Design of a construction project

Introduction:

It is the basic phase of the project, where the methods of plan development are explained, it includes the schematic design documents and all sections of the project based on the client information and SITE visits. Sometimes the Need assessment of the areas to develop the project proposal, specifically. Here we are developing the construction project, so we will discuss the needs of the construction project.

  Design and specification

The design and specification always depend upon the information collected from the grounds realities of the project areas, specifically the project design for the construction of the building would depend on information furnished by the client, because the construction companies are seeing to work in the customer's interest within told the engineering needs. The designing of a construction project depends upon the following steps:

Topographic Survey:

In this section, the group of experts visited the SITE and collect the information regarding the physical measurement of the allocated land for the requisite project. In this visit, the Engineers collected the information about the surface area, level of water flow, filing requirement, etc. After completion of the topographic survey, the construction company will meet the client and with his consent, they will move towards the following sections of the design.

Geotechnical Test:

After the Topographic survey, with the kind consent of the client, the team of experts conducted the geotechnical test to know the strengths of the specific requisite land. This test will provide information about the bearing capacity of the land and also show the tones per square foot.

Schematic Drawing:

In this section, the expert engineer draws the initial sketches including the number of storeys, number of rooms, placement of the steers, washrooms, designs of the room’s structures. These sketches have to present to the clients for approval, the clients suggested fresh changes as per his needs, the needs and requirements are incorporated and again presented for approval from the client. In this section, certain meetings are conducting with clients, because the clients ask for his family member’s suggestion to be incorporated, so the information and suggestions are collected from all family members of the clients to incorporated and personal satisfaction were carried out by the engineers through their specific expertise in the field. All the requirements and needs are incorporated and finalized, the schematic drawing and moving towards the architectural drawings.

Architectural Drawing:

The schematic drawing has to presented to the architect to design the architectural design and also incorporated all the needs and requirements of the client, in this section the architect design several drawings to share with clients, the client satisfaction would be the top priority with the engineering point of views and the engineers guide clients regarding “buts and don’ts” of the project, they also discuss the firmness of the building designs, also guide them concerning the cosmetic look of the buildings and taken their consents. This process, taken at least three months to complete, depends upon the client understanding.

Structural Drawing:

After completion of the architectural drawing, the architectural design handed over to the structural engineer. The structural Engineer design the structure of the project, which showed the foundation strengths, beam structures, and its firmness, the number of beams with lengths and widths, it also includes the information about the steel requirements, cement requirement, it is the initial information to contribute in the cost estimation of the project.

Electrical and Mechanical Drawing:

The structure drawing leads to electrical and mechanical drawings, so the electrical engineer designs their electrical drawings and incorporates all the requirements of the clients. The electrical engineers prepared the drawing along with the bill of quantities (BOQs). The mechanical Engineers design their own drawings for the mechanical requirement of the project, as to how to install the lift, the elevators requirements, plumbing drawings for water supplies, and water flowing specified for the drainage of the water from washrooms, means all the drainage system of the project which best suited according to the location of SITE. They also conducted several meeting with the client to finalize their drawings, as they take the consents of the client, they finalized the drawings along with their specific BOQs and share with client and company engineers. These BOQs also contribute information about the cost estimation of the project.

Cost Estimation:

The finance department with collaboration of all departments including the engineering department, human resources department, procurement department, transportation department prepare the financial proposal of all concerned departments and club them into comprehensive financial proposal along with all heads explanation to make it understandable for the client. The comprehensive financial proposal again presented to the client, and discuss each and every head of expense with them. All the department heads clarify the cost of their specific department’s needs and their benefits to take the interest of the client. When the client approved the financial proposal, the deliverables show to the client with the specification of the storey’s incorporated requirements needs of the client and take final approval of the project. 

2. User Requirement:

         

In this section, the general requirement and needs of the client are clarified, specifically the lighting system, temperature maintenance requirements, the electrical backup systems, legal requirements of the buildings, the exit and entrance of the building, statement of beneficiaries, the parking areas, the security requirements and needs, the ventilation system and also hygiene promotion, etc. The fire extinctions system also clarifies in this section for the general understanding of the SITE Engineers.

Conclusion:

I am concluding as:

1. The need assessment of the areas, where the project will be implemented should be visited to know the needs of the areas concerned to take interest of the beneficiaries.
2. The client requirements should be the top priority but the Govt rules and engineering needs should be kept in mind to ease the project implementation practically.
3. The bottom to top approach is advantageous for the best planning of the project, otherwise, the design will not acceptable to the beneficiaries, because the project is for beneficiaries.

Muhammad Israr Umar 

An NGO worker for the last 17 years 

muhammadisrarumar6@gmail.com