All Developments comes with Risks

In relation to building adaptation, it would be great if improvement can be made out of the existing building. Demolition is only considered if the building is suffering from a serious deterioration. Therefore, I've learnt that a detail risk assessment have to be conducted in order to evaluate the building's performance, sustainability and viability. Otherwise, why go through all the hassle and money to demolish and rebuild while the building only needs a few tweaks to perform at its best?

In an article that I've read, the UK government do not take lightly of the presence of asbestos which includes the construction industry. There is a specific requirement in Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (regulation 7) mentioning about the removal of any asbestos before any major refurbishment of final demolition. Therefore, a precise risk assessment must be conducted thoroughly not only to eradicate the presence of asbestos but also other factors and considerations.

Picture source from 77-6383 Integrated Project lecture notes

Building Inheritance in Relations to Health & Safety

Well first of all, there is a huge different between building structures in Malaysia and England, Sheffield to be exact. In Malaysia, most of the buildings nowadays are modernize after they've declared independence. What is left would be forts, war memorial and monuments. Different from Malaysia, some buildings we have seen today are English heritage from hundreds and thousands of years ago. Some are still standing by its own and are even in use. For example the buildings in the city centre of Sheffield. Well I was dazed and staggered by the whole view of it. It is utterly beautiful.

The pictures below are captured in Sheffield city centre, it is the same during 1950's and today. Notice the Yorkshire Bank on both of the pictures.

Fargate, Sheffield today

Fargate, Sheffield @ 1950's

In the previous seminars, I have learnt about the differences between building structures and design between the United States and England itself. In the States, they concern more on rescuing the fire in case of fire. Sprinklers are installed everywhere to stop the fire from spreading. While in England, it is more to the safety of users. They are more concern to fire escape such as the importance of mobilizing and directing users out of the building as soon as possible. For example in Sheffield Hallam University, there are tonnes of fire doors in between walkways to rooms.

In relation to health and safety, I've done some research and understands that United Kingdom possess the one of the highest rates mesothelioma in the world due to the usage of asbestos. Asbestos is widely use in the UK even in the construction industry. Mainly from the material used. Some countries forbid the use of asbestos but in England itself, any usage of asbestos must be permitted from the Health & Safety Executive. The presence of asbestos can be inherited from past construction works and development such as old houses. and buildings since 1950's. In today's construction industry, I learnt that any development longer than 30 days or 500 persons days have to inform the Health & Safety Executive according to the Construction and Design Management (CDM) Regulations 2007.

Materials containing asbestos must be handled with care

Asbestos can be found in old cement piping.

Click on the link for further reading

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/320/contents/made

Picture source from Google image

Convince me!

How do I convince  the client? What is so good about my proposal? In this week's lecture and seminar, I've learnt the importance of a sustainable development. As I ask myself how sustainable is my development in terms of social, economic and environment is? Indeed, the idea of development cannot be bias towards the client's needs. We were intimidated by how the current building in the proposed site has not undergo any development for quite some time. What makes my proposal so special?

I learnt that in order to achieve sustainability, it is a whole lot of aspects and criteria to be considered. I found out that every development involves money making. The most important is what is the product you are selling. Is it only for the sake of profit or guarantee comfort, low emittance of pollution, green building, safety, ratings, reviews, location wise, ease of movement and access? Or mainly profit? At the end, what makes my proposal so special is because I'm building a better quality of life, not pleasing the client and double his investment.

Picture source from Google image

Teamwork!

From the competencies that are identified by CIOB, I have selected 1-Decision making and 2-Communication. I believe that working as a team, my contribution is limited and is not enough. Decision making is very vital when there are so many factors to be considered for this development. Solely not made by one person. Upon making the decision, I kept asking myself why did I choose this development. I need more that just evidence. I need solution, to study on its viability, to investigate the market potential and more. In a nutshell, decision making can't be made by one person's opinion but others too. This is where communication within my team members is important as they contribute to the final decision making where we exchange informations and debate on different opinions.

Picture source from Google image

Can it be done?

Where proposal as market residential/student accommodation

So can it be done? Indeed the SWOT and PESTEL analysis helps a lot in breaking down the details in order to critically analyse the possibilities and selections of our proposed development. After the SWOT and PESTEL analysis exercise I did during one of the seminars, I immediately thought of an idea. Considering the strength that there is a college, residential apartment and a fairly big space car park, I immediately thought of a car rental business would be fine. The college nearby secures a big amount of students. The accommodations are in the right place. I'm thinking wouldn't students find it easy to have their best car rental at their service when they are planning for a summer trip? Indeed, it is a great idea but looking at the weakness and threats, it doesn't seems as easy as it is.

Weakness starts to compile upon looking further into the SWOT analysis. First of all, I thought of vehicles will be having a hard time going in and out on the narrowed shared access. Users will not find that convenient. Second, considering if even I were to maintain the current building design and refurbish it to make it serve its purposes, the open area is still too small to occupy the rental vehicles. From the SWOT analysis, it helps me in understand the importance of critically analysing the issues and the factors not only from the proposed area, but the surroundings, users and parties whom may concern. Weaknesses comes along with strength during the development scheme of my proposal.

Planning with considerations

Regarding of what to develop, I understand that there are certain policies that I have to consider and take into account. In Sheffield, there are plenty of policies that I'm sure every consultants have referred to as an aid where such policies can't be ignored and to be complied. In this weeks seminar, I've been clarified that acting as a interdisciplinary team, I can't build whatever I want in Sheffield or in Malaysia. Each has their own policies but what caught my eye is the city policies in Sheffield have a wide range of policies that I need to look into and at the same time, to consider on the feasibility of the proposed development. Questions came along within my thoughts. Is this possible? What if? and more.

