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Different types of Architectural Concepts?

Different types of Architectural Concepts?
Different types of Architectural Concepts?

A concept in architecture is an idea, thought, or notion that is the main element that drives a design project forward. It is the backbone and foundation of an architectural project. The progress of a design depends on its concept. It is the first step a designer takes before the start of his/her project. That is why concepts are said to be the seed of a project that later develops into a full-grown tree. A concept doesn’t have to come out from a single source of knowledge. It can be developed from a variety of sources and may or may not have several different outcomes. Concepts, in general, are ideas that combine various other ideas and elements into a whole.

To come up with a concept for a specific project is one hell of a tough nut to crack. One cannot choose anything or everything as a concept. It must be project-appropriate. It must support all the main goals and intentions of a specific project and respect its uniqueness and characteristics.

There are various steps that a designer goes through before coming up with the perfect concept. Before the start of any design, the designer studies the site where the construction is to be done thoroughly. This is known as site analysis. Once the analysis is done, the conclusions of the case study are drawn using Bubble Diagrams and Zoning Layouts.  Then the designer starts to learn about the needs and requirements of the whole project, for example, areas, spaces, relationships, number of people using the building, their gender, socio-cultural activities, etc. The architect also has to understand the client’s vision, budget, organization, and schedule. After the site analysis, and need of the project, the architect has to figure out the exterior form and interior space of the building i.e. he/she needs to figure out the most functional way possible to develop the building which must also be aesthetically pleasing. All these points combine together to form the concept of a particular structure.

list of architectural concepts

List of Architectural Concepts

There is a huge list of architectural concepts available on the internet today to get inspired from. But how architects come up with such concepts should be our question. There are some specific types of concepts that a designer must know to come up with the most brilliant concepts for their projects. Those points are as follows:

Analogies

Analogy means to compare one thing to another. In architectural concepts, an analogy concept refers to the designs that are similar to a specific object or thing i.e. a comparison may be based between the design and the specific object. The process of transferring information from a particular subject (the analog or source) to another particular subject (the target) is termed an analogy. Hence, an analogy is just like a simile.

Analogical Concepts are of three different types which are:

Superficial Analogy

These types of concepts are the ones where the design completely takes the shape of something without any change to it. For example, if a design is inspired by a duck, the whole house will be made into the image of a duck.

Structural Analogy

These types of concepts are developed by keeping the structural elements of design in mind. The structure of the building is derived from a shape or something similar to a shape.

Holistic Analogy

These types of concepts are a combination of both superficial and structural analogies.

Metaphors

The word metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or a sentence is used to describe a specific object or action that is not literally applicable to that object or action. The meaning of the word is actually more abstract than literal. Metaphors are somewhat similar to allegories. To interpret a metaphorical concept, one needs a great deal of imagination.

To understand metaphors in more depth, we must go through some examples of buildings that were developed using the metaphor concept:

Notre Dame du Haute

This chapel was located in France and built by the great architect Le Corbusier in the year 1955. The idea behind the design was derived from a ship i.e. the form was inspired by a ship. But when people started visiting the chapel, their interpretation of the design was completely different from that of a ship. The interpretations were a crab, a hat, and even supplicating hands.

Lotus Temple

list of architectural concepts

This is a temple located in New Delhi, India which was built by Fariborz Sahbathe in the year 1986. The whole structure of the building is actually made of reinforced concrete shells, which metaphorically can be perceived as the petals of a flower. Due to its shape which is similar to that of a lotus, the temple came to be known as the lotus temple.

Essences

The concept of essence tries to discover and figure out the roots of an issue. It tries to concentrate parts of more complex issues into explicit statements. Essence brings to light the most critical and basic aspect of the object or action being analyzed. Architects are always advised to get into the head of the matter and to bring order out of chaos. Therefore, they filter only the major aspects or essences of a project and come up with a concept related to essences. Designers study the context of the project, amplify it, and then narrow down the points that come up with bare implications regarding the project.

Problem-Solving

All architectural concepts do not revolve around analogies, metaphors, or essences. Some concepts are developed keeping pragmatic issues of the building programs in mind. Many designers have a tendency to avoid real-life problems while trying to achieve something creative. While many architects can solve a client’s problem, only a few of them take a step toward a pragmatic approach to building design. Problem-solving concepts refer to ideas that are intended mainly to solve problems related to the functioning of the building without caring too much about the physical form of the structure. In general, the main idea behind problem-solving concepts is to develop structures that are functional solutions to problems.

Ideals

If an architect develops a concept that is perfect for a specific project, they are praised for their brilliant mind. Similarly, if an architect develops a concept that does not in any way suit a certain project, they are criticized heavily. This is where the Ideal Concepts come into place. Ideal concepts are those that the architects bring to the problem. It represents the highest level of goals and aspirations of an architect.

Conclusion

Architectural concepts cannot be perfectly developed if the designer does not understand the aspects and problems of the project properly. A design concept is said to be the DNA of a project. It shows the overall idea of the project, and the direction of design it would take and gives the whole project team a sense of idea related to the structure from the early schematic design phase to the construction phase. This was the list of architectural concepts that are to be known by all to understand concept development in a better way.

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Which cement is best for House Construction?

Which cement is best for House Construction?

Cement is a binder substance that sets, hardens, and sticks to other materials to bind them. It is a fine, soft, and powdery substance.  It is a very important material in building construction. The raw materials that are mostly used in the making of cement include lime, silica, alumina, and iron oxide.

Although people tend to get confused with the terms cement and concrete, it must be known that cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mixture that consists of aggregates and pastes. Before learning about “which cement is best for house construction”, let us first understand the types of cement available.

