Module 7 - Points to Ponder

Submitted For
Module 7 - Points to Ponder
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Please share your comments on 3 of the following Points to Ponder questions. (Choose 3 of the questions below.)

Which types of structural framing systems and materials are most commonly used in the US for residences? For office buildings?

The most common structural framing material for residences in the US is timber. It is decently low-cost and has a lower carbon footprint than steel and concrete. The framing system most often used is called platform.

For office buildings, steel frames are most often used as they are very strong, and pretty light. In second place is concrete. In office buildings using steel as a material, the framing system is usually metal stud which use two main components: a stud, and a track.

How do you think design coordination was done before we started using digital models? 

Work moved a lot slower prior to digital design coordination. The entire team would need to be working with the same physical documents and models. Collaboration then, would need to be fully in person, otherwise it wouldn’t be a fully collaborative process.

With digital design coordination tools, multiple people can work on a model at the same time, adding and taking away, from anywhere in the world. Without a need for locality, architecture can become more inclusive and synergistic with cultures around the world, but also more detached from the built environment.

At what point in the project development process should design coordination start? 

Design coordination should start following concept brainstorming by architects. I think it is important to start a project without feeling too burdened by the structural limitations. Once a general concept, idea, or feeling for the design has been established and the designers are ready to start modeling and sketching, design coordination with structural analysis teams, and other architects can begin.