Cavity Module
69. The upper panel is unfolded to form a roof
Flexible partition –
so that a module can provide a secure
cabin and maintain privacy.
Partition can be removed to form a
continuous space for conference meetings.
71. Ideation.
Concept – 5
Hydraulics lift.
Step – 1
Upper shell of cabin is lifted up, with the help of Hydraulics.
Front view
Side view
Back viewFront view Front view
Hydraulics
Windows
Windows
72. After upper shell is lifted up, it is locked at the same position.
And front panel is lifted up with the help of hydraulics.
Front view
Side view
73. After cabin is completely installed, shed is lifted up for the purpose of protection against rains .
Cabin is expanded vertically on site and becomes compact while transporting. Upper floor can be used as a working area.
This cabin can be used on site where there is a requirement for two cabins, thus double working area is transported at the
Cost of transportation of single cabin.
74. Ideation.
Concept – 6
Expansion & Contraction.
Step – 1
Once the cabin is placed on the construction site with the help of the crane,
Upper shade of the cabin is lifted up with the help of hydraulics.
75. Step – 2
Once the upper shade of the cabin is lifted up,
the side panels are dropped with the help of hydraulics.
Step – 3
SideWalls is lifted manually from the dropped down panels.
76. Step – 3
Front walls are opened in order to complete the cabin installation.
Same installation procedure is repeated on the other side.
77.
78. Final concept.
Step : 1
( roof is not shown for concept understanding .)
Front view
Top view
79. Step : 2
( roof is not shown for concept understanding .)
Front view
Top view
80. Step : 3
Front view
Top view
( roof is not shown for concept understanding .)
81. Step : 4
( roof is not shown for concept understanding .)
Front view
Top view
82. Solution Provides.
• Flexibility of space
Space can closed to form a cabin, it can provide shade if required for protection
against rains, heavy summers etc.
One can remove or fold partitions if required. ( Example : for meeting or Presentations)
One can also unfold Partitions to form separate or private space
• Low transportation cost
cabin can provide almost double space in same transportation cost.
• Easy to install even by unskilled labors.
83. High strength architectural ceiling panels can be designed to create walkable ceiling systems and are
available in a variety of finishes and thickness.
Standard Construction
Face: .040” aluminum
Core: Aluminum honeycomb
Back: .040”Aluminum
Features
•Light weight
•Corrosion resistant
•High strength and excellent durability
•Flat tolerances
Non-combustible
Applications:
•Ceiling panels
•Walkable planks
•Catwalks
•Cleanrooms
Airports
Materials that can be used
84. Structural aluminum panels featuring a stainless steel treadplate face for applications requiring a walkable
ceiling plank.
Standard Construction
Face: 1/8” Stainless steel aluminum treadplate
Core: Aluminum honeycomb
Back: .032”Aluminum
Features
Installed in same basic manner as ceiling tile
Provides safe walking surface on top
Available in Kynar, epoxy, and anodized finishes on opposite side
Little to no maintenance required
85. With a non-particulating and non-outgassing nature along with an excellent resistance to chemicals,
these museum panels can be used for everything from archiving and preserving fine artwork and
photographs to providing a structural backing for graphics, signage, or other decorative material.The
durable and light weight panels do not warp or bend and provide an extremely flat surface perfect for
mounting. For exterior artwork like that used in outdoor exhibits, the panels are also extremely weather
resistant.
Standard Construction
Face: .040”Aluminum
Core: Aluminum honeycomb
Back: .040”Aluminum
Features
•Light weight
•Corrosion resistant
•High strength and excellent
durability
•Flat tolerances
Inert material
Applications:
•Art displays
•Mounting
boards
•POP displays
•Exhibits
Cabinets
87. Mechanism that can be used
SPACE AGE HEAVY DUTY MECHANISM:
Designed for every day use in residential or commercial installation. Balances with fingertip control for
ease of operation. Mounts to vertical side walls of cabinet.
ADJUSTABLETENSIONTO BALANCE:
Apply varying spring combinations to balance all bed sizes, single through king, vertical or horizontal
mount orientations.
DURABILITY:
Tested to perform thousands of cycles without failure.
COMPACT:
Needs only 1” of cabinet width on each side.
