Architecture of University Town Library in China - Case Study Example

Portfolio Course Name and Code Institution Name Faculty Name Insert Your Name Insert Your Number Instructor?s Name 22 March 2009 Analysis of University Town Library, China Constraints/Site Conditions University Town Library in Shenzhen, China was completed in 2006 and opened in 2007. The building is located in a university and it links four campuses and passes over a canal. The building doubles up as a library and a bridge that links the four campuses The total length of the building is 480m long as shown by the figure below. Temporary/False work Generally, false work or temporary structures are used to supported arched or spanning structures for a period that will enable the building to sufficiently support itself. Temporary and false work played an important role throughout the construction of the building. The sketches show how the bridge and other pillars were supported by the temporary/false work especially over the bridge. Retaining Walls Retaining walls are structures that are used to hold back soil or rocks in a construction to prevent erosion and to support any vertical changes that can occur. The University building utilized retaining walls in preventing soil been eroded by the water in the canal. In the figure below the red box indicates the utilization of retaining walls to prevent soil from being eroded by the water in the canal. (Figure below) Ground Stabilization Ground stabilisation is ensuring that the ground that the building is erected cannot move or the soil particles are compact. Compaction plays an important role is stabilizing the topology of the university and front of the building. Moreover, the sides of the canal and foundation of the building was stabilized to ensure its durability and aesthetic quality. Substructure Design and Foundation Foundation Foundation in building construction ensures that the load of the building is transferred to the earth. The building is five stored and includes the support of the bridge into the water. The appropriate type of foundation is deep foundation to enable to transfer the five storey building weight to the earth. Moreover, deep foundation is applicable in the construction of the bridge. The picture below indicates a deep foundation that can be applied in the case of the University Building. 3 Soil Support Soil support and water control plays an important role in the completion of the university building. Because of the weight/load of the building, the foundation is deep resulting in deeper evacuations. Proper control should be in place that ensures that the sides of the excavated areas are safe. Groundwater Control The building is located in an area that there is a large amount of water because of the canal. Thus, the foundation and approach of building design factored into consideration this unique feature. The construction of the building level is higher than the water level, thus lowering the impact of water within the vicinity. Moreover, guiding the water, with the help of the retaining walls ensures that the impact of the water is controlled. Superstructures Structural Frames and Masonry Materials In most cases, there are three structural styles: metal, wood and concrete. In the construction of this, building metallic and concrete structures played an important role. The structural design comes in terms of pillars that support the upper floors and the bridge as indicated by the pictures below. Masonry (concrete) pillars are used to support the upper parts of the library (Above). In the picture below, pillars play an important role. These other clips show the importance of structural design in the construction of this building. Part of the staircase the truss and other structural designs as seen at night Properties of structural materials/Reinforcement The construction of the building had to factor into consideration the amount of load that it will sustain in achieving the requirements of the building. Contemporary materials blended with modern materials were used to complete this building. Materials such as steel where used in in-situ concrete to ensure that the beams, foundation and other parts of the building supports itself. Moreover, the glass that is used all over the building is glazed to ensure it sustain both environmental and to some extent physical forces. Principles of Structural Design The construction that incorporated a design of a dragonhead illustrates the importance of contemporary Chinese culture. The aim of the building was to connect the four campuses, a preposition that was successfully accomplished. The picture below illustrates the completed design of the building. The building is constructed over a canal and balancing the building with the bridge. Moreover, the topology was factored into consideration by beautifying the surrounding of the building. View of the building from a distance (above). 