Cement, in general, is usually divided into two kinds:

Hydraulic Cement

Hydraulic cement is the type of cement that hardens when it comes in contact with water. It is composed of limestone, clay, and gypsum. This happens due to a chemical reaction between the anhydrous cement powder and water. This chemical reaction results in the creation of hydrates that are insoluble in water and are very durable. This type of cement hardens under water or when it is constantly exposed to wet weather. It retains its strength and hardness only below water. Due to this, hydraulic cement is suitable to work with during any weather conditions.

which cement is best for house construction

Non-Hydraulic Cement

Non-hydraulic cement is the type of cement that needs to be kept dry for it to attain strength.  It is composed of lime, gypsum plaster, and oxychloride.  It takes a long time to set and hence this cement is becoming redundant and obsolete.

Cement is most importantly used in the making of mortar in the construction industry. It is an ingredient in the production of concrete. A combination of cement and other aggregates gives birth to a strong building material.

Which cement is best for house construction?

If you are an architecture or an engineering student, or simply somebody who is curious to learn about the construction industry, the question “Which cement is best for house construction” must have definitely crossed your mind.

Selection of the best type of cement for the construction of a structure is of utmost importance for the making of durable structures. The choice of cement depends on various factors including cost and availability in the local market. It also depends on the purpose of use, the performance quality, and the condition of the environment in which the cement has to be used. Different types of cement are available in different areas with their own unique and specific characteristics.

In India, for the construction of a residential building, generally, two types of cement are widely used which are:

OPC or Ordinary Portland Cement

Limestone and clay minerals are heated in a kiln and ground. In that mixture, two to three percent of gypsum is added. This mixer is then mixed into a fine powder which forms OPC or Ordinary Portland Cement.  This cement is available in three different grades that can be used for three different purposes. These three types are designated for different compressive strengths. The higher the grade of OPC, the more strength it provides. The grades are:

OPC 33 Grade

This grade of cement is mainly used for wall plastering, non-RCC structures, pathways, etc. It is rarely used nowadays, as its compressive strength is very low in comparison to other types of concrete available in the market. It is mostly used in the making of low-grade concrete such as below M20 Concrete grade.

OPC43 Grade

This grade of cement is mostly used in PCC and RCC work. It is mostly used for plastering, flooring, pathways, stone masonry, brick masonry, etc. It is used in areas where the grade of concrete is up to M30.  This grade of concrete is also used in the finishing of structures, bridges, culverts, roads, etc.

OPC53 Grade

This grade of cement is used in RCC and pre-stressed concrete of higher grades. Instant plugging mortars, cement grouts, etc. It is used for fast-paced construction where the initial strength of the construction is to be achieved quickly. Since it is the grade with the highest compressive strength, the OPC53 grade is costlier in comparison to the OPC33 and OPC43 grades.

PPC or Portland Pozzolana Cement

This type of cement is made by a combination of pozzolanic materials. Pozzolanic materials may include volcanic ash, fly ash, calcined clay, etc. and these materials make about 15-35% of the total cement weight. The material pozzolana can be artificial or natural and has silica in it in a reactive form. This cement consists of pozzolanic materials in specific proportions and also consists of OPC clinker and gypsum.

which cement is best for house construction

Portland Pozzolana Cement is said to be a product of the future considering all the variety of purposes it can be used. Unlike OPC, PPC can be used in a hostile working environment. It can be used in the construction of marine structures, masonry mortars and plastering, and hydraulic structures. In today’s world, they are massively used in concrete works such as sewage pipes, dams, etc. PPC is cheaper in comparison to OPC and it also is more environmentally friendly as both industrial and natural wastes are used in the manufacturing of PPC. PPC also releases less heat in comparison to OPC during construction.

Conclusion

Cement, in general, is one of the fundamental elements for the creation of a strong infrastructure. The Indian cement industry has been growing at a rapid rate as India because of the flourishing real estate business, highly growing construction industry, and increased industrial activity. Both, Ordinary Portland Cement and Portland Pozzolana Cement are widely used in the construction industry.  Although nowadays, PPC is being used as a substitute for OPC.

After going through this article, I am sure you have a slight idea that selecting a type of cement cannot depend on weighing the pros and cons between OPC and PPC cement. One can choose the best type of cement by going through the needs and requirements of the project and then picking out the type of cement that will best suit the construction method. 

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Different types of bricks for construction

Different types of bricks for construction

Bricks are small rectangular blocks used in buildings and other structures and are typically made of fired or sun-dried clay. They are sharp with true right-angled corners and their surface are regular and even. For brick to be considered proper, it must have a uniform and bright appearance. The most common color for a brick is red. The color varies from dark red to light red. Very dark red colored bricks are said to be over burnt and if the bricks are of yellowish color, they are under-burnt.

Bricks are usually used to manufacture load-bearing walls. An Ideal brick must provide proper insulation against heat, cold, and noise. The heat and sound conductivity of a brick varies highly with its density and porosity. Bricks that are very dense and heavy conduct sound and heat at a greater rate. Bricks must be properly designed for them to be considered ideal and proper for construction purposes. They must be made in such a way that they are strong, light, and give adequate insulation. Bricks are a very durable and low-cost construction material. It also has high compressive strength and is also fire resistant. It can also resist weathering effects to an adequate level and is of low maintenance.

Types of bricks for construction

There are several types of bricks for construction that are found today. Types of bricks for construction based on their manufacturing processes are as follows:

Unburnt Bricks

Unburnt bricks are the ones that are sun-dried. They are first molded and after the molding process, the bricks are taken out in the sun and kept there for several hours for the heat of the sun to dry them. These kinds of bricks are not very durable and are usually used for temporary structures.  They are not very strong and are very little water and fire-resistant. Hence, they are not used for the construction of permanent structures.

