Architectural Engineering Design Archives

BOMA International – Standards for commercial project space measurement

What is BOMA International? Big commercial projects are often difficult to measure, and minor miscalculations can lead to a bigger problem for entities involved in the project. The entire project structure and allocation of spaces needs to be correct and rightly priced for respective space holder. Hence miscalculations in measurements can be tricky at times. So, how does concerned authority make sure, if measurements are taken in correct manner and all the basic things were taken into consideration? Hence to reduce the complexity and make it simpler, BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) International published the standard methods for measuring floor area in commercial offices as a service to the commercial real estate industry and to public. These standard methods are certified by ANSI (American National Standards Institutes) of which BOMA International is a member and certified standard developer. BOMA International defines method of measuring floor area of commercial office buildings and typically used by the building owners, managers, facility managers, occupants, appraisers, design professionals, measurement professionals, leasing professionals and lending institutes to compute rentable area of the office in US, Canada & some other countries. Purpose of the BOMA Publications – To permit clear communication among all participants in the commercial real estate industry. To foster consistent, unambiguous measurement of rentable area. To allow comparison of values based on a clearly understood and generally agreed upon method of measurement. To measure space in both existing and new office buildings. This standard takes a building-wide approach to the measurement of floor area, providing a common basis for measuring not only space that is used exclusively by occupants but also space that benefits all occupants and the allocation thereof to occupants. Methods of Measurement – This standard offers two measurement methods to choose from: The Legacy Method and the Single Load Factor Method. Both methods produce the same building total rentable area of any building. Both methods utilize similar space classifications and boundaries. They differ in the following respects: Method A (Legacy Method) – It calculates the rentable areas of the building and each of its floor levels using a methodology that continues many features of the predecessor standard, ANSI/BOMA 1996, such as the floor R/U ratio and the building R/U ratio. While many terms have changed, the general methodology is similar to the predecessor standard with the primary exception being that the application of the floor R/U ratio to building service areas has been discontinued, resulting in slightly different R/U rations and rentable areas. Method B (Single Load Factor Method) – It’s a new class of space, base building circulation and a revised global summary of areas to redistribute the rentable area of the building across its floor levels in a manner that produces an identical load factor on all floor levels of the building. It assumes that base building circulation exists on all floor levels of a building whether they have multiple occupants or a single occupant. This method requires diligent on-going documentation (using tools such as CAD) of base building circulation and extended circulation but may offer leasing advantages and more stability over time in the rentable area of a building. When applying this standard to measure a building, one must choose and apply between the above stated methods to the entire building. The two methods can not be applied simultaneously within the same building. The Indovance Edge – Indovance Inc is an Engineering Business Solutions company which provides Mechanical, Civil, Architectural and Graphical services to its clients. We have proven expertise in the field of Architectural Engineering services (concept development, schematic design to landscaping, 3D rendering), Specialized Architectural Services (Millwork, Digitization, Space planning and detailing, Retail) or BIM services. For more information on our services you may get in touch with us on +1 919-238-4044 or write us at – [email protected].

Is it time to rethink on urban design post hurricane Harvey & Irma?

Civil / By Indovance Blog

We recently witnessed two of the most destructive hurricanes in America’s history – hurricane Harvey and Irma. More than 100 people reported to have been killed across the impacted area in Texas and Caribbean. 28,000 square miles of land around Houston was covered in water due to flooding and over 16 million people in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina are known to be without power, such is the devastating impact of these hurricane. According to Joel Meyers, President of AccuWeather, estimated damage caused by Harvey & Irma combined could range around $290 billion. The obvious question that comes to mind is, have we failed to plan our urban infrastructure? Or has the severity of natural disaster exceeded what we planned for? Before we make a conclusion, we need to understand how typically the Architectural and Civil structures are designed to prepare city for natural calamities – may it be hurricane or flooding. Anticipating Severity – City planners or simply put, engineers working on various aspects of urban infrastructure development has a big role to play in planning. May it be with regards to Road layout, Residential and Commercial site development or Drainage design, every single aspect of urban infrastructure should be planned anticipating severity of natural calamities. As per current standards, the severity of calamity in the region is classified based on historical events occurred in that region. For event like hurricane, its severity is classified as 10yrs, 50yrs, 100yrs, 500yrs and 1000yrs. Floods like 500yrs or 1000yrs are anticipated on its probability of occurrence in the region, for example – experts estimate that in any given year, there is a 1 in 500yrs (0.2percent) chance a flood of this severity will strike the region. But this anticipation is purely on historical data, classification of severity might change region to region. In table below, you can see that flood classified as 500yrs level in certain region, is predicted to happen every 10yrs in other region. Coming back to our basic question about urban infrastructure planning and estimating severity of natural disaster, these are subjective to historical events and we need to reconsider the region wise severity classifications based on probabilities of its occurrences. Why Revise Severity Classification? For a simple reason, considering the recent history, major events leading to mass destruction has increased with its probability of occurrence. Continuing with the same old probability will not help us prepare for upcoming disasters. There are multiple reasons why we are experiencing these events, and climate change is a major and most important of them. We all know, increasing global warming has been impacting the environment in multiple ways leading to warmer climate. The rapid growth of concreate jungles worldwide has added to it. Concrete, pavements and large buildings in urban areas drastically reduces the capacity of land to absorb the rain waters, allowing it to pour in low laying areas, causing flood. Naturally the calamities coming our way in future will be more destructive and frequent. And to be prepared for these in advance is the only way forward. City planners need to consider this and layout better urban designs with stricter regulations which shall prepare to take on larger destructive events. We at Indovance Inc, have the expertise and vision for better future. Our Civil and Architecture drafting/design team helps our client to build sustainable infrastructure for generations to come considering all aspects. If you want to know more about our work and how can we partner and assist you, get in touch with us at +1 919-238-4044 or write us at [email protected]

