INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

INTRODUCT ION TO

SPECIF ICAT ION

B A 3 / M L A 2 D e t a i l e d D e s i g n

C o n t r a c t s a n d S p e c i f i c a t i o n

1 7 . 0 3 . 1 5 .

E l i s e C a m p b e l l

D I S C L O S U R E : All photographs used in this presentation are

credited to Grant Associates (GA), Bath, England, www.grant-associates.uk.com

or Elise Campbell (EC), Edinburgh, Scotland.

INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

WHAT IS A SPEC IF ICAT ION?

W H A T I S A S P E C I F I C A T I O N ?

D e f i n i t i o n s o f

s p e c i f i c a t i o n

Specifications are written documents that describe the materials and workmanship required for a development. They do not include cost, quantity or drawn information but need to be read alongside other contract documentation such as quantities, schedules and drawings.!

Designing Buildings Wiki !www.designingbuildings.co.uk!

!

Written descriptions of the quality of the built product and its component parts!

National Building Standards !www.designingbuildings.co.uk !

specification ... specified detail, esp. ( in pl ) detailed description of construction, workmanship, materials, etc of work ( to be ) undertaken, prepared by architect!

Concise Oxford Dictionary, 5th Edn (1971) !

[...] when used as a contract document, the specification must describe precisely and unambiguously the quality of materials, workmanship and in some cases the performance of a particular element or component required to be provided.!Spon's Landscape Contract Handbook: A Guide to Good Practice

and Procedures, 2nd Edn, (1995)by Hugh Clamp, P19!

therefore

S P E C I F I C A T I O N S : A N I N T R O D U C T I O N

Note: The NBS website (www.thenbs.com) provides comprehensive information about specifications within the NBS Educator section, under Training & CPD.!

P L E A S E R E A D S P E C I F I C AT I O N S : A N I N T R O D U C T I O N T O I N C R E A S E Y O U R K N O W L E D G E O N T H E T O P I C . !

http://www.thenbs.com/training/educator/specification/index.asp!

Specification is an essential part of the design process. A badly written specification can cause major problems for every member of the project team, and can cost the client a great deal of money. A

well written specification can enhance project delivery and save money.!

!National Building Standards!

http://www.thenbs.com/index.asp!!!

S P E C I F I C A T I O N M E T H O D S a r e n o r m a l l y

PRESCRIPT IVE (closed)

PERFORMANCE (open)

P E R F O R M A N C E

P R I C E

S I L E N C E

T E R M I N O L O G Y A N D C H O I C E

P R O P R I E T A R Y

D E S C R I P T I V E

P R O C E S S

S p e c i f i c a t i o n s a r e l i k e l y t o c o n t a i n a m i x o f t h e a b o v e . !!

F u r t h e r r e a d i n g : http://www.thenbs.com/training/educator/specification/specIntro/specIntro09.asp!

P E R F O R M A N C E S P E C I F I C A T I O N S

W h a t i s a P E R F O R M A N C E s p e c i f i c a t i o n ?

A landscape architect might write a performance specification for particular components of the landscape where the desired result or performance requirements are understood but the method of construction is not. E.g. a landscape architect might understand the particular sports that are required to be played on a proposed grass pitch, and the hours in which the pitch will be in use, but they might not be certain of what construction make up and drainage would be required for it to function effectively. The landscape architect in this case would write a performance specification for the pitch and would allow a specialist contractor to specify its detailed construction.!

A performance specification states requirements in terms of the required results with criteria for verifying compliance, but without stating the methods for achieving the required results. A performance specification defines the functional requirements for the item, the environment in which it must operate, and interface and interchangeability characteristics.!

www.dsp.dla.mil!

W h e n d o l a n d s c a p e

a r c h i t e c t s w r i t e p e r f o r m a n c e

s p e c s ?

INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

STANDARD SPECIF ICAT ION

DOCUMENTS

Although there is no such thing as a standard specification (i.e. they vary from office to office and from project to project)

landscape architects do use standard specification documents.

NBS National Building Specification

www.thenbs.com

ICE Institute of Civil Engineering

www.ice.org.uk

This specification document is used mainly on landscape projects that have extensive civil engineering works (e.g. large scale infrastructure projects) and is not commonly used by landscape architects.!

