Major assignment

I have decided to look at the work of Dutch architect Rene van Zuuk for the assignment. I am particularly interested in his patterned concrete facades like the one in the photos.

I was interested in the lecture we had on concrete panels and of learning of the different ways they can be treated. I have always thought they made such ugly buildings so was very interested to hear and see how they can be used in a more asthetically pleasing way. I like the idea of exploiting the advantages of pre-cast concrete panels but of making them much more interesting and beautiful.

Rene van Zuuk seems to search for ways of using simple and low cost technology and construction techniques to make buildings that stand apart from the norm and have a 'special' quality to them.

In a number of his buildings he uses repeating panels. The panels are relatively simple to construct but when used continually, create a visually striking effect.

Tying Reinforcements for concrete floor

This photo show steel reinforcement laid over steel sheeting, prior to pouring the concrete.


Mesh chairs ?? are used to keep the reinforcement in the correct place. If the strenght of the reinforced concrete slab is to be maximised, reo has to be in the correct place, ie where the slab is in tension.



Black wire ties hold the reo in place. This appeared to be a very tedious process. Workmen wore gloves to protect their hands.

Suspended Ceilings

These photos show a suspended ceiling in a libary being constructed at a school near me.
Aluminimum battens hang from the steel sheeting of the concrete composite floor of the floor above, leaving room for airconditioning ducts and other services.

Gutter Details

Tilt up panel construction

I was talking to the Occupational Health and Safety Officer on this site. He confirmed what we heard in lecture ie. that OHS is the big issue on building sites. He is employed by the construction company and there is another OHS officer who works for the employees.
He also told me that tilt up panel construction is one of the most dangerous areas in construction. It has the highest death rate and the lowest injury rate ie. if a panel falls on someone they are likely to be killed. I made sure I was well out of the way when taking these photos

On the truck.

Close up of insert in panel where crane will be attached.

Attaching crane to panel.

Attaching the braces to the panel.

Lifting the panel off the truck. A small crane is used in conjunction with the big crane to steady the panel as it comes off the truck.

Travelling through the air.

Panel being lowered into place.

Attaching the braces to the concrete floor.

Concrete Finishes 2

Dutch architect Rene van Zuuk has created this building just outside of Amsterdam. The building is 12 metres wide and 9 stories high. Van Zuuk took his inspiration for the facade from graphic arts, patternmaking and wallpaper. In particular he was inspired by the drawings of Dutch artist Escher. The panels are single repeated entities but when put together form an overall pattern.

The panels are made from prefabricated concrete.

I would love to do something like this for the assignment but will have to check on whether this Dutch architect qualifies under the assignement guidelines.

For more details go to www.renevanzuuk.nl

Construction meets Art

These photos were taken at an exhibition entitled 'The Cubic Structural Evolution' by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson which is currently running at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.

A table full of white lego blocks stands in the foyer of the gallery. Visitors are invited to sit down and make white lego structures. The structures then become part of a cityscape that is forever changing.

It is fascinating to watch all sorts of people sit down and construct buildings and to see the interest the project generates in the foyer of the gallery. It makes me think that there is a very innate drive to construct shelter for ourselves and to be part of a social entity, in this case a city.

Concrete Finishes 1

These photos were taken of a newly completed building at Melbourne University. Horizontal patterned concrete contrasts with the rich copper panelling and copper screening that clads other parts of the building.

Tilt Up Concrete Construction

Pre-cast inserts for connecting wall panels and, presumably, for connection to floor.












Close up of pre-cast insert. Not sure if this would be for connecting two wall panels together or used in lifting panel into place.

23.4.07
After watching panels being lifted into place I can see that this is for lifting panels with a crane.





















Braces are bolted to concrete floor during construction.



























Concrete panels are lifted into place by a crane. They are supported by diagonal bracing while the rest of the building is constructed.

Useful Websites

conrete:
www.concrete.net.au
timber:
www.timber.org.au
steel:
www.bluescopesteel.com.au
www.steel.org.au
www.edconsteel.com.au

Article Review

'Building the Green Credentials' by Michelle Draper and Marc Pallisco

This article appeared in the business section of the Age on 11.4.07.

It outlines how Lend Lease will be the first commercial developer to build a 6 star rated 'green' building in Melbourne.

The design aims to reduce the amount of energy of energy consumed by 46% compared to existing A-grade buildings.

The artcile outlines how the designers plan to acheive such a significant reduction in energy consumption.

It is very interesting to note that the construction of such energy efficient buildings is being driven by the demand for such buildings from tenants.

Local councils are also offering financial incentives to developers to opt for energy efficient buildings.

Hopefully strong tenancy rates and government incentive schemes are enough to persuade developers such as Lend Lease commit to the extra costs in building a 6 star rated building.

Composite Floor Construction

Reinforcement mesh laid over 'Bondek" in preparation for pouring of slab. (A different site to following pictures)

"Bondek' Laid for supermarket floor.

The concrete poured over the 'Bondek'. I was watching this site for a few days hoping to see the concrete pour but it happened when I wasn't watching!

This drawing shows how concrete and steel work together to create a flooring system that has a number of advantages. Bondek sheeting is laid over steel beams. Concrete is poured over the sheeting. The addition of sheer bolts increases the spanning capacity of the beam.

This type of flooring eliminates the need for temporary formwork. Construction is able to continue on the slab while before it is fully cured. This minimises delays in the construction process.

Drawings of Connections between Warehouse and Office/Reception