Article #5

Just saw this article in the Age. Thought it is pretty indicative of the way the residential planning and design is heading. Although I think it will be hard to change the perception of bigger is better, promotions of ‘smart’ houses like this can only help. Also good to see that the architects chosen will be local Victorians.

Full Article:
Call to end 'housing obesity'
BIGGER is not better, says Planning Minister Justin Madden, who has announced an architectural design competition to stop "housing obesity''.Up to four Victorian architects will be recruited to design "homes of the future'', Mr Madden said.They will be paid a fee of $25,000 to prepare designs for two homes. Each time a house is built using the designs, a royalty of 0.5 per cent of construction costs will be paid.The Planning Minister wants developers to start building better small houses, to put an end to the McMansion."Our increasing affluence has led us to build bigger and bigger houses — we are suffering from housing obesity,'' Mr Madden told urban planners at the Metropolitan Planning Summit yesterday.With government development agency VicUrban, the State Government will today launch a design competition asking architects to provide environmentally sensitive housing designs, to be built by VicUrban and the private sector."Rather than a bigger house, we want to see a better house,'' he said. "We want people to walk into a display house and say 'This house isn't as big as the one down the road, but it's better'.''The four winning architects will be paid a fee of $25,000 to prepare designs for two homes. Each time a house is built using the designs, a royalty of 0.5 per cent of construction costs will be paid.

Article #4

This case study shows the advantages of creating buildings with sustainability as a primary focus. The end result is a quality building that enhances the experience for the occupants and also has minimal effect on the environment. I thought it was fairly relevant being the type of structure that is the subject in this unit.

Fragment:
......The natural ventilation system is supplemented by air-cooled reverse-cycle mini-chiller units, connected to internally located two-pipe ceiling cassette units. The mini-chillers use hydrocarbon refrigerant to heat and cool the building. The units have a 15% higher cooling efficiency than equivalent HFC refrigerant units, and the hydrocarbon refrigerant has a
global warming potential of three, compared to the 1300-3900 common for HFCs. Combined, this is expected to save approximately 6.5 tonnes of CO2 pollution annually........

Full Article:
http://www.airah.org.au/downloads/2005-09-02.pdf

Article #3

This is an analysis of the process that was taken in constructing the Deakin car park at the Burwood campus, which was mentioned in one of our lectures. It was an interesting project in terms of its constraints, the building process was limited to 4 months over the summer holidays. The initial 3 level car park was designed so that another two levels could be added at a latter date when funding was available. The decision process on the method of building is explained, the result was steel frame with composite slabs. This proved to be the most financial efficient method within the limited time span. The requirements of the project are explained in detail and the processes by which the eventual structure characteristics where chosen are discussed. The reasoning for the flooring system, columns, fabrication, stairs, façade, surface treatment are discussed and specifications given.

Full Article:
http://www.onesteel.com/images/db_images/casestudies/carpark16cbp.pdf

Article #2

This article released by the Australian Constructors Association focuses on the financial aspects of the industry. Past results and and predictions on the future are published on a quarterly basis. It includes dot points on main points of an extensive report made by the association, this is the most recent report being released in May. Some of the key findings where:
· 2008 should see $72 billion of construction work completed, that being double of 2003.
· Constuction turnover should increase by 8.7% this year, down on 12.4% in 2006.
· Other data on the different sectors of the industry, e.g. engineering, planning, public infrastructure ect.

Fragment:
............Non-residential building (commercial construction) is forecast to maintain an upward trend, generating $27.9 billion of work in 2008. However, growth is expected to be moderate, with forecast rises of approximately 5% in both 2007 and 2008.
Apartment building sector work is forecast to decline further by 22.3% in 2007, followed by a lower fall of -2.9% in 2008.......

Full Article: http://www.constructors.com.au/main/index.htm then click 'Construction Outlook Report'.

Article #1

This article discusses the effect increasing numbers of ‘big box’, e.g. portal frame warehouse structures are having on society. The writer being American uses the example of ‘Costco’, which is a chain store, very similar in style to our Bunning’s stores. He believes that these stores bring out the worst in people, making them aggressive, non-caring, ect. The theory is that there is no pleasure in shopping at these places because the architecture of the building is so bleak. They promote an in’n-out bargain rather than a pleasurable experience. Personally however, I really like going to Bunnings ect. because they have a good, 'more bang for your buck' feel, and the warehouse structures are fine, I mean they are economical, easy, simple, and they stand up!

A really interesting article, probably more so for archi’s.

Fragment:
..........Neither inside nor out, do any of the big boxes relate to the patterns of landscape or local culture around them. They're homogenized from sea to shining sea, which is another facet of the anonymity they radiate. And it's contagious. Since warehouse architecture slipped out of the warehouse districts and into retail and even residential neighborhoods, we've begun to accept the concrete box as a container for other kinds of activities: amusement centers, movieplexes, churches. Cheap, ugly and expedient has become the default mode. It's everywhere, so it must be OK...........

Full article here:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/visualart/261002_architecture28.html

Week 5 Tute

Week 4 Tute