BUILDING ANALYSIS

Exterior View Northern Side

The existing building belongs to the client, Braeburn, and is currently being utilized by as school for students ages 2-18. The structure itself is very unique, with roof lines that radiate from two separate points. This results in a primarily external load, with nearly all the walls bearing the load. Structural column placement follows an elliptical pattern as indicated in Diagram 08. These columns are either pre-cast or cast-in-place concrete. Bay sizes range between approximately 8 and 12 feet spans. Trusses span under the atrium roof as indicated in the exterior view pictured above

Diagram 08 indicates the potential vertical circulation within the building. Stairways are located directly adjacent to areas of primary circulation. A large ramp follows the line of centralized structural columns and acts as the primary vertical circulation between levels one and two. Due to the distance and slope, it is presumed that the ramp is handicap compliant.

Existing Materiality

The exterior of the building is a thick stone wall, both plastered and painted Nearly all ceilings on the first floor consist of rough cast plaster on reinforced concrete slabs with smooth plaster margins. Some of the administrative rooms have a smooth lime plaster ceiling finish. Ceilings on the second floor are primarily 12mm painted chipboard on stained softwood rafters and steel purlins. All walls are lime plaster with a finish of 3 coats of vinyl paint. This excludes the existing restrooms which have ceramic tiles that run 20002100 mm high up the walls. Skirting selections include painted softwood, coved cement, and porcelain tile. The flooring within the building consists of 2mm vinyl tiles on 40 mm sand cement screed. This again excludes the restrooms which utilize non-slip porcelain tiles on the same subfloor.

DIAGRAM 08: LEVEL 1

DIAGRAM 08: LEVEL 2

INTERIOR VIEW- PRIMARY ENTRANCE

Due to the proximity to the equator and the overhang of the roof, direct sunlight penetrates the building primarily through the east and west windows, however indirect light is utilized by all interior rooms.

Passive Environmental Building Systems

Passive ventilation occurs between the two primary structures in a clerestory fashion. Depending on window operability, cross ventilation can be achieved mostly through the north and south side of the building. The building orientation is designed so that the majority of natural light and heat penetration occurs at the smallest point of the facade. There is an integral sewage system and separate gray water system that includes intermittent inspection chambers throughout the permit er of the building. There is a septic tank with a lift system that drains both sewage and gray water off site or to a municipal sewer.