3D depiction of the design building (below). Cladding The building has utilized cladding to improve on the aesthetic of the building. Most parts of the walls and some parts of the roofs and windows have utilized cladding to improve its quality. The picture below illustrates the beauty and artistic value improved by the use of cladding. Design and Environmental Consideration Blending of the environmental and architectural design of the building played an important role. The picture illustrates the importance of the environment in the construction of this building. Moreover, insulation played an important role since most of the glass related material that was used insulates and reduces the impact of whether to the people within the library. The outside part of the library and the entire building brings a sense of conservation illustrated by the preservation and maintenance of the canal. Roofs Roof is the uppermost part of any construction, and its selection determines the final design and quality of the building. The main aims that are brought into consideration when selecting a roof includes the function of the building, durability and the materials that are available. Moreover, the shape of the building plays an important role in ensuring that the requirements of the building are achieved. Some common types of roofs are illustrated in the sketches below. In the case of the University Library design, the follow are the pictures of the roofing style. The roof seen from the eastern part of the university (above) Front view of the roof (above) 3D view of the front part of the roof and the undulating tail like style of the roof (above) Roof as seen from western part of the university (above) Analysis of Focus House Building Site Conditions/Constraints The construction of the Focus House faced a number of constraints. The shape of the land constrained the designing of the building resulting in the creative use of the space. The piece of land near the pavement was 2.8m wide and it expands to 7m at the rear. Moreover, the location of the building within Victorian houses played an important role in determining colour combination and approach towards building it. The sketch below illustrates the design of the building in London. The picture below illustrates the exact spot of the building within the streets of London The picture shows the small front part of the building Ground Stabilisation Stabilisation of the ground plays an important role in ensuring and guaranteeing the stability of this building. The ground level of the building was ensured stable by laying a concrete slab that ensures that the structure of the building is stable. Substructure Design and Basement Foundation Foundation is important in ensuring that the building will fulfil its requirements. The Focus House foundation brought into consideration the use of concrete to ensure that the building that is constructed is lies on a stable foundation. The sketch illustrates the type of foundation that was utilized. The cross-section of the foundation sketch is as shown below. Control of Ground Water Trenches plays an important role in reducing the amount of water within the environment. However, this building is constructed by timber and most of the beams that are used are made of timber. Thus, the amount of moisture within this building should be reduced/ eliminated. The approach that the designer utilized is putting an insulator within the foundation and throughout of the building. The sketch (above) shows the insulation that is used to reduce the impact of humidity within the building. Superstructures Structural Frames/Masonry Work The cross-section of the building indicates the structural design of the building (figure below) ? timber structure. The horizontal and vertical beams support the weight or load of the building with different thickness. The structure that was used was made of timber and the walls are made of timber. The picture illustrates the completed section of the wall (below). Appraisal of Principles of Structure Design The figure (below) illustrates the hanging study area of the room. The architecture utilized timber boards to complete the walls and glass as indicated by the picture. The unique design gives the building a beautiful finish. Connectors The timber boards and beams were connected with the help of screws. Moreover, the long screws were used to connect the building with the floor. The resin-bolts were fixed into the concrete floor to receive the beams Environmental Consideration The building is environmentally friendly through the materials that were utilized and emissions by the building. Moreover, the strategy that was used to design the building ensured that solar was used to heat the water, automatic air ventilation, excellent insulation, low energy heat recovery ventilation and the use of solid-core wood construction. The pictures (below) show the environmentally friendly living. Roof A slanting type of roof was used to complete the building. The roof was built with the use of timber to ensure that the building is completely completed by the use of timber. Bibliography Focus House Pictures, Available at: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/05/23/prefab-focus-house-for-london/ [Accessed 21 March 2009] TRADA Technology, Focus House: A House Built of Cross Laminated Timber, Available at: www.trada.co.uk [Accessed 21 March 2009] World Architecture News, Focus House, London, Available at: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=1745 [Accessed on 21 March 2009] World Architecture News, University Town Library, Shenzhen, China, Available at: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=11226 [Accessed on 21 March 2009] Architectures Design, Architecture Design of University Town Library and Administrative Centre, Available at: http://www.architecturesdesign.com/2009/03/07/architecture-design-of-university-town-library-and-administrative-centre/ [Accessed on 20 March 2009] Archibase, University Town Library, Shenzhen, China, Available at: http://www.archibase.net/blog/view/1933.html [Accessed on 20 March 2009] E-architect, Shenzhen University Town Library, China, Available at: http://www.e-architect.co.uk/hong_kong/shenzhen_university_building.htm [Accessed on 20 March 2009] Notices, University Town Library in Shenzhen wins Award, Available at: http://www.detail.de/artikel_libary-rmjm-shenzhen_22279_En.htm [Accessed on 20 March 2009] Architectural Practices, University Library, Available at: http://www.hkia.net/corporate_member/project.php?co_code=rmjm&pj_code=0010 [Accessed on 20 March 2009] Read More