This is the most common standard specification document used in landscape design offices.!

INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

SPECIF ICAT IONS FOR D IFFERENT WORK STAGES

Landscape specifications can be submitted at different work stages in differing levels of detail.

(Specifications may vary for the size of job and its intended purpose.)

PLANNING

Outline specifications are often issued to the local authorities at the initial stage of landscape projects. Outline specifications are not as detailed as specifications for tender or construction, as the local authority will only be interested in understanding the basic components (e.g. plant species and materials) of the project and will not be so interested in the fixtures and fittings. !

TENDER

CONSTRUCT ION

Landscape specifications will be issued to contractors at the tender stage for costing purposes. Depending on the contract and nature of project (e.g. Design and Build) the contractors may offer alternative materials that they feel are the equivalent to what has been specified by the landscape architect. !

Contract landscape specifications issued for construction will set out precisely the qualities of materials and workmanship of the particular elements and components that are required to be provided in the landscape scheme. The specification will correspond with the contract package of drawings.!

INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

GUIDANCE ON WRIT ING A

SPECIF ICAT ION

G U I D A N C E O N W R I T I N G A S P E C I F I C A T I O N

B E C L E A R

DO: Use proper grammar and choose precise words to convey information. !DONT: Be ambiguous as this might result in your specification being open to multiple interpretations. Vague specification clause entries may come back to haunt you in the latter stages of projects. !

B E C O R R E C T

B E C O M P L E T E

DO: Make sure you include all important and necessary information. !DONT: Withhold critical information in a bid to keep the specification short.!

B E C O N C I S E

DO: Eliminate unnecessary words and nonessential information.!DONT: Use flowery language or include superfluous text you are not writing a fiction novel or a theoretical essay.!

DO: Present information accurately and precisely using proper terminology. !DONT: Second guess information or provide incorrect details.!

INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

STRUCTURE AND PHRASEOLOGY

S T R U C T U R E O F S P E C I F I C A T I O N S

T h e s t r u c t u r e o f a l a n d s c a p e

s p e c i f i c a t i o n f a l l s i n t o t w o p a r t s

Preliminary clauses!Par t

1

Par t 2

P a r t 1 : comprises the preliminary clauses covering the Form of Contract to be used; the responsibilities of the contracted parties; the definition of the procedures to be followed as a consequence, and a description of the scope of work, the site and restrictions - access, sequence of the work, hours or working rules.!P a r t 2 : describes the quality and performance of the materials, workmanship and prefabricated components to be used. These are best set out by describing the materials and components for any particular element followed by the workmanship required in the preparation of adjacent surfaces, the location, assembly, planting and subsequent protection of the element itself.!!The above information is taken from Spon's Landscape Contract Handbook: A Guide to Good Practice and Procedures, 2nd Edn, (1995)by Hugh Clamp, P20!

Descriptions of the quality + performance of materials, workmanship + prefabricated components.!

P H R A S E O L O G Y

Clauses

Must be written using clear and concise phrases, with words carefully chosen to indicate the designers intention; simple and unambiguous.!

Should start wherever possible with keywords e.g. TOPSOIL, INSITU CONCRETE, WEEDS, followed by a verb in the imperative e.g. to be, provide, fix etc.!

Should not include vague phrases e.g. free from all faults.!

Words should be consistent through the specification and should infer the same meaning throughout.!

Should be concise without being ambiguous.!

Note: The above information is derived from Spon's Landscape Contract Handbook: A Guide to Good Practice and Procedures, 2nd Edn, (1995)by Hugh Clamp, P20!

INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

CLAUSE SELECT ION

C L A U S E S E L E C T I O N

G o o d s p e c i f i c a t i o n s

m u s t b e :

Precise !Ordered !Structured !Unambiguous!Identifiable !Immediately comprehensible!Organised !Requirements easily understood!

A balance between quality and quantity for the size of job, with skills on behalf of the specifier for selecting applicable clauses. !

I m p o r t a n t n o t t o :

Over specify and use clauses that are not relevant. This will show inexperience. !!The opposite can also be said; dont omit applicable clauses in a bid to be concise.!

INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

SPECIFY ING MATER IALS

GA, Bristol Harbourside

S P E C I F Y I N G M A T E R I A L S

M a t e r i a l s c a n b e

s p e c i f i e d i n o n e o f t h r e e

w a y s

By type.!1

2

3

By British Standard.!

By proprietary name.!

Whichever way of specifying a material is used, the minimum standard must be made clear. !It can be in the employers interest to allow contractors a freedom of choice in their sources of supply, but this can also lead to confusion with the contractor as to what is considered an approved equivalent to the material/product that has been specified their time can be wasted looking for alternatives.!An article by John Gelder on the NBS website Substitution and beyond, discusses the issues surrounding product/brand substitution www.thenbs.com/topics/designspecification/articles/substitutionandbeyond.asp.!

B R I T I S H S TA N D A R D S

plural noun: British Standards - 1. the specification of recommended procedure, quality of output, terminology, and other details, in a particular field, drawn up and published by the British Standards Institution.!

English Dictionary !

B r i t i s h S t a n d a r d

W h a t i s a

s t a n d a r d ?

In essence, a standard is an agreed way of doing something. It could be about making a product, managing a process, delivering a service or supplying materials standards can cover a huge range of activities undertaken by organisations and used by their customers.!

British Standard Institution!www.bsigroup.com!

When writing specifications, the specifier will refer to the relevant British Standards within each clause, ensuring that contractors will adhere to the minimum standards for materials and workmanship.!Professional offices will either be a member of the British Standard Institute (www.bsigroup.com) where they can buy copies of up to date British Standards, or will have their own library of purchased British Standards. !It is illegal to copy or reproduce British Standards.!It is important that professional offices refer to the most up to date British Standards within their specifications.!There are fifteen British Standards considered to be essential in landscape work.!

25.03.14.

WORKMANSHIP

S P E C I F Y I N G M I N I M U M S T A N D A R D S O F W O R K M A N S H I P

W h e n s p e c i f y i n g m i n i m u m s t a n d a r d s o f w o r k m a n s h i p a

c h o i c e o f 3 w a y s a p p l y .

By finished effect.!1

2

3

By British Standard Codes of Practice.!

By method.

Note: To specify a finished effect (e.g. a free standing in situ concrete wall specified to have a smooth finish with no holes or blemishes) and leave the contractor with the responsibility of achieving the method can be preferable, but is often not practical and can sometimes lead to problems.!

The contract specification sets out the MINIMUM acceptable qualities of materials and workmanship. !

INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

INTRODUCT ION TO

NBS LANDSCAPE

A PRELIMINARIES/ GENERAL CONDITIONS B COMPLETE BUILDINGS/ STRUCTURES/ UNITS C EXISTING SITE/ BUILDINGS/ SERVICES D GROUNDWORK E IN SITU CONCRETE/ LARGE PRECAST CONCRETE F MASONRY G STRUCTURAL/ CARCASSING METAL/ TIMBER J WATERPROOFING L WINDOWS/ DOORS/ STAIRS M SURFACE FINISHES N FURNITURE/ EQUIPMENT P BUILDING FABRIC SUNDRIES Q PAVING/ PLANTING/ FENCING/ SITE FURNITURE * R DISPOSAL SYSTEMS S PIPED SUPPLY SYSTEMS V ELECTRICAL SUPPLY/ POWER/ LIGHTING SYSTEMS Z BUILDING FABRIC REFERENCE SPECIFICATION

* The majority of clauses associated with hard and soft landscape in section Q.

S T R U C T U R E F O R N B S L A N D S C A P E

A10-A13 The project generally!A20 ICC Minor Works!Irish Short Public Works Contract for Civil Engineering and Building Works Designed by the Employer!JCT 2011 Framework Agreement!JCLI Landscape Works Contract 2008!JCLI Landscape Works Contract with Contractor's Design 2008!JCLI Landscape Maintenance Works Contract 2008!JCT 2011 Minor Works Building Contract!JCT 2011 Minor Works Building Contract with Contractor's Design!NEC3 Engineering and construction short contract!SBCC 2013 Minor Works Building Contract with Contractor's Design!A30 Tendering/Subletting/Supply!A31 Provision, content and use of documents!A32 Management of the Works!A33 Quality standards/control!A34 Security/Safety/Protection!A35 Specific limitations on method/sequence/timing!A36 Facilities/Temporary work/Services!A37 Operation/Maintenance of the finished works!A4 Contractor's general cost items!A5 Work by others or subject to instruction!

