New Building Design Firm in Bangladesh

Programming:

• The first process here involves acquiring all-round information about the objectives and characteristics of the project in question. Consultations with the client enable one to set objectives and objectives for a building to be put up. This phase also involves the identification of the target beneficiaries, functional zones necessary, accessibility, additional extras, and special characteristics of the project. In order to get as much information about the client, architects and designers may interview their client, carry out a survey or conduct a research. These they collate in a detailed programme document which then becomes a guide for the design process.

Site Analysis:

• Appreciation of the site form and setting is therefore critical when planning for the construction of this building. Site analysis refers to elements including landform, climate, sunlight exposure, wind patterns, land properties including soils and plants, and other developments in the site. Architects evaluate legal and regulatory restraints such as zoning ordinances, the law regulating constructions, environmental laws and measures, and the regulation concerning provision of space between structures. They also take into account the accessibility of the site, availability of transport, other utility services and possibly the impression the compound may create on the areas nearby.

Conceptual Design:

• In this phase, conceptual designs for the project are created to respond to the project program and the analysis of site context. Architecture deals with distinct spatial organization, shapes and forms and styles that architects conceive in the form of sketches, diagrams and architectural models. Ideas about concepts could change when brainstorming or when consulting with the client and thus choose the best direction to pursue.

Schematic Design:

• Further to the selected concept, the schematic design develops the ideas created during the previous stage into more elaborate architectural sketches and plans. Plans, elevations, and sections are created to depict subdivisions of the rooms, movement within or around the structure and volume of a structure. Subsystems of structural, mechanical and electrical that are preliminary are incorporated into the layout plan in a manner that would compliment the architectural idea. Conceptual choices about the materials, the finishes as well as sustainable solutions start to be developed.

Design Development:

• In this particular stage, the schematic design is expanded to show more specifications. Technical drawing and specification, along with calculation documents are prepared by architects and engineers and consultants. Every major main and secondary structural system, building envelope, interior finishes, lighting, heating-cooling ventilation systems, and plumbing systems are arranged to harmonize with another in terms of compatibility and performance. Codes, barriers free access provisions and environmentally friendly certifications are well thought out in the process.

Permitting and Approvals:

• However, when construction is to be initiated, the design has to be authorized by regulatory agencies. These documents are tendered by architects to planning departments, building departments and other environmental agencies. Feed backing and commenting on the design and its preparation for reviewing all the legal and regulatory issues may also be considered. After that, authorities give their approval; the required permits are released to start construction.

Construction Documents:

• Construction documentation is done in much detail to ensure that the builders are well informed on how construction should be done. Such documents may comprise detailed plans, details of the specifications, schedules and all other pertinent technical details needed for the contractor in implementationing the design. Plans shows the location of structures, location of partitions, mechanical installations, electrical installations and plumbing fixtures. Specifications define the requirements that are necessary for a certain quality and type of construction material and details as well as methods for constructing them into a building.

Bidding and Negotiation:

• The construction project is tendered to contractors for bid where contractors work with the construction documents that are fully developed. Competing offers are also assessed as to cost, time, skills, and qualifications of the bidding parties. Some discussions may take place between the client and the identified contractors so that there is an agreement in respectively addressing the contractual terms and costs. When the contractor has been chosen the construction contract is prepared and signed followed by the commencement of the construction process.

Construction Administration:

• In construction phase, architects are also involved in the project and constantly monitor the execution of works with a view of seeing that the project is constructed in line with the architectural design. This entails travelling to the project site to observe the progress, assess implementation strategies and solve certain implementing challenges. Architects receive written communication from the contractor through requests for information (RFI) download files view documents that have been submitted by the sub-trades, and approve or reject the documents depending on whether or not the plans they submitted conforms to those drawn by the architect. They also are involved in mediating design disputes between engineers, consultants, and subcontractors or other involved parties.

Post-Occupancy Evaluation:

• Once a building is constructed and occupied, architects may undertake a POE to determine efficiency of the construction. Perception data is collected to assess if much progress has been made towards the functional objectives, aesthetic considerations and environmentally responsive aspirations of the building. Information, which is gathered from the project teaches lessons that are used in further designs and improvements. Using post occupancy evaluation, the architects are able to observe their weaknesses and continuously improve on their designs. Every phase of the building design process is imperative for developing effective, constructive and efficient facilities, commensurate to the needs of the user so as to conform to the legal necessities and cost control. Another element of success and efficiency of the design process from idea to realization is cooperation with architects, engineers, clients and other project participants.

