ABSOLUTE ENGINEERING, LLC

1100 Anywhere Street, Marietta, GA 30060

ALTERNATIVE
APPROACHES
Proposal Addendum

CLIENT: Ubuntu Centre, LLC

PROJECT NO: AE-2014001
PROJECT NAME: Ubuntu Centre

Contents
PREFACE.................................................................................................................... 2
ORIGINAL PROPOSAL.............................................................................................. 3
ALTERNATIVE 1........................................................................................................ 4
ALTERNATIVE 2........................................................................................................ 5
RECOMMEDATION.................................................................................................... 6
SPECIAL THANKS..................................................................................................... 6

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CLIENT: Ubuntu Centre, LLC

PROJECT NO: AE-2014001
PROJECT NAME: Ubuntu Centre

PREFACE
The purpose of this report, titled, Alternative Approaches, is to amend and clarify the
project scope. It is the goal of Absolute Engineering, LLC and its consultants to provide a client
his/her wishes according to their project needs. However, some issues arise that cut back on the
vision of a clients wishes. In addition, while Absolute Engineering wishes to cater to our clients
wishes, there are times when practical solutions must be utilized.

Unfortunately, this report is to discuss the original project proposal, and why it cannot be
used. A few alternatives were discussed to remedy the issue but no reasonable solution could be
met within the reasonable financial constraints discussed with client and Absolute Engineering.
Due to the nature of the situation, Absolute Engineering consulted an architectural firm for a
preliminary design concept that could still capture the vision and aesthetics the original project
portrayed. To our success, Absolute Engineering was capable of obtaining such a structure.

Throughout the report, the original design will be discussed and the unforeseen issues
that limited the practicality of its construction. Then, a few alternatives are discussed that may
correct the issue. Finally, a selection from the alternatives will be chosen, per the clients
satisfaction.

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CLIENT: Ubuntu Centre, LLC

PROJECT NO: AE-2014001
PROJECT NAME: Ubuntu Centre

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL
The original proposal was a partial three story building utilized as a mixed-use
development for residential living and commercial businesses along with restaurants. Notice the
overall shape of the building and its mimicking shape of the letter L (Figure 1). The long
portion of the L building was to be a two story portion with the second level placed on the
subgrade soil. The short arm of the L would be a three story portion that had an underground
parking garage underneath the finish grade. Note: (Figure 1) does not show the conceptualized
parking garage, the figure is only for clarity of the overall outlook of the structure.

Figure 1 Original Concept of Ubuntu Centre

The partial level appropriated to the parking garage added an over looked complexity for
the structure not first realized. The underground parking garage would not only require a very
specific contour layout on a vacated parcel location but would also need an extensive amount of
retaining wall structures to support Ubuntu Centre. These retaining walls would act as a
basement wall for the interior portion of the structure and a concrete tie-in wall for the exterior
faade of the structure. Secondly, to avoid an excessive amount of cut or fill for the site location,
a topography with a very specific slope would be required. The slope would allow the grade to
have a natural downward curve in the parcel topography. The mindset was to apply the three
story portion to the lower elevation of the parcel topography to avoid too much excavation cost
and soil reinforcement.
Another unforeseen issue was the general civil site layout of the structure. The structure
would require a very strict parking lot that allowed residents to immediately access the parking
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CLIENT: Ubuntu Centre, LLC

PROJECT NO: AE-2014001
PROJECT NAME: Ubuntu Centre

garage while general populace would be capable of using the general parking lot area leveled to
the second floor of the structure. Therefore, this would require a dramatic change in
topography from one corner of the property to the other.
The final limiting factor for the project is the zoning and location. The zoning
classification for Ubuntu Centre is Urban Village Commercial (UVC). In addition, the client
wished to keep the project close to the Braves Stadium, and therefore; Cobb County. Thus, it is
the job of Absolute Engineering to find a site that was zoned as UVC, undeveloped (or not in
use), near the new Braves Stadium, and in Cobb County. The previously mentioned requirements
limited the available sites for selection to three options for Ubuntu Centre. Unfortunately, none
of these sites met all of the criterions, not even half. Therefore, changes needed to be made.

