Architectural Concept by a Japanese Architect...Toyo Ito

Toyo Ito began working in the firm of Kiyonori Kikutake & Associates after he graduated from Tokyo University’s Department of Architecture in 1965. By 1971, he was ready to start his own studio in Tokyo, and named it Urban Robot (Urbot). In 1979, he changed the name to Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects.

He has received numerous international awards, including in 2010, the 22nd Praemium Imperiale in Honor of Prince Takamatsu; in 2006, The Royal Institute of British Architects’ Royal Gold Medal; and in 2002, the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement for the 8th Venice Biennale International Exhibition. All of his honors are listed in the fact summary of this media kit. He has been a guest professor at the University of Tokyo, Columbia University, the University of California, Los Angeles, Kyoto University, Tama Art University, and in the spring semester of 2012, he hosted an overseas studio for Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, the first in Asia.

His works have been the subject of museum exhibitions in England, Denmark, the United States, France, Italy, Chile, Taiwan, Belgium, and numerous cities in Japan. Publications by and about him have appeared in all of those countries and more. He holds Honorary Fellowships in the American Institute of Architects, Royal Institute of British Architects, the Architecture Institute of Japan, the Tokyo Society of Architects and Building Engineers, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

                                                    MIKIMOTO BUILDING IN JAPAN (2005)

“Trees are natural objects that stand by themselves, and their shape has an inherent structural rationality. The pattern of overlapping tree silhouettes also generates a rational flow of forces. Having adapted the branched tree diagram, the higher up the building, the thinner and more numerous the branches become, with a higher ration of openings. Similarly, the building unfolds as interior spaces with slightly different atmospheres relating to the various intended uses.

Rejecting the obvious distinctions between walls and opening, lines and planes, two- and three dimensions, transparency and opaqueness, this building is characterized by a distinctive type of abstractness. The tree silhouette creates a new image with a constant tension generated between the building’s symbolic concreteness and its abstractness. For this project, we (Ito and his staff) intended to create a building that through its architectural newness expresses both the vivid presence of a fashion brand and strength in the cityscape that will withstand the passage of time.”

TAMA ART UNIVERSITY LIBRARY IN TOKYO JAPAN (2007)

                                      MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE IN IMABARI JAPAN (2011)

For Ito, the fundamental tenets of modern architecture were called into question by “Home-for-All.” He adds, “In the modern period, architecture has been rated highest for its originality. As a result, the most primal themes—why a building is made and for whom—have been forgotten. A disaster zone, where everything is lost offers the opportunity for us to take a fresh look, from the ground up, at what architecture really is. ‘Home-for-all’ may consist of small buildings, but it calls to the fore the vital question of what form architecture should take in the modern era—even calling into question the most primal themes, the very meaning of architecture.”

Tower Cranes at Work

Today constructing a high rise building or structure would not be possible if without a Tower Cranes. It is driven or operated by a professional or highly trained crane operator. The operator must be alert or must be exact on what he is doing because just one false moved by him it will be disaster. The tower Crane might collapsed or might bang on the building or the structure as he moves around.

Tower cranes are a common fixture at any major construction site. They're pretty hard to miss -- they often rise hundreds of feet into the air, and can reach out just as far. The construction crew uses the tower crane to lift Steel, concrete, large tools like acetylene torches and generators, and a wide variety of other building materials.

When you look at one of these cranes, what it can do seems nearly impossible: Why doesn't it tip over? How can such a long boom lift so much weight? How is it able to grow taller as the building grows taller? If you have ever wondered about how tower cranes work, then this article is for you. In this article, you'll find out the answers to all of these questions and more!

This Tower Cranes are used to transport materials from the ground to the top most part of the building constructed or as needed to the floors constructed. This cranes made the materials transporting easier for the construction.

Parts of a Tower Crane

All tower cranes consist of the same basic parts:

• The base is bolted to a large concrete pad that supports the crane.
• The base connects to the mast (or tower), which gives the tower crane its height.
• Attached to the top of the mast is the slewing unit -- the gear and motor -- that allows the crane to rotate:

             On top of the slewing unit are three parts:

• The long horizontal jib (or working arm), which is the portion of the crane that carries the load. A trolley runs along the jib to move the load in and out from the crane's center
• The shorter horizontal machinery arm, which contains the crane's motors and electronics as well as the large concrete counter weights

The operator's cab:

The machinery arm contains the motor that lifts the load, along with the control electronics that drive it and the cable drum, as shown here:




The motors that drive the slewing unit are located above the unit's large gear.