PRELIMINARIES/ GENERAL CONDITIONS

C O M P L E T E B U I L D I N G S / S T R U C T U R E S / U N I T S B51 General structure requirements - landscape!B91 Buildings in the landscape!

E X I S T I N G S I T E / B U I L D I N G S / S E R V I C E S C10 Site survey!C11 Site investigation!C20 Demolition!

G R O U N D W O R K D20 Excavating and filling!D41 Crib walls/ Gabions/ Drystack masonry!

I N S I T U C O N C R E T E / L A R G E P R E C A S T C O N C R E T E E10 Mixing/ Casting/ Curing in situ concrete!E20 Formwork for in situ concrete!E30 Reinforcement for in situ concrete!E40 Designed joints for in situ concrete!E41 Worked finishes to in situ concrete!

M A S O N R Y F10 Brick/ Block walling!F20 Natural stone rubble walling!F21 Natural stone/ ashlar walling/ dressings!F22 Cast stone ashlar walling/ dressings!F30 Accessories/ Sundry items for brick/ block/ stone walling!F31 Precast concrete sills/ lintels/ copings/ features!

WORK SECTIONS OF NBS LANDSCAPE

S T R U C T U R A L / C A R C A S S I N G M E T A L / T I M B E R G12 Isolated structural metal members!G20 Carpentry/ Timber framing/ First fixing!

W A T E R P R O O F I N G J10 Cementitious mortar tanking/ damp proofing!J30 Liquid applied damp proofing!J40 Flexible sheet waterproofing/ damp proofing!J44 Sheet linings for pools/ lakes/ waterways!

W I N D O W S / D O O R S / S T A I R S L37 External, stair, ramp, handrail and balustrades systems!

S U R F A C E F I N I S H E S M20 Plastered/ Rendered/ Roughcast coatings!M40 Stone/ Concrete/ Quarry/ Ceramic tiling/ Mosaic!M60 Painting/ Clear finishing!

F U R N I T U R E / E Q U I P M E N T N14 General internal signage systems!N16 Bird and vermin control systems!N91 External signage and interpretation!

B U I L D I N G F A B R I C S U N D R I E S P30 Trenches/ Pipeways/ Pits for buried engineering services!!

WORK SECTIONS OF NBS LANDSCAPE

P A V I N G / P L A N T I N G / F E N C I N G / S I T E F U R N I T U R E Q05 Biodiversity and environmental conservation!Q10 Stone/ concrete/ brick kerbs/ edgings/ channels!Q20 Granular sub-bases to roads/ pavings!Q21 In situ concrete roads/ pavings/ bases!Q22 Coated macadam/ Asphalt roads/ pavings!Q23 Gravel/ Hoggin/ Woodchip roads/ pavings!Q24 Interlocking brick/ block roads/ pavings!Q25 Slab/ Brick/ Sett/ Cobble pavings!Q26 Special surfacings/ pavings for sport/ general amenity!Q28 Topsoil and growing media!Q30 Seeding/ Turfing!Q31 External planting!Q32 Internal and artificial planting!Q35 Landscape maintenance!Q37 Green roofs!Q40 Fencing!Q41 Barriers/ Guardrails!Q50 Site/ Street furniture/ equipment!Q52 Play and sports equipment!Q55 External decks boardwalks and pergolas!

W O R K S E C T I O N S O F N B S L A N D S C A P E ( H A R D L A N D S C A P E A N D S O F T L A N D S C A P E C L A U S E S A R E

I N S E C T I O N Q )

D I S P O S A L S Y S T E M S

R12 Drainage below ground!R13 Land drainage!

P I P E D S U P P L Y S Y S T E M S S14 Irrigation!S15 Fountains and water features!S17 Water reclamation systems!

E L E C T R I C A L S U P P L Y / P O W E R / L I G H T I N G S Y S T E M S V91 Electrical systems - landscape!

B U I L D I N G F A B R I C R E F E R E N C E S P E C I F I C A T I O N Z10 Purpose made joinery!Z11 Purpose made metalwork!Z12 Preservative/ Fire retardant treatment!Z20 Fixings/ Adhesives!Z21 Mortars!Z22 Sealants!Z31 Powder coatings!