Architectural Project Planning: Developing Permit Drawings For Residential Project

Architecture / By Indovance Blog

People often ask us about the architectural project execution process Indovance Inc, carries out for every project. They often seem to have lost the way after speaking to so many different experts from different companies. And it happens mostly with the new comers in the domain as there are mix theories about the execution part. Before we begin, it is important to understand, every project is different, client requirements are different, challenges are different and there is no single or standard method used to resolve those challenges. Every architectural mind will have different approach to different challenge, similarly, different company will utilize its architectural expertise in different way. What matters most is project understanding and problem-solving ability that comes with experience. And at Indovance, we have it in abundance. We will go through the project detailing and developing the permit drawings in this article. Project Detailing – Detailing is typically the first stage of project where the scope of work and client requirements are discussed. This stage is the foundation for strong project planning and execution as basis this understanding, the permit drawings are created. More clarity you have in project detailing stage, better is the outcome. The Business Case – Indovance Inc, recently got an assignment, where client wanted us to develop architectural drawings for a multifamily residential project. It is a mid-sized project of 3 phases with wooden structure and insulation to maintain the temperature inside. We gathered all the basic information on the project in detailing phase, like materials to be used, technical challenges, number of blocks/house, amenities, building phases etc., once the understanding is clear we started working on Permit Drawings. What is Permit Drawings? – Permit Drawing is, set of drawings or information which needs to be submitted to local governing body or local jurisdiction. This body reviews the project as per their standard norms and issues the permit to go ahead with project. Once the project requirements are understood, the Permit Drawings are worked upon and sent for approval. What Permit Drawing Consists? Though the detailing phase is very basic, real twist lies in the permit drawings. Even if you have understood the requirement, one must use all experience and knowledge for permit drawings. Indovance understands that different states, different governing bodies, different cities can have slightly different norms, different weather conditions, different lifestyle and living conditions and hence the role of our architectural team is of utmost importance. Our experienced team of architects could understand, visualize the actual site and articulate the most accurate drawings fulfilling both – client and local jurisdiction. We could give right inputs in terms of – Project dimensioned floor plans (floor levels, location of smoke alarm, exhaust fans, stair risers, ceilings & fittings etc.) Site Plan (with title boundaries, existing site levels, dimensions and bearings, proposed site cuts, location of retaining walls, downpipes, rainwater flow, set out dimensions, north point, legal point of discharge.) Elevation section preparation Area calculations Even though the construction documents will have more in-depth and technical description of the project, accurate Permit Drawings are required for better understanding of project. We will have a deeper look at developing Construction Documents and its elements in our next article. Indovance Inc, is an engineering business solutions company which provides Mechanical, Civil, Architectural and Graphical services to its clients. We have proven expertise in the field of Architectural Engineering services (concept development, schematic design to landscaping, 3D rendering), Specialized Architectural Services (Millwork, Digitization, Space planning and detailing, Retail) or BIM services. For more information on our services you may get in touch with us on +1 919-238-4044 or write us at – [email protected]

Architectural Engineering Design

BOMA International – Standards for commercial project space measurement

Is it time to rethink on urban design post hurricane Harvey & Irma?

Architectural Project Planning: Developing Permit Drawings For Residential Project

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