Burnt Bricks

Burnt bricks are bricks that are made in molds are laid out to dry for a little while and then are stacked to form a kiln. These bricks are burnt in the fire for them to harden and become stronger in comparison to the unburnt bricks. Since they are hard, they are more durable. The mud that is used to make such bricks is collected directly from the homestead. These bricks are good quality bricks, but however, they have some drawbacks as well. These types of bricks are divided into four categories which are as follows:

types of bricks for construction

First-Class Bricks

These are the best quality bricks in comparison to all the other classes. They are table-molded and burnt in large kilns. Hence, these bricks have a great shape, uniform color, and smooth surfaces with sharp edges. They are the most durable and have great strength. These types of bricks are usually used to construct permanent structures. Since they are considered to be top-quality bricks, these types of bricks are costlier than the other classes.

types of bricks for construction

Second-Class Bricks

Second-class bricks are molded by ground molding processes and are of moderate quality. These types of bricks do not have an even shape and smooth surfaces as they are molded on the ground. However, these bricks are also burnt in kilns. Even though these bricks are not top quality like first-class bricks, they also give proper results in strength and durability. Smooth Plastering must be done on the brick structure when such types of bricks are used.

types of bricks for construction

Third-Class Bricks

These bricks are a category of burnt bricks that are considered to be of poor quality. They are used generally for temporary structures just like unburnt bricks. They are ground molded brick type but are burnt in clamps and not in kilns. These types of bricks are not recommended for rainy areas at all. The surfaces of these types of bricks are rough and they also do not have sharp edges.

Fourth Class Bricks

These bricks are of very poor quality. They are not used for permanent as well as temporary structures. These bricks are made when the bricks are overburnt to a high extent, due to which the bricks become brittle in nature. Hence these types of bricks are crushed and used as aggregates in the making of concrete.

Fly Ash Bricks

As the name suggests, these types of bricks are manufactured using fly ash and water. They have much better properties in comparison to clay bricks. These bricks are considered to have higher fire resistance and high strength in comparison to clay bricks. They are also more uniform and hence are better for joints and plastering. These type of bricks does not require soaking in water before masonry construction as they have lower water penetration. Fly ash bricks contain a high concentration of calcium oxide that is used in the production of cement. These bricks also help reduce the self-weight of a structure as they are considered to be very lightweight in comparison to other types of bricks.

Concrete Bricks

Concrete bricks or concrete blocks are made using concrete and other ingredients that include cement, sand, coarse aggregates, and water. These types of bricks can be manufactured in the construction site itself which helps to reduce the vehicular charge in the carrying of bricks from the manufacturing site to the construction site.  These bricks can be made in sizes as per the client’s requirements and can also be made in a variety of colors. Concrete bricks are used for the construction of masonry and framed structures. They can also be used for the making of facades, fences, etc.

Engineered Bricks

In structures where high strength, acid resistance, frost resistance, and low porosity are required, engineered bricks are used. They are the bricks with the highest compressive strength and are used for special applications. Such bricks are usually used for damp proofing and areas such as the basement where chemical or water attacks are most prevalent.

Sand or Lime Bricks

Calcium Silicate bricks or Sand Lime bricks are bricks made of sand-lime and other aggregates.  These types of bricks are mostly used in ornamental works in structures and also for aesthetic purposes. They are also used in masonry work but aren’t very popularly used for them.

Conclusion

Bricks are one of the most widely used construction materials for various purposes. As we now know, there are various types of bricks for construction, but just because there are various types, one must know what type of brick will suit what type of construction. Good quality bricks that are burnt bricks, mainly first-class and second-class bricks are mainly used in the construction of structures, tunnels, and all kinds of permanent structures. The third class of bricks and unburnt bricks are used for temporary structures and the fourth class of bricks is used as aggregates. Bricks are also used for aesthetic purposes that is to improve the look of a building.

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Best building materials for a house construction

Best building materials for a house construction

A house is a space built for human habitation. When man began to leave their nomadic lifestyle about 10,000 years ago, he slowly started thinking about making permanent spaces for him to live in. Previously, man settled mostly in caves or made spaces out of animal skin and tree leaves to protect themselves from the sun, rain, and predators. Later, when he started to settle in places where there was food in abundance and water sources nearby, he thought about making permanent residences for himself and his family to live in.

In all this time, the human race has evolved into the most intelligent species on the planet. And with them, the house-building materials evolved as swell. The evolution of architecture is also something that we must look into, as this field has evolved tremendously in all these years. New-age building materials and technologies have changed the way humans live completely.

In this article, we will learn about some of the best building materials for a house that man has been using for generations. These materials are considered to be the best building materials for a house as man has relied on them to make walls, houses, temples, and whatnot, and they have also been modified to be able to be used properly in today’s day and age.

Some of the best building materials for a house are as follows

Stone

Stone is one of the oldest and most popular building materials in the world. Throughout history, humans have used stone to build a number of spaces for human settlement. Our ancestors have also used stone in their buildings which are considered monuments and national treasures today.  However, not all stones can be used to build structures. There are a lot of points that are required to be ticked off before a regular stone can be considered a building stone. Some of them include structure, durability, strength, appearance, color, texture, fineness of grains, weight, etc.

Stones are not only used to create habiting spaces but are also used to create hydraulic structures such as dams and bridges, retaining wall masonry, road metal in road construction, concrete in the form of coarse aggregate, etc.

Bricks

Bricks are usually made of clay and have been used since ancient times in structures like the Great Wall of China, the Pantheon, etc.  The earliest recorded bricks were made by the Sumerians and even though those bricks were crude, uneven, and made of silt, it was the first time humans developed a decent building material.

