The building object is the last stage of the Hampton Wood investment –a housing settlement located in Dublin (Ireland), consisting of 19 apartment buildings. The construction of the first structure started in 2004.
Cell 16 is a working name for the building object, which includes five blocks, providing a total of 135 housing units. Each block was designed as an independent structure with an extension joint between the other part of the building object.
The unconventional arrangement of the object on the plot plan and the number of floors depend on the block and provide a unique appearance.
The design is a combination of a monolithic structure and a precast structure. The prepared BIM model was key in the coordination meetings amongst the design team. The team comprises designers and engineers who take care of the specified design part.
Integration of the precast elements and monolithic construction was not an uncommon challenge for the construction site engineering staff, who supervised the rising of the construction. Minor errors made during the designing of a monolithic structure were instantly caught and revised using a BIM model. It is significant to mention that the BIM model was also used as a basis for the work arrangement of the assemblers of the precast elements. Communication and actualization of the BIM model were carried out by a platform CDE Trimble Connect usage.
The most challenging part of the design was the provision of the architects’ requirements. The requirements concerned the arrangement of the elevation openings. These were window openings, door openings, vents, and openings located in the joint between a balcony substructure and a precast panel floor.
The unique appearance of the building was filled according to the irregular layout of the elevation. The design team was obliged to use a variety of construction solutions. Moreover, their aim was to provide an adequate load-bearing capacity and stability for particular elements of the structure as well as the entire building.