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WORK SECTIONS OF NBS LANDSCAPE

INTRODUCTION TO

SPECIFICATION

25.03.14.

SPECIFY ING PLANT STOCK

EC, Museumpark, Rotterdam

S P E C I F Y I N G P L A N T S

Care must be given when specifying plant stock that sufficient information is provided to the contractors. It is not acceptable to simply specify 1 no. Semi-mature Fraxinus excelsior to be planted in accordance with BS 4043:1966. Semi-mature trees come in a range of girth sizes, heights and forms. The specifier must provide accurate and precise details of plant material within specifications, to ensure that appropriate specimens are procured. Poor quality or unsuitable stock might be sourced if they are not adequately specified.!

Many professional offices will have developed years of knowledge on the subject of plant procurement and will have built up a library of clauses and specifications for plant material and planting methods. !

Most offices will refer to and use The Horticultural Trades Associations (www.the-hta.org.uk) NATIONAL PLANT SPECIFICATION (NPS) which is available at the gohelios web-site (www.gohelios.co.uk).!

Specifiers can use the PLANT SELECTOR tool (www.gohelios.co.uk/plants.aspx) to select species of plants. Specifications for selected plant species can be found here and the specifier can use this to select standard sizes and forms used across the landscape industry.!

GA+ EC, Bristol Harbourside

N A T I O N A L P L A N T S P E C I F I C A T I O N

Within the NPS you will find that specifications for plants are listed under the following categories:!

T R E E S ! S H R U B S ! B A M B O O S ! H E R B A C E O U S P L A N T S ! H E R B A C E O U S B U L B S ! C L I M B E R S ! C O N I F E R S ! W I L D F L O W E R S !

There is also a GENERAL INFORMATION section that covers: !

B A C K G R O U N D ! H A N D L I N G & E S TA B L I S H M E N T ! O R I G I N & P R O V E N A N C E ! R O O T B A L L E D T R E E S ! G L O S S A R Y ! R E F E R E N C E S & A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S !

NOTE: This information is freely available to the public and is useful reading material for all parties involved with the landscape industry. www.gohelios.co.uk/nps/background.aspx !

* NOTE: The above benefits of using the National Plant Specification are taken from the The Horticultural Trades Association website.!

Benef i t s o f u s ing the

Nat iona l P lan t

Spec i f icat ion *

The National Plant Specification (NPS) removes the guesswork in plant procurement by providing a comprehensive and accurate bible for the specification of plants ensuring an effective method of producing rigorously specified plant schedules.* !

Specifiers using NPS can be sure that the plants are supplied to their exact specification and different nurseries are able to provide like-for-like quotations.*!

The NPS covers all of the most commonly specified plant groups and defines the criteria used in the specification of plants within each including wild flowers and native species.*!

N A T I O N A L P L A N T S P E C I F I C A T I O N

The NPS (National Plant Specification) sets out the standard minimum requirements for each plant type and species, to ensure that good quality stock is supplied within the landscape industry. Although only a guideline, if landscape architects do not follow the minimum specifications in the NPS, they risk the procurement of inferior quality plant specimens or unsuitable stock (e.g. a tree with three branches). !!Many tree/plant nurseries only grow their stock plants to meet the requirements within the NPS specifications. If landscape architects choose to specify plant sizes that do not align with the NPS, it can be difficult for landscape contractors to source this material. If non-standard plant material is specified within the landscape specification, landscape contractors might see this as a potential cost issue, and may increase their fees at the tender stage to cover this.!!There may be occasional cases when landscape architects choose to specify non-standard or miscellaneous stock within their specification (e.g. a topiary yew hedge trimmed to the shape of an animal). In these cases the landscape architect would liaise with plant nurseries at the design stage to understand the feasibility and costs that would incur as a result of specifying a non-standard specimen. !

N A T I O N A L P L A N T S P E C I F I C A T I O N

www.gohelios.co.uk

General&name! Form! Age / condition or times transplanted ! Overall height ! Clear stem height! Girth! Root protection! Container grown plants! Number of breaks / branches! Other details! Summary page!

