Circle Reading: where clinical practicality meets build efficiency

http://bit.ly/BWNewsUpdatesUK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have announced the results of last year’s Transforming Construction challenge.

Finding ways to get the right people to do the right work at the right time is the first principle of an integrated approach.. Design is not a linear and regressive process.My second principle is the same principle that I have written about in relation to AI and general intelligence.

Any intelligent system cannot be left to operate in isolation or disconnected from the.without regular checking-in; it is like leaving an AI-robot in-charge of your children.No matter how detailed or how explicit you are with information, data and rules there will be some critical implicit knowledge input that is constantly required to deliver success.

The design process needs to be formed and managed with frequent check-ins across the design spectrum.Many times, have I experienced very unpleasant shocks on projects which have not deliberately iterated in this way.

The other reason, this is required is that we cannot pretend that, even in the more detailed levels of design, ideas, drivers and decisions, will not continue to evolve.

You can call it changing-minds or scope-creep or natural emergence; whatever it is called this will be handled much more cost and time effectively through managed iteration..With engineered timber overall deformations are less likely due to the controlled material use and grain directions, but it is still sensitive to swelling if exposed to moisture and water.

This makes it necessary to adequately waterproof the envelope of the building and protect the material during transportation and construction.. Due to high demand, timber sold in the UK is typically not dried out properly.As it dries it changes geometry losing original accuracy.

This is a problem as connections cannot be relied on geometrically and presents a challenge particularly for DfMA solutions and other situations where small tolerances are required.. Our response is to:.- Transport and store timber in waterproofed flat stacks.. - Engage early with contractors to produce an on-site maintenance plan with special attention to timber elements.. - Enable sufficient drying periods within the project programme.. - Use preservative natural treatments to prevent woodboring and avoid the use of toxic chemicals such as chromium, chlorophenols or arsenic.. - Use preservative natural treatments on all sides to prevent water ingress.