ALTERNATIVE 1
Alternative one proposed cutting the size of the building by approximately 1/4th of its
original square footage. In addition, the parking garage would encompass the entire lower level
of the structure. The parking garage would be designed as a one way traffic lane garage. Thus,
reducing the overall width of the structure along with fitting in more parking spaces into the
garage structure. See the figure below for an illustration of the modified building (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Alternative Approach 1

Unfortunately, the parking garage area would be limited due to it requiring a stair well
and elevator to tie into the second and third floor. The orientation of the structure caused a
conflicting interference between any future vehicles and elevator/stairwell spacing requirements.
To remedy the situation, a proposal was made to widen the overall size of the structure.
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CLIENT: Ubuntu Centre, LLC

PROJECT NO: AE-2014001
PROJECT NAME: Ubuntu Centre

However, this would cause catastrophic permitting requirements for the structural construction
phase. The proposed widening of the structure would require the width of the structure to be
close to 70 feet as opposed to 55 feet.
When constructing structural elements, beams and columns are not allowed to be longer
than 60 feet in length when transported from a steel fabricator. To get around this issue, a special
permit would have to be registered for each beam appropriated for Ubuntu Centre that exceeded
the length of 60 feet. This permit requires for the contractor or the client to pay for a specialized
vehicle to follow the transportation of the structural element (requiring a massive budget and
time). Lastly, the column layout of the structure would not allow the beams to be constructed as
split beams due to loading path issues.

ALTERNATIVE 2
Alternative two (2) proposes completely scrapping the original structure. Instead,
Absolute Engineering would consult with an architectural firm for ideas after explaining the
clients needs. The architectural work would be subbed out as an Absolute Engineering subcontractor.
Unfortunately, the parking garage idea would have to be scrapped and to accommodate
the clientele and residents of Ubuntu Centre, the parking lot would have to meet the required
capacity. Fortunately enough, the architecture firm supplied Absolute Engineering with a three
story building that had originally been scrapped during the economic down turn. This building
was originally to be used for a mixed-use complex within a host of other development projects
(Figure 3). After speaking with the client, the client agreed that this building was adequate.

Figure 3 Alternative 2 for Ubuntu Centre

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CLIENT: Ubuntu Centre, LLC

PROJECT NO: AE-2014001
PROJECT NAME: Ubuntu Centre

RECOMMEDATION
Absolute Engineering recommends that Alternative 2 be utilized for the creation of
Ubuntu Centre. The aesthetic design promotes a welcoming touch for consumers and a
prestigious view for residents. The robust living area is complimented with a sharp, sleek modern
architecture while capturing an authentic feel for restaurants and local businesses that wish to
invest their company in the living quarters. Lastly, the building is completely manageable with
tight topography areas that tend to plague the currently well-developed Cobb County area.
As with all alternatives, some initial wishes may not be practical, and while the original
concept for Ubuntu Centre was impressive; the revised option meets all of the same criteria
except one. Absolute Engineering also will lose LEED credits for eliminating the underground
parking garage which, LEED is quite important to the client but material modifications,
design changes, and other items will be added to make up for the loss. Lastly, fiscally, this option
is estimated to save the client close to 750,000 to 800,000 dollars in material cost, labor,
formwork, and design due to elimination of the extensive retaining wall system.

SPECIAL THANKS
As a special thanks from the students at Southern Polytechnic State University, we would
like to say, You saved us. An architect named Brian from Lyman Davidson Dooley, Inc.
supplied us, the Absolute Engineering team, with the architectural ground work for Alternative
2. His contribution came to use near the third week into the project, saving us hours worth of
re-conceptualizing Ubuntu Centre. So, again, thank you, Brian.

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