The Tactile Architect

The Tactile Architect Will not give average results but will give the best possible results. High Level Master Builder

Proposed Two-Storey ResidentialLocation: San Roque, Macabebe, Pampanga
06/01/2025

Proposed Two-Storey Residential
Location: San Roque, Macabebe, Pampanga

WOULD I CLASSIFY ARCHITECTURE MORE OF AN ART OR SCIENCE?Architecture is one of the few career choices that would allow y...
07/01/2021

WOULD I CLASSIFY ARCHITECTURE MORE OF AN ART OR SCIENCE?

Architecture is one of the few career choices that would allow you to combine your artistic and science abilities. You would also have to activate the legal & analytical parts of your brain. An important ability is for the Architect to visualize / build a structure in your mind before putting it down on paper. this is the artistic & logical parts of your brain working.

So what do Architects really do?

Architects alter the Built Environment for the betterment of the client & users. They create the Built Environment and alter the behavioral pattern of the users by doing this. Architects also alter the the way people feel by the spaces they create. There is now a shift in the profession to SUSTAINABILITY. They use this to help reverse the harm done to the environment over the Industrial Era.

In a sentence: Architects alter nature to make the environment more comfortable to suite the needs of the users.

MY TAKE

Although it is both and this is a matter of debate. Architecture is the art of space. By space i don't mean the cosmos but rather the environment, natural or built that is around us. Rather than saying architects design buildings it is better to say architects design experiences through the manipulation of space (again, by space i mean our surrounding environment). In order to give a person the best experience architecture-wise, an architect needs to study things like:

-circulation
-ergonomics
-climatology
-acoustics
-optics
-structure
-electrical
-engineering
-sociology
-psychology
-politics
-physical planning
-construction management and not to mention:

-Art
This effects the aesthetics of the structure. You would want to build a beautiful building that people would be impress and proud of.

-Science
This has to do with the technology that goes into the building. this includes but not restricted to the orientation, the structural stability, the material choice, supply of services, disposal of waste, the mechanical systems, fire prevention, fire protection, anthropometric data, thermal properties, sound attenuation, water attenuation, space requirements, lighting requirements, water demand, pollution control, vehicular movement etc.

-Logical
This has to do with the functionality of the environment you are try to alter / create. Meeting the client requirements while keeping within the town planning & financial & legal constraints.

-Legal
Laws, Laws & more Laws coupled with National Codes and Standards, and Contracts.

-Accounting
This is meeting the client requirements while keeping within financial constraints. The ability to access the construction progress weighed against the claim & issue a payment. The ability to manage office / time profitably.

The common misconception that architects don't need to be good at math is simply false. architects need to study mechanics, trigonometry, geometry, calculus quite a lot. Bottom line, i would say architecture is both, sometimes more science than art or sometimes the other way around depending on the project requirement and the architect’s preferences.

GUARANTEED MAXIMUM COST CONTRACTVS.LUMPSUM CONTRACTVS. UNIT RATE CONTRACTGUARANTEED MAXIMUM COAT OUTLAYis preferred by c...
29/12/2020

GUARANTEED MAXIMUM COST CONTRACT
VS.
LUMPSUM CONTRACT
VS.
UNIT RATE CONTRACT

GUARANTEED MAXIMUM COAT OUTLAY

is preferred by clients whose construction projects are of such types where expenses can be estimated in advance with fair degree of accuracy. Their risk and uncertainty-bearing capacity are also limited. Hence, in order to protect themselves from this eventuality, they prefer to award contracts on this basis.

Advantages

1. It gives security to the client that he won’t be penalized for the contractor’s mistakes and carelessness in carrying out the project.

2. As there are little uncertainties regarding the costs and an almost accurate, crystal clear estimate of the costs – there are no unpleasant surprises.

3. As the project details are worked out very well in advance, the flow of work is quite smooth.

LUMPSUM CONTRACT

Lump Sum or Fixed Price method (per squaremeter estimate) is where both the parties – the contractor and the client – have agreed on a fixed price for the construction job on hand irrespective of the actual expenses involved.

Advantages

1. The owner's risk is reduced due to the price of the contract being fixed and variations are not as much like other contracts.

