ICI Report

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Introduction to Construction Industry

FINAL PROJECTFNBE February 2014 Intake

Group Member: Ong Jia Hui (0317752)

Khairul Jefri (0318237)

FNBE 022014 | Taylor’s University 1

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Content 1.0. Introduction

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2.0. Site Analysis 4 - 5

3.0. Types of Development 6 - 7

4.0. Concept and Suggestion 8 - 10

5.0. Rationale 11

6.0. Benefits 12

7.0. Evaluation 13

8.0. Needs of the Project to the Client and Community 14


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1.0. Introduction

The selected site is a balcony located at Block C, Level 6 of Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus. Our 20m x 6.8m site is located at the east of the campus, with its balcony facing the west. Located on top of the library, the selected site is fully bare and the floor is covered with concrete pavement. The site actually provides a good and beautiful view of the campus as one can see the full view of the campus from there. However, due to the nature of the unused location, this site is left unattended and the space considered wasted.

This 20m x 6.8m is selected as it is not properly used and developed, yet contains raw potential. Hence, as a group, we propose to transform this balcony into a rest area where everyone can come and chill, rest, and relax.


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Floor Plan

2.0. Site Analysis The selected site which is located on top of the library experiences many elements. The site records an average temperature of 26 ºC (lowest) to 33 ºC (highest). The precipitation level of the site is 20%, with humidity of 89%.

In terms of wind orientation, the site records an average wind speed of 3km/h (lowest) to 11km/h (highest). After further analysis, we found out that the strength of the wind is cooling enough to cool the entire site. The wind comes from two directions which makes the site cooling.

Wind Orientation

The site comes with very small crowd of people as only classrooms and stairs are near to it. The people coming over to the site are mostly those that are trying to get a break from studying in the classroom or the library (the library is located just below the site). Hence it is quite a quiet place. However, as it is just a bare concrete space, the people seeking for a resting spot has nowhere to sit and relax.

Also, the site provides a good view of the surrounding of the campus as it is located on quite a high level above ground, being on Level 6 of the building.


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View from the site (Block C, Level 6 Balcony)

The sun orientation is from east to west of the site. Even with the help of the wind, the site still experiences scorching heat as it is in contact with direct sunlight especially during its peak, which is 12pm, where the sun sits right above the chosen site.

Sun Orientation

The main problem of the selected site is:

I. The lack of roofs or shades As an open-air area, this has caused the people that are trying to rest and take a break to be exposed to the heat of the sunlight, and possibly rain.

II. The lack of seats and resting spots The people coming here are looking for a place to rest. With the lack of seats, they can only stand, which will lead to a pair of tired legs.


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3.0. Types of DevelopmentThere are various types of development in the construction industry. Here are some to begin with:

I. On-site Upgrading Slum upgrading is a way of improving the basic services and physical environment in existing communities, while preserving their social structures, character and location. Generally, upgrading indicates the improvement of the houses, roads, lanes, and open spaces without changing the plot sizes or layout.

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II. On-site Reblocking

Reblocking is a more systematic way of improving the physical condition and infrastructure in existing communities by making some adjustments to the layout of the roads and houses to install roads, walkways, drains and sewers. Usually, some houses and lanes have to be moved and re-aligned and reconstructed to improve access and enable drainage lines, water supply systems when communities opt for reblocking.

III. On-site Reconstruction


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Existing communities are totally demolished and rebuilt on the same land in this upgrading strategy. Although the reconstruction option involves making considerable physical changes within the community and requires some adaptations to a new environment, the strategy allows people to continue living in the same place and to remain close to their places of work and vital support systems.

IV. Land Sharing

Land-sharing is a housing and settlement improvement strategy which allows both the land-owner and the community people living on that land to benefit. The community is given, sold or leased one portion for reconstructing their housing, and the rest of the land is returned to the land-owner to develop.The people may end up with less area than they had before, and the land-owner may get back less-than-all of his land, but the trade-off is that the poor will no longer be squatters but the legal owners or tenants of their land. And the landlord finally gets to develop the land.

Despite all the types of development, our proposed project is categorized under the “on-site upgrading” category as our project improves the physical environment and basic services in the existing community by adding on roofs and walls to shelter the people and napping area and facilities to provide people with comfortable sleeping spots – all while preserving the current location.


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4.0. Concept & Suggestion

The idea of this concept is to mainly solve the problem which exists at the site. This concept is to provide a comfortable rest area where people can relax and rest comfortably as they take a break from the hustle and bustle of life.

To solve the problems at site, the concept is to have a place with:

I. Seats (Bean Bag Chair) The bean bags serve as a comfortable seat where people can sit and relax and take a short break.


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Bean Bag Chair

II. A place to rest or nap (Metronap Sleep Pod, Capsule) With the Metronap Sleep Pod and Capsule, people, students and staffs alike can catch a power nap in order to boost their energy level before resuming to their business.

Metronap Sleep Pod

Capsule

III. Shades (Roof made from Wood-Fiber Insulation Board) To provide shade and shelter for the people from the harsh sun and rain.


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Wood-Fiber Insulation Board

IV. Walls (Tinted Glass Wall) Tinted glass wall is an ideal choice as it shields the people inside from the sunlight in order to not disturb them from their naps, yet still enables them to have a good view of the surrounding campus from the inside.

