TECHNOLOGIES 2: CONSTRUCTION
Assignment C1
BUILDING SIGHTS / SITES
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TECHNOLOGIES 2: CONSTRUCTION
Assignment C1
BUILDING SIGHTS / SITES*
Learning about construction by observing the construction process.
Lecture 1 was an overview of contemporary construction techniques and the principles that guide
them. Lecture 2 will examine the geometry of structural systems. This assignment is an opportunity to
link the information in the lectures with the full-scale reality of the building process and to attempt to
identify the materials and techniques in common use.
For this exercise you are invited and encouraged to leave your home and screen-based devices to
embark on a dérive and observe, from a safe distance, nearby construction sites; recording in
annotated sketches what you can see and how you interpret what is going on, with reference to the
techniques and materials that were explored in the lecture.
The thumbnails in this brief are some suggested locations in and around Manchester, but if you are not
based in the city (or even if you are) you can select your own sites of interest in your vicinity. Because
of their city centre locations, the suggested sites all involve substantial muli-storey buildings, but much
smaller buildings under construction can be equally, if not more, instructive.
Although your chosen sites can be anywhere, you will find that the most revealing ones are those at a
stage in the process when several of the ‘layers’ (of both structure and envelope) are visible at the
same time.
*SIGHT: a thing that one sees or that can be seen.
SITE: an area of ground on which a town, building, or monument is constructed
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TECHNOLOGIES 2: CONSTRUCTION
Assignment C1
BUILDING SIGHTS / SITES
Detailed Brief
1. (Part 1 – week 1) In the spirit of a flaneur or dérive go for a walk and visit as many sites as you
can (at least two, and a maximum of four) and observe, record, and attempt to interpret what you
see. The sites can be chosen from the suggestions provided or can be your own discoveries – or a
combination of these. Record your observations of each site with sketches. Your sketches can be
fast, loose and freehand, but should record the key construction techniques and processes that
can be observed.
2. (Part 2 – week 2) Compile your sketches and observations into a brief report of a minimum of 2
and a maximum of 4 landscape format A3 sized pages. For each building site visited provide your
observations of the following in the form of a combination of your annotated sketches and
separate notes:-
a. The location of the construction site and, where available, the name of the architect, builder
,client (try Googling it, or look for a sign board), and the purpose of the completed building
(e.g. apartments, offices, hotel etc.)
b. The primary structural system (e.g. RC frame, Steel frame etc.) and its features. E.g. slab type
(flat, composite, precast etc.). Note the presence of any shear walls / cores and bracing. You
could refer to your BA1 Structures lecture notes to help with this.
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TECHNOLOGIES 2: CONSTRUCTION
Assignment C1
BUILDING SIGHTS / SITES
Detailed Brief (cont.)
c. The materials used in the cladding (outer weathering envelope) of the building. E.g.
brickwork, brickwork ‘slips’, stone, artificial stone, precast concrete panels, metal
panels etc. Include, where possible the materials used in the window frames or other
areas of glazing. If there is no cladding present yet, speculate – based upon the images
and other information you can find online (e.g. the developer’s website or the local
authority planning portal)
d. The envelope type and ‘build-up’ (e.g. secondary lightweight metal infill frame, sheathing
layer, breathable membrane, sheathing layer, insulation etc.). In the case of ‘single layer’
envelopes (such as glazed curtain walling) identify the system type – e.g. ‘aluminium framed
curtain walling system with double or triple glazing’.
e. Evidence of prefabricated construction techniques, such as ‘unitized’ curtain walling.
f. Evidence of the use of sustainable building materials and techniques (e.g. timber, non-plastics
based insulation etc.)
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TECHNOLOGIES 2: CONSTRUCTION
Assignment C1
BUILDING SIGHTS / SITES
Submission requirements, further instructions, tips and suggestions:
1. It should be sufficient to identify the techniques observed on your sketches of ‘what you can see’, but you can speculate
about the ‘hidden’ layers of construction should you wish to do so. Do not worry if you cannot see, for example, the
vapour control layer.