Now, bricks have advanced and are one of the most widely used building materials in the world today. There are a few requirements to consider before determining whether a brick is suitable for construction or not. Firstly, the color of the brick must be red, copper, or of some uniform color, the bricks must be well burnt in kilns, the brick surface must be even and free from cracks, and the edges of the bricks must be sharp.

best building materials for a house

Bricks are used to build a variety of structures such as wall masonry, brick lintel, foundation work, etc. They are durable, are of low cost, possess good strength, are easily available, and are also lighter in comparison to stones.

Timber

Wood has been used as a building material since the beginning of our civilization. It is a very versatile material that can be used as a primary material or blended with another building material or can also be used as a decorative element. Wood is a lightweight material in comparison to stone and can last a long time once it is properly seasoned.

There are a few requirements for timber to be used in construction. Some of them include uniform texture and color, should be dense, must be workable, and have good machinability. There are two types of timber that are used in the construction industry today Natural Timber (babul, oak, pine, teak, etc.) and Industrial Timber (veneers, plywood, fiberboards, etc.).

Timber is not only used for home building but also bridges, railway sleepers, furniture, decorative pieces, doors, partition walls, etc.

Concrete

Concrete is created by a mixture of cement/ lime, sand, crushed rock, and water. It is a very flexible material and can be formed on the site and poured into the required molds where it hardens in a specific time. It has been used as a building material for a very long time but not like today. Today concrete is the most widely used building material especially reinforced concrete where the reinforcement increases the tensile strength of the concrete. There is a wide variety of concrete available in the market which includes Plain Cement Concrete, Reinforced Cement Concrete, Precast Concrete, and Prestressed Concrete.

Concrete has great workability, and strength and is a very durable material. It also has dimensional stability. Reinforced concrete is heavily used in the construction of slabs, walls, beams, foundations, etc.

best building materials for a house

Steel

When man first discovered the art of building structures with different floors, building materials had to improve to a great extent, as the higher a building goes, the more structural stability it requires.  Steel is the perfect material for making such buildings as steel is strong without being heavy which makes it ideal for large, multi-story buildings.  

Steel can be used to make wide-open structures while maintaining the structural integrity of the structure being made, in comparison to masonry. Steel can also play a dual role in the construction industry as it can be embedded in concrete for support or can become the foundation itself. Steel installation takes much less time in comparison to masonry, and it can be welded and bolted as per our comfort. It is strong, cost-effective, and most importantly, it is recyclable.

best building materials for a house

Steel has changed the way architecture works in the world today and expanded new ways for us to imagine solutions for our building worries in the world today.

Building materials today are not like those materials found in the olden days. They are much stronger and can last a lifetime if properly maintained. All building materials have their own pros and cons. What we must do before choosing the best building materials for a house, we must learn to compare the positive and negative points and then choose the desired materials.

Since choosing the best material for your house is a huge decision, one must consult with a trained professional or an architect/civil engineer.

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Different types of concrete blocks

Different types of concrete blocks
types of concrete blocks for building

A concrete block is a building material that is used to build walls. It is a pre-cast concrete product that is used in the construction industry. Pre-cast means that the blocks are made and hardened before they are brought into the construction site. Concrete blocks are standard-sized regular blocks that are used to make walls. They are also known as “Concrete Masonry Units (CMU).” These blocks usually have one or more cavities and their sides may be smooth or may have a certain design. There are different types of concrete blocks available in the market.

Concrete blocks are made in plants that specialize in the manufacture of such blocks. Some of these plants are automatic while others are manual. Manually operated concrete block-making machines can be installed at the project site itself. With manual machines at the site, the transportation charges for the concrete blocks are. Concrete blocks are manufactured in four steps:

Selection and proportion

Concrete blocks are made up of fine and coarse aggregates, cement, and water. The ingredients are firstly selected according to the requirement which will give the desired strength to the concrete blocks. The careful grading of aggregates will depend upon the strength, texture, and economy of concrete blocks. Aggregates used in the making of concrete blocks include crushed stones, gravel, furnace clinker, etc. which are selected depending on the weight, texture, and composition of the unit desired. The cement that is used for making such blocks is ordinary Portland cement and the water Is normal potable water.

Mixing

Once the selection and carefully matched proportion of the material is done, the second step is to mix all these materials together. The mixture of water, cement, and aggregates should be done in a proper way and it is better to mix these ingredients in a mechanical mixer. If mixed using a hand, one should be extremely careful while doing so.

Molding

After the mixture is made properly, the concrete mix is poured into the mold box up to the top level. Filling the box up to the top level is compulsory. The vibration of concrete is done inside the mold box until the concrete has finally settled in the box uniformly. The excess concrete is removed from the face of the mold box and leveled by using plywood. For general construction purposes, the concrete mixture for concrete blocks contains a higher percentage of sand and a lower percentage of gravel and water. This produces a very dry, hard, and stiff mixture that has no problem holding its shape when it is removed from the mold block.

Curing

After the block is cast, it is watered for about one day. The curing process is done for a minimum of seven days and a maximum of twenty-eight days. The longer the concrete blocks are cured, the better will be the quality of the block.

Different types of concrete blocks

There are different types of concrete blocks available in the market today. Concrete blocks are generally divided into seven categories which are as follows:

Solid Concrete Blocks

These concrete blocks are heavy in weight and have a solid appearance. These blocks are made using dense aggregates, are very strong, and help make the structure very stable. Hence they are preferably used in load-bearing walls. The sizes of these blocks are also much larger than the sizes of bricks and hence construction using such blocks takes very less time. Solid concrete blocks are very similar to concrete bricks but are costlier and heavier in comparison to bricks. That is why they can withstand more forces than bricks.

