Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Building Construction I
Other languages of instruction: Spanish
Teaching staff
Dr. Jordi Roviras Miñana
Monday 09:00-11:00 and Friday 09:00-11:00 or by appointment. To request an appointment, you must request one by writing to jroviras@uic.es
Cristina Garcia-Castelao
By prior appointment. To request an appointment, write an email to: criscastelao@uic.es
Dr. Ricardo Gómez Val
By prior appointment. To request an appointment, write an email to: rjgomez@uic.es
Ignacio Morente Gemas
By prior appointment. To request an appointment, write an email to: imgemas@uic.es
Paul Arbós
By prior appointment. To request an appointment, write an email to: polarbos@uic.es
Introduction
The subject (6 ECTS credits), is located in the compulsory module of the first semester of the second academic year. The teacher responsible for the subject is Dr. architect Jordi Roviras Miñana, with the practical support of teachers and architects: Cristina Garcia Castelao, Ignacio Morente, Pol Arbós and Ricardo Gómez Val.
The course tries to influence the knowledge of the materials. The student is faced with the problem of making an idea realizable starting from the consideration of generic elements that allow introducing the requirements that generically condition any constructive experience in the field of horizontal closure: The roof.
The main purpose of this course is to bring the student closer to the intervention of these roof spaces (the 5th facade of the building), learning the construction techniques necessary to design spaces that emphasize or even enhance the architecture of the own building (a clear example is the Santa Caterina market in Barcelona built by the EMBT architecture studio). That is why it is necessary to learn the different construction typologies of a roof and the different uses that these can have depending on the program of use (passable, non-passable, landscaped, cistern, etc.) At the same time, the course aims to teach the 'student/to all those basic requirements and elements involved in the definition of a project of this type: Water evacuation systems, thermal insulation, waterproof sheets, vapor barriers, lightweight concrete for the formation of slopes , finishing and finishing materials, etc.
The learning of construction is proposed by focusing on drawing as a tool for reflection and verification and as a means of learning in the reading and assimilation of construction terms.
Pre-course requirements
Basic knowledge of materials and structural surround systems. Students are also required to have a certain level of skill in freehand drawing and some ability to tackle construction detail at every scale. In this respect, the knowledge acquired in the first-year construction course (Introduction to Architectural Construction) is essential.
Objectives
To familiarize students with construction techniques in accordance with certain requirements, materials and techniques, it being understood that a construction system should always provide an effective solution to the main demands of the architectural project.
To approach the constructive vision from the design process, showing that all the elements produced respond to the mastery of certain systems, and getting students accustomed to questioning themselves about how things should be done.
To introduce students to an understanding of materials from the perspective of their behaviour and their respective unions: flat roofs, sloping roofs, landscaped roofs, cistern roofs, lightweight roofs (e.g. slats, textiles, natural materials, photovoltaic panels, etc.).
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 14-T - Ability to conceive, calculate, design, integrate in buildings and urban complexes and execute enclosure systems, roofs and other structural work
- 17 - Ability to apply building and technical standards
- 18 - Ability to preserve the structure of buildings, foundations and civil works
- 19 - Ability to preserve finished works.
- 20 - Ability to evaluate works
- 21 - Ability to preserve structural works
- 24 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the mechanics of solids, continuous medium and soil as well as the plastic, elasticity and resistance properties of materials for structural works
- 25 - To acquire adequate knowledge of conventional building systems and their pathology
- 26 - To acquire adequate knowledge of physical and chemical characteristics, production processes, pathology and the use of construction materials
- 27 - To acquire adequate knowledge of industrialised building systems.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The student should be able to determine the most appropriate building material in each case to solve the roofing of a structure and, at the same time, be able to establish the most suitable type of construction.
Syllabus
· The roof History, Geometry, water and material. Technology: engineering and tradition.
· The resistant layer of a roof: types of slabs (unidirectional and bidirectional slabs, concrete slabs, mixed slabs of sheet metal collaborating and concrete compression layer, slabs for light wooden frameworks, slabs of CLT type panels of laminated wood, lightweight sheet metal forgings, etc.)
· The light cover (pergola): slatted covers, stretched fabrics, natural, etc. The pergola as a solar control element.
