Description
We had to construct a home based on the standards and restraints of the Habitat for Humanity company, while also considering and following the local building codes
Requirements
Building Code
- 1 room must have minimum 120 Ft^2, others must be at least 70 Ft^2
- Minimum 7 Ft ceiling height, bath ceiling height minimum 6; 8''
- Bath fixture spacing
- One door for each room minimum, clear paths to all sections of house
- Energy Efficiency
Habitat for Humanity
- Maximum 1,070 Ft^2 for 3-bedroom home
- 4 ft crawl space
- Minimum 36 inch passage doors, 42 inch hallways
- Bath requirements
- 52-gallon water heater, washer and dryer area
Universal Principals of Design
- Accessible for all types of people
- Easily understood plan, each room is obvious for purpose
- All areas are themed by use
- House can be constructed easily with minimum effort
Getting Familiar
Revising and re-reading the requirements allows me to get familiar with the project and all mandatory features. Knowing the requirements allows for a better understanding of the criteria and will allow me to get a better grade.
Interview
Bubble Sketches
Quick Sketch
Revisions
Construction Drawings
Site Plan
Summary
At the beginning, we were told about this 25-day Revit project. I was very excited because I thoroughly enjoyed using Revit in the past. Our first step in the project was to find and interview a client. My client was the teacher Mrs.Gallo. She had a 4 person family so a 3 bedroom house was required. With this information and extra info provided by building codes and our requirements, I was ready to start my bubble diagrams, which were basic rough layouts for where our rooms would be located. We had to do 2 separate ones and let the client choose which was best or what to modify. I then proceeded to make a rough sketch of my home. Once that was approved I moved on to my Revit model of the home. This was when the specific building codes for rooms and other things came into play. Such as the footing and foundation of the house. Everything had to be specific according to both Habitat for Humanity’s guides and the local building codes. It was a tedious process, but I enjoyed building the house. We then had to do calculations and other technicalities of the home, which was less enjoyable. Such as heat loss/gain, storm water, and site mapping. I made a fully dimensioned floor plan and second views. I also had to make a rendering. After I got all the sheets done we took a break from Revit and learned how to add electrical and plumbing. We had to calculate many different plumbing equations. We had to find how much pressure we had coming into the house. We also had to make sure we had enough of a slop for the sewer system. Once we found out that everything would work right we could go back to Revit and put our houses on the site. I had to make sure it was on the ground level and not under the ground. I had to add some trees to make it look more realist. I also had to take another rendering of my house on the site. After all this long enjoyable project i am glad it is over and ready to move on and learn more about civil engineering so it will help me further my studies