02 DETAILED CONSTRUCTION DESIGN

Large-Scale Commercial Building

VCASS - SECTION B

Detailed Construction Design

Location: Southbank, Melbourne, Australia Project: Individual, Academic Level of Study: Third Year, First Semester Date: February - June 2020 Supervisor: Blair Gardiner (b.gardiner@unimelb.edu.au)

This subject articulated the idea of construction as a process requiring cultural and technical choices while moving from the analysis of specific architectural ideas to arrive at the evaluation and selection of implementation solutions. Mixing built examples and project proposals, I identified, evaluated and engaged with the technological underpinnings of architecture and was introduced to construction documentation.

The subject offered an introduction to general principles and topic-related issues and contributed to developing an understanding of the design thinking that goes into a building and how construction technology contributes to the resolution, performance and delivery of a design response. The language of building communication has been investigated through construction drawing.

THE TASK

Each student was given a section of an already existing building in Melbourne along with a set of structural and civic documentation, architectural drawings, geotechnical reports and environmental assessments.

The building was referred to as “VCASS”, which stands for the Victorian College of Arts Secondary School. I was assigned section B and expected to read the given drawings and documentation, and fully recreate it with all its construction details, down to every single nail and bolt. As a result, certain materials, components and elements are “peeled back” in order to show the various details more clearly.

PROJECT DETAILS

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ROOF SYSTEM PRECAST CONCRETE PANEL CONNECTION PURLIN, CLEAT AND KEY CONNECTION LOCKING KEY ON TOP CROSS RAIL COLUMN AND BEAM CONNECTION FLOOR SYSTEM WITH SCREED, HOLLOWCORE AND GROUND BEAM BEAM CONNECTION AND 7 M20 8.8/S BOLTS EDGE BEAM (B102-SP x 450) 1100 x 1050 WITH REINFORCEMENT AND HOLLOWCORE AND SCREEN CONNECTION

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ABOUT VCASS

VCASS is a large-scaled commercial building built and design by Williams Boag Architects and Irwinconsult. It offers a broad range of dance, music and visual and theatre arts programs. As described by WG Architects on their own website: “William Boag were engaged by the Education Department in October 2006 to design and document a new facility for the School in Miles Street Southbank. The new 5460 m2 VCASS facility occupying the whole of its 3,5000 m2 site over two floors, was completed in June 2009 and is among the most unique secondary school buildings in the world with its inner urban setting and specialist teaching facilities. These include tertiary institution quality Dance Studios with sprung floor and acoustically design Music Practice and Ensemble Rooms”.

REFLECTION

Reflecting upon this subject and its objectives, I have learned to develop research skills, demonstrate an understanding of systems and technologies, of the language and conventions of construction documentation, and to understand how a building design is resolved, detailed, communicated and built. I have developed skills to expedite the decision-making process required in construction, in response to budget, time constraints and construction practices. Last but not least, I have obtained and demonstrated an understanding of project imperatives regarding client, site, brief, cost, time, quality, contractor, performance and maintenance.