MAJOR ASSIGNMENT POSTERS

Well I finally finished my construction major assignment, opting to complete two posters with a CAD model rather than a 1:10 physical model. My design features a timber glulam portal stystem with an envelope system of glass and plywood and a timber roof. Didn't come out too shabby though ran into a bit of strife at the printers.



PS. Ignore the colour. They're not really blue, they just loaded up that way!

SITE VISIT 6: Zealy Bay Apartment Building, Torquay

This construction site is the development of a high-profile apartment bvlock in torquay. The concrete, steel and glass design was interesting to see in this phase of design to gain a sense of how the entire building would come together and reach a stage of completion.

IMAGE: The design concept.
IMAGE: The overall structure of the building.
IMAGE: Steel eave construction to create the building's large eave overhangs as shown on the poster.IMAGE: A closer detail of the steel overhangs, which will be encased in concrete.

IMAGE: View of the steel elements used to set up the internal walls, and the concrete slab foundations.

IMAGE: Steel connection to concrete second floor underside.
IMAGE: Services on the roof yet to be concealed.

ARTICLE ANALYSIS 5: Forestry Tasmania Dome

This innovative dome structure is home to the offices related to the history and development of Tasmania's forestry heritage. The structure links and forms the entrance between the two standard brick buildings on either side. IMAGE: View from the street.

The dome houses an indoor forrest that replicates the Tasmania's working forrest, and thoroughly highlights timber as a renewable source. IMAGE: Interior of the domes structure.

The application of timber rather than the standard steel aslo demonstrates timber's increasing useage in the building industry, particularly in unconventional design. The timber used in the structure in glue laminated hardwood timber that extends over an apporximately 22m gap in 16 equal parts. IMAGE: Roof Plan.

Glue laminated timber eliminated the disadvantages of natural defects and were appropriate to long span construction. The qulities of this type of timber could also be easily manipulated to match the domes profile. Each of the 16 parts of the dome has radial edge beams with intermediatry structure to support the glass roofing. Each part was able to be assembled on site and once assembled, bolted together to form one single roof structure.

IMAGE: Trusses that comprise the domed roof.IMAGE: Rafter connections to the tie rod hub.

IMAGE: Secondary rafter connection.

A central tension ring with a steel cable was also connected to each truss to resist lateral loads.IMAGE: Tie rod hub cone.

The openness of the structure was also an advantage over unstable foundations. A steel barrup truss supports the endge of the dome on the opposite end of the street. The glulam elements were further finished to project the feelings of slickness, newness and richness.IMAGE: Overall dome from the interior displaying each truss and each roof section.

SITE VISIT 5: INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE

This indoor sports centre, located in Belmont, housed 2 main multifunctional courts and was constructed of a combination of steel portal frames and trusses. It was interesting to see the combination of construction systems, though the photos taken of the trussed area turned out too dark to show due to lack of lighting.

IMAGE: Overall view of the stadium.IMAGE: Interior view of the portal framed area.

IMAGE: Reflective insulation and sarking.

IMAGE: Bracing on the roof.

IMAGE: Knee joint of the portal frame.IMAGE: Wall bracing, girts and attatched wall cladding.IMAGE: Guttering and downpipes on the building's exterior.

SITE VISIT 4: The Sands, Torquay

The Sands building is located in Torquay and serves as a members hub for the golfcourse of the same name. The building demonstrates an interesting use of materials in its facade. The exterior ultilises a blend of timber cladding, stone and steel.


IMAGE: Overall view of the building.

IMAGE: Vertical timber cladding.
IMAGE: Joinnts between timber columns and steel balustrading and roofing.
IMAGE: Back of the building overlooking the golf course.

IMAGE: Interior view looking up at the triangular steel skylight.

Article Analysis 4: LAunceston Swim Centre

I was interested in the use of plywood box beams utilised in thsi design fro the LAusceston Swimming Pool. I encounteres this projedt analysis article on the Timber Building in Autralia website when I was considering this construction method for my major assignment. The design fro the pool was initially to be constructed of conventional steel portal frames with piered footings and tilt slab walls. However, prices for this system were too great and an alternative timber system was considered. The final building was determined to be constructed of arced 950mm deep plywood box beams, with 190x45 F5 Pine pulins, and a reduced cost of $14000! The plywood box beam rafters are supported by 190 thick band blockwork walls The plywood rafters were constructed into a curve with the aid of a jig, and nailed together with stiffeners. The beams were then fixed to the band walls usign chemset anchor bolts. Moisture resistance was also an important factor with the facility housing a swimming pool, and hence the timber was appropriately sealed on all faces. the study is a good exaple of the use of timber in preference to steel, to achieve a cost effective, aesthetically pleasing and totally plausable design.

IMAGE: Elevation of the blockwork band walls and the plywood box beam.

IMAGE: Detail of the plywood and band wall joint.

IMAGE: Section through one plywood box beam.

IMAGE: Construction of the plywood box beam.

Article Analysis 3: Gutter Thinking

In my exploration of the Bluescope website I came across an article about the testing of gutters, which related to the lecture from a week ago. I thought I'd have a read to find out how durable our gutter actually are. It turns out that, Colorbond specifically I would say, emply approximately 60 scientists, physicists and metallurgists to keep the progress of our gutters underway. All gutters. facias, downpipes and flashings are looked at in relation to both exposure and and corrosion. This includes factors such as weather conditions obviously, but also the effect of ultra-violet light for example. A scientist stated in the article;

"Roofing is a big investment so there is no point cutting corners with the quality of any part or component, especially if it can affect the durability and longevity of the roof."

I felt this point was important to stress especially in commercial contruction, as Jermey pointed out when he was talking about box gutter sizes and that the bare minimum is not always adequate. Anyhow, we should all now feel safe that our Colorbond gutters have passed adequate tests and trials before they are applied to our rooves!

Major Assignment 3

These are just some sketches i found of Burgess' work. I had trouble finding any information relating to any details of his work or his methods of construction. His plans are easy to find though, and they are all extremely complex and well thought out.

Major Assignment Research 2

In developing the structure of my design I found the Timber Building in Australia website extremely helpful. The site contained many design analysis of timber construction, in various fields, from residential to indutrial and commercial construction. Furthermore, the site also broke down timber construction into its constituent parts; into elements, assemblies, systems and joints.

IMAGE: Glue laminated member.

IMAGE: Glulam portal system.

IMAGE: Glulam aesthetic.

DETAIL: Column connection to concrete slab.

These are some of the images i gathered from the site to apply to my design. I decided to use glue laminated timber in a glulam portal frame. This material and system seemed appropirate to achieve a curvilinear design with a likeness to Burgess' style, whilst adhering to his naturalistic approach. The use of glue laminated members was also convenient to achieve many varieties of curve, through the ability to adjust the different laminates and fibres within the timber. I also really likes the aesthetic of the finished timber as shown in the image included above. The site also had good details which helped me gain a better understanding of construction systems.

Major Assignment Research

I chose Gregory Burgess as the architect to study for my Major Assignment. I visited his firm's website to gather inspiration and information about his work, which is included in my links area if anyone wants to have a squiz! Here are some interesting images i found....




Through these images i decided to focus my design around timber construction. I found that Burgess adopted naturalist and environmentalist design ideals, in so far as he used timber and many other naturally occuring materials, and also largely responded the the culture and surrounding environment in his buildings.