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Case Study: Fishtown Residence by Rasmussen/Su
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ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS
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Case Studies
At Morgan Sindall Construction, our purpose is to create inspiring places that enhance the communities in which we all live, learn, work, play, care and protect.
Take a look at the case studies of just some of the projects our teams have delivered for our customers.
Centre for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham
Collaborative Teaching Laboratory
Highfields Spencer Academy
Enterprise Centre, University of East Anglia
Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
Barbara Hepworth Building (School of Art & Design)
Named after local Wakefield-born sculptor, Barbara Hepworth, the new building has allowed the University of Huddersfield’s Art, Design and Architecture Schools to be housed in one creative and technologically advanced hub.
Lambeth Town Hall
The ‘Your New Town Hall’ project has rejuvenated Lambeth’s historic Grade II-listed, Edwardian town hall, driven by the Council’s ambition to provide a modern, energy efficient worksplace while increasing public access and community use.
Woodside & Gorbals Health & Care Centres
Morgan Sindall Construction delivered two brand-new primary care facilities to modernise the services available to patients in the Glasgow and Clyde area.
Theatre extension and refurbishment, James Padget Hospital
In response to population growth and increased operation numbers, the James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust commissioned the extension and refurbishment of its theatre complex at the James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth.
Hackney Britannia project
55 Colmore Row
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How to Write Construction Case Studies
Construction case studies are one of the best kinds of text-based content you can add to your construction website, and they're also a great opportunity to share images of your projects or create a project gallery.
Let's take a closer look at how you can write construction case studies for your website, no matter what industry, sector or specialty you focus on.
1. Download Our Construction Case Study Template
We write case studies very often, and we've found a formula that works really well for information gathering. Download the free case study template on this page so you can organize your thoughts and put all the relevant information on one page.
Download Our Explainer Video Here
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2. Create Your Sections and Headings
When we write construction case studies, we usually work according to the same format, based on different headings and sections, which are usually:
- Project overview, which is a high-level summary of what you did during that project
- The problem or scope of work - every project is about solving a problem for a client, whether that's needing a new building for a specific purpose or expanding floor space during a renovation - this section should describe what the client needed to achieve
- The solution - describe how your company approached the problem and if there were any creative or innovative solutions used on the project
- Project budget - provide a brief description of the project budget and whether you came in under, on, or over budget, and don't forget to explain why!
- Project timeline - after money, one of the most important construction criteria is always time, so explain how you finished on time, or if you ran into challenges that affected timing, how you tackled them to minimize their impact
- Conclusion - wrap things up at the end by again highlighting the main successes on your project
It's important to note that case studies aren't all marketing and sales, and it's okay to admit there were challenges in your case study. Just make sure you also explain how you overcame those challenges.
3. Write Your Case Study
Once you've got your headings set up for your case study, it's time to get writing!
Case studies are intended for customers and end users, so they're usually not as technical as a white paper might be, but they tend to be a little more formal and less conversational than a blog post, so make sure your style and tone are based around that.
Like any other content you post on your website, you also need to ensure that you pay close attention to spelling and grammar as well as the flow of the piece. Try to use shorter sentences, avoid too much jargon, and don't repeat words if you can avoid it.
Use a proofing tool like Grammarly to double-check your case study before you publish it.
4. Optimize It
Case studies are fantastic for construction company content marketing because they usually contain location information, which is good for local SEO, but they are also a fantastic opportunity to include keywords and phrases on your website.
You can also link to service pages on your website from your case studies, and don't forget to add metadata and keywords when you publish your case study.
Download Our Case Study Template Here
Construction case study template pdf, before download..., construction case study template word.
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Pushing Boundaries with Bamboo: A Structural Engineering Case Study
- Written by Rodrigo Istchuk
- Published on September 26, 2023
In a world grappling with environmental challenges, forward-thinking architects and engineers are increasingly leaning towards more sustainable solutions. While steel and concrete have long dominated the construction industry, bamboo is now stepping into the limelight as a compelling alternative. Thanks to its potent mix of strength, flexibility, and eco-friendliness, bamboo is fast becoming the go-to material for those keen on pushing the boundaries of sustainable architecture.
Bridging this transformative moment in sustainable design is the timely arrival of the "Bamboo Structures" eBook series, which this article is based on. Acting as a touchstone in the field, the first volume focuses on the structural design process behind the Luum Temple —a masterclass in bamboo engineering. The guide serves as more than just a theoretical text; it is a comprehensive manual teeming with real-world insights, cutting-edge research, and practical expertise.
The use of bamboo as a structural material is far from a new phenomenon; it has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. Despite its ancient roots, much of this traditional knowledge has been underestimated as the modern construction sector became overly focused on mineral-based materials. Today, however, bamboo is experiencing a global resurgence, bringing to light a harmonious blend of ancient wisdom with modern engineering. This fusion not only offers new avenues for sustainable architecture but also feels like a long-awaited, inevitable evolution of the construction industry.
The Luum Temple: An Icon of Sustainable Design
Nestled in the lush landscapes of Tulum, Mexico, the Luum Temple is more than just an eye-catching architectural marvel; it's a pioneering example of what happens when traditional wisdom meets modern engineering. Designed to stand against 250 km/h hurricane winds and significant seismic forces, this structure embodies the compelling possibilities that arise when we harness bamboo’s unique properties as a structural material.