S P E C I F Y I N G T R E E S ( A S A N E X A M P L E )

The NPS breaks down the specification of TREES into the following categories.!

The NPS will offer the minimum standards for each species and size, to ensure that the best quality tree stock is grown and procured within the industry. !!A similar approach is adopted with the other plant types.!!Note: If you visit the gohelios web-site www.gohelios.co.uk, it will explain each category in depth.!

N A T I O N A L P L A N T S P E C I F I C A T I O N

GA, Bristol Harbourside

P L A N T S C H E D U L E S ( E x a m p l e s )

No.!Req.!

Species! Form! Age/Condition!or No. of X Transplanted!

Girth (cm)! Overall min. height (cm)!

Clear Stem!Range (cm)!

Root!Condition!

Notes: Min. No. of major lateral branches!

5! Quercus palustris! Semi mature! 5 X! 40-55! 550-600! 200! Rootballed! 9 branches!4! Salix alba chermisima! Pollarded

(semimature)!4 X! 20-25! 150-180! Rootballed! Distinctive from

preferred.!Good knuckle.!

7! Salix alba! Pollarded (semimature)!

4 X! 30-35! 180! Rootballed! Distinctive form preferred.!Well developed pollarded knuckles.!

Note: The following plant schedules are indicative only and will vary between projects and practices. The plant schedules provide the landscape contractor with detailed information (numbers and specifications) about the specified plant stock. !

1 . 0 T r e e s

It is normal procedure to start with the largest stock on the project (in this case the trees) and work your way down to the smallest stock.!It is good practice to work in ALPHABETICAL ORDER.!

N o t e s The landscape architect might include additional notes about the planting outside the schedule for the attention of the landscape contractor. !

T rees

In complex landscape schemes, landscape architects will usually break down the plant schedules included within the landscape specification to make it easier for the contractor to understand different components within the planted landscape, and for ease of pricing. The landscape contractor might wish to send out different plant schedules to specialist nurseries. e.g. a schedule of plants for floating reed beds might be sent over to a specialist reed bed nursery and would not be issued to a tree nursery.!!The following is an example of how the landscape architect might break down plant schedules for a hypothetical landscape project.!

Shrubs Herbaceous

Bulbs Lawn

Reedbeds Marginal aquatics

Within each plant schedule the specifier will specify species, sizes, forms, age, etc. !Specifiers will often suggest suppliers (with a choice of recommended nurseries) to ensure the procurement of good quality stock.!

P L A N T S C H E D U L E S

P L A N T S C H E D U L E S ( E x a m p l e s )

25.03.14.

EXAMPLES OF CONTRACT DWGS

+ SPECS

T h e l a n d s c a p e s p e c i f i c a t i o n a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n d r a w i n g s f o r p a r t s o f t h e B r i s t o l H a r b o u r s i d e d e v e l o p m e n t w e r e

p r e s e n t e d .

25.03.14.

EXAMPLES OF CONTRACT DWGS

+ SPECS

GA, Bristol Harbourside

GA, Bristol Harbourside

GA, Bristol Harbourside

K e y !C o n s t r u c t i o n !D e t a i l !

The key should refer to the relevant clauses in the landscape specification.

Note: It is good practice to keep annotation on contract drawings to a minimum, and to cross refer at all times to the appropriate clauses in the landscape specification. This practice encourages the contractor and involved parties to refer to the most up to date version of the landscape specification, rather than measuring straight off of construction details, or taking information from the contract drawings. Keeping text to a minimum helps to avoid potential confusion, if for example there should be changes to the specified materials in the future. In addition to this, if there are elements within the drawing which are the responsibility of other disciplines (e.g. concrete foundations - civil engineer; external lighting - lighting engineer), the landscape drawing should refer to the specifications of the other consultants. This ensures that the contractor uses the correct specifications and prevents them from relying solely on the landscape contract drawings, which might not have picked up on the latest edits to other parties designs.!!

say it once and in the right place National Building Standards !

http://www.thenbs.com/training/educator/specification/specIntro/specIntro02.asp !

Keep annotation to a minimum to avoid potential confusion between the specification and the drawings. This also keeps the drawings free from unnecessary visual clutter.

C O N T R A C T D R A W I N G S

T h e n e x t p a r t o f t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n w a s f o r B A 3 o n l y .

