Introduction

Building Construction process comprises with many

stages.
They basically consist of two parts
Pre Construction
Post Construction
The Designing process of a building project
belongs to the Pre construction stage.
Considering about the Design Morphology
Factors comes under this Designing stage.

Introduction (cont)

Cost of Construction changes in a rapid manner due to

many reasons.
Therefore a proper analysis of Building Morphology Factors
are essential to reduce cost of Construction.
This presentation is aimed at understanding what the
Design Morphology Factors are.
This discusses about;
What the Morphology Factors are.
A practical example on implementing Morphology Factors.
Analysis and Recommendations of alternatives Designs
using Morphology Factors.
Impact of Morphology Factors on Cost of Construction.

Building Morphology Factors

Main design Morphology Factors that are considered
are;
Shape of the building
Orientation, Proximity and Similarity factors
Size of the building
Storey height
Total height of the building
Number of storey
Grouping Buildings
Orientation, Proximity and Similarity factors

Shape and Size

Shape and Size are interrelated factors.

Both relates with the floor space required by the client.

Research has showed that SQUARE shape is the most
cost effective shape.
When designing the shape the ORIENTATION,
PROXMITY and SIMILARITY factors must be concerned.
If the new building is in a similar shape as the existing
buildings, placing the building in the correct orientation
and proximity becomes easy.

Storey height

Service integration must be concerned.

For example;
Air conditioning
Fire fighting system
Electrical lighting
Telecommunication systems

If storey height is not decided according to

service integration requirement;
Problems occur during installation
Service lines will be installed in an irregular manner.

Proper height must be selected during designing.

total height

Directly connects with the number of storey and storey

height.
Higher the building goes;
Stronger the structure
should be.
Workers, equipment,
material etc must be
transported
continuously to upper
floors.
More scaffolding
requirement.

RESULT

More
Financial
Requirement

Number of Storey
Must design to the required number only.
Over designing could result in a stronger structure.
If designed correctly, can avoid expensive foundation
types.

Grouping
building
Two methods can be used;
Vertical Grouping
- Common Walls and Foundations
Horizontal Grouping
- Common Roofs

Can be used in Building

Apartment buildings.

complexes

like

Another advantage is reduction of circulation

spaces and service cores.
When grouped buildings can share circulation
spaces and service cores.

Analysis and recommendations

SHAPE and SIZE
Designed by UDA designers.

Shape Designed due to

Architectural Influence.
Office areas are located on
either side of the vertical
circulation area.

Analysis and
Recommendation
onrecommendations
SHAPE and SIZE
If built in square shape, spaces on either side of the
vertical circulation space could be used.
It increases the efficiency of land usage.
Land value is very high.
Design Efficiency Calculation
Floor area of H-shaped building

= 2744.28 m2

Floor area if designed as a square shape = 3528.36 m2

Wastage of Floor Area

= 784.08 m2

Analysis
and
recommendations
Recommendation on SHAPE and SIZE
If the building is built without changing the required
floor area land area could have been saved.
Design Efficiency Calculation
Perimeter of the H-shaped building

= 1039.36 ft.

Perimeter if designed as a square shape = 692.82 ft

Design efficiency = (1039.36 692.82) x 100
692.82

Square shape is 50.02% more effective.

50.02%

Analysis
and
recommendations
Recommendation on SHAPE and SIZE
The existing main building has a L shape.
If the new building is designed to have the same shape
(similarity factor) orientation of the building could have
been easy.
Since the shape is different the main parts of the
building faces east and west.
Therefore the heat gain through direct sun light is
more and uncomfortable.

Analysis and recommendations

HEIGHT of the Building

Storey height is 3600 mm.

Ceiling to be a Lowered 600 mm from the soffit of the
slab.
Each floor is designed to be constructed with a proper
ducting for A/C, and other services.
Comprising with 14 storeys.

Analysis and recommendations

Analysis
and
recommendations
GROUPING BUILDINGS
New building is constructed few feet away from the
existing main building.
At the designing stage it was decided to group the
buildings.
But later it was decided not to due to heavy demolition
work of the existing building.
Recommendation on GROUPING BUILDINGS
Grouping buildings could have reduced the circulation
space needed for the new building.

design economics & cost planning

Design economics helps us to understand the best cost
effective way proceed with the construction.
Discussion between construction professionals prior
the construction helps them to understand these cost
effective way.
Each construction has its own cost effective ways.
To understand these ways Building Morphology Factors
can be used.
Concerning about Morphology factors during designing

Conclusion
The designing stage of a building project is the best
stage to reduce unnecessary costs of the project.
Building Morphology Factors are the key to understand
the ways of reducing unnecessary costs.
Shape, Size, Storey height, Total height, Grouping
factors can be analyzed carefully to make a project
cost effective.
Therefore a proper knowledge on Building Morphology
is necessary for construction professionals.