Local Design Context by Hassan Samaah

local design context

2016 proffesional practice 1

Ismail Murushid Hassan Samaah Hafeeza Ibrahim

CONTENTS

BRIEF

BILLING

01/01

20/21

THE FIRM

LEGAL WORKS

03/03

22/23

SCOPE

QUALITY ASSURANCE

04/04

24/25

PEOPLE 05/08

WORK PRACTICE

DIFFICULITIES 26/27

BIDDING / TENDER

10/17

28/29

COMMUNICATION

PROJECTS

18/19

30/31

BRIEF

To expand our knowledge gained in the lecture series and the discussions in our Professional practice 1 class through our research and based on a Major local Architectural design firm. This research was undertaken by three students, Hassan Samah, Ismail Murushid and Hafeeza Ibrahim. The firm we chose would have to be based on Maleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and currently involved in the practice. We had to consider certain aspects regarding their role in the industry and operational procedures involved in handling of projects.

THE FIRM

Mspace pvt ltd is an architectural and engineering consultancy company registered in the Maldives. This company was established by four enthuastic people, who are keen to serve in the field of architecture, 3d visualization, civil and structural engineering analyses & design. From 1st of November 2015, the architectural, engineering and project management services of existing two companies, Mooinc pvt ltd and Civeng pvt ltd is continued through M space. This company was founded by Adnan Ali, Mohamed Ishan, Saeed Adam and Abdullah Fazeen.

THE SCOPE

Architecture

Master Planning

Engineering

Building design usually commences with the Site Plan Process. Design Development continues primarily through threedimensional imaging and rendering software ensuring consistency, accuracy, and flexibility throughout the process and assures a smooth transition into working drawings preparation. It also allows the client to visualize the building accurately at all stages of the project. This comprehensive design evolution towards innovation excellence and building performance is the basis of the Firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design philosophy. We ensure that the integrity of the design is maintained by rigorously monitoring of the construction process.

Master plans are prepared from initial concept through to the finished product. Building(s) locations are carefully monitored throughout the design process to optimize vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns while balancing and enhancing urban design aspects such as landscaped and open space opportunities. An understanding and appreciation of site context working in conjunction with client and Municipal needs and programs is consistent in all of our master plans.

Our civil engineering skills extend to social infrastructure programs as well. From transportation and electric power to waste processing and land reclamation, we collaborate with public and private sectors, lending our expertise to projects around the country.

THE PEOPLE A design firm is incomplete without the professionals involved in many fields. These professionals make up the scope and goal of the firm. Through the expertise of the individuals the company marks its services that are going to be provided for the clients.

Adnan Ali civil, structural and transportation engineering

Born on the 4th February 1967, Adnan Ali always had interest in the construction field and scientific knowledge. His keen interest in mathematics helped him carve his path for the profession of Engineering. Adnan has been working in the field for more than 15 years. After completing his first degree in civil engineering with computational mechanics from United Kingdom, Adnan studied in the field of terminal design for commercial airports in Canada and airport engineering in japan. After a six year long break Adnan pursued his dream in completing masters of Engineering in Transportation in the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He worked in Tekton as a part-time Senior civil/structural engineer from 2000 to 2006. After that he started working full time as the managing director and professional engineer of the private company Civeng pvt ltd from 2006 to date. He also worked in the public sector as a Technical advisor & as a Deputy minister for transport and communication in the Ministry of Transportation and communication from to 2008 to 2013. Later he started working as the Chief Development Officer for Maldives airports company limited from 2013 to 2015.

THE PEOPLE

Mohamed Ishan a r c h i t e c t, u r b a n d e s i g n e r

Born on the 14th of july 1970, Mohamed Ishan is an artistic individual with a motivated spirit who loves designing and believes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a passion more than a profession. He has been working in this field for more than 20 years. After completing Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and bachelor of architecture in Manchester, UK, he Studied Masters of Science in built environment and urban design in Barttlet School of Architecture, in London. His first experience in the field was working as an Architectural Technician for the office of physical planning and development for Maleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from 1992 to 1993. After that he worked as an Assistant Architect in Group X pvt ltd from 1995 to 1996. Also as an Architect in the Ministry of Construction and Public works in 1998 to 1999. After that he joined Tekton design pvt ltd in 2000 and worked as the Senior architect up to 2001. Later, he joined BInarch Design pvt ltd in 2001 as a Consultant Architect and worked there for an year. Before establishing M space, Ishan worked as the director and architect for Mooinc pvt ltd for 11 years starting from 2003.

