Finishing construction work group assignment

specification
Group 3

Group members

1,___________________________

2, ___________________________

3, ___________________________

4, __________________________

5, ___________________________

6, ___________________________

7, ___________________________

8, ___________________________

9, ___________________________

10, ___________________________ 20/05/2018 E.C

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1. Introduction

1.1 Project Overview

The "Design and Specification of a 130m2 Residential Building within a School Compound"
project is an academic and technical initiative commissioned by Hailemariam Mamo Secondary
School. This project serves as a practical assessment for Grade 11 students in Finishing
Construction Work during the first semester. The primary objective is to develop a single-family
residential unit specifically designed for staff accommodation, ensuring that faculty members
have access to high-quality, on-site housing that facilitates their commitment to the educational
environment.

1.2 Design Philosophy

The residence is designed with a core focus on functionality, privacy, and adherence to
standard building dimensions. Given its location within a school compound, the architectural
approach balances the need for a private family sanctuary with the requirement to integrate
seamlessly into the surrounding institutional infrastructure. The design utilizes a 130m2 level
site, optimizing every square meter to prevent overcrowding while maintaining a standard of
living that supports professional well-being.

1.3 Standards and Compliance

All specifications and dimensions outlined in this document are derived from established civil
engineering standards, specifically the Standard Room Sizes guidelines. The project mandates
that no room falls below the minimum "Small" category dimensions to ensure the residence
remains habitable and efficient.

2. Scope of Work

The scope of this project encompasses three critical phases of construction and documentation,
leading to a fully specified residential finishing plan.

2.1 Phase I: Architectural Design & Space Programming

The initial phase involves the conceptualization and layout of the 130m2 floor plan. The
designer is responsible for the efficient inclusion of the following mandatory spaces:

• Living Spaces: A combined Living and Dining area designed for communal family activity.

• Kitchen: An open-type kitchen layout to maximize spatial perception.

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 • Bedrooms: A Master Bedroom and one Children’s/Secondary Bedroom.

• Sanitary Spaces: One full bathroom containing a Water Closet (WC), shower, and
washbasin.

• Circulation: Logical corridors and passageways that connect private and public zones.

• Outdoor Areas: A functional veranda and dedicated car parking space.

2.2 Phase II: Setting Out Site and Bench Work

This technical phase involves the physical transition from paper to the earth. The scope
includes:

• Establishing the building’s exact position and orientation within the school compound.

• The application of the 3-4-5 Triangle Method to establish perfect right angles at all
building corners.

• The installation of profile boards and taut string lines to provide a guide for foundation
trenching.

2.3 Phase III: Finishing Work Specifications

The final phase focuses on the aesthetic and protective layers of the building. The scope
requires detailed material selection for the following:

• Surfaces: Comprehensive specifications for floor, wall, and ceiling finishes across all
rooms.

• Joinery: Standards for doors, windows, and kitchen cabinetry.

• Fittings: Selection of durable sanitary fittings and hardware.

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3. Type and Quality of Materials

3.1 Masonry and Wall Materials

• Internal Walls: All internal walls shall be constructed using high-quality cement blocks
or bricks, finished with a minimum of two coats of cement plaster to ensure a smooth,
even surface for painting.

• External Walls: Exterior surfaces must be finished with weather-shield paint or a

textured cement finish to protect the structure from environmental degradation and
moisture penetration.

• Wet Area Walls: In the bathroom and kitchen, walls must be finished with glazed
ceramic tiles to a minimum height of 2.1m to provide a waterproof barrier.

3.2 Floor Finishing Materials

• General Living Areas: Living/Dining areas and Bedrooms shall utilize high-grade
ceramic tiles or laminate flooring that meets residential durability standards.

• Kitchen & Bathroom Flooring: These areas require non-slip (matte finish) ceramic or
porcelain tiles to ensure safety in wet conditions.

• Veranda: The outdoor veranda must use heavy-duty, weather-resistant tiles or power-
troweled concrete with a non-slip additive to withstand foot traffic and exposure.

3.3 Ceiling and Roof Materials

• Ceiling Boards: Ceilings shall be constructed using moisture-resistant plasterboard or

high-quality PVC panels.

• Support System: All ceiling materials must be fixed to a level, treated timber or
galvanized metal framework to prevent sagging.