2. There are fewer change orders and they are reduced.

3. The bidding and contractor selection is less complicated.

UNIT RATE CONTRACT

Under unit rate or unit price contract, the contractor provides the owner with a specific price for one or more tasks or a partial “segment” or a “block” of the overall work that's required on the project. The owner then agrees to pay the contractor for the units that the contractor expends to complete the project.

Advantages

1. Fair basis for competition.

2. Changes in contract documents can be made easily by the owner.

3. Well-suited for repetitive and well-defined tasks.

MY RECOMMENDATION

Apply the information. Something you do by asking critical questions. Facing a decision, ask yourself:

"What concepts are at work?"
"What assumptions exist?"
"Is my interpretation of the information logically sound?"

Halimbawa sa isang text na nangangako sayo ng milyon, kailangan mong ikunsidera kung ano ang naghuhugis sa approach mo sa sitwasuon na yon? Iaasume mo ba na nagsasabi ng tama ang ang text sayo? Base sa ebidensya, logical ba na iassume na nanalo ka ng kahit anong pera?

This certainly won't eradicate difficult decisions from our lives. What will do though is it can help us increase the number of positive choices we make.

HERE'S WHAT THE CONCEPT OF ITEM RATE CONTRACT ISYou'll get the definition if you google it, so let me help you understan...
26/12/2020

HERE'S WHAT THE CONCEPT OF ITEM RATE CONTRACT IS

You'll get the definition if you google it, so let me help you understand what it means by giving you an example.

Let's say you desire to build a house. You have land, plans and permits ready.

Now you'll float tenders and invite bidders who are willing to complete the job with high quality and low price because your architect-of-record does not do design-build service. Before you do this, if you're well aware of construction procedures and technicalities, your architect will prepare a Bill of Quantities (BOQ).

Bill of Quantities is typically an excel sheet which has the list of items that are required to complete the project.

For example: It may start like,

Site clearance
Barrication of site
Excavation

Against which we mention the quantities of each of these items and keep a blank space for the unit price for which the architect-in-charge-of-construction/ contractor is willing to execute that particular item.

Once you select the contractor based on your selection criteria, he'll start the work.

Now, as we all know, he's not doing this for free. He'll submit his bill.

So this bill will essentially have all the items he execute against the agreed BOQ.

It is simply a type of contract where the client pays the contractor based upon the rate for the particular item of work which the contractor executed or worked.

Generally it is the type of contract for building construction where client pays the contractor monthly or interim (in general) based upon the decisions made during contract aggrement.

MY TAKE

This is a win win situation for both Builder and Client, because Builder does not bear loss of money for excess and extra item and client saves money on unused quantities in BOQ. It can also apply to Design-Build Services.

Merry Christmas Everybody. GOD Bless You ❤️❤️❤️

GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PROJECT CONSTRUCTION COST OUTLAY CONTRACTA guaranteed maximum price contract sets a limit, or maximum...
23/12/2020

GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PROJECT CONSTRUCTION COST OUTLAY CONTRACT

A guaranteed maximum price contract sets a limit, or maximum price, that the client will have to pay their architect-in-charge-of-construction/ contractor or subcontractor, regardless of the actual costs incurred. In its simplest form, a guaranteed maximum construction cost outlay contract simply puts a cap on the contract price that can’t be exceeded. Costs beyond that guaranteed maximum price may need to be covered by the architect-in-charge-of-construction/ contractor or sub.

Typically, this is a mechanism used on design-build contracts where the architect has responsibility for completing the client’s design and for carrying out the construction works, so they are in a good position to control costs.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS

Effectively, this sort of contract transfers risks for delivering the project from the client to the architect/ contractor. For example, if events such as exceptionally adverse weather or strikes occur, or if items that might otherwise have been the subject of provisional sums (tulad ng malakihang hukayan, the nature of which cannot be determined until the ground is opened up), which on other forms of contract might have resulted in a claim by the architect/ contractor for loss and expense, on a guaranteed maximum construction cost outlay contract, the architect/ contractor has to bear any additional costs.

However, a guaranteed maximum price is not a cure-all, and the price is not necessarily fixed. If the client requests ‘extras’, for example, if the scope of the works increases, then the contract must provide for the price to be increased. Similarly, if work is omitted, then the price should be reduced.

MY RECOMMENDATION

Gather your information. There is a lot of it out there. If you're trying to decide on investing to design-build your house to improve your life, you may get the expert for their advice which happen to be the architects and their services, or seeks other people's testimonies. Information gathering helps you weigh different options, moving you closer to a decision that meets your goal.