Hollow Concrete Blocks

These concrete blocks contain voids that are greater than 25% of their entire area. The solid area of the brick should be more than 50. They are made using lightweight aggregates and hence are very lightweight. They are also very easy to install and the voids are filled with lightweight mortar as well while making a structure.

different types of concrete blocks
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There are a total of eight types of hollow concrete blocks which are:        

Stretcher Block

Corner Block

Pillar Block

Jamb Block

Partition Block

Lintel Block

Frogged Brick Block

Bull Nose Block

different types of concrete blocks
Credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/

Aerated Auto Claved Concrete Block (AAC)

These types of concrete blocks are usually compared with bricks and are very different in a lot of ways. These concrete blocks are larger and lighter versions of bricks. They are usually made using the same ingredients as of bricks but with a different composition. Due to this, these blocks are way cheaper than bricks. According to recent studies, these blocks have helped reduce the overall steel and concrete consumption by 15% and 10%. These blocks also, take less construction time in comparison to bricks, are fire resistant, and can adapt to various surfaces well.

Credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/

Concrete Bricks

Concrete bricks are mainly small blocks that are rectangular in shape and are arranged together to create a rigid wall. These bricks are usually made of cooked clay or concrete. Some use only concrete to manufacture such bricks while others play with the cement and aggregate ratio for cost-cutting purposes. These bricks are usually used in facades, and fencing as they are lightweight and give a very slick look.

different types of concrete blocks

Paving Blocks

These blocks are just rectangular or square blocks that are manufactured using reinforced concrete. They are mostly used for paving purposes and must be painted with high-visibility concrete paints so that people using vehicles can easily notice the blocks. Also, these blocks must be strong and rigid enough as they must be able to withstand vehicular and passenger weight.

These were the different types of concrete blocks that are usually used today.

Advantages and disadvantages of using concrete blocks

Advantages

  • Concrete blocks are more fire resistant and provide better thermal insulation and sound absorption in comparison to bricks.
  • Concrete blocks save the land of farmers and are usually used for brick manufacturing plants.
  • The making of concrete blocks takes less time, is easier, faster, and is stronger in comparison to bricks.
  • The perfect shape of the concrete blocks makes the masonry work very simple.
  • Plastering is not needed really in concrete blocks.
  • Concrete blocks are very environmentally friendly in comparison to bricks.

Disadvantages

  • Wider and larger cracks occur in structures made using concrete blocks in comparison to bricks.
  • Sometimes shrinkage occurs due to the movement of moisture in concrete blocks.
  • Plumbing issues arise in concrete blocks in comparison to bricks.

Conclusion

Concrete blocks are slowly being used heavily and they are in fact replacing bricks and steel structures. Once we can overcome the disadvantages, it is not very far that concrete bricks will be used everywhere as they are a cheaper and more environmentally friendly option.

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Role of contractor in construction?

Role of contractor in construction?

Role of contractor in construction

A contractor is a person who enters into a contract to provide labor and materials to perform a specific job or service. He/she is responsible for providing all the items and services that are necessary for the construction of a project. In short, a contractor is a person who manages the construction of a building or space. Being a good contractor is not everyone’s cup of tea. A person must have the skills, knowledge, experience, and organizational capability to carry out the work that they are hired for in a safe and smooth way.

A building contractor has a large number of responsibilities on the site whether it is a private or public project and without proper experience in the field, he/she cannot carry out their work properly. Once hired, he/she has to be in charge of the planning, development, and other activities that coincide with the construction of the particular structure. The role of contractors in construction is immense and hence a detailed study of these roles will be done in this article.

A contractor has to review all the different process that is involved in the construction site. He/she is the person who has to oversee the entire project from the beginning till the end and also has to make sure that all the duties required to be performed on-site are completed on time. There are a number of qualities that make a contractor good in his field. Some of those traits are as follows:

Can make good decisions

Of all the things that a good contractor must be, he/she must be a quick and good decision-maker. A contractor is somebody who has to deal with the whole project from the planning stage to the completion stage, from the coordination stage to the maintenance stage. Hence, decision-making must be on top of his list of qualities so that he/she knows how to properly manage certain issues. A good contractor is never indecisive and can make good decisions without consulting anybody else.

Experience matters

A person can be a good contractor only if he/she has the established experience required. When an inexperienced contractor single-handedly tries to deal with a project, the results are usually not up to the mark. As they are not an expert in handling such projects, it kind of makes them unproductive. That is why having enough experience in this field is mandatory as it helps the contractor perform his job in a timely and effective manner without any difficulties.

Leadership Skills

A good contractor must always be a good leader. He/she must have leadership skills as they are the head of a project which means the whole project is run by them. Most of the individuals that are linked with the construction project generally count on the contractor if they face any kind of difficulty and so, the contractor must possess good leadership skills to be able to guide the people involved in the project and show them the way to solve their problems and get the work done on time.

role of contractor in construction

Problem Solver

A good contractor must be able to instantly solve problems that arise on the site and provide necessary solutions. Since a time frame is followed on a construction site so that the work is done on time, a little delay in one of the activities might delay the entire construction project. One mistake might be a heavy loss for the client, and so a contractor must be able to provide solutions immediately.

A contractor is responsible for the entire construction project. It is his/her responsibility to meet the expectations of the client and make sure the project is going according to the drawings provided by the architect. The role of a contractor in construction can be described by the following points listed below.

Making a plan

After a contractor is hired, the first and foremost thing he does before the start of a project is to draft a proper plan of the activities and duties that will be required to be done during the construction. The plan includes everything from hiring workers to buying materials to the maintenance of the structure after the completion of the project. This plan is a step-by-step timeline that acts as a guideline for the people involved in the construction from start to finish.

Managing pay rools

A contractor is responsible for hiring people for various works that take place on a construction site. Similarly, he/she is also responsible for firing people who are not good at doing their jobs properly. Since these two aspects are his/her responsibility, it is also his/her duty to pay these people after they are hired since workers need to get paid.

