Sarhad University, Peshawar

Department: __Civil Engineering__ Program:_______BE Civil______

Examination: Mid Term Fall 2020

Course & Course Code: Architecture & Town Planning (CE409)
*Student Name: Adil Hamza Total Marks: 30 (30% Weightage)
*Registration # SU-17-01-074-022 Instructor: Engr Hanif Ullah
*Student Email: adilhamzamohmand@gmail.com
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE STUDENTS:
Answer All Questions in the same Question Paper under each question/section subsequently.
Before uploading, save the same file in this format MID EXAM_DEPARTMENT_COURSE_Student Name_Reg#.doc
Upload it at your SUIT PORTAL before the deadline. Answer Sheet sent through EMAIL will not be accepted.
The total size of this file should not exceed 1MB at the time of uploading it at portal so don’t insert images.
Just type the answers under each question, avoid inserting images and follow the instructions at SUIT Portal.

Attempt All Questions. Each Question Carries 10 marks

Q#1:
a- Define architecture? How it is different from civil engineering?
b- What are the various considerations for selecting architectural materials? Write short
description of each.

Solution#1
Answer part (a)
Architecture is the art and science in designing building or infrastructures. Architectural
works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural symbols and as works of
art.
Civil Engineering is everything about construction from planning, design, constructing,
maintaining and operating infrastructures.

Explanation:
a. Architecture only bases on designing the structure, its beauty and elegance while
considering its engineering capabilities,
Civil engineering on the other hand plans the entire structures frame, its safe capabilities and how
it could carry subject like people, design the structures skeleton or the foundation of the structure,
constructing it, implementing all the safety precaution while on the field and presenting it to the
owner or the public how safe it is to live in.

Answer part (b)

Various considerations for selecting architectural materials are:

1. Material Properties
It is important to select the right material for the structure because it will be the key goal in design
a right and better structure.
2. Experience
Each architect must know what and to use materials that could affect or boost the structures
overall abilities or capabilities
3. Manufacturing process
It is important to know the manufacturing process in creating the material to know that what
material used was the best and could perform its desired function.
4. Context

Page 1 of 5
One must know where, when and what is the material, its production and its overall capacity to
determine we have all the best qualities in material.
5. Cost Effectiveness
Naturally, cost-effective materials will take precedence over other materials, provided other
requirements are met. Some of the cost effective materials are Manufacture sand or M-Sand,
Fly ash bricks, PPC cement, roofing sheets etc.,

6. Environmental Reasons
And finally, one thing what we as human beings have neglected so far, but beginning to realize the
importance in the past decades is the environmental concerns about the use of the construction
materials like energy content, the raw material usage, depletion of natural resources, emissions
etc.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q#2:
a- What were the two major types of structures in early Egyptian architecture; Name various
components of each type.
b- What is the importance of historical tracing of an architectural site and how it can be achieved?

Solution#2
Answer part (a)

The two major types of structures in early Egyptian architecture were:

1. Pyramids and

2. Temples.

Component of Egyptian Pyramids includes:

 Base
 The triangular face
 The apex ( the top point)

The components of temples are:

 Outer enclosure wall
 Sphinxes-lined Causeways
 Obelisks
 Pylons
 Way Station
 Open Courts
 Hypostyle Halls
 Inner Sanctuaries
 Carvings
 Statues
 Chapels
 Sacred lakes

Page 2 of 5
  Mammisis

Answer part (b):

The importance of historical tracing of an architect site are:

 To find out when the structure was constructed.

 To find out how the geometry of structure was taken.
 To find out the duration to construct the structure.
 To find out the number of manpower involved in the construction.
 To find out the purpose of construction of that particular structure.

The importance of historical tracing of an architectural site helps understand the landscape and
how urban built environment nurtured the site. It traces back from ancient times to contemporary
life to modern era arts. Historical Tracing can also affect the way modern architects design
infrastructure, with it they can find inspiration to create something unique and something new in
today’s era.

It can be achieved by performing archaeological survey and by studying more and more about
ancient architectural designs, contemporary arts and even modern day arts and learning all the
ways and techniques used once by great known and unknown architects in the past. With such
knowledge one can achieve even greater heights in design architectural structures that could
greatly change the world. Also by referring historical records and also with the help of carbon
dating.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q#3:
a- Describe how various factors influence architectural designs?
b- Do you think Al-Beruni block, Sarhad University Peshawar fulfils the requirement of a well-
planned building.

Solution#3
Answer part (a):

Factors affecting architectural design are as follows:

a- Climate
b- Geography
c- Geology
d- Religion
e- Culture
f- Technology
g- Building Materials
h- Construction System

Explanation:

Page 3 of 5
 a- Climate
It is important to consider the climate of a place that the architect will use for his construction site.
b- Geography
Location is also important. To know where to put up the structure will help your design be
functional and anticipate problems that will occur.
c- Geology
The type of terrain can also affect the design of the architect and the engineer. That's why it is highly
advisable to study the terrain and adapt the design to its surroundings.
d- Culture
When Building structures, it is important to consider how, when, where, and why people do
things. We must understand and learn their lifestyle in order to merge the culture with the
structure.
e- Technology
As Buildings grow more complex the technology grows more and more sophisticated to improve
the structure.
f- Religion
The type of religion a country is influenced by affects the type of structure being built.
i- Building Materials and Construction System
Materials and systems used compared to ancient times has gotten more sophisticated because of
the more complex designs. And innovation of today's standards are really high, in order to meet
those standards the materials and construction system must be improved greatly to satisfy them.

Answer part (b):

Yes I think Al-Beruni block, Sarhad University Peshawar fulfils the requirement of a well-
planned building, because it is designed on the principles of well-planned building
These principles are listed below:

i. Aspect
ii. Prospect
iii. Orientation
iv. Privacy
v. Circulation
vi. Grouping
vii. Roominess
viii. Furniture Requirements
ix. Sanitation
x. Elegance
xi. Economy
xii. Access
xiii. Architectural composition
xiv. Climate and its Effect

Page 4 of 5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 5 of 5