Engineering
Engineering or speciality projects ensure that the architecture can be implemented.
They are the practical part of architectural projects, which indicate how to build, so that the structure withstands day-to-day use, but also exceptional events such as earthquakes; so that the construction fulfils its purpose correctly and is of good quality, guaranteeing comfort and durability.
These projects are:
Stability
Thermal and acoustic comfort
Water, sewage and rainwater networks
Ventilation and smoke extraction
Fire safety
Gas networks
Engineering
Stability
The stability project, together with the architectural project, is the most important of all projects. In fact, a bad stability project can lead to major material and even human damage. This is the study of the structure of the house, which guarantees its stability and ensures that the house does not collapse in the future. Various factors have to be taken into account: location; type of terrain; seismic area; characteristics of the house; architectural requirements such as too large spans, no exposed beams, etc.; type of structure required: reinforced concrete, metal, wood.
All the necessary calculations must be made, taking into account the loads, stresses and all the other existing constraints.
Engineering
Thermal Comfort and Acoustic Insulation Projects
Two very important projects when it comes to home comfort. They ensure that there is no annoying noise in the house, that it has a pleasant average temperature and that it is energy efficient.
These two projects must be done together, otherwise different solutions will appear in each one, i.e. different materials will be used, for example on a particular wall, leaving it unclear which solution should be used. The solutions for the acoustic insulation project and the thermal comfort project must be the same. The solutions for the acoustic insulation project and the thermal comfort project must be the same.
In fact, if 6 cm of XPS insulation is used in the thermal comfort project, what sense does it make to use rock wool in the acoustic insulation project? Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that the same technicians develop these two projects, as they will ensure that the solutions used guarantee compliance with the legislation in both areas.
As with the stability project, there must also be a calculation to find out which materials to use and in what quantity to achieve the desired end. The calculations must take into account both the technical side, the regulations, the technical characteristics of the materials, but also the constraints arising from the location of the house, the architecture and the very, very particular needs of each client.
Engineering
Water, sewage and rainwater networks
Water and sewage network projects guarantee the proper functioning of water distribution in the house and the correct drainage of sewage and must be properly studied and calculated on a case-by-case basis.
In fact, how often do we hear complaints about baths with little pressure and sewage smells in the house.
The route of the networks must be thought out and the pipe diameters calculated according to the needs of the equipment they will serve. A good water and sewage network project ensures that these annoyances don’t happen.
It ensures that the sewage drains well to its final destination, guarantees that there are no uncomfortable odours, and ensures that while mum is cooking, the child can have a bath.
On the other hand, the main objective of the rainwater network project is to collect and drain rainwater to a suitable location.
These projects try to find the best drainage solution so that, during rainfall, controlled surface run-off conditions are created along waterproofed surfaces (patios, pavements, streets, car parks, etc.).
Engineering
Ventilation and Smoke Exhaustion Project
A well dimensioned, calculated and executed ventilation and smoke exhaust project guarantees the quality of the air inside the building, dispersing the humidity and pollutants produced and renewing the oxygen levels inside the building.
Ventilation can be carried out using the natural method (traditionally more widely used) or the mechanical method.
These projects are very important because they guarantee air circulation and the correct elimination of bad odours inside the building and improve its health conditions.
Each project is different
The calculation, sizing and placement of ventilation devices, whether natural or mechanical, differs from project to project, as the location and position of the building must be taken into account, as well as the atmospheric conditions of the site, as well as the solutions presented in the other engineering specialities carried out for the building, which in some cases worsen indoor air quality due to the legal requirements inherent in these specialities.
For example, it is common for the need for watertightness and insulation required by thermal projects to cause constraints on the ventilation needed to guarantee good indoor air in the home.