HERE IS HOW LUMP SUM CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WORKSA lump sum contract in construction is one type of construction contract...
21/12/2020

HERE IS HOW LUMP SUM CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WORKS

A lump sum contract in construction is one type of construction contract, sometimes referred to as stipulated-sum, na kung saan ang isang presyo ay sinipi o kinote para sa buong project na base sa plano at specification and the owner knows exactly how much the work will cost in advance.

This type of contract requires a full and complete set of plans and specifications and includes all the indirect costs plus the profit and the contractor will receive progress payments each month.

It is called a Lump Sum because the architect-in-charge-of-construction/ contractor is required to submit a total and global price instead of bidding on individual items.

With this kind of contract the architect, engineer and/or contractor agrees to do a described and specified project for a fixed price.

A Fixed Fee or Lump Sum Contract is suitable if the scope and schedule of the project are sufficiently defined to allow the architect-of-record to estimate project costs.

CHANGE OR VARIATION ORDERS

Variations are typically broken down into two categories:

A. Beneficial - is for improvement of work quality, cost and schedule reduction.

B. Detrimental - is a negative change in performance or quality of work due to client's financial difficulties.

There are many reasons for variations to occur but main causes are normally due to:

-omission in design
-inadequate design
-changes in specifications
-changes in scope, and
-lack of coordination and communication among the collaborators

MY RECOMMENDATION

Gather your information. There is a lot of it out there. If you're trying to decide on investing to design-build your house to improve your life, you may get the expert for their advice and service, or seeks other people's testimonies. Information gathering helps you weigh different options, moving you closer to a decision that meets your goal.

DESIGN-BUILD VS. DESIGN-BID-BUILDDESIGN-BUILDIn Design-Build, an architect/design team combine resources with a single a...
19/12/2020

DESIGN-BUILD VS. DESIGN-BID-BUILD

DESIGN-BUILD

In Design-Build, an architect/design team combine resources with a single architect/construction firm and groups of these teams bid the project to both design and build the project for a set fee.

Advantages of this Approach:

-Time can be saved as the contractor/ architect-in-charge-of-construction is engaged from the beginning.

-Cost savings can be achieved by designing with the specific contractors resources and expertise in mind.

-Fewer conflicts between the architect/design team and architect/contractor will arise, as both have a vested interest in keeping costs low.

-The owner will have a better idea of total project costs from the beginning.
Fewer contracts need to be monitored.

DESIGN-BID-BUILD

A little background is in order. In traditional Design-Bid-Build construction work, the owner selects an architect/design team who produce the design documents, drawings and specifications for the project. After the design documents are produced the work is bid by general contractors. The winning bidder then constructs the project.

This method has the following advantages:

-The construction work can be competitively bid by several contractors.

-The owner needs to commit fewer financial resources up front. The design work, which recommended about 10% of the total project cost, can be funded, and then the owner can elect to continue with the project through construction or halt the project.

-The architect/design team will not be unduly influenced to modify their design based on specific contractors preferred construction method or available construction equipment and resources

-The architects/design team's position seems a bit more clearly on the owner's side of the negotiating table.

MY RECOMMENDATION

Formulate your question. Sa madaling salita, alamin kung ano ang hinahanap mo. This isn't always as straightforward as it sounds. Your reasons for the way of designing and constructing your house may be obscured by other factors, tulad ng mga claims na mas makakamura ka kapag wala ng architect. If you approach the situation with a clear view of what you're actually trying to accomplish by it, whether that's limited or lower budget, faster construction or best design since sliced bread, that'll equip you to sift through this information critically, find what your looking for and decide whether the fad (like not hiring an architect) really suits your needs. Apparently design-build is perfect fit for those examples because of its easy and simple approach.

DESIGN-BUILD SERVICE ADVANTAGEDDesign-Build Service (DBS) is a project delivery system that includes planning, design an...
17/12/2020

DESIGN-BUILD SERVICE ADVANTAGED

Design-Build Service (DBS) is a project delivery system that includes planning, design and construction under one entity. DBS is the idea of partnering the right team, from the start, to help get to a completed project successfully and provide the highest satisfaction to the Client/Owner. Basically it’s like putting together any sports team. You pick teammates you know you can collaborate with, trust, lean on for support and ultimately win the game with. Design-Build has many advantages to ensuring a successful completed project when working together as a team.

