Multi-Purpose BuildingTechnology and Engineering

Focus Questions• What is urban sprawl?• Can you find signs of urban sprawl in your

community?• What are some ways to meet people’s needs

while preserving the natural world?

ObjectivesStudents will be able to:• Identify what urban sprawl is and what its

consequences are.• Estimate area and calculate usage density.• Distinguish between building codes and zoning

laws.• Identify criteria for a successful new urbanist

structure.

Urban SprawlDescribes• The rapid expansion of

a city toward surrounding areas,

• Replacing farmland and natural habitats with houses, streets, and commercial or industrial buildings.

Write about…• An example of urban sprawl that you know about.• Some of the problems it may be causing.

New Urbanists• Make optimum use of space, instead of just

expanding without careful plans and considerations.

• Must understand people’s needs.

Researching Space• A quick and easy way to estimate distances

involves counting your steps.

To Do’s• Walk ten steps and measure the distance.• Do this three times.• Find the average.

Calculate your spaceDistance of 10 steps (ft.)

Average length of one step

Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3Average trials

Estimate the area of room.

Example:A room is 8 steps wide and 12 steps long, and your step is 2 feet long.• Width = 8 steps x 2 ft./ step = 16 ft.• Length = 12 steps x 2 ft./step = 24 ft.• Area (sq.in.) = length x width• Area = 16 ft. x 24 ft. = 384 square feet.

Now, Go to• Gym• Upper Cafeteria• Lower Cafeteria• Library• Space between two schools• Outside of lower cafeteria

To find approximate area!!

Multi-use buildingDesign a multi-use building!Criteria: • What is important to people when they buy a

home or rent an apartment?• What would you like to find in a place where you

live and work?• What about surroundings and location?Constraints:What might limit your choice of a house or apartment?

Criteria• 4 story-building with one basement floor.• Spaces for several individuals, couples, and

families• Space for at least one business, office, or industry• What else?

Constraints• A minimum amount of fuel for heating and

cooling.• What else?