Modules in

DRWN11E: ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND PLANS

SESSION TOPIC 1: Introduction to the design process

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the session you will:

1. Know the work and responsibilities of an architect and engineer in the
designing process.
2. Be able to determine the different stages in the construction process.
3. Be familiar with the different parts and section of a plan

KEY TERMS

Architect Engineer Plan Project

Design Construction Safety Process

CORE CONTENT

What is Architecture?

Architecture is both the process and the product of planning, designing,

and constructing buildings or other structures. Architectural works, in the material form
of buildings, are often perceived as cultural symbols and as works of art. Historical
civilizations are often identified with their surviving architectural achievements.

What is Engineering?

Engineering is the use of scientific principles to design and build machines, structures,
and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The
discipline of engineering encompasses a broad range of more specialized fields of
engineering, each with a more specific emphasis on areas of applied
mathematics, applied science, and types of application. 
-Wikipedia
The difference between Architect and Civil Engineer

Difference
Architect Civil Engineering
Perspective Strength
How the structure would look like from the
What is the best material to be used?
inside and out.
How a structure speaks to an individual.
Spacing Safety
The flow within the building. Is the building safe for construction?
Ergonomics Economics
What material is best for both
Is the building space conducive for living?
Safety and economical.
Focus/Major
City, Community, and regional planning Construction Management
Environmental Geotechnical
Landscape Structural
Real estate Development Transportation
Technology Water resource
And more…
Similarities
Architect Engineering
Both are part of the designing process and both are involved in planning.

Anyone can build a house but only an architect and an engineer can build a home.

What are the main stages of construction projects?

 1. The concept of a project
2. Design
3. Pre-construction stage
4. Procurement stage
5. Construction stage
6. Post-construction stage

For every stage of a construction project, from the simplest to the most complex, there
are certain steps and processes that need to be followed to ensure a successful
outcome.

Projects in construction may vary based on their size, the number of stakeholders
involved, budget and delivery date. Regardless of the case, though, a construction
project is always a long and demanding process.

The good news is that with the continuous progress of digital solutions, the
management of the different project phases can now be done much easier and with
higher precision. On top of that, the collection of valuable data from the field can play a
decisive role in improving, and ideally, standardizing the construction process for future
projects.

here are the 6 stages of a construction project and what you should know about them:

The conception of the project

Normally, the conception of the project starts with the client. This is where the dream
begins as well as the research for the right location and the specifications/standards
that should be followed.

Depending on the project, the conception stage might vary. It can take anywhere from a
few days to a few months or more, depending on how imminent the need for the
completion of the project is.

Design

Once the project is closer to fruition, it is time to sit down and talk design. This is still a
preliminary stage, which means that nothing is guaranteed at this point. Nevertheless,
design is the stage where usually the bidding process begins.

The team that is in charge of the design, led by an architect or an engineer, will need to
make sure that each of the state regulations and codes is met while respecting the
vision of the project owner as well as ensuring that the newly built structure will be
usable.
There are normally four different steps within the design stage, and they include
programming and feasibility, schematic design, design development, and contract
documents.

During the programming and feasibility step, each of the objectives and goals of the
project must be outlined. Numerous decisions are made at this stage, including how
large the building will be, how space will be used, and how many rooms will be needed.

The schematic design is a sketch that will show the space as well as materials, colors,
and even textures. That sketch will be used during the design development to research
the equipment needed, along with the cost for them and the materials being used.

Once the contract documents are drawn up, everything is close to being finalized,
because they contain the final drawings and specifications. These documents are used
in the construction field by those placing bids to work on the project.

The pre-construction stages

The next stage of a construction project begins when the bidding is completed, and the
contractor has been chosen to do the work. As soon as the contractor is chosen, the
project team is put together.

Typically, a project team has the task to prepare the construction site before the work
begins. As a rule, it consists of the following specialties:

 Contract administrator
 Project manager
 Superintendent
 Field engineer
 Health and safety manager

In close collaboration with the contractor, the project team is responsible for visiting the
field to complete a site examination. The site examination will allow the project team to
detect or predict any environmental challenges that might emerge during the building
process. Soil testing is also an integral part of this step.

When all information is collected, all plans and findings should be reviewed by the city
authorities. This is usually a long procedure, as all concerns and opinions should be
heard and addressed.

The procurement stages

Now it is time for the project team to order and obtain materials, equipment, and
workforce. This stage of the project can be complex and challenging depending on how
big the project is, the available resources and the agreed start date.
Many of the big construction companies have their own procurement departments. In
such cases, it is common that the construction company will simultaneously order
laborer’s, equipment, and materials for several projects. This process might vary a lot in
smaller projects.