Distinctive Characteristics of Design-Build

There are three distinctive characteristics in the Design-Build approach:

A.) Communicating instantaneously: being able to communicate instantaneously speeds the whole process which improves your project schedule. Agad-agad ang usapan kasi isa lang o isang team lang ang kausap mo.

B.) Conducting business without boundaries: you have no physical or geographical boundaries getting in the way of your timeline. Madali lang din matapos ang project sa oras kasi anticipated na lahat una palang kaya wala ng aberyang walang agaran na solusyon.

C.) Producing flexible project: I mean flexible, yung ability to quickly produce projects that are custom of not only quality. It also customized in a way for cost outlay and timeline because everything is considered in the planning and design phases.

A Design-Build Team is usually made up of people who have worked together before. They know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and can build off that knowledge to make the process more streamlined and successful.

Advantages of Design-Build

So what are some of the advantages of the Design-Build approach?

Builds Teamwork

Single Point of Responsibility

Open/Transparent Communication

Eliminates Adversarial Conditions

Not Restricted to Building Types

Faster Project Delivery

The DBS approach allows for early collaboration where all team members work together through the beginning stages of the project, with each bringing their design and/or construction expertise into the mix. Sometimes a design challenge or problem has a construction solution while the same can be said for the opposite. Getting everyone together early allows all team members to share their ideas for creative and innovative solutions, which can lead to faster project delivery and best cost value.

Single source of responsibility means one entity drives the flow of work all the way through completion by using open/transparent communication. The roles of contractor and designer are integrated to allow the architect to spend more time on the project. The DBS Team forms a unified front that helps create an enjoyable working experience for everyone involved. There is no blame game or finger pointing when something goes wrong. Rather, there is a shared responsibility for the design, budget and schedule, which brings the focus directly to solving the issue at hand as a unified front.

With everyone’s input and ideas from the beginning, the DBS Team is able to produce a highly customized and quality project for the Client/Owner. This is where collaboration and trust in the team is the key to the whole approach. Everyone brings their expertise to the project, which elevates the overall design, construction process and finished project. All of the advantages help with faster project delivery because the DBD Team, working together from the start, streamlines the project timeline and brings more cost effective solutions.

There is no “I” in Team

The Design-Build approach is simple, “There is no I in team”. The Design-Build approach cannot be just one person. It is a group of teammates participating to achieve the same goal. It doesn’t matter how great a super star you are, you can’t win the championship game without your teammates. It’s the same with Design-Build, you can’t complete any quality project on time or within budget without your team. The Design-Build approach breaks down the silos that are typical in the A/E industry. The approach is based on brainstorming, collaboration, trust, mutual respect and shared leadership.

HERE'S HOW TO MAKE THE INDUSTRIAL LOOKIndustrial Design has become a profitable and growing trend used to make homes and...
14/12/2020

HERE'S HOW TO MAKE THE INDUSTRIAL LOOK

Industrial Design has become a profitable and growing trend used to make homes and commercials stylish. It adds a certain edginess to homes and spaces because of its capacity to combine old and new pieces. This style works around and puts certain structural elements on display instead of concealing them.

Here is a great approach on how to make the industrial style... ready for cool space...

First, use the right materials, display the hidden and accesorize

If you're like most people you're probably thinking, ok ayos, PERO PANO KO BA TALAGA MAGAGAWA YON?

STEP 1: Use the Right Materials

There are three common finishes that describe this look:

A. Aged, Reclaimed or Weathered Wood

Aged, reclaimed and weathered wood can add character to any space, not to mention its sustainability as building material. Old woods like floors can be used to decorate ceilings, walls and tables and can even serve as a conversation piece when in the art form.

B. Bricks

Bricks are used not only for building purposes. Today, they are also integrated as part of the interior design. Exposed bricks can make a great accent wall for your living and entertainment space because of its texture and color apart from being durable.

C. Concrete Finish

Bare concrete or the like of stucco finish gives off a very industrial feel as this was used in the 19th century for old mills and factories. You can save on design cost since you will have that laid-back look for your home or space that also appears modern and sleek when you combine it with the right pieces of furnitures.

STEP 2: Display Steel

For an additional industrial feature, if you have exposed steel beams and columns, choose to just let these architectural bones on display. To complete the whole industrial look, you can also furnish your space with simple and clean-looking steel display.

