1. FOUNDATION IN NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
(FNBE)
APRIL 2014 INTAKE
INTRODUCTION TO CONSTURCTION INDUSTRY (QSB
30105)
FINAL PROJECT
NAME: TOO MUN FAI & BEH NIANZI
STUDENT ID: 0318214 & 0319445
LECTURER: PN. HASMANIRA
MOKHTAR, PN. NORMAH
SULAIMAN, EN. FARIS HILMI
SUBMISSION DATE: 11 AUGUST 2014
3. Introduction
This is the final project of Introduction to Construction Industry. The purpose of this
project is to train us to better comprehend the construction industry through the
building team, its organization, duties and inter-relations which will allow easier seeking
of employment, career progression or further study. Other than that, this project also
serves to give us a better understanding of my job responsibilities and to teach us to
appreciate our profession more.
Our task in this project is to look for a specific land area in our campus about the size
of 30M X 30M in order to initiate and plan a small construction proposal. After the
construction, Our site should serve either one of these purposes:
1. Recreation Area
2. Study Enhancement Area
3. Rest Area
4. Food and Beverage (dining area)
OR
5. Commercial Area (exclude food and beverage)
Our proposal should consist of:
1. Ideas and suggestions
2. The benefits of our site to the client and surrounding community
3. Site analysis and observation
4. Plan drawings of our proposal
5. Site plan
6. Sketches and images of our concept or idea
We are to produce an A4-sized bounded report of at least 20 pages. We are also
required to submit a soft copy of our report to our respective tutors.
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4. Site Analysis and Observation
Site Roof Plan (Pre Construction)
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Umbrella-
covered-
tables
Block E
Grooved
concrete
pavement
5. 5
Site Roof Plan (Post Construction)
Concrete
roof
Wooden
deck
Block E
Tempered
glass
Void
6. Existing Features
The dimensions of our site is 7.8M x 23M, which is located right next to Block E, and faces
the lake. The surface of the area is made from concrete. The entire stretch of the concrete
pavement has 10 umbrella-covered-tables, each with 4 chairs. However, our site only
starts from the end of Block D and ends at the end of Block E, hence there are only 4 of
these tables at our site. To the north of our site is the amphitheatre, to the west is the lake.
While the east is Block D and Block E and the car park to the south.
Panorama view of my site
Our site Tables at our site
Climate
The sun rises from the east and sets on the west. This means our site will be shady during
the morning because Block D and Block E will block the sunlight. The sun will be shining
directly on our site from 12pm to 5pm and then will be blocked by the Commercial Block
after 5pm. The wind blows from the southwest into our site mostly during the day. There will
be hot wind blowing into our site during sunny afternoons.
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7. Accessibility
Our site is accessible via the lakefront from the north. There are 2 stairs leading down
from Block D and another one from Block E. The south part of our site is accessible via
the car park next to Block E.
Stairs from Block D Stair from Block E
Lakefront entrance Exit to car park
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8. Advantages
The positive points of our site is:
Spacious – Good for placing tables and other furniture
Easily accessible – Students and staff can easily enter or exit the area
Beautiful and relaxing scenery – A source of inspiration and motivation
Quiet – Enhances the studying experience
Windy and cooling – Provides a comfortable studying area
Disadvantages
The negative points of our site:
Exposed to sunlight – Makes it uncomfortable to study there
Hard to notice – Students do not realize the existence of our site
Too little softscape – Dull appearance and high convection heat transfer
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9. Concept and Idea
My proposed area will serve as a study enhancement area because the site is
sandwiched between the lake and Block E. There are many reasons to why our
concept is suitable for this site. The lake to the west provides a calming and serene
feel that cocoons anyone there with a very relaxing feeling same. Other than that,
the Block E next to our site serves as a shield against the morning sunlight and the
noises from the conversational chatter within the campus. This also provides a
comfortable and soothing environment for students to study there without being
hindered by any distractions. Our site is also good when because it is easily
accessible from the north, east and west which will make it more convenient for
students to get to our proposed study area without wasting time or energy.
The theme of our concept is “the relationship between man and nature”. We want to
transform an unnoticed and seemingly redundant area into a location where a
person can carry out his/her daily activities under the influence of man-made
structures and also nature.
A balance between and softscape and hardscape
Concept sketch of site
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10. Design
Introduction
Due to the many disadvantages of our site, we need to design an environment that
will solve the problems and issues faced by our site. Since we have decided that
our site is going to be a Study Enhancement Area, we have to design our site with
calmness and comfort in mind. Our proposed site is also required to preserve the
condition of the surrounding environment by reducing the negative effects to a
minimum. We will also include advertising capabilities to our proposed plan to
advertise the company or business corporation of our client or university.
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23000
20000
1500
Tables
Hedges
Wooden
deck
Advertisement
boards
11. Implemented Features (Hardscape)
Shelter
We plan to make a sheltered area with 10 tables to accommodate more students in our
planned study area. The shelter serves as a roof to block out most of the sunlight from
entering the study area. The purpose of doing so is to provide a more cooling and
comfortable environment to improve the studying experience of the students. The roof of
the shelter is made of concrete because it has a higher specific heat capacity, which
means it takes a long time before it gets hot from the heat of the sunlight. An aluminium
roof has a much lower specific heat capacity, which means it heats up very quickly after
being exposed to sunlight. There will be narrow sheets of glass panels between each
concrete slab of the roof to allow a small amount of sunlight to shine through the shelter.