How Much Weight Can They Lift?

   

A typical tower crane has the following specifications:

• Maximum unsupported height - 265 feet (80 meters) The crane can have a total height much greater than 265 feet if it is tied into the building as the building rises around the crane.
• Maximum reach - 230 feet (70 meters)
• Maximum lifting power - 19.8 tons (18 metric tons), 300 tonne-meters (metric ton = tonne)
• Counterweights - 20 tons (16.3 metric tons)

The maximum load that the crane can lift is 18 metric tons (39,690 pounds), but the crane cannot lift that much weight if the load is positioned at the end of the jib. The closer the load is positioned to the mast, the more weight the crane can lift safely. The 300 tonne-meter rating tells you the relationship. For example, if the operator positions the load 30 meters (100 feet) from the mast, the crane can lift a maximum of 10.1 tonnes.

Getting Building Permits in the Philippines

Before any type of construction work starts, those who are looking to erect a building or conduct repairs are required by law to acquire a building permit.

What is a building permit?

A building permit essentially secures the safety, uniformity in design, and compliance with the law of a certain construction. It will only be issued once all the legal requirements and local regulations are met. It ensures that certain standards are complied with even before putting the building plan into action. The applicant will have to submit requirements with the appropriate government representatives. They will inspect things such as the architectural plans, seismic analysis, and electrical layout before the building permit is released.

Who needs a building permit?

Individuals, firms, or corporations who would like to perform construction works on a particular property must seek the authorization of the appropriate LGU for a building permit. This includes those who are looking to construct, alter, renovate, or demolish a property.

Building Permit Requirements in the Philippines

1. Properly filled-up application forms duly signed and sealed by Professions concerned:

• Building Permit Forms (5 copies)
• Electrical Permit Forms (3 copies)
• Sanitary Permit Forms (3 copies)

1. Architectural Plan - Signed and sealed by Licensed and accredited Architect
2. Structural Plan - Signed and sealed by Structural/Civil Engineer
3. Electrical Plan - Signed and sealed by Prof. Electrical Engineer
4. Plumbing Plan - Signed and sealed by Master Plumber/Sanitary Engineer
5. HVAC Plan - Signed and sealed by Mechanical Engineer
6. Telecom and CCTV plan - Signed and sealed by ECE 

1. Proof of Property

• Photocopy of Transfer Certificate if Title (TCT)
• Photocopy of tax Declaration of Property-lot (Certified True Copy) – 5 copies
• Photocopy of Current Tax Receipt (5 copies)

1. If property is not registered under the name of the applicant:

• Submit 5 copies of any of the following:
• Contract of Lease
• Contract of Sale
• Affidavit of Consent of the Lot Owner for the construction of building/house
• Deed of Absolute Sale

1. Permit Billboard (0.60 X 0.90 Plywood with the following contents):
2. Bill of Materials and Specification (5 copies) – signed and sealed by an engineer or an architect at every page
3. Locational Clearance
4. Photocopy of PTR # and PRC license of all concerned engineers and architects
5. Clearance from the DPWH if the construction is located along National Highway
6. DOLE Clearance

Those are the usual application forms you need gather and prepare.

How to get Building Permit in the Philippines – Procedures

1. Get a Requirements-Checklist and application forms from your municipal’s office (Office of the Building Official). Your architect mostly knows them but you need to get the documents from your municipal’s office since every form bears the municipal’s seal. Your architect and engineers then will be the ones who will fill them up.
2. Go to the Office of the Building Official and submit the papers. They will tell you then where to go next, in this case Assessor’s Office. If you’re in the city hall, they usually have windows where you have to submit each folder of each set of forms. But in the provinces, each section are usually close to each other if not on the same unit.
3. You will be issued Acknowledgement Slip which bears the date of the status of your application. It’s usually around 10 working days.
4. If your application is approved and in compliant with the National Building Code, you’ll be given an Order of Payment to pay the necessary building permit fees.
5. Present the Order of Payment at the Treasurer’s Office and pay the fees. Fees range from P6,000 and above depending on the your construction size, municipality location and the assessment plan. Fees in the provinces are usually cheaper than in the cities.
6. Photocopy the OR (Official Receipt) and bring a copy to the Office of the Building Official releasing section.
7. After 5 working days, go back to the releasing section of the Office of the Building Official and claim your building permit.