A case study for the School of Architecture and Design project 2b for B. Arch.

1. NAME : PAUL NICKY WASENA
REG NO : EAAM/00031/2021
SHEET NO :
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
DATE : 12TH SEPTEMBER 2023
CRESCENT SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Project details
Project Title: Crescent School of Architecture
Client: Crescent University
Location: Vandalur, India
Area: 1114m²
Year of construction: 2019
Architectural firm: architecture RED
Lead Architects: Biju Kuriakose, Kishore Panikkar
Address: Vandalur, Tamil Nadu 600048, India
Project location map
Ground floor plan
First floor plan
Unique to the ground floor is; material exhibition space, workshops, staffroom, break out
spaces- are used by learners to take a break or work in a more relaxed and informal setting,
multipurpose halls, an undergraduate (UG) studio room and model making workshops.
A seven story building that envisions a design two-fold in
nature, both extroverted and introverted. An architecture
school requires spaces that allows its users to work in multiple
ways.
Conceptual Framework
Masterplan diagram
Relationship diagram between the form and the spaces
There are two axis that lead to the building, the main one from the
major access road and the other from the faculty of life sciences.
Second floor plan
Third floor plan Fourth floor plan
The school of architecture sits in the middle of the spatial arrangement
with closest proximity to the student center. There are access paths that
allow students to walk in and out of different faculties.
Studios and exhibition spaces have been given
the most floor area and are the major rooms
within the building. The art studios and lecture
halls are in close proximity with shared areas
closet to the entrance ways.
Note inclusion of handicapped toilets on every floor
alongside normal toilets meaning that the floors are
all inclusive as the lift can be used alternatively with
the staircases.
The second floor has: HVAC unit, UPS and battery
rooms (used to store uninterruptable power supply
systems and batteries for the computer labs)

2. NAME : PAUL NICKY WASENA
REG NO : EAAM/00031/2021
SHEET NO :
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
DATE : 12TH SEPTEMBER 2023
CRESCENT SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Seventh floor plan
Terrace
Sixth floor plan
Has more lecture halls for both undergraduate and post
graduate students.
Has a recycle room, indoor theatre and landscape
terrace unique to other floors.
Particular to this floor is the climatology lab where
students conduct research on various aspects of
climate, patterns, causes, effects and changes
The terrace level plan (underground) shows the terrace,
fire water tank for fire emergencies, raw water, a water
treatment plant room and a flush water tank.
Fifth floor plan
The building is accessed both vertically and horizontally. Vertical access is
provided by the use of staircases on the east and west sides of the building.
A lift is also incorporated into the design to give vertical access of the
building. Horizontal access is provided by extensive and open corridors that
urge for learning outside of the confines of the classroom.
Section
Elevations
Open spaces present at its base that offer the possibility of intense activity,
gathering and socializing, a strong connection between the school building and the
campus is reinforced
Construction technology
Stepped voids
Instead of merely vertically extruding a courtyard, here the ground plane is multiplied, staggered at
each level and overlapped. An additional ‘new ground’ is thus created at every floor level within the
building – that stretches the piazza and the open stilt / free plinth upwards into the building
volume. This continuous, stepped void created acts as a diagonal courtyard – offering, in this case,
exhilarating vistas across the terraced-landscape-like formation, besides becoming the key
congregational and social space for the school.
Piazza – open space covered by a roof and supported by columns
Vistas – long enclosed views.
Materials
The structure depends on reinforced concrete to remain horst. Glazing has been used effectively
in its windows and the paths are well paved using gabbro.