Buying materials

A contractor is responsible for sourcing out the accurate materials provided by the architects or designers in construction. It is their duty to properly coordinate with various vendors and suppliers so that it becomes easy to get the required number of materials listed by the designers.

Acquiring permits

Before the start of construction, a contractor must acquire all the permits and licenses required by the local government authorities for the project to be constructed without any problems on-site. These include building construction permission and zoning permission which are the most important permits required to ensure that the construction of that particular building is safe, is environmentally safe, and shall provide no hazards or problems to the community in general.

Law research

A good contractor must know and have research ready regarding the rules or laws that are relevant in the present day which is related to the construction of his/her site. He/she must be aware of the environmental hazards and must make sure that the construction of the structure is done in a law-abiding manner.

Proper use of budget

The contractor must make sure that the project that he is working on goes according to the budget provided by the client. If the construction does not go according to budget, it becomes very difficult to manage the costs that are involved in the construction of the building. It is his/her duty to convince people to take the budget seriously and work within the budget so that the construction can be completed smoothly.

Implement changes

If any changes occur on-site, it is the duty of the contractor to implement them as they are responsible for monitoring the entire construction. As they are the sole supervisors of the project, they must implement changes necessary for the betterment of the project.

role of contractor in construction

Emergency issues

On a construction site, problems can arise regarding anything or anyone. It is the contractor’s duty to deal with all kinds of problems that might occur on his/her construction site and also come up or consult the client for solutions. Since the contractor is responsible for the entire project, he/she is always accountable for such issues.

After going through this article we all can come to the conclusion that the role of contractor in construction is not an easy one. He/ she is a person who can be demanding and may want perfect results from his workers. The reason for such behavior is his/her responsibilities and duties towards the construction. He/she must have a quick-thinking capacity and must be able to deal with unavoidable situations. A contractor must be determined and strict regarding the completion of duties so that people take him seriously. And to become the best in this field, one must learn and gather experience from other contractors and learn how to manage a site in the smoothest manner.

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Petronas Twin Towers Facts | Tallest Twin Tower

Petronas Twin Towers Facts | Tallest Twin Tower
petronas twin towers facts

The Petronas Twin Tower which is a signature landmark of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a set of twin skyscrapers that were once considered to be the tallest buildings in the world. It was designed by the Argentinian architect Cesar Pelli. The planning of the tower started in 1992 and included various tests on the load and wind stability of the design. The construction took about seven years to complete and the tower was built by the year 1998. It is considered to be an architectural and cultural symbol in Malaysia as the style of the building depicts the dominant Islamic culture of the place it is located. This tower helped put Malaysian culture on the radar and the architect is well appreciated for his sense of design and how he incorporated Islamic architecture in a modern building.

“According to Lao Tse, the reality of a hollow object is in the void and not in the walls that define it. He was speaking, of course, of spiritual realities. These are the realities also of the Petronas Towers. The power of the void is increased and made more explicit by the pedestrian bridge that … with its supporting structure creates a portal to the sky … a door to the infinite.”  – Cesar Pelli

Petronas Twin Towers Facts

Here are some of the Petronas Twin Towers Facts that we were surprised to learn and we are sure you will be surprised as well.

Two separate construction teams

Both the towers were not built by the same construction team. Tower One was led by Japan’s Hazama Corporation and the construction began in March 1994. Tower Two was led by Korea’s Samsung Engineering Co. and the construction began on April 1994. Both the teams had 1000 people working for each of them in three shifts and the two teams were competing against one another. Hence, normally if one floor construction took 10 days, the floors in this building were done in 4 days per floor.

Deepest foundation

When the survey for the construction site of this tower was done, it was found that the site was located partially over decayed limestone deposition and the rest over soft rock. Hence, the pile foundations for this building were extended to a great depth ranging from 200 to 374 feet. The raft that embedded the piles had a depth of about 15 feet which took an enormous amount of concrete to cast. It was about 4470,000 cubic feet which was the largest continuously poured concrete until 2007.

Design concept

The towers were completely inspired by traditional motifs of Islamic art forms which honored the Muslim heritage in Malaysia. The architect Pelli used the design concept inspired by the Rub el Hizb (which is a symbol found in Islamic culture), to plan the layout of the building. The plan of the building is characterized by two squares overlapping one another, one which is rotated 45 degrees, with a circle placed in the center. The two squares used in the planned decrease in size gradually at the top. The towers are completely geometrical in nature and the design follows the concepts of Unity, Harmony, Stability, and Rationality.

petronas twin towers facts

The sky bridge

There is a bridge that connects both the towers on the 41st and 42nd floors. Unlike many other twin towers that remain separated from each other, the architect decided to link both the towers which will act as a viewpoint for visitors, will help with the business connectivity of both the towers, and will also act as another fire escape in case of any accidents. The bridge is also constructed keeping in mind the wind activities of the particular area. The bridge is not rigidly connected to either of the towers so even if there is a weather issue, the bridge can move independently without causing any disturbance to any of the towers.

The Pinnacle

petronas twin towers facts
petronas twin towers facts

Both towers are crowned by a tapering top which is 73 meters in length. The roof of the Sears Tower located in Chicago was more than 200 feet higher than the Petronas Twin Tower at first. But spires of 73m in length were attached to both the tower’s pinnacles as they were considered to be an integral part of the whole architectural design. After this, the Petronas Twin Towers became the tallest skyscraper in the world for quite some time.

Materials used

The towers and their bases are covered by stainless steel extrusions and a custom-made 20.38-millimeter laminated light green glass. High-quality concrete was used in the central core, columns, and beams. The contractor of the building was unwilling to work with a steel structure and hence the huge towers are constructed mostly using high-strength reinforced concrete that helps in reducing vibrations from high winds. 