Most important things followed by a architect during design a building:

Architecture is the process of choosing appropriate parameters to construct a safe, comfortable, efficient and environmentally sensitive structure for its occupants. Here are some of the most important considerations during the building design process:

Structural Integrity and Safety:

• Seismic Design: Resisting seismic forces in building structures takes into consideration seismic risk at the site of the structure as well as integration of measures such as seismic precautionary systems, isolation, and dampeners.
• Wind Load Resistance:Wind Load Resistance: Hurricane-prone structures are design to have structural systems that will resist very much pressure from gusting winds. Protection against wind loads is accomplished through uses of concrete or steel structures, glazed structures that are impact resistant, and pre-determined wind-sensitive shapes.
• Fire Safety: Proper use of fire-resistant materials, means of escape, fire protection systems and fire compartments are important elements to provide for occupant safety in case of fire.

Natural Disaster Resilience:

• Flood Mitigation: Construction of buildings in such regions require them to be built raised above flood levels, to use flood proofing material and installing flood proofing mechanisms including waterproofing, flood separation, flood barriers and flood drainage systems.
• Tsunami Preparedness: In the coastal zones prone to tsunamis, structuring construction to include tsunami resistant base, organized walls and vertical evacuation directions are good approaches which can help conquer such disasters.
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: The Passive Strategies: Adjusting building positioning, insulation, windows with optimum shading control and glazing to allow for solar heat gain, heat load for cooling and natural lighting decrease energy consumption and boost comfort.
• High-Performance Building Envelope: The iterations of compact and tightly sealed envelopes effectively prevent infiltration heat losses or gains, enhance indoor comfort, and reduce demands on conditioned air.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Onsite renewable power technologies include PV solar, solar hot water, wind turbines and geoexchange; their use decreases the dependence on centralized power and lowers emissions.
• User Comfort and Well-being IAQ: When designing for IAQ, it means that materials that produce low-emission, appropriate ventilation, and controlling of indoor pollution should be designed.
• Acoustic Comfort: Excellent sound barrier, noise management processes, and acoustic mitigations are widely used to achieve calm and quiet spaces suitable for focus, relaxation, and even work.
• Biophilic Design: Natural items like the use of natural resources in the structure, plants, water sources and systems, and views of nature stimulates the occupants’ generic health.

Natural Lighting and Daylighting:

• Daylight Harvesting: Planning strategies for space layout and fenestration to admit natural light for interiors with reasonable levels of glare and heat loading decreases the demand on artificial lighting.
• Skylights and Light Tubes: Implementation of skylights, clerestory windows and light tubes within a particular building draws natural light, within the building, to even its deepest areas thus eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Sustainable Materials and Resource Efficiency:

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): For instance, assessing the environmental profile of construction materials and components by a life cycle assessment recognises opportunities for reduced and efficient materials with low or no embodied carbon.
• Waste Reduction and Recycling: Incorporating waste reduction, reuse, and recycling in design, through the use of recycled-content products and components, off-site modular construction system and construction waste management plans help reduce construction waste.
• Universal Design and Accessibility: Universal Design Specification: Identifying appropriate access and mobility for various groups of people as well as height and device adjustment for various forms of usage guarantee equal opportunity to experience things for every age and the physically challenged.
• Wayfinding and Signage: These include visible signs, touch based clues and audible signs that help the user understand how to move around structures within built environment hence improving the accessibility and use of structures.

Resilience to Climate Change:

• Improving Heat Island Effect: Irrespective of several challenges explained above, adopting improved roofing and pavements, green roofs, and cities improve the urban heat island and increase thermal comfort of cities.
• Water Management: Utilizing rainwater harvesting systems, stormwater retention ponds, green infrastructure in buildings regulates floods and prevention of runoff while enhancing the re-charge of ground water in reaction to changing precipitation.

Thus, architects, engineers, and designers will be able to design buildings, which are resilient, sustainable, and energy efficient and which also foster healthy and comfortable environment for the people, in addition, buildings for which the risk of adverse impacts due to the natural disasters and other adverse implications of the climate change, would be minimized.