• Surface Finish: Ceilings must be finished with white, breathable emulsion paint to
maximize natural light within the 130m2 footprint.

3.4 Joinery, Doors, and Windows

• Entrance Doors: The main entrance must be a solid hardwood door (e.g., Mahogany or
Oak) to provide maximum security and durability.

• Internal Doors: Room doors shall be semi-solid flush doors, finished with high-quality
veneer and fitted with standard stainless steel ironmongery.

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 • Windows: Window frames shall be made of powder-coated aluminum or reinforced
steel, fitted with 5mm clear or tinted float glass for thermal and acoustic insulation.

3.5 Sanitary and Kitchen Fittings

• Kitchen Surfaces: Countertops must be made of polished granite or reinforced polished

concrete to provide a scratch-resistant and hygienic food preparation surface.

• Cabinetry: Kitchen cabinets shall be constructed from high-density fiberboard (HDF) or

marine-grade plywood to resist moisture damage.

• Sanitary Ware: All bathroom fittings, including the Water Closet (WC), pedestal basin,
and shower units, must be Grade-A ceramic with chrome-plated brass mixers and taps
for long-term reliability.

Standard Room Sizes (Residential)

The following table outlines the standard dimensions for residential spaces categorized by room
type and scale. These measurements (in meters) serve as a baseline for architectural planning
and material estimation.

Basic Rooms Small (m) Average (m) Large (m)

Living Room 3.50 x 5.00 4.50 x 6.00 6.50 x 8.50

Dining Room 3.50 x 4.50 4.50 x 5.00 5.00 x 7.00

Kitchen 2.50 x 3.50 3.50 x 5.00 3.50 x 6.00

Bedroom (Common) 3.00 x 4.00 3.50 x 4.50 4.50 x 5.00

Master Bedroom 4.00 x 5.00 4.50 x 5.50 5.50 x 7.00

Bathroom 1.50 x 2.00 2.00 x 2.75 2.75 x 4.00

Garden 2.50 x 2.00 3.00 x 3.00 3.50 x 4.50

Implementation Standards

When applying these sizes to your specifications, consider the following:

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 • Circulation Space: Ensure that the "Small" dimensions still allow for a minimum of
900mm clear passage around major furniture.

• Ceiling Heights: Standard residential ceiling heights are typically set at 2.7m to 3.0m,
though "Large" rooms often benefit from higher clearances (up to 3.6m) to maintain
proportion.

• Material Grading: High-traffic areas like the Kitchen and Bathroom should utilize Grade I
moisture-resistant materials and slip-resistant flooring

4. Method of Construction
4.1 Setting Out and Site Preparation

The construction process begins with the physical translation of the floor plan onto the
$130\text{m}^2$ level site.

• Baseline Establishment: The building’s exact position and orientation are established
relative to the existing school compound infrastructure.

• Squaring the Structure: To ensure perfect right angles (90 degree all corners, the 3-4-5
triangle method is employed. This involves measuring 3 units on one side and 4 units on
the perpendicular side; the hypotenuse must equal 5 units for the corner to be square.

• Profile Boards and String Lines: Taut string lines are set up across profile boards to mark
the precise centerlines and widths of the foundation trenches.

4.2 Application of Standard Dimensions

During the construction of internal partitions, the "Average" room sizing tier from the standard
guidelines is prioritized to maximize the utility of the 130m2 area.

• Living Spaces: The combined Living/Dining area is constructed to a target size of

approximately 4.50m x 6.00m for the living zone and 4.50m x 5.00m for the dining zone.

• Bedrooms: The Master Bedroom is framed to achieve 4.50m x 5.50m ,while the
secondary bedroom follows the 3.50m x 4.50m"Average" standard.

• Wet Areas: Kitchen and Bathroom partitions are set to accommodate standard cabinetry
and sanitary fittings, ensuring no space falls below the "Small" threshold of 2.50x 3.50m
(Kitchen) and 1.50 x 2.00m (Bathroom).

4.3 Finishing Work Methodology

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The finishing phase follows a "top-down" approach to protect completed surfaces.

• Ceiling Installation: High-quality ceiling materials are fixed to a level framework before
wall finishes begin.

• Wall Rendering: Internal walls receive cement plaster followed by paint, while wet areas
receive ceramic tiling to a height of 2.1m.