THE PEOPLE

Saeed Adam architect

Born on the 27th of December, Saeed Adam started his career in the field of civil engineering later went into designing after having more interest in the field of Architectural designing. He has been working in the field for more than 10 years. After completing an Advance certificate in Building Construction/ civil engineering at the Maldives college of higher Education, he worked for couple of years and later Completed his Degree in Bachelor of Applied science in Architectural science in Curtin university, Perth, Australia. His first experience in the field was in Tekton pvt ltd as an Architectural technician from 2002 to 2004. After that he joined Maldives Airports Company limited as an Assistant Draftsman for 4 years. In 2008 he joined Oculus associated pvt ltd as the project manager and director. Later he worked for Tekton Design pvt ltd in 2014 as an Assistant Architect.

THE PEOPLE

Abdullah Fazeen a r c h i t e c t, u r b a n d e s i g n e r

WORK PRACTICE

Before starting the schematics, the project is discussed with the client and the project is placed on a certain level which determines the design detail and complexity. This will be defined by the project type, the allocated budget by the client and the level of detail client needs for the design, and the quality of materials and resources. This way of practice enables the client to expect what are the proper deliverables and the quality of the outcome so that this will avoid conflicts and misperceptions between the client and the architect. MSpace categorizes the stated levels by four standards.

SUPERIOR HIGH AVERAGE LOW

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The standard may not be exactly superior or average, it could be inbetween the two standards or anything elseâ&#x20AC;?. - Adnan Ali

WORK PRACTICE

PHASE 1

PRELIMINARY CONCEPT

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

The preliminary concept of the floor plans upon the required program and the best applicable possiblities of concepts for the given context

The schematics are developed into a detailed and materialized. The outcome of this stage is very practical.

“Balancing the needs of every stakeholder in the project within the scope is the priority of our team” - Ali Adnan ( Project Manager)

SCHEMATIC DESIGN The concept design is improved and complexified to a programme.

WORK PRACTICE

PHASE 3 TENDER DOCUMENTS The tender package is prepared for the project to initiate the construction.

CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

POST TENDER CONSULTANCY

The detailed design is presented as drawings for approval. Architectural, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical drawings are generated to submit to authorities

After contracting, in the construction consultancy for the client is managed. The work is supervised.

WORK PRACTICE

CLIENT

CONTRACTOR

architect as a project manager

ARCHITECT There are situations when architects acts as the project manager. When an architect takes over the project he will be responsible for the project to go smoothly. This practice is followed in Maldives in many local firms. Usually since the architects are the directors of small architecture firms. In this case the client will deal only with the architect. Rest of the parties are communicated through the architect solely. The diagram shows the parties which the architect would have to communicate.

QUANTITIY SURVEYOR LAND SURVEYOR EIA SPECIALIST STRUCTURAL ENGINEER M/E ENGINEER

The client can nominate any technical party for the project anyway he desires. In usual practice architect/ Project Manager is likely to consider the nominee.

WORK PRACTICE

CLIENT

CONTRACTOR

project manager as a project manager

PROJECT MANAGER The best practice is to assign a project manager to handle a project. Since these Project Managers will have certain skills for the project to run smoothly. The project manager will be the main communicator between the client and the rest of the parties.

ARCHITECT LAND SURVEYOR EIA SPECIALIST

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER QUANTITIY SURVEYOR M/E ENGINEER

The client can nominate any technical party for the project anyway he desires. In usual practice architect/ Project Manager is likely to consider the nominee.

WORK PRACTICE

consultancy agreement

mspace

client

CLIENT - ARCHITECT - CONTRACTOR This is the most commonly practiced method currently in maldives. After the tendering and awarding the project to the contractor the project consultancy is still in the hands of the Design Firm. The communication link diagram in the right shows connection between three parties. All the meetings information, inquires and progress meetings needed by client is provided by the Design Firm. Direct meetings will not be conducted between the Client and the Contractor. This in other words, The Design Firm represents the Client to the Contractor.

contractor

CLIENT - CONTRACTOR Rarely but happening in maldives this is not yet recognised as the best practice. Client himself or has someone appointed to meet with the contractor.

client

contractor

COMMUNICATION

Communication is an important function of a good company. Without proper communication the company cannot reach its goals. In order to have good communication, a methodology is created and procedure is followed by chosen individuals. This way a better understanding and good relationship is formed between the company and its customers. MSpace usually communicates with the client in two phases, Design Phase and the Construction Phase. For other inquires MSpace is open for business from 8am - 3pm.

who

ARCHITECT

communicates

Depending on the type of the project, architect himself can manage a project. In such cases he is the leading communicator for the project. He will conduct the meetings personally with the client. Mspace practice this method for smaller scale projects.

