Creating Solutions: Architect's Challenges in Construction Projects - Essay Sample

Introduction

Construction professionals such as quantity surveyors, electrical engineers, and architects have important duties to do in any construction project. In all these professions, an architect faces many challenges. He is given the task of creating a design that will meet the client's needs while considering their time limits, budget, and safety. Any project has its unique challenges that an architect needs to solve. In most cases, these challenges relate to the site or the client's needs. Recently, a project handed over to me had four major challenges: response to the site, constructional techniques, function, inadequate space.

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Before coming up with any design to solve the challenges encountered. There is a need to carry out an architectural site analysis. My client needs to know whether that particular project is viable and financially feasible. The designs that I will be doing need to effectively respond to the environmental and physical features of that area.

To start with, response to the site is a challenge that needs an effective solution. The project involves building a structure on some existing space, and the client wants to remain open for his normal commercial operations, including healthcare centers. Renovations in such an environment require high standards of cleanliness and control of infections. My design will address this challenge by involving extensive phasing and constructing division walls. Phasing will largely depend on the available space and the areas that need to be used and accessed at any time. I will also divide the construction with barriers depending on the sound insulation and containment required. In coming up with my design, the use of software such as Revit will help document the phases. Such software will allow me to come up with phrases that will show the design intent in various levels of completion. Phasing issues need to be addressed when designing a project so that it will not be costly as compared to identifying and solving them when the construction is going on.

The second challenge in my project is categorized as constructional techniques. There are instances when a client would like to have some features that are necessary to receive less attention. It is normally done for different purposes, such as code-compliance. My client wants some features in his building to receive less attention. In addressing such problems, different constructional techniques are used. For instance, doors that are not needed can be camouflaged or blended into walls; sightlines can be obstructed by overlapping walls or by using translucent walls. The client requires unnoticed doors.

In coming up with my design, I will blend them with walls and strategically place them in secure spaces. Their strategic positions also should control visibility in such a manner that they will work with the whole building. A case on point is the Aloni house. It is built between two natural curves in an island setting, which makes it invisible if one does not know where to find it. Another camouflaged structure is the Cadyville Sauna built by Dan Hisel. The fabric is in the Saranac River in New York. The structure is made of wood and framed in mirrors, which makes it hard for one to spot it.

The other challenge that presents itself in the program is that of function. The client needs to connect different levels of the building and ensure they are accessible. In designing such a building, and given the fact that a building is in a sloping site, stairs might not be enough. A case on point is that of buildings that have different floor elevation levels.

When such buildings need to be connected, stairs will not be enough. Facilities such as elevators, lifts, and accessible ramps are required. My design will accommodate various points that need to be accessed in a manner that will work for the function of that particular space, also considering project limitations such as timelines and budget.

Additionally, the lack of enough space is also another major challenge in this project. As the economy drives more individuals into urban spaces, especially developing countries, overpopulation results in a lack of housing. There is a need, therefore, for house designs that will accommodate a large number of people in urban areas. The house models should put people first.

My plan for the client will accommodate the client's available space and also the community needs. I will use the positioning tactic to understand what the community lacks and put all these needs into the project. The design should benefit not only the client but also the community. In utilizing the available space, the structure can be detached from the main building around. A case on point is that of architects Panos Dragonas and Varvara Christopoulou with their cabin on top of the Athens building. Their building, which was termed as 'detached,' was a structure that would allow an ordinary city resident to avoid taxing daily without going into the wilderness. Another example is that of a structure that is suspended on one side of the San Francisco hotel, which was designed by Mark Reigelman and architect Jenny Chapman. All of this was done to utilize the available space.