The small amount of sunlight that shines through is bright enough to act as natural
lighting during the day to make it easier for the students to do their work, yet not enough
to make the study area too hot and uncomfortable for the students.
Design of shelter Example of shelter
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12. 12
1600 3000
21000
Front Elevation
This drawing shows the front elevation of my completed site which consists of the shelter
at the front and Block E in the background.
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Side Elevation
The side elevation shows the hedges and hanging vines at the front
of the shelter, while the furniture is located in the mid-section of
shelter.
15. Arrangements
The tables and chairs in my proposed site are arranged in a manner that functions
together with the shelter to create a comfortable and practical environment for the
students. The tables are arranged side by side in a row, where the narrow stripes of
sunlight that shine through the glass panels will land right in between these tables to
avoid shining on the students sitting around the tables. The chairs are arranged
around the table to enable discussions among group members which will indirectly
increase human-to-human communication and interaction.
Arrangement of furniture
Furniture
Due to the hot and humid climate of Malaysia, water and heat resistant features are
a must for the furniture in the area. This means the furniture will last longer without
requiring maintenance or replacing. Hence, reducing the maintenance cost for our
site. The furniture should also be easy to transport in case any event needs to held in
the area. The foldable feature is a bonus to enable easy storage of the furniture
whenever needed.
The foldable table and chair
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16. Lighting
We have also taken the issue of energy conservation into account . Since we are to
create to an environment where the softscape and hardscape can coexist together
peacefully, we realized the need to use energy-saving lighting system to illuminate the
area after dark. We will use LED light bulbs on our lights to save electrical power and
money. In addition our lighting circuits will be fitted with a Light Dependant Resistor
(LDR). A Light Dependant Resistor works like a switch which will only allow electric
current to flow through if there is no light shining on the light-sensitive-panel placed
outside the circuit, so that the lights will only turn on when its dark. The light we will
use needs to be water and resistant. Hence, we use a stainless steel light in our site.
Wooden Deck
Due the shelter being made concrete and glass panels, we needed to substitute the
floor with a softer building material. Wood is the perfect material to use due it being
light yet sturdy. The wooden deck will help balance the scale between softscape
hardscape to satisfy the requirements of our concept. A deck made of wood also
makes it easier to move heavy furniture across the deck compared to cement or
concrete floor.
Modern outdoor light
Wooden deck
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17. Advertisement Boards
As the front of the shelter is covered with hanging plants and hedges to protect its
occupants from the sun and rain, the back of the shelter will also be protected with
tempered glass panels because they are tough and transparent. These
transparent glass panels will also serve as a source of income for the campus by
functioning as advertisement boards for the campus or other corporations that
wish to advertise their products or services at our site.
Vending Machine & Water Cooler
The water cooler allows the students to refill or replenish their water bottles with
safe drinking water. There will be 2 vending machines, one of them allows students
to buy food, like a pack of biscuits or some snacks to stop the hunger from
hindering with their studies. The other one sells beverages like diet coke or coffee
to keep the overnighters awake and fresh while they do their work.
Boards are arranged side by side
Water cooler Vending machine
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18. Implemented Features (Softscape)
Plants
Plants have been known to have many benefits, at our site, they will improve the air
quality and humidity of the site, reduce stress and workplace negativity to motivate
the students who study there and most importantly they can heighten the
concentration ability, productivity and creativity of the students there. Hedges will
planted in a row at the front of the shelter to stop the sunlight from shining into the
shelter. Vines or hanging plants will be hung from the front part of the shelter which
will also be used to filter out some of the sunlight.
Concept drawing
Hedges arrangement Hanging vines
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19. Geotech Water Drainage System
In an effort to reduce the use of water to a minimal , we have implemented the use a
modern technology known as Geotech Water Drainage System in the planter box of
the hedges to cut down on the use of water and also to prevent the hedges from
drowning due to excessive water in the planter box. The drainage system prevents
too much water from flowing out of the planter box in order to keep the soil moist, yet
does allow too much water to stay in the soil and drown the plant.
Grass Under Wooden Deck
Although Chengal wood can survive being exposed to water, it is still preferable to
reduce contact between the deck and water from rain and accidental spills.
Therefore, grass will be placed under the deck will absorb some of the water so that
the deck will have a longer lifespan. This is to cut down on the maintenance cost of
the study area. The grass will be allowed to grow out from the gaps in between the
planks to make the presence of softscape more noticeable.
Layers of fibre to control the net movement of water
Grass growing out from the gaps
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21. Conclusion
In a nutshell, this site has many advantages and disadvantages, some of which are
the main factors that caused the area to be left useless as it is. This project serves
as a solution to solve or overcome the said issues and flaws faced by our site, as
well as to put the advantages to its fullest use. We start with curbing the problems to
avoid affecting the site after the improvements done. Then, we moved on to magnify
its advantages, which ultimately aided us in determining the purpose of our site,
which is as a study enhancing area.
As soon as we were done with dissecting our site and fully understanding it, we
started planning what we wanted to do with the area in order to serve its purpose as
a study enhancement area. We decided a theme to suit our site, one that would
complement the lake view. In the end, we decided to set our theme as “The
Relationship Between Man and Nature” because we want to combine modern
architecture and nature’s beauty to form a balanced scale. Besides that, we have
also researched and realized that there were many positive contributions plants can
provide us with.
Then, we started designing our shelter to be as modern and simple as possible yet
practical and functional at the same time. The design required some creativity and
innovation to come to form. From the design we have done, we carefully picked out
suitable materials that are both long-lasting and affordable.
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