The Petronas Twin Towers even though is not the tallest structure in the world anymore, it is still one of the tallest concrete structures that is present today. At the time when it was built, concrete was not used very thoroughly for skyscrapers and towers as people preferred steel over concrete and still do. This tower is not only famous for its length and design but it kind of created a buzz all around the world with its technology and sleek design and also helped put Malaysia on the architectural radar.

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What services does an Interior Designer provide?

What services does an Interior Designer provide?

What services does an interior designer provide?

Wikipedia describes interior design as “the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. And an interior designer is someone who plans, researches, coordinates, and manages such enhancement projects.” So, by the above definition, we get a slight idea about what services does an interior designer provides. He/she is a professional who plans and offers design solutions for both residential and commercial spaces.

While some interior designers only provide the design idea and planned layouts to the client along with working drawings and 3D renders, others not only provide the designs but also help source out the furnishings and the materials to be used on the project. Some designers even handle the plumbing and electrical services and supervise the entire process till the work is fully completed.

When we talk about designing interiors, people tend to get confused between hiring an interior designer or an interior decorator as they think these two professions are exactly the same. But that isn’t the case. An interior designer is a trained professional who has studied the art of designing and planning functional spaces while an interior decorator is a person who helps furnish or adorn a space with nice things. A professional interior designer can also decorate, but an interior decorator cannot or does not have the expertise to design or plan spaces.

An interior designer works with plans or blueprints to design a certain space. They feature a college education and most of them also have a post-graduate degree in interior design as well. They help to plan the interior part of a building from a structural point of view. A designer plans the layout of the space inside the building in a way that benefits the client to the maximum. Interior designers not only plan residential spaces but also, spaces such as banks, offices, museums, malls, shops, etc. This is why interior designers must have a formal education because they must know the details regarding building codes, material studies, taking out blueprints, and other parts of designing. He/she must identify the client’s needs. and their aesthetical view An interior decorator, however, does not necessarily require a college education or any such training as a decorator does not in any way plan the structure of a building. They provide their opinions on color schemes, types of furniture, or any other ornamental setting inside the space.

Now, since we have a brief idea of what an interior designer actually does, let’s go into a little detail about what services an interior designer provides. Since he/she is a trained professional, there are a variety of services that they have to offer and some of them are as follows:

Planning/ Layout

The first thing an interior designer does after getting a project is to plan and make layouts of the space keeping in view the client’s needs and demands. Making a layout means arranging the space inside a building in the best way possible which is beneficial to the client. Floor plans, Elevations, and Sections are made for the building which gives the client a proper idea of how his/her place would turn out. These layouts are at first done in 2D formats and later developed into 3D formats with proper renderings.

Furniture Layout

Furniture planning is done after the floor plans are ready. An interior designer comes up with the best possible furniture layout for the client’s space which maximizes the usability of the room space.

What services does an interior designer provide

Custom Designing

When a certain piece of furniture does not do justice to space, an interior designer sometimes designs the said furniture for the client. The furniture could be anything, a sofa, cabinets, or a simple chair. The designer helps the client to see their space differently, which wouldn’t be possible if the client had designed the space himself.

What services does an interior designer provide

Kitchen Design

A kitchen is something that is the most tricky part of a building. An interior designer makes sure all the elements in their client’s kitchen are in perfect position and comes up with the most useful kitchen layout. A kitchen layout includes every detail including the cabinets, the chimney position to the plumbing detail.

Bathroom Layout

Similar to the kitchen, an interior designer helps to plan the bathroom in a way that does not hamper the water flow and helps to keep the dry area separated from the wet area. The plumbing and the fixtures used in the bathroom are also looked over by the designer.

What services does an interior designer provide

Renovation

An interior designer not only helps plan spaces that are newly being made but also helps in redesigning old spaces and giving them a completely new and improved look if the client demands it. There are certain clients who want to renovate their houses but want to restore the old essence of the space. This can be done by hiring an Interior designer as well, as their job is to deliver what the client wants to build or create.

Lighting

Interior designers also look into the lighting of a space. They help to develop a layout that suits a building to the maximum while keeping energy conservation in mind. A designer can properly calculate how much lighting a certain room requires and hence can decide what kind of lighting would suit the building.

What services does an interior designer provide

Designs for the Physically Challenged: Interior designers also come up with designs that can cater to the needs of physically challenged people. As the needs of such people are very different from ours, the designers help to come up with the best possible layout for the ease of such people.

The list goes on and on regarding the services that an interior designer provides. Some designers manage entire projects from start to finish which includes working closely with vendors and installers just to make sure that the design is done properly without any delay. They also, sometimes, go to the markets themselves to fish out certain products that they think would suit the aesthetic of the client and in turn would complement the space even more.

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What does an Interior Designer cost?

What does an Interior Designer cost?
what does an interior designer cost

Interior Design is the field that helps to make the space of a building achieve a much healthier and aesthetically pleasing environment. When we think about hiring an interior designer to design our space, the first thing that usually comes to our mind is how much money he or she will charge. Wanting to get your space designed by a professional is something we all want to do, but people have very little to no knowledge on what basis a designer charges their fee.

This is where we come in to make your lives a little easier. In today’s day and age where we can find any information with the click of a button, we might think that figuring out the ways an interior designer comes up with their design cost/fee is easy. But this fee is calculated and decided taking several factors into account which will be discussed thoroughly in this article.

Generally, an interior designer will charge around 2000$ to 5000$ excluding furniture bills which get calculated separately. There are other designers that run their business online and their costs range from 75$ to 1600$ this kind of designer does not allow bargaining of any sort, their prices are usually flat.

After the pandemic, we have witnessed the world go into more of an online environment and that has affected the area of interior design as well. People prefer to hire a designer online rather than going out to meet them in their offices. Meetings taking place online is also a quick and easy way as it saves time and energy for both the designer and the client. Even the work schedules can be adjusted accordingly when the work is done in an online mode.