Tinted Glass

The juice bar acts as a bonus refreshment for the people, be it those who just woke up from their naps or those just seeking to have a sip of water to quench their thirst. Having a juice bar placed there is an optimal choice as students are most likely to get themselves a glass of water or juice to proceed with their studies.


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Juice Bar

The bean bag chair is placed in the middle open area, where it is wide, so people can just drag the bean bag chair to wherever they intend to sit, be it near or far away from the front view.

The juice bar is faced to the front so people can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the campus while sipping away.

The Metronap Sleep Pod is placed on both sides of the site to reduce the waste of space. As the upper part of the pod took the shape of a cocoon, it shields away the unwanted sunlight. Hence, it is acceptable to place it near the glass walls.

The capsule is placed furthest away from the front to shy them away from the sunlight, providing the user a better napping experience.

5.0. RationaleThe reason behind the concept and suggestion of placement of the bean bag chair, Metronap Sleep Pod, Capsule, roof (made from wood-fiber insulation board) and tinted glass walls are as follows:

I. Bean Bag Chair A bean bag chair is very comfortable and it fits to a person’s form as they sit in it. Many people use the bean bag chair to sit in while they read a book or surf the net. These chairs are filled with very light weight foam, they are very easy to move from one place to another. It is very convenient to have it in a university’s rest area as one can simply pick it up and move it when they want to sit with their friends.

II. Metronap Sleep Pod The pod’s upholstery breathes and remains cool. It is durable and resistant. It inclines forward to allow for easy entry, and then reclines to allow for optimal positioning. The slight elevation of the feet promote blood circulation while the elevation of the knee takes pressure off one’s lower back.


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The spherical shape of the pod’s upper body provides a semi-private acoustical and visual environment. The cocoon feel of the upper dome nurtures without overly enclosing. It also blocks away unwanted lights and enhance sleeping.

III. Capsule While the Metronap Sleep Pod is are meant for those that are seeking temporary naps, the Capsule is built for those that are staying over at the campus due to many reasons. This capsule is space efficiency, providing the users with just enough room to serve their function and providing a place to sleep.

IV. Roof (made from Wood-Fiber Insulation Board) The rood will be constructed using wood-fiber insulation board as wood is a sustainable raw material with not very energy intensive processing and it is ecologically sound. The wood-fiber insulation board also increases living comfort. The thermal capacity of wood is much higher than that of mineral fiber or plastic foam, as a result, they protect much better against summer heat.

V. Walls (Tinted Glass Walls) Tinted glass walls are chosen over typical opaque walls as opaque walls will block away the beautiful view of the campus where it can be seen from our site. However, despite it being a glass wall, the tinting is capable of reducing the temperature of the interior by 15 ºC, and reduce the UV rays entering the interior of the building by 99%. Also, the tinting process can mean that you see outside during the day, but prying eyes are unable to penetrate the insides. Hence, privacy is preserved.

6.0. BenefitsHaving a rest area where people get to take a nap in public during the day time actually comes with a handful of benefits.

The 20-minute power nap – sometimes called the stage 2 nap – is good for alertness and motor learning skills. According to research, naps that are longer than 20 minutes help boost memory and enhance creativity. Slow-wave sleep (napping for approximately 30-60 minutes) is good for decision-making skills, such as memorizing vocabulary or recalling directions. Getting rapid eye movement or REM sleep (usually 60-90 minutes of napping) plays a key role in making new connections in the brain and solving creative problems.

What these and other studies are showing is that naps can restore one’s attention, the quality of one’s work, while also helping reduce one’s mistakes. It also improve one’s ability to learn. Moreover, the effects of napping extend a few hours into the day.

Students will definitely be able to perform better on both academic and co-curriculum activities with the help of power nap. Such facilities will not only benefit the students, but the


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staffs as well as they will be able to work more diligently after having boost their energy level.

7.0. EvaluationUpon completion of the project, the initially desolate and barren balcony will be transformed into a comfortable rest area where everyone – staffs and students alike– will be able to come and have a rest, or even better, a nap. This new rest area which is equipped with various facilities will reduce the problem of lack of seats and shelter from the sun as it provides many spots for sitting (and napping) and contains a roof and tinted glass walls all around the area to shelter the people.

Such project should be encouraged especially in universities, working areas and R&R stations, where one’s full and adequate attention is needed towards the task at hand.


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8.0. Needs of the Project to the Client and CommunityOur proposed project – a public rest area with napping spots – allows our client (the students and staffs of Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus) to recharge their energy level with power naps, even if they are away from their personal bed. The facilities of our projects are much needed for the students that are tired from hours of studying, and for the staffs that worked all day long in the campus. Our project serves as a good platform where our clients can regain and increase their attentive level before proceeding with their activities. With better attentive level, the quality of work of our clients will improve as well.

In terms of community, our project will be able to help decrease the rate of car accidents. Having our proposed project placed at the R&R stations along the highway, the tired and worn out drivers that had spent hours on the road will be able to catch a nap before hitting the road. This way, the rate of car accidents on the road will decrease as drivers will be able to pay full attention when driving instead of dozing off and be a danger to others and oneself.


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