What do you think has to go into the design of a building? TO help us find out more we have the incredible architect and civil engineer Reddy Kancharla, who has overseen the design and the constructions of all manner of structures from bridges to buildings, homes to commercial centers. There is a great amount of detail which has to go into every design that is made, and they also must factor in what exactly the client is looking for. Reddy broke down with us the 4 keys to designing any structure, be it bridge or building, let’s take a look.
Functionality
Beyond everything else the most important aspect of any structure is functionality, the building must have a purpose and that purpose must be met by the architect who is designing it. Reddy says that at every stage of the design process they will constantly check what they have mapped out as to whether or not it compliments the functionality of the building, as this is the key aspect of whatever is being built.
Aesthetic Appeal
The challenge for architects, and especially so for creative personalities like Reddy, is balancing the aesthetic appeal of a structure with the functionality of it. Designing a building which has lots of stylish touches and design features is all well and good, but if that structure is then not able to be used for what it was originally intended, then the building is no good at all. Architects must find that sweet spot, the perfect balance between unique and attractive design, and structures which work as they should. Too much of one without the other results in a building or design which just does’t work as it should.
Costings
Not all of the work that a civil engineer does is exciting design work and one of the most important aspects of the design is costing out each part of the building. You can’t underestimate how many details there are to cost either, from materials to working hours, every aspect of the build must be carefully considered and calculated so that the client has a clear vision for how much this build is going to cost him.
Accessibility
There is much to consider as well when it comes to the accessibility of the building, and there are a number of factors behind this. First of all the building must be accessible for people of all shapes, sizes and abilities, it must also bear in mind transport routes, car parking and the arrival to the building. This is os course part of the functionality regarding a building and it is usually the aspect which is considered towards the end of the design.
These are the four cornerstones of building designs which architects must consider, there is of course a lot more detail which will go into such a design but in terms of the high level aspects of it these are the bases which must be covered.