· Different types of roofs: Conventional or inverted roofs, inclined roofs, flat roofs, landscaped roofs and/or cisterns and special inflatable roofs.
· Materials applied to roofs: Lightweight concrete for slope formation, thermal insulation, waterproof sheets, geotextile membranes and vapor barriers, finishing materials (tiles, plates, plates, slabs, tiles, gravel, sheets and membranes, etc. )
· Specific technical exhibitions of manufacturers of: thermal and acoustic insulation, waterproof sheets, landscaped roofs and cisterns, etc.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course is structured in two main blocks: theory and practical.
The first block is always on theory, concentrating on elements that demonstrate examples of paradigmatic elements with a strong presence of “classic” practitioners of contemporary architecture. Every week the theoretical part will always involve a practical case study for solving and a visit by a specific manufacturer of roofing material who will explain to the class how this material is used in roofing. The central idea is that the weekly master class on theory will always be followed on by a practical exercise on what has been explained in the previous theory class.
The practical section is about demonstrating the knowledge acquired during the first part of the course and applying it through the technical development of the roof of the project that students have been developing in the course on architectural planning. This helps to give students a very hands-on way of applying what they have learnt in the construction course to their project.
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | COMPETENCES | ECTS CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| Class exhibition | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 1,25 |
| Class participation | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 0,12 |
| Clase practice | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 0,42 |
| Tutorials | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 0,71 |
| Individual or group study | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 2,5 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Evaluation is based on attendance, participation in the course, project notes on each practical assignment and the final examination grade. Students’ capacity to assimilate concepts and evidence of a positive and consistent sense of logic will also be assessed.
The main points to highlight in the system of evaluation are:
- The student’s attendance in class (both theory and practical).
- Any student who misses more than 40% of the classes will be failed automatically.
- The student’s participation in the class will be assessed, especially in the practical classes on case studies and project development.
- To pass this subject it is essential to complete the course project and sit the final examination.
- No grade equal to or below 3.5 will be factored into the average grade.
- Any work submitted late or badly presented will not be accepted.
- In the case of retakes, only the examination result will be taken into account.
Bibliography and resources
Basic Bibliography:
- González, JL; Casals, A. and Falcones, A.: Keys to architectural construction. Volumes 1, 2 and 3.Ed. GG, Barcelona 2001
- Andrea Deplazes: Building the architecture of the raw material in the building. Ed. GG, Barcelona 2010
- Schmitt, H. and Heene, A.: Tratado de la Construcción. Ed. GG, Barcelona 2004.
- Ching, D.K.: Architecture. Form, space and order. Ed. John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey 2015.
- PARICIO, IGNACIO: The Construction of Architecture. Vol 1, 2 and 3. Barcelona, GG, 1988.
- JOSEP-LLUÍS GONZÁLEZ: The keys to building architecture. Volume 2 and 3. From volume 2 chapter 1 and 9, from volume 3 chapter 6 and 9.
- REID, D.A.G.: Principles of Construction. Barcelona, GG, 1980.
- VARIS: Manual Construction Dictionary, ITEC, Barcelona, 1986.
- ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ: Inhabit the deck. Ed. GG
- CUCHÍ, A.: The collector cover in residential buildings. Ed. ITeC. Barcelona 2002
Reference Bibliography:
- SCHILD, OSWALD, ROGIER: Sealing and waterproofing in construction Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Barcelona, ETA, 1978.
- TECTÓNICA magazine (especially nº 6 and 8)
- DETAIL magazine (all copies in general)
- TC Cuadernos magazine (all copies in general)
- Construction treaty, Gustavo Gili publisher. Authors: Heinrich Schmitt and Andreas Heene.
- Introduction to Construction I and II. Monographs ETSAB 3.17 Y 3.18.
- Technical Building Code (CTE)
- Directory of metal profiles (Puig, DVP, etc.)
Interesting architects for this course:
- Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue (EMBT architects)
- Alvaro Siza
- Sigurd Lewrentz
- Gunnar Asplund
- Jorn Utzon
- Rem Koolhas
- Alejandro de la Sota
- Eduardo Souto de Moura
- Carles Ferrater (OAB architects)
- Aranda Pigem Vilalta (RCR architects)
- Batlle and Roig architects
- Fernando Menis
- BCQ architects