Sheaf Square near Sheffield Railway Station

As an example, I've learnt about the gold route in Sheffield City Centre in the seminar session today. Along the gold route in city centre is from the rail station to the Millennium Gallery. Developments have to be considered in regarding of the gold route. If the site of the proposed development intercepts with the gold route, developments are restricted in anyway possible that it cannot block the view of the spaces such as parks, squares, garden and public spaces which is along the gold route. These developments along the gold route are centred on the Heart of the City which symbolizes the city's economic and cultured renaissance. Developments that intercepts are restricted to its structure design, height and more. In relation of  the proposed site development, I will consider the site technical issues that need to be taken into account. Sheffield's City Policies will help me in identifying the restrictions of the proposed site location.

Sheffield's City Policies

Zoning of the proposed site location can be identified

Click on the link below to for further details:
https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/planning-and-city-development/planning-documents/local-plan/city-policies-and-sites.html
http://www.nodeurbandesign.com/journal/journal-entry/sheffield-gold-route/

Picture source from Google image

Construction Technical Issues: Opportunities and Consideration

Drain nearby the proposed site

This week, my team and I started looking up on the details of the site. I've learnt a lot throughout this week's lecture and seminar. We were lectured regarding on site analysis which helps us a lot in guiding us regarding the proposed site by listing out the construction technical issues. In the seminar, we were given an exercise on a particular map. By looking up the history of the map, I'm well aware of any past incident, the condition of the land back then and the important key factors that I need to include in my site analysis.

In regarding of the proposed site in Matilda Street, I've noticed a drain nearby the site and eventually started searching for any past incident occurred in Sheffield before and some sources of articles came upon regarding a flood occurred in Sheffield 7 years ago and immediately, this became one of my key factors that I need to look into and consider about. Concerning whether it will affect the area of the proposed development today, I asked my self the 5W's:


- What happened back then?

Sheffield flood in 2007, picture source from Google image

- Who was involved?
- When did it take place?
- Where did it take place?
- Why did it happen?

In considering on the planning of the development in the proposed site, I looked into the construction technical issues and considerations of the site which are vital and will aid me in site analysis. For instance, demolish and rebuild. What are the risks and technical issues for doing so? Demolition cannot be commence without a permission. Will neighbours be affected? Possibility of road closure? How to resolve the mobilization of huge machineries?

Click on the link below for more information about the flood at Sheffield during 2007.
http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article1371.html

The Visit @Maltilda Street

On a bright sunny Wednesday, my team mates and I made a visit to the proposed site. The front and side entrance was fenced therefore we only have access from behind. During the survey, We have regretted not looking up about the information of the site. We should have refer to the drawings of each floor which is available on blackboard in order to save time in jotting down the measurements of the building. Thereafter, we checked out the conditions of the building and rate and comment on it with a list given to us. While doing so, we had trouble filling up the condition survey form because of not familiarizing with the building materials. We researched on it later on and learned out about the use of asbestos in UK. 

The open space takes about 2/3 of the whole site while the current building takes about 1/3. Indeed, the place is a total run down. Thoughts and ideas rapidly rings in my head. What can I do with this existing building? Indeed most of the facilities inside the building is malfunction, damaged and spoilt. In my mind, I'm thinking of either refurbishing or demolish and rebuild. I think my team mates and I should brainstorm more on ideas alongside with various considerations to be look into.

The pictures below are the current conditions of the building:

Toilet @ 2nd floor

Collapsed plasterboard ceiling with electrical wiring exposed

Debris caused by collapsed plasterboard ceiling

The survey went smoothly. Thanks to sources from Sheffiled Hallam Univerity and our module leader Mr. Dave Weatherall alongside with other lecturers for providing information, notes, several survey forms and assessments that we can refer to. After departing from the site, my team and I roam around the surrounding areas while studying the traffic and take note of the existing developments that we could brainstorm on what kind of ideas, possibilities, considerations that will make an impact on the selection of the proposed development.

Click on this link to access to my padlet wall.  <http://padlet.com/alan_lunchai/gll0of3lhhe6>

Click following link for more information about the nanotechnology center: http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/meri/category/centre/thin-films-research-centre/nanotechnology-centre-pvd-research

The Beginning

Indeed, every thing was new and it is a fresh start for me in pursuing my further studies at Sheffied Hallam University. For this module, I was given an assignment consists of a few tasks which is required and writing a blog is one of it. I understand that after going through the assignment briefing, instead of calling it difficulties, I took it as challenges which I am ready to fully commit into understanding and going beyond my limits in order to complete the tasks. I know that I'm slow and lack in team building characteristics but rather fine in communication skills Therefore, I think I will improve myself on teamwork where as a team, brainstorming ideas is very vital in a sense in order to provide as many information, thoughts and ideas regarding on further complications that will help in problem solving which leads to resource finding skills. In overcoming these challenges, I understand that critically analysing the key considerations will aid and help with the potential development on the proposed site that I will be looking into. There are plenty of reliable sources on the internet to look into structure and layout of the site but the it would be better if we understand the nature of the site with hands on experiences. Speaking of which, we are assigned and scheduled to study the site at Maltilda Street and I am thankful for such opportunity. In relation to my data collection and critical analysis, publishing my thoughts and reflecting myself by blogging is a new method for me and I believe writing a blog will be an advantage to me in sharing useful information and to keep me in track.

Picture source from Google image