The architectural vision was conceptualized by the CO-LAB Design Office , brought to life by Architectura Mixta , and inspired by the iconic work of legendary architect Felix Candela . The engineering was led by Esteban Morales , who describes the structural system as five intersecting hyperbolic paraboloids made of bamboo arches and split bamboo beams.
Bamboo’s tensile strength-to-weight ratio often surpasses that of steel, making it not just strong but also lightweight. Flexibility is another advantage: especially when used in split form, bamboo enables architects to craft organic, flowing shapes that defy traditional geometrical constraints, facilitating the adoption of innovative structural approaches that rely on shape stiffness and biomimicry. Bamboo ’s rapid growth and ability to sequester carbon also position it as an environmentally superior alternative to traditional construction materials, including timber.
On the other hand, working with bamboo also requires special care in certain aspects. Due to its lightweight nature, particular attention must be paid to foundations, cross-bracing and structural stiffness, which are essential to counterbalance its vulnerability to wind forces. Although bamboo's low shear strength presents a challenge, an adequate comprehension of its properties allows for creative systems to compensate for this, and a critical focus on treatment is also non-negotiable. The material can also be prone to insect attacks and has a limited lifespan, making it important to include proactive 'preservation by design' approaches as an integral part of any bamboo-based construction.
The Luum Temple embraces a balance between these advantages and challenges. The interconnected roof diaphragm, for instance, is made of cross-layers of bamboo mats —a modern nod to empirical techniques of the past that give the structure impressive resistance to lateral loads. To account for bamboo's natural flex and movement, the structure incorporates articulated foundations and a central compression ring. This approach not only captures bamboo's intrinsic strengths but also circumvents its limitations, demonstrating a model way to build sustainably and innovatively.
The Engineering Process
A defining feature of the Luum Temple project was its successful integration of up-to-date bamboo engineering concepts with a timeless architectural framework. Rather than merely following standard procedures, the engineering team ventured into new territory by developing custom methods, all while adhering to internationally recognized standards. This inventive approach adeptly navigated through Mexico's intricate regulatory framework surrounding bamboo construction and also set a solid precedent for future bamboo projects.
The technical workflow of the project was facilitated by a robust software toolkit. The structural design process started with AutoCAD 3D, where the structure’s geometry was modeled and compatibilized for the next steps. Following this, structural analysis was carried out using specialized structural analysis software SAP2000 v.14.
The structure was divided into three main element types to orient the design process:
- Arches , spanning in the edges of the structure and radially from the center;
- Joists , spanning in layers and connecting the main arches over several layers;
- Roof diaphragm , conformed by the rigid surface resulting from several layers of joist triangulation and split weaving below the roof.
As the project is located in a region prone to hurricane winds and seismic activities, the engineering strategy emphasized shape stiffness, triangulation, and a robust diaphragm. These elements were specifically selected to offset lateral forces that could compromise the structure. Consequently, each component in the structure was interconnected and designed to function cohesively, ensuring resilience against some of nature's most extreme forces.
In terms of load magnitudes, considerable seismic loads and 250km/h hurricane wind loads governed the design. These were combined with dead loads (weight of the structure and roofing) and live loads to obtain the design internal forces for each element of the structure. For this, the allowable stress method was employed, complying with the most adequate approach for structural bamboo design. The loads were then multiplied by the prescribed load coefficient for each of the required load combinations according to bamboo-specific structural codes. Finally, the maximum internal forces found in the most stressed arch, joist, and roof diaphragm elements were considered for the final design of the structural elements.
Equipped with structural insights, such as the internal forces acting in the structure for each load combination, the structural components were designed based on bamboo-specific building codes, such as the NSR-10 (Colombia) and the ISO 22156 (International). Specialized software like WoodWorks® Connections, SFS Timber Work, and APF Wood Joint were then employed for the design of the connecting elements between structural components.
At the uppermost part of the structure, the primary arches converge, interconnected by a central steel compression ring. This design feature ensures each arch tip converges towards a centralized point, reminiscent of a star's radiating arms. Drawing a parallel to airplane wings, which flex and bounce to a certain extent during flight to prevent structural failure, bamboo structures adopt a similar engineering principle. To ensure the bamboo components can flex and adapt during adverse events like storms or earthquakes without fracturing, the central compression ring incorporates robust hinged connections, as illustrated in the subsequent images.
In this project, a detailed analysis was undertaken to determine the mechanical connections at the base. Designed in a hinged manner, similar to the central compression ring, the connections between bamboo arches and the foundation permit rotational movement. This design strategy ensures that bamboo elements are spared from excess shear and bending forces, which aren't their strengths. Instead, the bamboo primarily experiences tension and compression forces parallel to its fibers.
As we've seen, bamboo isn't just a rapidly renewable resource —it's a structural material with the potential to change the landscape of sustainable architecture in the upcoming decades. From its historical roots to its modern-day applications, bamboo proves that when tradition meets innovation, magic happens.
Unlock the Potential of Bamboo Structures
For those serious about pioneering the next wave of green construction and understanding the practical aspects of using bamboo as a structural material, the "Bamboo Structures" eBook series can be an essential guide. This recent publication dives deep into methodologies, design details, and example applications, serving as an invaluable resource for both novices and experts in the field. Developed based on the structural calculation methods used for the Luum Temple project, this first volume addresses a long-awaited resource gap, offering a clear lens into bamboo structural design for the wider audience.
Learn more about the “Bamboo Structures” eBook here.
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