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[kris9128]

hi all. just wonndering if anybody works in construction management or planning. got a uni assignment on design principles today and need some help and guidance. any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Phil]

Depends what you need to know, i might be able to help

[Omegadoha, Desert Member]

Depends on what you need to know? Can you elaborate?

[kris9128]

i have an assignment that requires me to pick a building then descibe how it was built. from the first idea through all the costings, the planning process, who was involved and what duties they carried out. also have to get a copy of the plans and do my own sketch drawings and a bit of CAD work. have visited a few sites today and phoned a few of the construction ompanies i have worked for over the years but nobody seems prepared to help me.   :-? :-? :-?

[Richie London]

i have an assignment that requires me to pick a building then descibe how it was built. from the first idea through all the costings, the planning process, who was involved and what duties they carried out. also have to get a copy of the plans and do my own sketch drawings and a bit of CAD work. have visited a few sites today and phoned a few of the construction ompanies i have worked for over the years but nobody seems prepared to help me.   :-? :-? :-?

try local council. they should have building plans.

[Plomien]

My Dad is a director of estates If any use, and with you in Manchester I assume you are at his old Uni?

[Richie London]

My Dad is a director of estates If any use

nice to know, my neighbour  is looking for a volvo estate  

[Plomien]

My Dad is a director of estates If any use

nice to know, my neighbour  is looking for a volvo estate  

I advise a miggy estate then  

[Phil]

i have an assignment that requires me to pick a building then descibe how it was built. from the first idea through all the costings, the planning process, who was involved and what duties they carried out. also have to get a copy of the plans and do my own sketch drawings and a bit of CAD work. have visited a few sites today and phoned a few of the construction ompanies i have worked for over the years but nobody seems prepared to help me.   :-? :-? :-?

Shame you dont live closer, assuming there are no issues on the size of the project you could have done my parents house. Owns the building company and built it himself so has all the costings etc etc.

But guess as you are about 300miles away its not much use.

All the other jobs i have worked on are in and around London or Cardiff so possibly not much help either.

I did have to do something similar for my Charterd Institute of Building exams, but it was on a 'theoretical' new build which made things easier just ment having a chat with the planning officer and making the rest up!

Maybe have a chat with your local planning office, might be a good start

[kris9128]

My Dad is a director of estates If any use, and with you in Manchester I assume you are at his old Uni?

i'm at MANCAT openshaw. thought i knew a bit about construction before i started this course. .

the coucil can discuss building projects but cant give specifics due to data pro-rather-tection.
will start again on tomorrow. somebody somewhere will help me.

[Phil]

i'm at MANCAT openshaw. thought i knew a bit about construction before i started this course. .

What course are you doing??

I did my OND in building at Chelmsford and my HND in building management at Anglia Ploytechnic University

HND was a piece of cake for the first 2 years as it was a repeat of the OND for those that had come in from the A level route  [smiley=laugh.gif]

[Richie London]

can you not go into a shop thats being refurbished and ask the site foreman if he has any spare plans, they usually have a few copies spare. i used to keep them but dont bother no more

[kris9128]

i'm at MANCAT openshaw. thought i knew a bit about construction before i started this course. .

What course are you doing??

I did my OND in building at Chelmsford and my HND in building management at Anglia Ploytechnic University

HND was a piece of cake for the first 2 years as it was a repeat of the OND for those that had come in from the A level route  [smiley=laugh.gif]

HNC level 4 construction. 1 day a week for 2 years.

for the assignment i have to pick a large uk building (1 million +), identify the planning processes involved, discuss the financial implications,produce sketch drawings,write up a client brief, discuss choice of materials, use the RIBA plan of works to describe various roles and responsabilities etc etc.
quite a big assignment.  

[Omegadoha, Desert Member]

You could try contacting some Quantity Surveyors or Architectural practices. They will have loads of drawings, but again due to client confidientialty may not wish to disclose drawings. Do you have to have architetural, structural and M&E?

An office building sounds like a good example to due, nice shape standard construction etc. You could use a text book to go thorugh the rough planning process, discuss things like location, ease of access in terms of construction, choice of construction, i.e. steel versus concrete, steel frame being faster than concrete. WIth regards to costings an initial cost estimate would be done first which would be reconciled on a cost per square metre or foot basis. Then as the design progresses costs are updated and a budget can be set against which cost plans are prepared.

The client brief could be quite limited as some clients do not know what they want. But you could describe that particular building as fitting the clients needs - i.e location, need within 18 month programme. You could also go into life cycle costs etc?

I could go on rambling but it does sound like one of those typical assignments, but your biggest challenge does sound like getting hold of drawings. Perhaps try some QS firms, small practices, they maybe willing to help.
Good luck.

[kris9128]

You could try contacting some Quantity Surveyors or Architectural practices. They will have loads of drawings, but again due to client confidientialty may not wish to disclose drawings. Do you have to have architetural, structural and M&E?

An office building sounds like a good example to due, nice shape standard construction etc. You could use a text book to go thorugh the rough planning process, discuss things like location, ease of access in terms of construction, choice of construction, i.e. steel versus concrete, steel frame being faster than concrete. WIth regards to costings an initial cost estimate would be done first which would be reconciled on a cost per square metre or foot basis. Then as the design progresses costs are updated and a budget can be set against which cost plans are prepared.

The client brief could be quite limited as some clients do not know what they want. But you could describe that particular building as fitting the clients needs - i.e location, need within 18 month programme. You could also go into life cycle costs etc?

I could go on rambling but it does sound like one of those typical assignments, but your biggest challenge does sound like getting hold of drawings. Perhaps try some QS firms, small practices, they maybe willing to help.
Good luck.

cheers mate. some great advice there. sounds like you know your stuff. how much do you charge to do a 68 page assignment  
have been given a few numbers to acll tomoro so fingers crossed. many thanks, kris