All this work is usually performed by the general contractor, however, there are times
when subcontractors will oversee certain parts. The subcontractors may be responsible
for hiring their own workers or obtaining their own materials so that they know that they
have exactly what they need to complete their portion of the job.

The construction stages

Before the construction work begins, a pre-construction meeting is done to ensure that
everyone is on the same page when the construction starts. This meeting normally
includes information about the following topics:

 how to access the job site

 the quality control of the project
 how and where to store all the materials
 the hours that everyone will be working

Each worker may be given their own schedule. It is also important to note that the
schedule of each project agent might vary depending on their role. This is especially
true for subcontractors who need certain parts of the job completed before they can
begin their portion. It easily becomes evident that bad planning at this point can lead to
serious delays and budget overruns.

Once the meeting is over and there are no lingering questions, the very first step of the
project can begin. The goal at this point is to have planned everything so carefully that
everything goes off without a hitch. Of course, that rarely happens, as something always
goes wrong during a construction project.

To avoid pitfalls, while planning your construction project, you should use digital
solution.

The post-construction stages

Last but certainly not least, the post-construction stage. Now that all the work on the job
site has been completed, the project will soon end.

Nonetheless, there are still a few steps that need to be done before the keys to the
building can be handed over.
In general, the final stage of the construction project is divided into three critical steps:
 a. New construction building commissioning

First things first, an inspection of the whole building needs to be done. If everything is
done correctly, these inspections are simple to pass.

The reason is that other inspections should have already been completed during the
entire project. It is during those previous inspections that issues should have been
found and corrected.

As soon as everything has been checked, it is time for the project team to train the client
in operating and maintaining the newly built structure. That is a step of considerable
importance as it will contribute to increasing the lifecycle of the project.

b. Owner occupancy

Now that the training is completed, the owner can take over the building. This is when
the warranty period is on. In that way, the project owner can feel safe that there is
enough time to examine all the different systems, equipment, and materials that have
been installed.

There are three main types of warranty in construction:

1. Express warranty: It is normally included in the contract.

2. Implied warranty: It is imposed by law.
3. Statutory warranty: It is introduced in a state’s regulations.

c. Closure

That is the last step in the long process of designing and completing a construction
project. The project team must overall contractual agreements and make sure that the
project is free from any type of legal burden.

At this point, it is also a good practice to carry out a post-project review which could help
the different agents to detect any tasks that weren’t completed, analyses why this
happened and put together a list of insights for the future.

A post-project review can also be the foundation for the creation of an in-depth project
completion report.
Final word

At the end of the day, every stage of a construction project is a chain of tasks,
decisions, and numerous tools. Its complexity depends vastly on the size and type of
the project but there are always some core steps that cannot be skipped.

Impeccable communication between the different stakeholders and fact-based

decisions are two fundamental pillars in the effort of streamlining a construction project
and making sure that all phases will be developed and completed within the agreed
timeframe and budget.

What can be found in a set of plans?

1. Architectural Plan
a. General notes
b. Perspective
c. Site vicinity map
d. Location plan
e. Floor plan
f. Rainwater flow
g. Elevation
h. Schedule of Doors and Windows
2. Civil Engineering Plan
a. General notes
b. Foundation plan
i. Footing details
ii. Column details
iii. Schedule of footing
c. Framing plan
i. Beam details
ii. Beam schedule
iii. Slab details
d. Truss layout
e. Stair details
3. Electrical Plan
a. General notes
b. Schedule of loads
c. Computation
d. Power and Auxiliary layout
e. Light system layout
4. Plumbing Plan
a. General notes
b. Isometric view
c. Septic tank details
d. Cold water line layout
e. Plumbing layout
5. Mechanical Plan
a. Airconditioning system
b. Ventilation system
c. Fire protection system
 IN-TEXT ACTIVITY

Attachments:
 PDF Lecture/slides – Fundamental Concepts

Multi-media:
 Video/ Audio (prerecorded) materials

SESSION SUMMARY

Important points
 Both architect and engineer are part of the design process
 There are six stages in the construction process

 The concept of a project

 Design
 Pre-construction stage
 Procurement stage
 Construction stage
 Post-construction stage

 In a set of plans the following can be found

 Architectural plan
 Structural plan
 Electrical plan
 Plumping plan
 Mechanical plan
 SELF ASSESSMENT

ACTIVITY 1

Name: ________________ SCORE: ______________

Major: ________________ Date: ________________

Make a timeline of the entire construction process with the template below.

Stage Objective People involve

REFERENCES

https://www.letsbuild.com/blog/6-stages-of-a-project-in-construction