25.03.14.

BR IEF REQUIREMENTS

The project will allow you to explore three fundamental areas:!

How to make innovative and contextual details, which relate to your broader conceptual thinking, project masterplan and detail design.!1

2

3

[A] practical introduction to written specifications, allowing you to explore and discover how they are used in conjunction with construction drawings.!

[C]onstruction/ detail drawings.

A I M S ( I N F O R M A T I O N T A K E N F R O M T H E E S A L A C O U R S E H A N D B O O K )

[] choose to work on any aspect of your developing Urban Regeneration project. You should endeavour to detail elements, which sum up or illustrate your conceptual approach, are unique to your project or are conceptually interesting. ! ! S TA N D A R D I S E D D E TA I L S W H I C H A R E R E A D I LY AVA I L A B L E E L S E W H E R E A R E I N A P P R O P R I AT E F O R T H I S P R O J E C T. ! N o t e : W e d o n o t w a n t t o s e e s t a n d a r d d e t a i l s c o p i e d f r o m m a n u f a c t u r e r s w e b s i t e s a n d t r a d e l i t e r a t u r e . W e a r e l o o k i n g t o s e e y o u r o r i g i n a l d e s i g n i d e a s d e v e l o p e d i n d e t a i l . !It is essential to see how materials and design elements fit together and address the needs, uses and functions of the people and the place. Consequently, it is necessary to show how details and elements fit together; their interface, relationship and materiality.!!It is common to have to explain your material ideas to Clients who are less attuned to the idea of material combinations, colours, textures, type and composition. In practice this is often done with actual material samples on a board. You should find innovative ways to quickly illustrate your material palette.!!N o t e : P l e a s e r e m e m b e r t o r e f e r e n c e t h e s o u r c e s o f a l l i l l u s t r a t i v e m a t e r i a l .

P A R T 1 C O N S T R U C T I O N / D E T A I L D R A W I N G S / M A T E R I A L B O A R D

M a t e r i a l p a l e t t e f r o m M e r c h a n t s A c a d e m y p r o j e c t w a s p r e s e n t e d .

The second part of your project and the second strand of information allowing a project to be built is the specification. This document is read in conjunction with the construction drawings as the Contract Documentation and gives the Contractor guidance on materials, quality and workmanship. NBS defines specification as; Written descriptions of the quality of the built product and its component parts Professional offices use standard specification documents such as NBS or ICE. These documents ensure that all British standards are adhered to. However, to develop your specifying skills, it is initially important to visualise the sequence of operations which the Contractor must follow to build your details. You will work in conjunction with Elise Campbell to develop a text based report which should explain this sequence in sufficient detail for the details that you choose to work on. Crucially, this should be coordinated with your Construction drawings. This text based report will be included on your drawings.!!So the challenge is to envisage all the operations/stages which you will require of a Contractor to successfully build your designs.!

P A R T 2 S P E C I F I C A T I O N

S U B M I S S I O N ( I N F O R M A T I O N T A K E N F R O M T H E E S A L A C O U R S E H A N D B O O K )

1. D R A W I N G S

!A minimum of 1 A1 drawing MUST include the following:! 1:50 sectional elevation (This gives context to the accompanying construction details.)! At least 2 construction details at an appropriate scale to be decided, perhaps

1:20/1:10/1:5. These should be in the form of detail plans and section sufficient to convey all aspects of the design and its construction. Details should be accurately drawn and labelled with adequate cross-referencing. !

!2 . M A T E R I A L S B O A R D !3. A 4 W R I T T E N S P E C I F I C A T I O N D O C U M E N T

describing in words the construction sequencing required to build all your illustrated details and properly coordinated with your drawings. The specification document should be included on your drawings.!

!The different parts of the submission should operate as a cohesive package of information.!!Each of the contract documents should complement each other. That is, the project documents should all be read together and should not repeat each other say it once and in the right place. NBS!

D e t a i l e d d r a w i n g s f r o m M e r c h a n t s A c a d e m y p r o j e c t w e r e p r e s e n t e d .

25.03.14.

EXAMPLES OF STUDENT

PROJECTS

E x a m p l e s o f w o r k f r o m B A 3 ( 2 0 1 4 ) s t u d e n t s w e r e p r e s e n t e d .