Scenario

A Local client is planning to build a highly aesthetic 3-story green residential unit in Wattala. The land is located near a lake and the soil investigation report indicates that the soil-bearing capacity is low. The structural engineer recommends implementing a pile foundation for the proposed superstructure which includes concrete slabs, concrete beams, and brick masonry. However, since the bedrock is far away from the Natural Ground Level, the client’s budget does not permit to cater pile foundations. The project architect believes that he could find a solution to this problem by reducing the weight of the superstructure without compromising the aesthetics, durability, and safety. The structural Engineer claims, that if the superstructural loads are reduced by 25%, a Shallow foundation would be adequate, which is well within the client’s budget. The client has emphasized the requirement of a hazard-free construction site. Furthermore, he intends to maintain a healthy relationship with his neighbors while the construction is in process.

You have been hired by the Architect as the junior architect for this project. Your responsibility is to find suitable designs and materials selection for the construction of this project. Your knowledge of Material selection, Health and safety management, Sustainability and green concepts, and Human Comfort in buildings would be highly important.

Task A

As the building is expected to showcase a variety of attributes, by its design, the management is keen on selecting the most suitable material at the design stage itself, in order to streamline the construction and to minimize costs.

• Comprehensively discuss the factors to be considered when selecting building materials for this project.
•  Suggest the type of building materials that can be utilized for some of the main elements / areas / components of the said building with logical justification. (Minimum 10 materials)

Task B

The client is interested in designing the building with green standards and sustainable concepts.

•  What do you mean by sustainable construction? Why is it important in?
•  Use your knowledge on green materials and discuss in detail the green materials and techniques that can be used for the above apartment. Provide justifications for your suggestions.

Task C

Why health and safety is important in the construction industry. Discuss the factors to be considered to improve the health and safety of employees working on the construction site.

Task D

In a building, lighting contributes 20-60% of the total consumption of electrical energy usage. Thus, proper designing of lighting system for the building will largely contribute for saving energy as per the green rating system. The Client is expecting your team to develop the lighting system for one of the units in the Apartment Complex. Use your knowledge and data available to suggest what kind of a lighting system is best suited for the above-mentioned project. You need to use the guidelines provided by the authorities.

Methodology

Each student has to submit a report completing all the tasks. The document must be in the form of a word-processed report and can incorporate any sketches or diagrams to illustrate the answer. Students should carry out a literature survey when needed in order to make their arguments sound. (You may refer books, journals, conference papers, internet & etc.). It is a must to follow the Harvard referencing style. The document must contain all references according to the Harvard referencing style in the reference list. This includes from introduction to recommendations only.

The structure of the reports must be as follows

• The report shall be word processed on one side of A4 paper, neatly presented as a single document. The report shall need to comprise of the following:
• A continuous assessment brief
• Title page
• Content Page
• Introduction – A brief introduction of the subject areas in focus, with its importance along with a brief structure of the report.
• Body of the report to cover the study areas mentioned under the tasks (This part includes answers to all the tasks)
• Conclusion
• Assumptions made if any
• Reference list as per Harvard referencing style

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass

• LO1 Review health and safety regulations and legislation associated with the storage, handling and use of materials on a construction site
• LO2 Discuss the environmental and sustainability factors which impact on and influence the material choices for a construction project
• LO3 Present material choices for a given project using performance properties, experimental data, sustainability and environmental consideration
• LO4 Evaluate the performance of a given building in respect of its human comfort requirements

Merit

• M1 Analyse how riskassessments are used to address hazards posed by selected materials or activities. 
• M2 Produce a waste management plan for a given project, taking into account a typical range of relevant waste materials.
• M3 Assess the selection of structural materials, based on comparison of loading and performance and behaviour in alternative material choices.
• M4 Perform calculations (e.g., lux levels, u-values, acoustic performance, air changes) to support the provision of human comfort for a given project.

Distinction

• D1 Evaluate how multiple regulations and legislation may apply to a given site activity, highlighting how to plan and manage for safe handling and use of materials and processes.
• D2 Illustrate how the use of sustainable practices and considerations for material choice can improve the environmental rating of the completed building.
• D3 Evaluate how the use of passive or active strategies can minimise energy, materials, water, and land use.

Grading Opportunities

Assessment Criteria/Indicative Characteristic	Evidence	Achieved (Y / N)
LO1 P1 Discuss the regulations associated with the storage, handling and use of materials.
LO1 P2 Describe strategies to safely manage the storage, handling and use of a selection of vocationally typical construction materials.
LO1 M1 Analyse how risk assessments are used to address hazards posed by selected materials or activities.
LO1 D1 Evaluate how multiple regulations and legislation may apply to a given site activity, highlighting how to plan and manage for safe handling and use of materials and processes.
LO2 P3 Explain material environmental profiling and lifecycle assessment, based on a material choice.
LO2 P4 Discuss the benefits of product declaration and environmental certification.
LO2 M2 Produce a waste management plan for a given project, taking into account a typical range of relevant waste materials.
LO2 D2 Illustrate how the use of sustainable practices and considerations for material choice can improve the environmental rating of the completed building.
LO3 P5 Select construction materials for a given project based on testing results and their performance properties in use.
LO3 P6 Present the results of relevant testing procedures to identify performance characteristics of selected construction materials.
LO3 M3 Assess the selection of structural materials, based on comparison of loading and performance and behaviour in alternative material choices.
LO2 D2 Illustrate how the use of sustainable practices and considerations for material choice can improve the environmental rating of the completed building.
LO4 P7 Define a material selection strategy with regard to human comfort requirements.
LO4 P8 Identify materials for a selected area within a project and explain how these contribute to human comfort.
LO4 M4 Perform calculations (e.g., lux levels, u-values, acoustic performance, air changes) to support the provision of human comfort for a given project.
LO4 D3 Evaluate how the use of passive or active strategies can minimise energy, materials, water, and land use.

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