How line out is exactly done ?

Background :

In a previous article, we made a check list for all tasks to be completed

from land acquisition up to columns of the ground floor. [ Read the previous article ]

Under the Part 03, we saw the steps from line out to the ground floor columns.

Now in this article, let us further focus on:

How exactly the line out is carried out and

How the footing excavation is done:

1. Line out :

This is done by the contractor in the supervision of the architect & clients.

Usually, the contractor’s engineer does the line out which is verified by the architect and the clients.

For line out, following items are needed:

Now , let us see what are the basic steps for the line out :

Let us see , how does it look after fixing the boundary/railing on the construction site :

What is the difference between an Architect and an Architectural Designer?

Answer by Andrew Hawkins:

It really depends on the usage of the terms. But the most
likely distinction would be that an Architect has passed the registration exam.
A very rigorous exam administered by the NCARB. (some Architects use this as a
suffix to their name) This test is not one that measures design skill. It test
critical and technical knowledge related to the practice of architecture. The description
most often used is that the ARE tests a candidate’s knowledge to ensure health,
safety and welfare.

An architect is licensed by passing this test. It is very much the equivalent
to the Bar examination for the legal profession. The test is 7 parts and each
part ranges from 3-6 hours per test. Some take this exam over a period of time
(weeks to months). The passing rates for the exam are fairly low. (some section
in the 40% range) So to pass this test, you are required to be very knowledge
about much more than just architectural design. I would wager that most who
have passed this test would never call themselves an ‘”architectural
designer”. They have worked hard to achieve the title of
“Architect”. Someone who has passed this exam may have several
suffixes to their name:

AIA – Means they are a registered/ licensed architect who is a member of the
professional organization American Institute for Architects (aia.org)

RA – Means they are a registered/licensed architect. RA= Registered Architect.
They have passed the exam (may be a member of Society of American Registered
Architects, SARA)

NCARB – They are accredited by the National Council of Architectural Registration
Board. They have passed the exam and maintain their accreditation with NCARB

Now an “architectural designer” may have the exact same education,
training,  etc. as the above architect. But this person has not taken or
passed the registration exam. They cannot provide a set of “sealed”
documents that are required by many municipalities to get a building permit for
a construction project. They may have been in the architecture profession for
many, many years or just came into the profession and have a degree in design.
But they may not. The use of the terms architect and architecture are usually
well governed, but depending on your location, architectural designer may be
acceptable to describe someone with little to no architecture education. This
will vary by location.

All of this is not to say that an “architectural designer” is not
capable of doing a job as well as an “architect” but the designer has
not had to meet a certain set of qualifications and education to hold the title
of “architect”. And depending on your needs, both of these can
provide you with services. I, being a registered architect, would prefer
someone to select an “architect” for all their project needs.

What is the difference between an Architect and an Architectural Designer?

One two three ..and…… start

Dear reader , 

In the very first post , we saw the overview of what is happening in the neighborhood plot.

Right ? From the distance , we just saw that some thing was happening inside the enclosed boundary.

Today let us take a micro view of all that takes place during the construction.

Let us follow the actual sequence of the activities being taken up right from start to finish;

rather even before starting the actual construction.
Basic idea is to have an insiders perspective about the entire construction.

Overview :

There are 4 phases of construction:

1.Planning phase
2.Pre– construction phase
3.Actual construction phase

    3.A:  Below the Plinth

    3.B: Above the Plinth
4.Handing over phase

1.The Planning phase :

This is most crucial phase in the entire project. The importance of planning cannot be over emphasized.

Many crucial decisions are being taken during this phase.

Some of them we have already introduced during the earlier article.

Planning starts after land acquisition is complete.
Land is in the complete possession of the present owners 

( who shall be henceforth be called as the clients )

Funding for the project has been arranged and all formalities are completed.

Statutory formalities related to the project have been completed.

The Architect & RCC consultants have been engaged and have been shown the site.

Architect has been given the initial requirements and the draft drawings have been approved by the clients.

RCC contractors have been short listed.
Material suppliers have been identified for key materials needed for RCC .

Waterproofing agency has also been approved.

Drawings have been prepared and approved for execution.

FLOOR LAYOUT
which is a given in the marketing brochure

ACTUAL WORKING DRAWING issued at the site for construction.

Local approving authority has  sanctioned building plans .Permission to build has been obtained.

The tube well is ready with submersible pump. Water supply for construction has been arranged .

TUBE WELL at site.
A Submersible pump is being installed for regular water supply.

Trial pit has been excavated and soil testing has been completed.

The safe bearing capacity of 40 T/SqM has been determined at a depth of 8′ from the natural ground level

Type of foundation has been decided.

Clients need a Basement  and hence it has been jointly decided to go for a mat type of foundation which shall  be suitable for the basement

A perspective has been prepared for giving a complete view to the would be buyer.

PERSPECTIVE OF THE PROJECT which is a part of the brochure handed over to the prospective customer.

Brochures have been printed with the details of the project, specifications ,

types of tenements available, carpet area statement for different units 

Board has been erected at the site with the title of the project,names of the client, architect , RCC designer, Legal adviser etc.

