2017

Design and building process mbsAxel Paulus2017Design and building process mbsAxel Paulus

Project knowledgeProcess understanding

Page 11 l ETH Zurich l Chair of Architecture and the Building Process lDesign and Building Process MBS l Axel Paulus l 11-10-2017

Design teams efforts to meet design criteria

I Research the project type

I Identify goals and objectives

I Gather and analyse informations

I Identify programmatic strategies

I Establish quantitative requirements

I Summarise the design criteria

Clients requirements

Public authoritys codes and regulations

Codes and Regulations

Project knowledgeSpecification and attributes

Introduction

11

How to use this book

All material has a shape, regardless of the existence of a forming will. An artefact raises the question: how did it gain its shape? We may distinguish between two approaches to answer this question. First, which external influences affect the development of a shape? This ques-tion suggests a number of factors, e.g. geographical and cultural aspects, as well as factors that are connected to the mentality and the history of a certain people, that unintentionally influence the shape. Second, which criteria determine the shape? This question focuses on the intent, on a range of criteria carefully chosen by the designer.

After all, the shape is the result of a complex interac-tion of different factors. Only this interaction of factors allows a sensible composition. Composition is not an inevitable result. Within the bounds of a logical solution there always exist different options.

Kenneth Frampton describes three important in fluenc-ing factors: Thus we may claim that the built invari-ably comes into existence out of the constantly evolving interplay of three converging vectors, the topos, the typos, and the tectonic. The term tectonics alone covers a broad range, encompassing the construction process from the materials up to the finished building. This book concentrates primarily on this range. How-ever, the historico-cultural approach, as represented in some articles in this book, reminds us that the transitions between topos, typos and tectonics are fluid.

The structure of the book, divided into the chapters Materials modules, Elements and Structures, reflects the development process of architecture: start-ing with a single raw material via the joining of different building parts up to the finished building. This also points to a main objective of the book: it aims to show how much architectural expression depends on its constructional composition. In line with this goal the present work pays special attention to constructional aspects which cre-ate sense, and in this aspect it differs from the albeit relevant but exclusively technology-focused literature. Technical requirements of raw materials and components are constantly checked with regard to their architectural effect. This approach leads to a chapter structure in which the reader will find sober detail drawings next to essay-like reflections, basic construction concepts next to spe-cific descriptions of construction processes, theoretical considerations next to practical ones. For reasons of clar-ity, however, the holistic view of the design processes advocated here has been arranged in a way that allows easy referencing. Besides the introductory essay thematic focal points occur repeatedly in the chapters, which help the reader to find his way around the book and make it possible to compare building materials and construction elements.

The term properties of materials covers descriptions of manufacturing methods, assembly and product ranges of the most important modern building materials: clay bricks, concrete, timber, steel, glass and insulating ma-terials. The distinction between concepts, pro cesses and system points to the interaction of intellectual conception, construction process and building struc-ture, which considerably influences the development of a constructional solution. Concepts describes analysis and interpretation procedures which have proved espe-cially helpful during the development of construction sys-tems. Under the heading Processes the reader will find descriptions of preparatory measures prior to start-ing work on site plus specific site assembly processes. Systems describes possible methods for joining mod-ules and components to form coherent, structurally viable assemblies. The construction systems shown here are linked more closely to problems of architectural expression in the section titled Systems in architecture. Reflections on particular buildings or special types of construction are united under the heading Examples and offer additional visual aids describing how construction-oriented thinking finally manifests itself in architecture.

LandscapeRegion

Town/C

ity

Iden

tity

Cultu

re

Ecology Technique

TechnologyCosts

Polic

yPh

iloso

phy

Art Building process

Method

Sciences

Context

Site

Orienta

tio

n

Land Space

Susta

inab

ility

Tim

ePe

ople

Socie

ty

Energy

Production

Materials

Func

tion

Deve

loper

Structure

Loadbearingstructure

Topography Econo

my

Plot

Prog

ramm

e Construction

TYPOLOGY TECTONICS

TOPOLOGY

Projectform

Fig. 1: Form-finding or form-developing processes

Christoph Elsener

Christoph Elsener, Form-finding or Form-developing Processes; in:Andrea Deplazes (editor), Constructing Architecture, Birkhuser, 2005, page 11

Page 8 l ETH Zurich l Chair of Architecture and the Building Process lDesign and Building Process MBS l Axel Paulus l 11-10-2017

Un-systemische SichtweiseBlickrichtung von innen nach aussen

Systemische SichtweiseBlickrichtung von aussen nach innen

? !!??????

Un-systemische SichtweiseBlickrichtung von innen nach aussen

Systemische SichtweiseBlickrichtung von aussen nach innen

? !!??????

Result orientatedSystemic thinking

Keep the point in mindUse the strength

ConfidenceUse the chances

Related to Frederic Vester, The Art of Interconnected Thinking, 1999; Viewpoint

Systemic thinkingInterconnect think

I Preface How do we can best deal with reality? Kenzo Tange claimed that any design of purely arbitrary

nature cant be expected to last long. It is necessary then, to construct with design quality as a priority. But what is meant by this, exactly? Design quality is achieved when project knowledge is in symbiosis with process understanding. In our fourth lecture we want to identify your own strengths and weaknesses in relation to design quality, and you will have acquired a better understanding of the potential conflicts between meeting building standards and realising your unique vision.

I Contents System Thinking Project Versus Product Standards and Regulations Key Support Tasks

Design Quality(11-10-2017) Project Knowledge

Page 12 l ETH Zurich l Chair of Architecture and the Building Process lDesign and Building Process MBS l Axel Paulus l 11-10-2017

Project knowledgeDocuments required

Public building lawArea planningBuilding lawBuilding and zoning regulationLand use planMunicipal structure plan...

Private building lawLand registerCadastre...

Further documentsTopographic mapsSewer system planCodes, standards, and regulationsInventories regarding listed buildingsSuspected contaminated areasEmission cadastre...

Clients goals and specificationsDetermination of qualitySpace allocation planFunctional diagramCosts and scheduleTechnical specifications...

Le Corbusier,Urbanism - The Theory of the Seven Ways, 1925

4

Page 7 l ETH Zurich l Chair of Architecture and the Building Process lDesign and Building Process MBS l Axel Paulus l 11-10-2017

Project managementI Time, cost, human resources, resources Establish the objectives and processes Implement the processes Measure the processes and compare the results Analyse the differences to determine their cause

Systemic thinkingPlan, do, check, act (1982)

William Edwards Deming, Deming-Cycle (PDCA), 1982

Legal normTechnical standardCommon standard

Proprietary standardOpen standard

What if we never ask about our attitude and practice. Our course is a guided tour through the complexities of the design and building process, giving the knowledge to apply in the real world. Get involved!ETH Zurich, Chair of Architecture and the Building Process, Design and Building Process MBS

Design and Building Process MBS // Does the society need engineering? Our course is a guided tour through the design and building process, covering the consultants competencies and the responsibilities of all involved parties. We want to explore the nature of our built environment and we believe that our approach to it can be referred to as building culture: the ways in which we can preserve our services integrity will be our prime concern. Brief aspects regarding our common ground are gaining importance in an increasingly specialised, complex and international surrounding. Lectures on the topics of profession, service provision, organisational form, standards and regulations, quality design, project management, procurement procedure, construction management, digitalisation, life cycle, feasibility studies, and getting started will guide the participants, bringing the individual pieces of knowledge into a superordinate relationship. The course introduces the key figures, depicts the criteria of the project and highlights the provided services of the consultants.