To achieve a rustic industrial decor in a space that has totally different bones, chances are that you’ll have no finish or structural element to leave exposed. Should you then quit the idea of a rustic industrial style? Not at all! All of these features can be faked. Even pipes, ducts and ofcourse beams can be added as a decorative feature. Strictly speaking, they will no longer be structural elements, but they will still add that industrial vibe to your space.

STEP 3: Reused Furnishings Accessories

There is beauty in giving old pieces of furniture a new use other than having a story of its own. Cabinet doors and boards can be used as wooden benches, old drawers can be used as tables, and you can even make the display by use old tiles and other pieces of hardwares as display.

Industrial look definitely has its coolness because of allowing people to have the best of both old and new world. Although this style is not for every one, it will surely put charm to a space because it is look that combines strength and warmth through materials, displays and accessories.

IS DESIGN-BUILD IS THE BEST THING TO DO?Maliban sa design-bid-build na paraan sa konstruction na tradisyunal na ginagawa...
12/12/2020

IS DESIGN-BUILD IS THE BEST THING TO DO?

Maliban sa design-bid-build na paraan sa konstruction na tradisyunal na ginagawa, mayroon ding kaso para sa design-build na scheme sa Pilipinas. Sa paraang ito, ang may-ari ay kukuha lang ng isang firm o entity para sa parehong design at construction para sa isang project.

ADVANTAGE OF DESIGN-BUILD SERVICE

Mas Makakamura
-Cost-efficiency can be incorporated early.
Especially for a smaller project scale, the design-build method is often a more budget-friendly route to take. Planning with cost-efficiency in mind right from the start can begin by Designers, and unforeseen complications are less likely. Also, Cost management for concerns like construction materials can already be anticipated and costs ideally lowered as the project progresses with design being in close collaboration with construction.

Mas Mapapabilis
-Compared to the design-bid-build process, projects are typically completed on time and more likely early because the design-build method yields more expedited timelines for project completion. Inaalis nito ang proseso ng bidding para sa mga general contractors, na nakakaliit sa timeline ng project. Phases of the project can overlap and save time since design and construction are under one firm.
For example, even before the design has been finalized, construction materials can be ordered early on. Another advantage is that the decision-making process is a lot smoother since less firm or people are involved when it comes to collaboration.

Mas Malinaw na Komunikasyon
-Collaboration and accountability is streamlined. With a design-build model, the owner would only need to cooperate with one entity across the entire project. Accountability also falls on a single entity should there be any mishaps within the project, which reduces the risk for the owner. This lessens the likelihood of miscommunication between design and construction. It also lessens the frequency of change orders.

MY TAKE

Yes i requires more trust for higher accountability, special projects would require specialist and Backtracking is difficult for larger projects.

It all comes down to the scale of your project and the amount of collaboration you desire with your contractors. There are many design-build firms who are doing their best to make a name for themselves in the Philippines. It’s all a matter of choosing the right team worth your vote of confidence and funding. If you do this even a half as well, like the rest of the owner who have done this, you will not be sorry. Sound fair enough?

THE MINIMALISM STORYSome Architects and Designers see beauty in the simplest of form. They wanted you to notice and feel...
09/12/2020

THE MINIMALISM STORY

Some Architects and Designers see beauty in the simplest of form. They wanted you to notice and feel what wasn't there as much as was there. It is called MINIMALISM.

A style or technique (as in music, literature or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity.

It is a popular term nowadays. But it is more than just a design track.

Minimalism with a capital "M" was an Art and Design Movement concerned with the abstraction and reduction of forms. Seeking an art that had its own reality without the burden of representation.

Stacked monochromatic shape could be beautiful and light could shape a space as well as any structure.

With minimalism, a piece wasn't meant to reflect the personal expressions of an individual. It was meant to express only that which was integral to the piece itself.

Today the influences of minimalism are everywhere maybe right in front of you. Pwedi nyong i check ang hashtag minimalism sa instagram. Hashtag hindi ganon kaminimal, which is where the irony comes in.

So, if you are looking to be a true minimalist, remember that:

-Less is better
-Omit extraneous things
-Use color only when necessary and
-Make evey detail count

That is because the ABSENCE of something can be even more BEAUTIFUL than the thing ITSELF.

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Macabebe
2018

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