To be an Architect
Building Services
Project 1 - Case Study and Documentation of Building Services Systems
The objectives of this assignment are:
1. To introduce students to the basic principles, process and equipment of various building services systems through real life project (experiential learning).
2. To expose students to the integration of various building services systems in a building.
3. To allow students to demonstrate their understanding of building services systems
4. To develop students’ understanding and familiarity on the drawing conventions and standards for different building services systems
In a group of 5 to 6 members, we were required to choose a building of at least 4-storey high, which can be either a public or commercial building. (i.e. office blocks, institutional buildings, shopping malls, etc.). Each member has to perform a thorough study and analysis of the following services systems associated to the building :
i. water supply system
ii. electrical supply system
iii. sewerage, sanitary & drainage system
iv. mechanical transportation system
v. mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning system
vi. fire protection system
Each member needed to document their findings accordingly and compile together in a bound report. From project 1, I was able to learn and evaluate my understanding on the system that I have chosen, which is Mechanical Transportation System. Based on my obervation and research done on site as well as from written documents, I now have a clearer idea of what and how the mechanical transportation system work in a building. The building that we chose was the NX Building in PJ. We were very fortunate, as we did not just visit and have a tour around the building, but we were also priviledge enough to meet the architect himself, that design the entire building. From the visits and briefing, we were able to gain so much insight and information about the building services. The overall project has taught me so much as they were mostly hands on experience and are completely different from just learning them theoretically. I have managed to gain a deep undersatnding on the building services today and improve on my knowledge regarding the mechanical services in buildings.
the image above is the Individual board on Mechanical Transportation System
Project 2 - Application of Building Services
The objectives of this project are :
1. To develop students understanding and knowledge of building services systems in design and construction.
2. To apply appropriate building services system and solution for a specific design.
3. To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of applicability of specific building services systems in the design in response to practical considerations.
4. To develop students’ ability to resolve issues related to specific building services systems.
Project 2 is related back to our Architectural Design Studio final project in semester 2, whereby we had to design a Retreat House. In a group of six, we had to choose one of the Retreat houses design by one of our group members. After choosing one, invidually, we were to demonstrate our understanding of the building services by proposing and designing the most appropriate systems for the building which includes :
i) electrical supply system (including split unit air-cond)
ii) cold water and hot water supply system
iii) sewerage and sanitary system
iv) drainage system
In addition, we were required to produce appropriate drawings and diagrams which include specifications, symbols, legends, images, texts, etc. to describe the planning and installation of all the building services. I also had to include the specific clauses from the Uniform Building By-Law (UBBL) or other relevant Acts, Laws or guidelines which relates to the proposed systems into our two A2 presentation boards.
From this project, I have learnt to apply the building services based on the knowledge that I have gain in class and project 1. Furthermore, I was also able to gain an in-depth understanding on the laws and function of other building systems as compared to the first project, whereby we only had to focus on one. The overall project has taught me so much and helped me understand better on the technical part of a building and and importance of the requirement and law of a particular design and building services.
Final A2 Boards on the Application of Building Services
Final Group Board for Project 1
 Board 1 |  Board 2 |
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