Professional Documents
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Introduction
Building material is just about every type of available material that has been used at one time or another for creating
various human homes, structures, and technologies. Many naturally occurring substances, such as clay, sand, wood,
rocks and etc. have been used to construct buildings. Apart from naturally occurring materials, many man-made
products in various compositions are actively used in construction. This assignment is designed to introduce building
materials that are commonly used in the construction industry. The spaces or building selected to study will allow one
to understand the reasoning behind choices made by designers in terms of concepts, function use, environmental
response, environmental profile, structural requirement, availability of resources and etc. when selecting or proposing
building materials. It is also essential for students to see the transition from vernacular point of perspective to the
current application in built environment.
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Objectives of Project
The objectives of this assignment are as follows:
1. To introduce various types of building materials which are being used in the construction practices.
2. To create an understanding of the choices designers make in choosing the building materials based on the
properties.
3. To further understand the physical and chemical properties of the building materials being used in existing
buildings/ spaces.
4. To expose students to standard construction names and terminologies for materials in a building/ space.
Learning Outcomes of this Project
Upon completion of this assignment, students will be able to:
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Produce a complete documentation and analysis of materials in respect to physical and chemical properties.
Identify the various types of building materials (finishes and structural).
Understand the effects of building materials on aesthetics and structural qualities of a space or building.
Understand the appropriateness of material used in context of several factors such as occupancy, concept
and climate.
5. Acquire analytical skill in understanding selection of building materials for a building/ design.
6. Understand the application/ installation of material as finishes and structural materials (simple construction).
Tasks - Methodology
In groups of 5, select a building (fun, creative space) which allows you to experience and explore most of the building
materials covered in the module. Buildings cover :
1. Shop lots (caf, boutique hotel)
2. Government or Private building (corporate office, mosque, church)
3. Galleries
Students will need to request for permission from the building owners for their case studies. Letter can be obtained
from the Department Office (D.O).
Students are required to produce:
(A) TASK A : GROUP (two A2 boards, LANDSCAPE orientation. 1 Mood board is separate on its own).
1. Brief Introduction of the selected building & reason for selecting the space
2. Mood Board
- Your mood board should include color, pattern, photographs, sketches and informative design
elements to reflect the materials used and ambience of the space of your choice (without using
any words or description)
3. Identification of Materials
- Draw out plans, sections and elevations to indicate the materials
- Explain briefly the type of materials that are used in a specific area/ space
4. Application of Materials (minimum 15 types of materials)
- The physical and chemical properties of these materials
- Explain the suitability of material used in context to concept, occupancy and climate.
- Explain and illustrate the findings in detail in terms of suitability of materials type, application,
aesthetics, maintenance etc.
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Timber
Stone
Clay
Lime
Submission Requirement
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The group work (TASK A) must be formatted on A2 paper and compiled in a clear A2 plastic folder.
The individual work (TASK B) must be collated together with TASK A.
DO NOT BIND
Please include your names, student ID, tutors name and project title for each work submitted.
Assessment criteria
Quality of work shall be assessed on the following criteria:
Marking criteria
Individual (15%)
Group (25%)
Suggested References
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Lyons, Arthurs, Materials for Architect and Builders, 2nd Edition, Butterworth Heinemann 2004.
Neveille, AM Properties of Concrete, Addition Wesley, Longman, 1995.
Everett, Alan, Materials, 5th Edition, Longman Scientific & Technical, 1994.
Robbin, Tony. 1996. Engineering A New Architecture. Yale University Press.
Mohamed Abdul Kader Ismail.et.al 2008. Introduction to Civil Engineering Materials. McGraw-Hill
Jackson, Neil 1996. Civil Engineering Materials, 5th Edition, Palgrave.
Illston, J.M(ed). (2001). Construction materials :their nature & behaviour (3rd ed). London. Spon Press