If you think interior design is only about picking the right kind of furniture or a shade of color for your wall, then you are in for a surprise. The role an interior designer plays in changing the overall environment of space is huge. After the drawings are finalized, it is the duty of a designer to make renderings for the particular space so that the client can visualize the space before it’s made. An interior designer also has the job of managing electricians, plumbers, painters, contractors, and more. It is also their duty to purchase and arrange all the products that will be used or installed in the space designed by them. The benefits of hiring an interior designer are immense, but before doing so it is necessary for people to know on what basis they decide the cost.

How are the prices calculated?

Whoever told you that an interior designer charges some percentage of money for the overall cost of the project, that’s not always the case. There are many other ways a designer calculates his price.

A Percentage of the total cost

This is the most common type of way a designer calculates his price. He calculates the overall price of the project which includes furniture and takes around 5% to 10% of the total cost as a design fee. This percentage goes up to 20% to 25% based on the experience of the designer and also the size of the project.

Per square feet

This type of pricing is calculated based on the area of the home. A designer usually charges around rupees 10 per square feet which can go up to rupees 100 based on the type of design and the experience of the designer. Sometimes, when the workload is high and a designer has to look after every detail including kitchen, closets, etc. the price may shoot up to rupees 1000 per square feet as well.

A fixed amount

This is completely based on the designer on how much they want to charge you. This amount may be a percentage of the total budget or per square foot or something the designer charges as a flat rate. The designers term this amount as their fee and there is not very much knowledge on what basis they charge it.

Now that we have a slight idea of how an interior designer comes up with his/her cost, we need to go deep into the other sectors of pricing that a designer considers as well. Without the proper knowledge, it is very difficult to figure out how much money does an interior designer charges.

Site Supervision: If the client wants the designer to be present at the site at all times to see if the work is done smoothly or not, to supervise the installation of certain furniture, etc. the designer has the right to charge an extra fee for it. This fee is taken mostly in some percentage of the overall cost.

Design Revision Charges

When a client is not completely satisfied with a certain design, a designer shares revised drawings and makes changes without charging the client a maximum of 3 times. After that, if the client still keeps making changes to the design, the designers charge a certain fee mainly because the time frame of the projects keeps getting stretched and the designer has to make adjustments to his/her schedule.

Site Visits

The first three site visits are usually not charged by any designer but anything after that is charged on an average of rupees 1000 to 1500 per site visit.

Cost of Design

A designer can charge rupees 10000 to 50000 for just an idea and some furniture placements. For a three-dimensional view, an average designer charges around rupees 70000 to 100000. For huge buildings, some designers charge their fee per room taking into consideration the size of the building and the number of rooms.

Picking the best designer that matches your vibe

It’s okay if you are confused between two themes or how to choose the best style for the interior of your place. But if you cannot decide on a variety of things, relying on your designer completely will be a waste of their time and your money. Having a sense of direction for your design and primarily deciding on what type of aura you want to create in your space will not only help your designer swiftly do their thing and organize your space but will also help lower your design cost.

Listing down things that you would like to keep as it is, or throw out is also a major help for your designer. That way, the designer has a slight idea of what to do with the things that already exist inside of your space, and what new pieces could be added which in turn helps to keep your budget in check.

Doing some research before hiring a designer is also a way to pick the designer that exactly matches the requirements that you are looking for. Looking at portfolios online, customer reviews, experience in the field of design, professional training, etc. are a few things to learn about a designer before hiring them.

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Spanish Ancient, Romanesque, and Gothic Architecture features

Spanish Ancient, Romanesque, and Gothic Architecture features
spanish ancient architecture

Spanish Ancient Architecture

If you ever get stuck to decoding the proverb “ Rome can’t be built in a day”, then say thanks to the Spanish as being one major part of the roman empire, Rome is famous for their art and the architecture which they presented to the world, the wider architecture made it to form the proverb later.

We all have heard the history of Rome and it is one of the ancient civilization along with the Indians and Africans, but where Rome stands out is for its artwork, but unfortunately, most of the Spanish ancient architecture are not standing today but only in photographs and in theories to read and to get amused.

Celtic was one of the earliest architecture we can find in Spain, the Castros in Galicia stand as proof of their ancient architectural styles.

Romanesque Architecture

Romanesque is one of the oldest architectural styles not only for Spanish architecture but for the entire world out there, it is believed that Romanesque architecture began in the 6th century and the thing it still stands today, though it is a religious architecture even today some classic architectures influence its style to build churches somewhere in the countrysides.

Semicircular arches were commonly used for windows and doors, and groin vaults were placed to stand along with the roof and also to add a bit of classic style to the buildings, thick walls and lack of sculptures were the core characteristics of Romanesque architecture, the 10th-century architecture is one of those fancy kind we can find in a game of thrones.

Basilica de San Isidoro in Leon is one fine example of Romanesque architecture in the Spain region, the thousand-year-old building is more of a museum to adore Romanesque architecture today, classical Roman architecture is being influenced by architecture and architects even today.

spanish ancient architecture

Spanish Gothic Architecture

Gothic Spanish architecture spread to various parts of the world like wildfire in summer, it created a great impact in the book of Spanish architecture too, from using the rib vaults to pointed arches and flying buttresses gothic architecture stands out from all of its fellow architecture styles, the arrival of Gothic architecture replaced most of the Romanesque buildings by replacing the semi-circular arches to pointed arches. Glass also used as a major element in Gothic architecture which made the structures look stylish and created a uniformity.

Burgos Cathedral is a fine Gothic building, the tall tower made it look a bit odd but beautiful, it represents point arches (one of the core elements of Gothic architecture) and lighter walls with cross-ribbed vaults it is a glory that never fades even by time.