3. NAME : PAUL NICKY WASENA
REG NO : EAAM/00031/2021
SHEET NO :
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
DATE : 12TH SEPTEMBER 2023
SITE ANALYSIS
Location
The site is located on latitude 1.3122° S, longitude 36.8315 ° E and altitude 1661M in South B - Nairobi county, Kenya. It is
approximately 4km from the Nairobi CBD. The site is also within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, which is the most populous urban
agglomeration in East Africa.
TECHNICAL
UNIVERSITY
OF KENYA
SOUTH B
CAMPUS
Site access
The site is commonly accessed via
Melili road that connects from major
roads from the CBD. It can also be
accessed from the expressway at
Capital center and From alternative
roads such as Mariakani road. The
roads from the site’s gate head out
to Mwembere road which is another
alternative.
The site has both vehicular and
pedestrian access. From the site’s
gate, there is a tarmac road and a
pedestrian path that lead into the
site. The tarmac road terminates at
the parking area whereas the
pedestrian path maneuvers through
into the existing buildings on site.
A section of the road towards the
expressway is dilapidated.
Existing Amenities
Entertainment hall that
doubles up as a dining hall
for the students in the
evening. Architecture
students may get indoor
recreation and meals at
this hall.
Basketball court for
playing whenever the
students need to get some
exercise.
The existing buildings on
site offer hostel facility
for the students meaning
they don’t have to
commute every morning to
the school of architecture.
SITE MAP

4. NAME : PAUL NICKY WASENA
REG NO : EAAM/00031/2021
SHEET NO :
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
DATE : 12TH SEPTEMBER 2023
SITE ANALYSIS
Climate
Nairobi has a subtropical highland climate, with moderate temperatures and abundant rainfall
throughout the year. The average annual temperature is 19°C, with a minimum of 10°C and a
maximum of 28°C. The average annual rainfall is 889 mm, with two rainy seasons: March to May
and October to December.
Mean monthly mean climatic data table for Nairobi
Monthly average rainfall for Nairobi
The sun path suggests that the buildings on this
site should be oriented in such a way that main
glazing faces the north and south as the sun
emerges directly in the east. Large windows
should be avoided on the east and west facing
facades.
Polar sun path diagram
Psychrometric chart with passive design strategies overlays for
Nairobi
Wind rose diagram showing prevailing wind
direction in Nairobi
Most of the hourly points of outdoor dry bulb
temperature and relative humidity fall within the comfort
zone.
However, a substantial portion falls below the comfort
zone as seen in above.
This means that during that period, space heating is
necessary to extend the limit of comfort zone.
This can be done through passive heating through direct
solar heat gain and thermal mass.
Further, internal heat gain from equipment, lights
and occupants are also helpful in extending the thermal
comfort and reducing heading heating demand.
Prevailing winds are mostly easterly, meaning they blow
from east to west.
The easterly winds have two components:
1. Northeasterly winds that prevail during the
northern winter (December to March)
2. Southeasterly winds that prevail during the southern
winter (June to September)
Existing infrastructure
Soil
Vegetation
Zoning regulations
Topography
Roads Worker’s quarters Water tank
The existing roads are dilapidated and will need to be repaired before being put into proper use. There is worker
accommodation onsite. The existing water tanks can be used to store water to be used in construction
The site is covered in black
clay loam soil which has
high retention capacity.
The soil has good load
bearing capacity and can
handle structural loads
well.
There is presence of tall trees and vast grass covered
land within the site. Species such as Acacia are
predominant. The trees provide noise control barriers
and also reduce the speed of wind
SWOT Analysis
The site is generally
flat with very slight
depressions and
elevations making it
easy to move around
the site and no
views are
obstructed by
landscape.
The Nairobi City Council regulates that any building in
South B has to have a Ground Coverage of 35% and
Plot Ratio of 75%.
S -The site may benefit from natural ventilation and cooling,
which may reduce the need for mechanical systems and energy
consumption.
W- The site may experience high wind loads and noise levels,
which may require appropriate design solutions such as
windbreaks, sound barriers.
O - The site may have good potential for wind energy
generation, which may provide a renewable and clean source of
power. The site may have opportunities for creating dynamic
and interactive spaces that respond to the wind, such as wind
sculptures.
T - The site may face challenges in maintaining air quality and
preventing dust and pollution, especially from the road traffic.