Assigned: Oct. 7, 2005; due: Dec. 14, 2005 - 7:00 pm

Project collection location to be determined.

Students have two options for their final project, both of which entail working in groups. Note that the final grade for the project will be assigned to all members of the group.

Option A:

Groups: Project must be done in groups of 2-4 students.

Objectives:

1. Gain experience reading and interpreting construction details;
2. Stimulate discussion and analysis of architectural construction processes, their evolution, trends, causes, and effects;
3. Understand tendency in modern construction to construct interior finishes and exterior cladding independently of structural frame;
4. Understand function of all construction elements visible in model and in section;
5. Learn to communicate ideas verbally, graphically, and through models.

Requirements:

Select a fragment of a space within a work of historic, "monolithic," masonry architecture having the following characteristics:

1. The spacial fragment contains some sort of window opening in an exterior wall;
2. The overall dimensions of the building fragment are as follows:

• width: 5' - 15'
• length: 5' - 15'
• height: no limit

3. Both floor and ceiling (or roof) construction defining the spatial fragment must be represented;
4. Documentation of all visible interior and exterior surfaces/finishes within the interior space and on the exterior wall surface of the building fragment must be obtainable either by inspecting actual space, or through published material or construction documents;
5. The fragment must contain horizontal (beam/slab) and vertical (column/wall) structural elements;
6. The materials and methods of construction will likely be very apparent in the group’s selected fragment. This quality will enable the ensuing design investigation.

Models: Build two or more models (number of models = number of group members) showing the construction of your selected building fragment at 1" = 1'-0" scale. These models should illustrate the following strategies:

• First: Build an historically-accurate reconstruction model based on actual construction details or research into historic construction (use of rockite, plaster, or other cementitious materials is prohibited);
• Second: Build a model based on modern construction principles (masonry veneer, structural frame, with cavity) that is different from the actual construction methods;
• Third (for groups with 3-4 members): Build a model representing a transitional state between the above mentioned models consisting of an all masonry cavity wall, inner layer bearing/outer layer veneer;
• Fourth (for groups with 4 members): Build a speculative model that corresponds to the group’s consensus of what the projection of current building technology/systems entail when taken to an extreme (reduction of the original "monolithic" masonry to its "limit state" -- chemically-milled or photo-etched metal panels, EIFS, polyurethane-coated EPS, etc.).

In all cases, the model must represent how the building looks, but obviously not how it was originally constructed. (This is to be seen as an exercise in applying the building technology systems learned in class, and not necessarily as an endorsement of aesthetic mimicry.) Selectively cut away layers of modeled building material to reveal actual and speculative construction systems. Each model should include a base that allows it to be self-supporting. Include project data - your name(s), name of building, location, architect, description of corresponding construction on a visible surface of the base.

Report: Write a report bound in an 8-1/2" x 11" format that includes the following:

1. Description of the project parameters, containing the following information:

• Building and group data (same as on base of model);
• Short description of building construction and structural systems;
• Model strategy (i.e., historically-accurate; speculative; etc.)

2. Analysis and redesign of fire suppression and egress:

• Name the construction type for each model and establish occupancy.
• Determine what the fire and egress requirements would be for the historically accurate model under today's International Building Code.
• Graphically show design updates (ex. access to egress) for the entire building in plan at a scale of ¼” or 1/8” = 1’-0”.
• Present ‘before and after’ plans and brief commentary for the analysis of the building’s fire suppression and egress.
• Documentation of sources used: select key photocopies or sketches taken from magazines, books, working drawings, or actual building, neatly formatted in 8-1/2" x 11" report. Do not necessarily include all documentation; only the key drawings or photos reformatted to fit neatly and clearly into your report.

Intermediate reviews:

Students must schedule 3 meetings with teaching assistants, as follows:

• Meeting #1. Bring documentation (plans, sections, photos, copies) of the initial building choice. Discussion questions: does proposed case study building meet project requirements? is documentation adequate, including building structure? which part of the building (which fragment) offers the most interest?
• Meeting #2. Bring your own rough plans and sections at various scales depicting the group’s intention for models 2 and 3 (if applicable) in addition to documentation of sources (see final report item 3 above for details).
• Meeting #3. Bring your analysis of fire suppression and egress requirements (see final report item 2 above for details). Bring your own rough plans and sections at various scales depicting the group’s intention for model 4 (if applicable). Note: All meetings must be scheduled, and must take place, before Thanksgiving break. Do not expect to make appointments at the last minute; work out meeting times with TAs well in advance. These reviews will be graded by the teaching assistants and will count as 30% of final project grade.

Option B:

Groups: Students must form groups of 6. Each group will select an approved "case study" building. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Kennedy Hall
• Lincoln Hall
• Schwartz Performing Arts Center
• Snee Hall
• Sage Hall
• Museum of the Earth

Objectives:

1) To gain experience in reading and interpreting construction drawings;
2) To understand the role of various building systems and their integration within a design;
3) To understand the construction of the building;
4) To develop graphic or other appropriate means to convey information about the building.

Requirements:

Analyze an existing building in terms of

• a) fire safety
• b) structural system
• c) exterior cladding systems
• d) interior systems

Students should discuss the allocation of human resources (i.e., themselves) to these 4 categories with the TAs, based in part on the relative importance or complexity of the various systems. For example, 2 students each might work on fire safety and exterior cladding, with one student each covering structure and interiors. These sub-groups will evaluate the performance of each individual system, while the entire group of 6 is responsible for evaluating the overall performance of the whole building.

Presentation format:

4 ANSI D panels (34” x 22”) or a combination of panels and physical models containing the following:

• a) A written description of the overall building.
• b) Axon/ Exploded axon/ Cutaway axon providing analysis of the four categories studied (e.g. fire-safety: exploded circulation diagram)
• c) Images to accompany the diagrams. This is especially relevant if, for example, a photograph taken during the site visit explains the problem or issue well.
• d) Sections and details at appropriate scales. For example, wall sections at 3/4" = 1'-0"; detail sections at 1" = 1'-0" or 3" = 1'-0".
• e) All panels must be coordinated and graphically coherent.

Students must schedule 3 meetings with teaching assistants, as follows:

• Meeting #1. (Site Visit) : To be conducted by students (as a group) without TA during week 8 (immediately upon return from Fall Break). Students should document in various media (e.g., sketches, notes, photography, video) observations about fire-safety, pedestrian circulation, materials and systems of construction, and so on.
• Meeting #2: Groups present the framework for how they intend to proceed with the project. Groups should bring in their documentation made on-site, bring initial sketches, diagrams and notes in "point" form, and be prepared to discuss their plans (in both senses of the word).
• Meeting #3: Groups present a more comprehensive "mock-up" of their overall presentation strategy: i.e boards, or models, or a combination of both; Groups also provide a preliminary assessment or critique of the systems within the building (fire safety, structural system, exterior cladding systems, interior systems). The question of appropriate scale for the various modes of documentation should be addressed.

Additional information:

Teaching Assistant e-mail contact information: Glenn NP Nowak, gn33; Ting Ting Zhang, tz32.

References: Consult course text and course reserve for information on various construction technologies that may apply to your case-study building. In addition, refer to Architectural Graphic Standards (permanent reserve, FAL) for general information about construction details, and Sweet's Catalog (reference section, FAL) for specific information on manufactured products and systems.

Numerous books are on reserve at the Fine Arts Library containing documentation of contemporary buildings. See for example the El Croquis Index.