MID SEMESTER EXAMINATION

ANYIDOHO DZIFA HARRIET

0718060002
THURSDAY 12th MARCH,2021
MID SEMESTER EXAMINATION
FACILITIES DESIGN MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING

QUESTION ONE
The pre construction stage of a project plays a significant role in the success of
the project. As students of Tourism discuss all the relevant areas that are to be
thoroughly covered or considered by the Industry practitioners players in the
construction of an Ecolodge around the Mole National Park.
QUESTION TWO
A multinational company is interested in establishing an Ecolodge around the Mole
National Park. Based on the Architectural design principles for Ecolodge, propose
in details all the relevant features and measures that you would introduce in the
facility.

ANSWERS:
1. The Topography of the land

Mole National Park can be found near Damango in the Northern Region. It is the
largest and most developed protected area for eco-tourism and nature conservation
in Ghana. It covers an area of 4,849 square kilometers and the park’s vegetation of
wooded Guinea Savannah is home to a large variety of wildlife. The topography is
generally undulating with flat topped hills which is dominated by the Konkori scarp
that runs north-south through the park and reaches up to 250m. Mole National Park
is Ghana’s largest national park, situated in the heart of the pristine Guinea
Savannah Woodland ecosystem with low hills and escarpments.
THE PRE CONSTRUCTION STAGE
With the pre construction stage, the plans for the project are brought or offered
by the industry before construction begins. This stage entails the the definition
of the project, the identification of potential issues, planning and scheduling,
the scope, cost estimation, and analysis of needs for the job. The first initial
stage of pre construction is the planning where important decisions are taken. The
design process starts with meetings to discuss the vision and final outcomes with
the key decision markers which should also include the community within Mole.
The next stage is the design development stage where design professionals create
architectural, structural and engineering drawings as needed for the construction
of the Ecolodge. The designs should also include detailed descriptions and mockups.
The last but one stage is the financial stage which involves budgeting. Refined
realistic cost estimates are updated. Building constructors and suppliers should
construction cost estimates, logistics details, and schedules.
And then the final stage is the permits. Commercial general contractors should
handle on your behalf of the Ecolodge. It is important to ensure all appropriate
and registered permits are obtained not only to protect property value and
guarantee code compliance, but also to save you money in the long run.
During pre-construction, important decisions are made and success measurements
established to maximize project efficiency and minimize potential obstacles during
the project.

Answer 2.
THE RELEVANT FEATURES AND MEASURES TO INTRODUCE IN THE FACILITY.
1.Energy use and conservation: Building and running a lodge requires a significant
amount of energy, making it critical to take advantage of technological advances in
energy efficiency to reduce the adverse environmental impact of the accommodation.
Solar-energy, wind energy, hydroelectric and geo-thermal energy are only a few of
the alternative energy options that can improve the sustainability of a property.

2.Context and aesthetics: The design and style of a property should appear natural
and must easily blend in with the environment surrounding it.Buildings must give
the impression of being native to the natural environment, with architectural
shapes harmonizing with the surrounding land and plant forms. Buildings should
complement the native flora and fauna, not compete with it. After all, the beauty
of the natural surroundings is the main reason eco-travelers seek out green
destinations in the first place.Design inspiration should be draw from the natural
world and design features should represent the uniqueness of the particular area.
Architects must be careful to ensure buildings not only conform to the
surroundings, but also are representative of local design style. Inspiration should
be drawn from local building techniques, community member input and historical and
cultural context.

3.Water conservation and management: Water efficiency is the planned management of

water to prevent waste, overuse, and exploitation of the resource. Effective water
efficiency planning seeks to "do more with less" without sacrificing comfort or
performance. Water efficiency planning is a resource management practice that
incorporates analysis of costs and uses of water; specification of water-saving
solutions; installation of water-saving measures; and verification of savings to
maximize the cost-effective use of water resources. Water Conservation Strategies
There are a number of strategies that can be employed to reduce the amount of water
consumed at a facility. In general terms, these methods include:
I.System optimization (i.e., efficient water systems design, leak detection, and
repair). This when there are frequent checks on leakages to avid waste of water at
the Ecolodge.
II.Water conservation measures: This is when measures are put in place to preserve
water either from rain falls or connected from a natural water source and these are
being treated.
III.Water reuse/recycling systems: This is when water that are being used to wash
hands after natures’-call can be used to flash it out in order to reduce water
wastage or water from the kitchen or bath house can be used for farm irrigation. By
so doing, soaps or other chemicals in water that is from the kitchen and bath house
can be sieved for it not to destroy the plant.
Reduction of water consumption can be achieved through:
ƒ I.Collection, storage and use of rainwater, through guttering, down pipes and
storage tanks.
ƒ II.Installation of low flush toilets or consider dry or composting toilet
systems, In areas of water
stress, eco-lodges will be required to use dry/composting toilet systems
ƒ III.Install showers, with timers, and do not install baths
ƒ IV.Use of smaller sinks with plugs

4.Waste management principles: Waste management is important because it reduces

land degradation. Waste can be recycled,reused, reduced and repaired in the sense
that Recycling ensures goods that would otherwise be thrown away can be turned to
good use elsewhere, or in some cases, used to produce new products. In reference to
the Ecolodge situated at Mole National Park, waste disposables such as plastics
shouldn’t be used because they keep long to decompose, so instead materials that
can be reused should be maintained. Ecotourism should not cause harm to the
environment. Hazardous waste when not disposed properly or thrown away with normal
waste can be a serious threat to humans and the environment such as air pollution,
water pollution, amongst others.
The sewage can also be used for biogas that is the gas that can be used in the
kitchen for cooking.

5.Inclusions Local people in the development. Introducing or involving the local

people from the beginning of the planning process in order to build Ecolodge
development relations and partnership. This enable the community understand better,
agree and approve upon the economic, cultural and conservation benefits that are
proposed by the Ecolodge. Employment opportunities should be focused on and
maximized. The inclusive of management team and management training which involves
local community members is important to achieve this kind of goal. Promote the
tourist “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to minimise disturbance and offence to local
communities. Also,the ecolodge must work with local communities to develop area
specific do’s and don’ts, for example limiting access to certain spiritual areas,
behaviour in villages and so on.
ƒEnsure the community are not deprived from accessing their own traditional natural
resources or environments. Respect traditional land access since they own them.

6.Building technology, materials and construction are also features needed in the
building of the Ecolodge. The kind of building service needed, the kind of
technology the Ecolodge is going to use and also the kind of building materials
that are going to be needed to construct the Ecolodge. Construction materials must
be local and these may include bamboo, rattan, wood, locally made clay amongst
others.