Which professional is better for Building design in Bangladesh: building design should be done by an architect or civil engineer?

Architects are professionals who contribute to the definition of the building design and have much in common with civil engineers working in the construction process. Here`s a breakdown of their respective roles:

Architects:

• Overall Building Design Responsibilities: Architects are charged with coming up with ideas and designing the general layout of a building. This involves first assessing, accommodating and implementing the needs, wants, and organizational goals of clients. By use of hand drawn sketches and drawing board, computer aided designs, and 3D models, architects bring these ideas in to logical comprehensible ideas that are in tune with the projects requirements.

Spatial Planning and Programming:

• They have an eye on beauty of structural appearances and looks of a building. They investigate for architectural style, materiality, surface, colour and texture to achieve a balance and enhancement of proportions. By selecting and designing the form, proportion, scale and detailing into the building, an architect provides the built fabric with the qualities and personalities which are in tandem with the desires of the clients.

Client Communication and Coordination:

• Architects act as agents for their clients, consultants, and other people who are involved in a particular project. They mediate, set the tone of the project and keep it on track as well as maintain correspondence between design vision and client goals. Designers work closely with other professionals including engineers, Constructors, Interiors designers among others, Landscape architects among others who input in the architectural designs.

Regulatory Compliance and Permitting:

• Architects work under certain restrictions within the buildings codes and standards that govern architectural design. They also coordinate the maintenance of conformity with the laws in construction and usage such as the building codes, zoning laws and other regulations. Architects document, organize and submit applications for permits, work with the authorities, and solve any problems associated with code compliance in the course of designing a project.

Regulatory Compliance and Permitting:

• Architects work under certain restrictions within the buildings codes and standards that govern architectural design. They also coordinate the maintenance of conformity with the laws in construction and usage such as the building codes, zoning laws and other regulations. Architects document, organize and submit applications for permits, work with the authorities, and solve any problems associated with code compliance in the course of designing a project.

Civil Engineers:

• Structural Analysis and Design: Civil engineers pay attention to the aspect of structure and strength of construction. To define the structural requirements they examine the applied loads, or force, for example, gravitation loads including dead and live loads, as well as lateral loads such as wind and seismic loads. Such loads include dead loads, live loads, wear and tear loads, wind loads, earthquake loads, and water loads and civil engineers design the building beams, columns, slabs and foundations to bear those loads for safety and efficiency.

Material Selection and Performance Evaluation:

• Civil engineers study how structures and materials behave in certain condition or environment. They embrace strength, stiffness, durability, and sustainability in the choice of the raw material in the structural and non-structural aspects of construction. Civil engineers later do tests on materials, conduct simulations and performance evaluations in order to ensure that products meet the specified designs and value requirements.

Construction Methods and Techniques:

• Construction industry players including construction professionals are conversant with practices, methods and techniques. It involves being involved with architects and contractors for designing construction sequences or plans and strategies that best fit efficiency, quality and safety concerns. Civil engineers are responsible for construction processes and project progress as well as addressing of technical matters which may occur during the construction phase.

Building Systems and Infrastructure:

• Civil engineers create structural and mechanical systems as well as elements of the construction that look into the performance and use of a building. These are namely; HVAC systems, pipe work and sanitary installations, electrical installations, fire fighting systems, and data and communication installations. Thus civil engineers make sure that they incorporate these systems into the building design effectively and to the desired performance standards.

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations:

• It also becomes important to note that civil engineers have a very central responsibility for encouraging sustainability and the effective protection of the environment in manifesting constructions. To note, these principles include energy, resource sustainability, and waste throughout the structural and systems engineering. Civil engineers evaluate the effects of constructing activities on the natural environment, as well as controlling the dangers of constructing tasks to ecosystems and environmental adjustment to climate change contingencies.

All in all, BUFY and civil engineers work in tandem throughout the building design phase to deliver better accommodated construction projects, which are functional and architectural. Specifically, architects coordinate and conceive the general concept, space organization, and appearance of a building but civil engineers particularly deal with structural design, material properties, construction techniques, and system design in general. Altogether, they act towards providing a vision-oriented solution according to the client’s request in addition to functional demands, regulations, environmental concerns, and users.