Structure Magazine Article

This is the only article I've read during the semester, it is about Frank Lloyd's Fallingwater. This article reveals the construction process of the restoration of Fallingwater's cantilever structural failure.

Article name: Fallingwater by Gerald Feldmann

Major Project & Conclusion to SRT 251

After completing this project, i soon realize that the previous tutorial drawings and lecture notes helped a lot to complete the task. Three months ago, I went to the Bunning's Warehouse, not knowing the elements inside the building. Now, I am able to tell what type of structure they are using, C-Girts, UBs, Purlins etc. I've utilize the knowledge that i've learned from the tutorial and lecture, applied it on the assignment and learnt a lot when I start building the model.

I also realized that, designing architecture without the knowledge of construction is pointless, therefore i am very happy of what i've learn through out this unit during the semester. This unit has broaden my knowledge on construction, and as soon as i am designing, i am able to apply what type of structure to support my design which i couldnt have done without studying this unit. The assignment of this unit allowed me to learn a lot about construction, and visiting sites as its required for the blog, also allowed me to experience the situation that CMs are working in.

Thanks to unit chair lecturer: Jeremy Ham

Major Project: Drawing out the overall design

This overall design of the showroom showed a lot about Renzo's cladding and window detail that i've picked up previously.

Major Project: Refined and Finalizing Concept

Major Project: Detail Reference

Major Project: Concept & Detail Development

I've chosen Renzo Piano as reference to my major project. In this project, I will focus on 2 particular details which Renzo Piano did in IRCAM Extension building and the B&B Italia Offices. I am interested with the detail of the cladding in IRCAM Extension and the Roof detail of B&B Italia Offices. My aim for this project is to figure out how these 2 details are going to join together and work functionally. I would like to design a detail base on Renzo's detail however not imitating it. The cladding in the design is mainly to block some direct sunlight penetrate into the office. I am struggling on how the cladding is going to join with the columns, and how to stiffen a truss connection to the U Beam columns.... more to come

Construction Site: Tilt Up Panel Construction 2 in Newcomb

Studying the way which tilt up panels are set up for the entrance and the window part of the building.

Examining how props overlap in the corner, and noticing the steel plates stiffen the joints of the tilt concrete panels.

Construction Site: Reinforced Concrete Slab construction in Newcomb

Notice how the reinforcing mesh placed on top of the bar chairs. The bar chairs are evenly placed on top of the polythene membrane.

Notice how servicing pipes are installed before the concrete slab being constructed.

Pouring the cement evenly to the escavated site.

A pre-mixed cement truck arrive on site.


Reinforced concrete slab seating on a polythene membrane.

Construction Site: Tilt Up Panel Construction in Newcomb

The proppings are screwed onto the concrete slab for a temporary brace stiffening. The line of slots on the bottom of the tilted up panels allow the concrete slabs to join up with the panels, allowing the panels to act as a structural component to support the whole building. When this is done, the propping will be removed.
This photo shows how a tilt up panel is being lift up by a crane.

I found out that the proppings are actually installed during the lifting panels take place.

The steel bars could be allowing other joinings to be installed sometime later during the construction. Also notice the small slots in between each panels, these slots actually allow steel plates wielded to join the tilt panels together.

Tilted up pannels supported by temporary proppings.

Drawing Exercise: Downpipe connect to Box Gutter Detail at 1:20 Scale

Drawing Exercise: Downpipe Detail at 1:5 Scale

Drawing Exercise: Gutter Detail at 1:5 Scale

Drawing Exercise: Capping Detail at 1:2 Scale

Drawing Exercise: Office Attachment to Warehouse

Detail Section of Long Span Single-Storey Building 2

Week 3 Tutorial Exercise: Detail drawing of a long-span single-storey building 2

Detail Section of Long Span Single-Storey Building

Week 2 Tutorial Exercise: Detail drawing of a long-span single-storey building

Single-level long-span commercial building

In the first week's task, I've chosen Bunnings Warehouse to be the example of a single level long span building. The first photo gives an overview of the whole building. This Bunning Warehouse is located opposite Deakin Waurn Pond University.

This steel column from the side of the building is one of the main structural element that support and hold up the building. The pipe along the column is for rain water catchment.

This is a close detail of one of the supporting columns inside the building. The I-Beams are bolted and screwed together and the small gap of space on top of the beam is to allow building services to be installed.