Building Morphology Factors

Building Construction process comprises with many stages.

They basically consist of two parts
Pre Construction
Post Construction

The Designing process of a building project belongs to the Pre
construction stage.

Considering about the Design Morphology Factors comes
under this Designing stage.

Cost of Construction changes in a rapid manner due to many
reasons.

Therefore a proper analysis of Building Morphology Factors are
essential to reduce cost of Construction.

This presentation is aimed at understanding what the Design
Morphology Factors are.

This discusses about;
What the Morphology Factors are.
A practical example on implementing Morphology Factors.
Analysis and Recommendations of alternatives Designs
using Morphology Factors.
Impact of Morphology Factors on Cost of Construction.
Main design Morphology Factors that are considered are;

Shape of the building
Orientation, Proximity and Similarity factors
Size of the building
Storey height
Total height of the building
Number of storey
Grouping Buildings
Orientation, Proximity and Similarity factors

Shape and Size are interrelated factors.

Both relates with the floor space required by the client.

Research has showed that SQUARE shape is the most cost
effective shape.

When designing the shape the ORIENTATION, PROXMITY
and SIMILARITY factors must be concerned.

If the new building is in a similar shape as the existing
buildings, placing the building in the correct orientation and
proximity becomes easy.

Service integration must be concerned.

For example;
Air conditioning
Fire fighting system
Electrical lighting
Telecommunication systems

If storey height is not decided according to service integration
requirement;
Problems occur during installation
Service lines will be installed in an irregular manner.

Proper height must be selected during designing.
Directly connects with the number of storey and storey height.

Higher the building goes;









Stronger the structure
should be.
Workers, equipment,
material etc must be
transported continuously to
upper floors.
More scaffolding
requirement.

RESULT
More
Financial
Requirement
Must design to the required number only.

Over designing could result in a stronger structure.

If designed correctly, can avoid expensive foundation types.
Two methods can be used;
Vertical Grouping
- Common Walls and Foundations
Horizontal Grouping
- Common Roofs

Can be used in Building complexes like Apartment buildings.

Another advantage is reduction of circulation spaces and
service cores.

When grouped buildings can share circulation spaces and
service cores.
SHAPE and SIZE

Designed by UDA designers.
Shape Designed due to
Architectural Influence.

Office areas are located on
either side of the vertical
circulation area.
Recommendation on SHAPE and SIZE

If built in square shape, spaces on either side of the vertical
circulation space could be used.

It increases the efficiency of land usage.

Land value is very high.
Design Efficiency Calculation

Floor area of H-shaped building = 2744.28 m
2

Floor area if designed as a square shape = 3528.36 m
2

Wastage of Floor Area = 784.08 m
2

Recommendation on SHAPE and SIZE

If the building is built without changing the required floor area
land area could have been saved.
Design Efficiency Calculation

Perimeter of the H-shaped building = 1039.36 ft.


Perimeter if designed as a square shape = 692.82 ft



Design efficiency = (1039.36 692.82) x 100 = 50.02%


692.82

Square shape is 50.02% more effective.

Recommendation on SHAPE and SIZE

The existing main building has a L shape.

If the new building is designed to have the same shape
(similarity factor) orientation of the building could have been
easy.

Since the shape is different the main parts of the building faces
east and west.

Therefore the heat gain through direct sun light is more and
uncomfortable.
HEIGHT of the Building

Storey height is 3600 mm.

Ceiling to be a Lowered 600 mm from the soffit of the slab.

Each floor is designed to be constructed with a proper ducting
for A/C, and other services.

Comprising with 14 storeys.

Recommendation on HEIGHT

The location has natural ventilation.

Natural ventilation method can be easily applied for upper floors.

Therefore A/C ducting is not required for upper floors.

So storey height can be reduced.

It is cost effective because;
Reduces Construction cost.
Reduces service installation cost.
Reduces services maintenance cost.
GROUPING BUILDINGS

New building is constructed few feet away from the existing
main building.

At the designing stage it was decided to group the buildings.

But later it was decided not to due to heavy demolition work of
the existing building.

Recommendation on GROUPING BUILDINGS

Grouping buildings could have reduced the circulation space
needed for the new building.

Design economics helps us to understand the best cost
effective way proceed with the construction.

Discussion between construction professionals prior the
construction helps them to understand these cost effective way.

Each construction has its own cost effective ways.

To understand these ways Building Morphology Factors can be
used.

Concerning about Morphology factors during designing stage is
very important.

The designing stage of a building project is the best stage to
reduce unnecessary costs of the project.

Building Morphology Factors are the key to understand the
ways of reducing unnecessary costs.

Shape, Size, Storey height, Total height, Grouping factors can
be analyzed carefully to make a project cost effective.

Therefore a proper knowledge on Building Morphology is
necessary for construction professionals.