Free Custom «Site Planning and Construction Method» Essay Paper

The proposed site for this gym is in Canbury Gardens. This garden covers an area of about 14.5 acres located in Kingston between Lower Ham Road and River Thames. It has some recreational facilities as well as playgrounds. Such facilities include Kingston Rowing Club, Sigi Cornish Tennis Club and Boaters inn public house. Most buildings within this area are established in single plots and are generally two-storeyed. However, houses facing the river vary from two-stored to four-storeyed buildings. Areas close to the river are open and unused. The geology of the area mainly comprises of gravels that overlie tertiary sands and clays. Therefore, the area has well drained coarse to loamy and sandy soils that become have high permeability and is sometimes affected by groundwater. This site is suitable for the construction of the proposed gym due to availability of land, labour, building materials and resources. The area matches the requirements of the proposed building.

The proposed building has two storeys, and it will mainly serve as a gym for the entire population and those interested to exercise. The building is to lie on a raft foundation system where the entire building lies on a large, continuous footing. Raft foundation is preferred to other foundation types because the geological survey shows that these soils have relatively poor strength and bearing capacity since they are soft and loose. This foundation consists of a concrete slab that extends over the entire building. It helps in reducing differential settlements since the concrete slab resists differential movements within loading positions.

 

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Raft foundations are suitable in this area because the expected uplift loads are greater than that which can be accommodated by spread footings. Weight of a raft helps to resist hydrostatic forces from the ground water. This area is usually affected by ground water table since there is the presence of River Thames hence foundations in this place require waterproofing. Rafts are monolithic thus are easier to waterproof. In addition, raft foundations are economically favoured because they combine the foundation and the floor. They are, further, preferred since they can be used where shallow excavation is required as is in this case. The major disadvantage of this method is that it requires different treatment for a different point load. It is, further, susceptible to edge erosion if not carefully treated.

The proposed building will use green construction methods to ensure that there is a high efficiency in construction, and thus use energy saving techniques. High amount of energy is usually spent in manufacturing and transportation of building materials. Therefore, this project will take an initiative to minimize emission of greenhouse gases and to minimize energy used in construction. Green construction involves the use of environmentally and resource-efficient process throughout the building period and lifecycle. The construction will take advantage of the available renewable resources such as the use of solar energy, green roofing and reduction of rain water runoff. The design will utilize passive solar building design to in order enhance energy efficiency. Windows and walls will be oriented to be shaded during the summer and utilize maximum solar gain in winter. Windows will also be placed effectively to enhance the use of natural daylight so as to minimize energy used to light the room during the day. Renewable energy will also be generated by using solar power.

The builders will be encouraged to use recycled stones and metals in order to enhance materials efficiency. Some materials to be used include sheep wool for insulation, compressed and baked earth block as masonry bricks, wood fibre plates and self healing concrete. Such materials are non-toxic, renewable, reusable and recyclable. Recycled stones will be used together with self healing concrete to construct the raft foundation, which will also act as the floor. Baked earth blocks will be used for erection of walls. Building materials will be extracted and manufactured at the site in order to minimize energy used in the transportation. However, building elements will be manufactured off the site and delivered to the site. This will help to minimize waste storage, noise and dust production, and in turn maximize benefits from recycling.

In water efficiency, the construction team will utilize water from River Thames, after securing a permit to use it. It will, in addition, practise on-site water recycling in case there is the production of water runoff. The design will have a dual plumbing system that will utilize water recycling system in toilets. Furthermore, it will ensure low flush toilets and low flow shower heads. Other than water efficiency, the construction team, will ensure that fewer materials are going to be disposed off in landfills.

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The first floor of this building will be designed and constructed to hold cardio machines. It will have two low flush toilets with low shower heads incorporated. One toilet and shower will be used by the disabled while the other by those who are able. The first floor will also contain a coffee shop to help supply coffee which will be highly demanded by clients using the gym. The second floor will also have two toilets but will occupy more machines than the first floor. The ground floor will have offices of the gym together with other complementary shops that will help manage the gym successfully. There will also be a basement that will offer parking services to clients and workers at the gym. The gym will have a suitable view of the river which will help attract users.

In summary, the gym will be located in Canbury Gardens between River Thames and the Lower Ham Road. The location is suitable, and the building will be supported by the raft foundation which is economically viable in this case. The construction will utilize green construction methods to cut down on expenditure while still achieving a higher quality structure that is sustainable.