• Flooring: Floor finishes are the final major step, with non-slip tiles installed in the
bathroom, kitchen, and veranda to ensure safety and durability.

• Joinery and Fittings: Doors, windows, and kitchen cabinets are installed into pre-
prepared openings, followed by the final mounting of sanitary fittings (WC, shower, and
basin).

4.4 Quality Control and Safety

• Leveling: All horizontal surfaces (floors and ceilings) are verified for levelness using a
spirit level or water level.

• Curing: Plastered surfaces and tiled areas must be allowed sufficient curing time before
the application of final paint coats or foot traffic.

5. Finishing & Workmanship Standards

5.1 Plastering and Wall Finishes

• Surface Preparation: All masonry surfaces must be cleaned of dust and loose mortar
before plastering.

• Plaster Application: Internal plaster must be applied in two coats to achieve a perfectly
level and smooth finish, free of cracks, ripples, or blisters.

• Paint Workmanship: Surfaces must be primed before the application of two final coats
of plastic emulsion paint. The finish must be uniform in color, with sharp, clean lines at
the intersection of walls and ceilings or different colors.

5.2 Tiling and Floor Workmanship

• Alignment: Floor tiles must be laid in a perfectly straight grid or a specified pattern with
uniform grout lines not exceeding 3mm.

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 • Leveling: Finished floors must be perfectly level, except in the bathroom and veranda,
where a slight slope (1:100) must be maintained toward floor drains to prevent water
stagnation.

• Adhesion: Tiles must be fully bedded in adhesive to prevent "hollow" sounds when
walked upon, ensuring long-term durability.

5.3 Joinery and Fitting Installation

• Door and Window Frames: All frames must be installed "plumb" (perfectly vertical) and
"square". Gaps between frames and masonry must be sealed with high-quality sealant
to prevent air and water leaks.

• Cabinetry: Kitchen cabinets must be securely anchored to the walls and floor, with all
doors and drawers operating smoothly and aligning perfectly when closed.

• Sanitary Fittings: The WC, shower, and basin must be installed with leak-proof
connections. All fittings must be centered within their designated areas according to the
standard bathroom dimensions (e.g., 2.00 x 2.75m for an average unit).

5.4 Ceiling Workmanship

• Framework Rigidity: The timber or metal support framework must be securely fixed to
the roof structure to prevent any visible sagging over time.

• Joint Finishing: Joints between ceiling boards must be taped and filled to create a
seamless, monolithic appearance before the final paint application.

5.5 External Finishing

• Weather Resistance: External finishes must be applied during dry weather to ensure
proper bonding.

• Veranda Finish: The non-slip finish on the veranda must be consistent in texture to
provide safety without being overly abrasive.

Project Core Objectives (Summery)

• Purpose: To design a functional, private, and durable single-family residence for staff
accommodation within a school compound.

• Total Area: The building occupies a level site 200m2

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 • Key Design Focus: The project prioritizes functionality, privacy, and adherence to
standard room dimensions.

Spatial Requirements and Standards

The building must incorporate mandatory spaces while ensuring no room falls below the
standard dimensions established for residential buildings:

• Living Spaces: Includes a combined Living/Dining area and an open-type kitchen.

• Living Room Dimensions: Standard sizes range from 3.50 x 5.00m (Small) to 6.50 x
8.50m (Large).

• Bedrooms: The design requires one Master Bedroom and one secondary/children's
bedroom.

• Master Bedroom Dimensions: Standard sizes range from 4.00 x 5.00m (Small) to 5.50 x
7.00m (Large).

• Sanitary Spaces: Includes one full bathroom containing a WC, shower, and basin.

• Bathroom Dimensions: Standard sizes range from 1.50 x 2.00m (Small) to 2.75 x 4.00m
(Large).

• Outdoor/Support Areas: Includes a veranda, car parking, and utility rooms.

Technical Execution and Finishing

• Site Preparation: The methodology includes establishing the building's position and
orientation using the 3-4-5 triangle method for perfect right angles.

• Foundation Marking: Profile boards and taut string lines are used to mark foundation
trenches.

• Material Quality: Specifications require durable and low-maintenance finishes.

o Floors: Specified for Living areas, Bedrooms, Kitchen, Bathroom, and Veranda.

o Walls: Includes internal plaster/paint and external weather-resistant finishes.

o Joinery: Standards are set for doors, windows, and cabinetry