Overall Strategy & Features of Structural System

My structural framing design features steel and wooden elements. For the locations where I am able to conceal the structural frame, I was able to incorporate steel columns and beams to enhance the structural integrity of my building — I will be concealing all steel components within my 15’ gypsum board ceilings and walls. Since the design for my academic building revolves around nature and a classical Victorian aesthetic appearance, I selected wooden beams for the exposed areas to enhance natural elements and to help create a nurturing environment intertwined with nature where students will thrive. Studies show that nature enhances creativity, and so, I would like to emphasize such components within my building design.

Grade Level Floor Plan

I added rectangular 72”x48”x18” footings on the grade level to help with the load capacity of my building. The bearing capacity of a foundation is a critical element in terms of building design as underestimating the maximum load that can be applied on a foundation could result in detrimental deformations and a hefty safety hazard.

Level 1 Floor Plan

For my level 1 and 2 floor plans, I started by creating my grid and working from the outermost layer towards the center of my building, from room to room.

Level 2 Floor Plan

Level 3 Floor Plan

South Elevation View

Material and Framing System Selected

Structural Frame Elements:

• 24x30 Concrete Rectangular Column for outermost layer of building
• 12x18 Concrete Rectangular Column for main interior beams
• 12x26 W Shape Beam for Interior Beams
• 16x26 W Shape Beam for Interior Beams
• Plywood Web Joist 1 ¾”x 11 ⅞”
• Exposed wooden beams for atrium
• Footings – Rectangular 72”x48”x18”

Locations of Structural Columns & Major Framing Elements

The locations of the structural columns and major framing elements were contingent on the design of my building and overall aesthetic goals. Since I plan on concealing the exterior walls with bricks, I enhanced the structural integrity of my building by implementing steel elements all around the exterior. I started integrating large steel columns on the outermost layer and worked my way towards the center of my building at the nexus of all rooms.

For exposed areas, I emphasized natural components, as I believe green elements enhance both aesthetics of the building as well as the mental health of the building occupants.

Special Structural Challenges

I encountered challenges when thinking about how to lay out my beams since I featured an exposed area within the center of my building. I wanted to ensure I supplied my building enough support to sustain its weight and load capacity, which is why I opted for large 24x30 Concrete Rectangular Column for outermost layer of building.