2. ‘Freehand sketch’ means drawn with a pencil/ pen on paper or with a stylus using sketching apps.
You can manipulate your sketches using software (e.g. Photoshop) to add colour but do not use CAD or modelling
software for this task. Avoid filling your presentation with photographs. One or two thumbnail photos are sufficient)
3. You may find that the outer weathering layer (cladding) is not yet present. In this case you can state, in your annotation
or separate text, what you think this will be. You may sometimes find this information in the form of a sample panel that
has been constructed on the site, a computer rendered image on a site signboard, or alternatively from an internet
search. The local authority planning application search system (in Manchester, Salford and Stockport:
https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/info/200074/planning/5865/planning_permission/1
https://www.salford.gov.uk/planning-building-and-regeneration/planning-applications/view-or-comment-on-a-planning-
application/, https://planning.stockport.gov.uk/PlanningData-live/ These sites are invaluable tools for anyone finding out
about specific developments. The address and/or name of the development will be required to find the most recent
application for a given site.
4. This assignment is to be carried out individually. Do not include other students’ work in your submission. For the
purposes of mutual encouragement and safety you may of course tour the sites in groups of your own choosing.
5. Submit your assignment for feedback in the Moodle Submission area before noon on the Tuesday following the lecture in
which the assignment was set. All work must be uploaded in pdf format. Other file types will not be opened.
6. Do not attempt to enter any construction sites. Some sites are next to very busy roads: please be careful!
7. Some building sites are in locations where there may be unsavory characters ‘hanging around’. Please be cautious about
walking around such places unaccompanied and hold on tight to your smartphone and other valuables.
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Manchester City Council Planning Application Website
TECHNOLOGIES 2: CONSTRUCTION
Assignment C1
BUILDING SIGHTS / SITES
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the assignment and responding to all requirements of the brief you will be able
to demonstrate the following learning outcomes prescribed by the ARB:
GC8 An understanding of the structural design, constructional, and engineering problems associated
with building design:
8.1 The investigation, critical appraisal, and selection of alternative structural, constructional, and
material systems relevant to architectural design.
What you may also get out of this assignment:
1. An opportunity to test your understanding of construction technology from what you have
learned so far and to relate it to the ‘real world’ built environment.
2. An opportunity to develop your observational and field sketching skills.
3. An enjoyable walk around the city to see some of its most recent building projects.
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STOCKPORT
greehaus
new bailey
stockport
interchange
regent
plaza
pavilion
wharf
no.3 circle
square
Crown street
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CONSTRUCTION HOTSPOTS IN MANCHESTER, SALFORD AND STOCKPORT
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No.3 Circle Square, Crown street, Weir Mill, Stockport Regent Plaza
Manchester Manchester Duncan Street, Salford
New Bailey, Salford Pavilion Wharf, Manchester Stockport Interchange Greenhaus, Salford
3
SUGGESTED LOCATIONS (OPTIONAL)
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No.3 Circle Square, Crown street, Weir Mill, Stockport Regent Plaza
3
Manchester Manchester Duncan Street, Salford
SUGGESTED LOCATIONS (OPTIONAL)
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Four New Bailey, Pavilion Wharf, Manchester Stockport Interchange Greenhaus, Salford
3
Salford
SUGGESTED LOCATIONS (OPTIONAL)
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TECHNOLOGIES 2: CONSTRUCTION
Assignment C1
BUILDING SIGHTS / SITES
Assignment submission:
Your completed assignments for the (Part A) Construction and Environmental lectures, together with
the (Part B) Case study lectures, must be compiled into a Technology Case File and submitted as a
single pdf to the Moodle area “2CWK50-2 Portfolio (Tech) 50% (1D5Z0108_2324_9Z1F)”, which will be
made visible at the end of the lecture series. The deadline for submission is 12th January 2024.
Upload for weekly feedback:
You are strongly encouraged to complete each assignment as soon as possible after the lecture to which
it relates and to upload via Moodle for feedback before the next lecture. Any assignments received will
form the basis of a Q+A and feedback at the next lecture.
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