Principles of Complex Construction Projects and Assignment Submission

Submission of assignments

All assignments must be submitted online in the module area of the VLE. The assignment submission link opens 21 days before the due date. Please refer to the information provided in the ‘Coursework preparation’ week for submission guidance.

Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of complex construction projects from an environment, building, technology and  sustainability  perspective.

LO2

Develop technical arguments in the selection and application of techniques, including construction and environmental issues; and apply and evaluate within complex projects.

LO3 Discuss, address and/or apply legislation, standards or regulations on complex  projects.

LO5 Communicate clearly, concisely, effectively and independently on building, environment and technology issues for complex construction.

This urban regeneration development scenario is used as the context for all assessment on this module, and thus forms the basis for this written assignment, and for each question within the exam question bank and the final exam paper.

The scenario is based upon a large, notional, urban brownfield site in England that encompasses former rail land, a disused gasworks and an abandoned industrial estate. The entire project will be sub-divided into several smaller sites where a consortium of different developers will contribute to a distinct, diverse, sustainable community with a variety of buildings, functions and public spaces. Theproject concept has already passed initial public consultation and has received positive feedback in preliminary planning discussions.

A development management firm, Re-Gen Projects, has been hired to oversee the entire project  and establish the minimum design and construction standards that will apply to each site within the overall project. Their primary responsibilities are to emphasise sustainable development and building practice and to deliver quality buildings and spaces on time with economic efficiency.

A. Existing, ground-level rail line and connection (two-lines, running west to east).

B. New metro line, underground tunnelled connection, located three storeys underground(two-lines, running north to south).

C. New, multi-function station building comprising:

i. a three-storey-deep basement reinforced concrete substructure to connect and serve the metro line (lowest level) and underground levels of car parking.

ii. a six-storey steel-framed superstructure to include:

a. ground level: land rail platforms, a booking hall and ancillary spaces including fast food restaurants.
b. five storeys of multi-tenant office accommodation above,
c.including a continuous vertical atrium space.
D. A run-down 1950s industrial estate north of the railway line containing a number of singlestorey, steel framed factory and warehouse units with pitched lattice trussed roofs.

These are all due to be demolished to make way for a medium-density mix of affordable and social housing.

i. A Housing Association and Developer named Happy Homes has been allocated this site for development of social and affordable housing.
ii. The proposed residential units will include four, four-storey blocks of two-bedroom flats; and a series of terraced, two storey affordable houses with four units per terrace

You have been hired by Re-Gen Projects to provide a Sustainability Action Report for the entire project. The report aims to review the Master Plan concept against established sustainable assessment system criteria and then make recommendations regarding minimum sustainability standards for the overall project.

a. include a review of the Master Plan concept against the ‘BREEAM Communities International Technical Standard’ (BCTS) (BRE 2017) identifying where the proposal already addresses certain sustainable design criteria.

i. Describe how certain elements within the Master Plan (site elements A–H) already align with specific criteria within the BCTS (BRE 2017) and offer suggestions on how these could be expanded upon to further enhance the sustainable aims of the project.

b. make two clear mandatory sustainability recommendations for the project, identifying items that are applicable to the design and to each of the sub-divided site projects.

i. Explain why you have chosen each particular ’sustainability action item‘, why you feel it is important to emphasise each issue within the Master Plan design and describe how they can be applied across the different types of projects throughout the site.

ii. The particular issues that you choose can be selected from more detailed criteria in Steps 2 or 3 from the BCTS (BRE 2017), or these can address any one of the broader, ten BREEAM sustainable design categories.