Clients have decided to appoint a full time  Supervisor at site and hence interviews were conducted and an experienced supervisor has been appointed and deployed at the construction site.

2.Pre– construction:

A competent RCC contractor has been finalized after several rounds of negotiations and the contract has been awarded.Architectural plans ,foundation details and the Center Line plans have been issued by the Architect.

RCC contractor has mobilized on site.

labor hutments have been erected and labour have mobilized.
Cement godown & water tank constructed .
Plot has been properly enclosed with  corrugated sheets on the boundary.

A security agency has been contracted for detailing the round the clock security for the site.

Center line Railing has been done and footings center lines have been marked.
RCC consultant  has inspected and approved the center line markings.
Plinth level has been decided by the architect and marked on the wall of site office.

WOODEN RAILING ERECTED AT SITE for center lines marking.
[ Markings being verified]

Key Materials such as cement ,sand aggregate, Tor steel, binding wire & cover blocks have been procured.

INITIAL STOCK OF ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT has been procured at site.

Concrete mix has been finalized based on the actual samples of materials taken from the site.

3.Actual construction :

3.A  Below the plinth
Mass excavations have been completed with a hired excavator.
The black cotton soil which is not suitable  for back filling has been transported outside.
The actual sub strata or the foundation level has been approved by the RCC consultant at site.
Line out has been given for the  leveling course  and PCC has been completed for the entire basement raft.

MASS EXCAVATION being done with the excavator.

Box type waterproofing has been completed.
Raft reinforcements have been put into position .

BOX TYPE WATER PROOFING BEING DONE for the basement raft.

Dowel bars for the periphery walls & intermediate columns have been tied.

Cover blocks have been put .Pour card has been filled up.

The basement raft has been concreted with the help of RMC .

Side walls have been cast and box type of water proofing has been done on the external face.

the intermediate columns have been cast and roof slab of the basement has been completed.

3.A Above the plinth

4.Handing over:

Author’s note :

Starting from this post , we shall be detailing on these phases in a series of articles.

The author would like to present focused information in different articles so that the absorption of knowledge is gradual but effective.

In the subsequent articles , we shall continue our journey above the plinth.

Till then , Good bye.& Take care

Quandary of construction ?

Construction starts with a dream of the builder and gets completed when the final cheque from the last customer is realized
In this article we are going  to review various decisions one has to take before the actual construction starts.

1.Lone crusader?
The first decision which a builder needs to take is whether he shall be working alone on this project or needs a financier with him.

This has a few situations ;

1.Working with own funds

2.Having a working partner with him who shall also do part of the investment.

3.Having a sleeping partner [ financier] who shall not be operationally active.

4.To take loan from financial institutions.

Each decision has its own merits & demerits.

2.Own land ?
Having decided mode of finance , the next decision is whether to construct the building on own plot or it can be developed with some one else’s land.
There are various practices followed.
For example,one such arrangement is called 60:40 method.
Here the builder does not do any investment in plot but has to bear entire construction cost. Out of the final property developed, he has to allot 40% of the total built up to the land lord. Land lord  may either do the marketing of this 40% property himself or through the builder .

Sometimes the builder may agree to pay the cash equivalent of 40% of the property to the landlord at the prevailing market rate.

3.Take the right people to plan :
Third decision is the appointment of Architect
The architect is appointed usually  through previous association or  references obtained within group.

For some , this selection  is very simple, an architect who can give maximum yield on the given plot is considered eligible.

( Maximum built up area per sqft. of land)
Some builders consider the overall planning, uniqueness of design etc vital attributes in architect’s selection.
And of course the crucial criterion is the professional charges of the architect.

4.Package deal includes RCC designs?
Another decision is whether to appoint RCC consultant separately ?
Various options exist:
1. Architect himself is also the RCC designer.
2. Architect has a  RCC designer working with him or for him .
3. Architect recommends a RCC designer.
4. Architect leaves the selection of RCC designer to the builder.

In the cases 1,2 & 3 builder has a one point  dealing with the architect who gets all RCC drawings done from his consultant.

5.Who will get the approvals?
This is regarding the permission to build [ municipality approvals]  to be obtained  from the competent authorities, prior to beginning the construction.

The options are :

1. Architect shall himself liaise with the authorities and shall get the corporation approvals.
2. Architect shall only give the drawings. The builder needs to liaise with the authorities to get the corporation approvals.

3. Builder appoints a Liaison Architect who just gets permissions & approvals.

6.Who shall fight for you in Court of Law ?

This decision is related to the appointment of the Legal consultant who shall guide the builder through any legal disputes arising anytime during the acquisition of land up to handing over of the property to the customers and even beyond.

7.The Supervision :
This decision is related to how the construction is going to be supervised for Quality ,Quantity and delivery ?

There are several options :

1.Builder deploys his own employees for supervision.

2.Builder appoints PMC [ project Management consultant ] for supervision.

3. An experienced engineer is given the contract of entire supervision on % basis.

Summary :

The real success of the construction project ,like every other venture depends upon the formation of an effective team.

It is prudential to spend enough time and diligence to hand pick the team members. 

Better to aim for a long term association .