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WEEK 13 Blog Regulations

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  WEEKLY SUMMARY   In this week's readings through chapter 12 of Sustainable Building Systems, we got to learn about the various regulations and codes that pertain to our structures and built environments. Through a thorough examination, we got to see just how important these regulatory stipulations are to maintaining a safe and functional system of buildings. We also got to take a deep dive into the realm of design and how these implications are essential to our world of architecture and interior design.  It is important to understand the main purposes behind the regulations in Building systems to have a better grip on what they are trying to achieve. These lists of regulations are a set of norms and standards put in place to assure the safety, efficiency, and long-term viability of built structures. A wide range of possible concerns are taken into account including the structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility. Building system rules aim to ...

Week 12 Interior Building Systems

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WEEKLY SUMMARY  In this week's readings we went through the landscape of interior building systems in regards to their configuration and overall layout. This in depth look on space planning to regards of different components within the space and was extremely helpful and informative on how it pertains to us as interior designers in the field of affective design.  When understanding the built environment of an interior space it is important to realize that everything that is to be used within the space must be taken into account for. That means things such as electrical wiring, monitors, technology and outlets must be thought out in their placement properly beforehand. The orientation of furniture  and desired usages of different areas must be known, as well as proper air flow and circulation within the entirety of the space whether it be open planned or walled off. All these aspects must be thoroughly investigated before a building is erected, and goes to show just how vi...

WEEK #11 (Acoustics And Indoor Air)

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  WEEKLY SUMMARY In this week's learnings we took a closer look into indoor air quality and how it affects us on a daily basis as well as the  acoustics that surround us that we seemingly hardly notice. We also took a deep and in depth look into the effect of covid-19 and how it relates to our interior environments.  UNDERSTANDING ACOUSTICS  Acoustics in the indoor spaces that we inhabit has to do with how sound works inside buildings being determined by factors such as how the building is designed, what materials it is composed of, and what elements are inside that influence how sound moves around. This field is concerned with ensuring that the sound in a room is appropriate for communicating, feeling comfortable, and improving productivity levels within work environments as well as home settings. Operating sounds and how they interact with a space varies from the design specifications of the spaces intended use, whether it be a movie theater or concert hall, librar...

WEEK #10 Plumbing Systems

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  Weekly Summary: In this week's readings and in depth learning we explored the vast intricacies of different plumbing systems and how they are incorporated in structures. We also took a look at different sustainability practices related to the use and reuse of water and plumbing systems in today's ever  advancing societies.   When beginning our understanding of plumbing systems within our current buildings and their functioning components, it is important to start from the basics of the principles behind plumbing. Plumbing is all about getting clean, usable water into the building and unsanitary, waste water out of the building. The way this is done is by the use of pressure building up through the pipes forcing water to be radially available when it is switched on. The most commonly used ways for building up water pressure is through the use of water towers that use the weight of gravity from being so high up in the tower to come down into the pipes and force water...

Week 9 Lighting Blog

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Weekly Summary  This week we learned about lighting in natural settings and in interior manufactured settings ranging from light fixtures to the different kinds of lighting available in a space.  The origins of electricity and lighting typically start off at a powerplant that uses nuclear energy, or fusion and fission to create reactions strong enough to move enormous turbines to create the end result of electrical energy. This electrical energy is harvested and distributed through the use of power lines across selected areas in the United states and parts of Canada called a grid. There are currently three major grids the entire United States is separated into that separate the east coast, central religion, and west coast. The electricity is then stepped down at different stations along the way of its travel because the voltage is much too high for its end use in interior spaces. Through the use of transformers, the voltage is altered making it much more safe for everyday use ...

Week 8 Mechanical Systems

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  WEEK 8 Mechanical Systems  We looked closely this week at how the globe is converting to sustainable energy sources including solar energy, hydraulic energy, and wind energy in our readings and lessons. By examining the various modern sources of common energy usages and how they are implemented into heating and cooling systems in buildings and structures, we also dug even deeper into the subject of energy. Common Sources of Fuel  We learnt in this chapter how the energy landscape is shifting toward a wide mix of energy sources in order to meet the nation's growing demand for power. Energy sources that are often used include fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal, which have historically dominated the energy industry. However, there is a determined push underway to switch to cleaner and more sustainable alternatives. Renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar electricity, have grown dramatically as a result of technological developments and growing environm...

Blog Post #7 (Ceilings)

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  WEEKLY SUMMARY  In this week we learned a plethora of information regarding to ceiling systems, their various functions, distinctive looks, and the materials used to establish the perfect ceiling to complete a space. It is interesting to see just how much a room can look better, function better, and feel better when the ceiling is designed well. Throughout this blog we will explore the numerous amounts of ceiling designs, their origins, and how they interact with the user and the interior of the space.  Ceiling Materials  Based on the type of ceiling preferred for a space usually dictates the kinds of materials used in its construction. In general circumstances ceilings are typically a result of overhead flooring from a level above, or from a series of trusses that make up the structural components of the roofing system. These ceilings contain elements of drywall finished with a variety of different material such as plaster, paints, or extruding elements involving ...