Materials 2

Session1

What do you do if you’re given a land have to build on it?

1. Regulations and Zoning (‫)ارتفاء وتخطيط‬

2. Classification of land (industrial, farming, residential…). Lands classification tell us about the
percentage of land we can use
3. Feasibility study (thinking economically) and if we can benefit of a (‫ )سفلي مكشوف‬or if the slope is
too steep then we advise not to build at all because the retaining wall will cost a lot.
4. Area statement: how much of the land can be used.

After following these steps, we get a permit (‫)رخصة‬. Permit documents can be issued and signed by
architects and civil engineers only but the electric, mechanical,… need to work on it and be there on it in
order for the permit to be issued.

Maximum total area (‫ )استثمار‬is related to how much land we can build on. For example, we may be given
1000m2 but can only use 200m2 of it depending on the land’s zoning and setbacks.

We give clients:

1. List of Drawings (LOD) which includes construction documents and a timetable which is the
sequence of activities.
2. Specifications
3. Bill of Quantity (BOQ) which includes how much was used of everything in a room

We present for the client our ideas after following some steps:

1. Concept design: it includes typical floors, area statement, regulations, feasibility study, and
perspectives. After getting the client’s approval we continue to the next step
2. Design development: we get a team mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers to discuss and co-
ordinate. We may get the interior designer at this stage if we care a lot about the aesthetics in
the project like in a hotel. We consider the problems, technical concerns, and safety at this
stage.
3. Each engineer starts issuing his plans to make them ready for bid.
4. The architect collects all the files and place them on a CD which will include the files of each plan
and engineer as well as the construction document.

NOTE: In an office building, the area of offices to technical areas should be 80% to 20%.

We conduct a bid for subcontractors; by that, we send them the BOQ, drawings, and specifications so
that they know what we need. We choose the one that gave us the least cost but also a good quality and
with experience.

In Lebanon, we have to have a minimum of 3m setback to build.

LOD’s and Title block and project to work on.