PROJECT MANAGER Where a project manager is hired for the entire project, he is the master of all communications between the client and other specialists. This method is practiced for larger scale projects.

HOW

IN HOUSE MEETINGS

is it done

Architect is ithout proper communication the company cannot reach its goals. In order to have good communication, a methodology is created and procedure is follo

E-MAIL Architect is ithout proper communication the company cannot reach its goals. In order to have good communication, a methodology is created and procedure is follo

COMMUNICATION

Technical Meetings

when and how long

1 - 3 HOURS design phase

Progress Review

1 - 3 HOURS

Technical Meetings

1 - 3 HOURS construction phase

Progress Review

1 - 3 HOURS

BILLING

A project is all about a cost. Different firms in Maldives practise different costing methods and penalties for overdues. From all of this Most commonly used method is lump sum ( a fixed rate per sqft) and cosidering a specific % of construction for the design.

billing procedure

The fee for design is a percentage of the construction cost. The cost percentage will vary depending on the level of detail and the complexity. Quantity surveyors for the projects are hired if necessary but MSpace have one Quantity surveyor In-House.

% penalty or overdue

Fee Based on e s t i m at e d Construction cost

MSpace currently have no policy for overdues. But in a close future they are planning to take a fine of 2- 6 % for overdue payments. If any payments are pending, they follow-up to the client and try to make the settle the amount.

a new path for easy construction

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are now trying to work with clients to get design fees from the loan payments. this will make very easy for the clientâ&#x20AC;? - M Ishan Saeed This will be very useful for the clients having financial probelms and expecting a loan to financially support the project. MSpace will make the design documents ready upto for the loan requirements without prior charges. When the loan is awarded the client settle the payment fot the design.

LEGAL WORKS

Legal documents ensure all parties to have a guarantee that they have placed their capital in good terms.

legal practice

An outsourced legal expert is hired for the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal works. A legal form is created followed by the standard forms of construction created by world leading organizations. Such as, FIDIC (engineering) forms, and World Bank. These forms consists of the conditions of the project. The overall specifications of the project. The bill of quantities are also attached to these forms. At last the drawing set is attached.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Each company or firm has their own methodology for keeping quality, assuring the quality is maintained. This assurance brings more customers and broadens the market for the company.

architectural standards of quality assurance

engineering standards of quality assurance

For architectural purpose they refer to general standard and codes for Architectural specifications depending on client requirements, where a building code does not yet exist for Maldives. The consultancy contract and fees for the projects are agreed on the basis of client satisfaction. This pushes the firm to ensure the project goes in the path that in the end the client will be fully satisfied.

To maintain quality of projects it is best to follow international codes. That is why at M space, International codes for structural designs are followed.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

feeback and its response

A Design project is very different from other types of projects. Within a design project, two way communications happen between the client and the architect. This will enable the architect to input the clients needs in the design so that the quality of the outcome is appretiated by the client.

client

architect

DIFFICULITIES

In every field there are constraints which could be a difficult challenge that has to be tackled at some point. Firms have to find their own ways to response to these difficulties.

what are the difficulities

strategies to tackle it

MSpace experience challenges in the market such as non-existent reference standards, weak regulatory feedback mechanisms in the system. Due to central governance policies illogical fees related to professional indemnities assigned to professional licenses like Structural checkers license. Inflation can affect this field. When construction price increases, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less likely to get projects in the market.

There is nothing that can be done for the markets changes, for this is a global concern. Due to the small connections of architects and the local authority in a policy making level, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult to say that these policies are created for the benefit of all parties.

DIFFICULITIES

collaborative consortium

M space may not have enough resources to handle certain projects. In order to confront these problems they create a Collaborative consortium with external parties to handle the project. This way the project is not fully outsourced but this collaboration could be the best way to manage the project in a controlled environment to achieve a quality product.

BIDDING/ TENDER

Bids are one of the ways to attain a large project for the firm. The government opens bidding every now and then for local architecture firms. Resort companies also open up bids, since the resort marker is very large in Maldives. Tender packages are created to grab a hold of these bidding projects.

tender package

The tender package is a large set of documents created by the firm to attain a bid. By showing the bidders an attractive document that is realistic. The package are created in the following order, where a form of tender is created. The conditions of the contract is made, by following an international contract guideline. The technical specifications are created and documented. The bills of quantities are prepared. And then drawings or the drawing set is prepared and attached. Usually after this, firms attach the previous projects worked on and the current projects they are working now.

PROJECTS

In the following pages we had outlined some remarkable works carried out by the company and its individuals in the past.

the cyprea water front

enboogasdhoshuge residential