Pros Will allow for a larger lift to be installed Guarantees security to users.

Allows for modifications and adjustments without affecting the rest of the building. Does not interfere with the aesthetic quality of the building

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Allows for the installation of smart lifts that are energy efficient. Allows users to enjoy the panoramic view which may improve its use. Cons Users may not feel secure Limits the choice of construction material

For an old building, may interfere with the original aesthetic value. Limits the size of the lift.

Readjustments would require a lot of time and resource considerations.

The first critical considerations in the design of a commercial lift are its size. The size of a lift is essential because it is expected to address several design requirements. Lifts are not meant to be discriminatory. Consequently, persons with disabilities, as well as people using strollers, need to access and use the lift at the same time as anybody else. While there are regulations that define the sizes of lifts, a consideration of the number of users and their special needs must be addressed. A large lift is recommended for commercial buildings. If it is the only lift that is available for the building, it must have the capacity to handle a large number of users (Jacoby et al., 2016, p.1752). The specific reasons for the installation of the lift are equally considered. A large lift would eat into the internal space of a building. This would imply that the needed space adjustments are not fully achieved since the lift will eat some space. Therefore, a lift situated outside the building will offer the best option for the maximization of internal space while allowing for a larger lift to be designed and installed.

The second consideration when deciding on the right position for the lift shaft is the technology to be used. New building designs aim to achieve energy efficiency. As such, lifts should at best be capable of benefiting from the free natural lighting. However, this is not possible when the lift shaft is located inside the building considering that lifts are enclosed. On the other hand, installing the lift shaft outside the building enables for the effective use of construction material which allows for natural lighting. In this regard, therefore, lifts that are stationed outside the building is more efficient for achieving cost efficiency.

The third consideration for the placement of a lift shaft is the comfort that the lift affords its users. Whereas users spend little time in the elevators, the lift design should target to improve the wellbeing of the user. For commercial buildings, this is even more important considering the therapeutic value that a good design would have on the users. A spacious lift that employs transparent material in its design ensures that the lift does not appear cramped and affords users the serenity of the exterior environment. A comfortable lift is likely to attract more users (Li, Ng, and Skitmore, 2017, p.402). It is noteworthy that the internal walls of a building do not allow for such designs to be realized. However, a lift placed outside the building will comfortably provide for a room for such adjustments to be achieved.

The use of glass in the construction of lifts has grown significantly. The first reason for this choice of material is the panoramic view which enables its users, which removes them from the isolated internal lift (Li, Ng, and Skitmore, 2017, p.404). Additionally, such a design allows for adaptability. A redesign of the elevator should not affect the access of the building or eat into the interior space. An internally placed lift would limit access to the building if it were to be restructured or replaced. A lift that is placed on the outside, however, would not affect the internal space if a reconstruction were to occur.

Question 3

Many cost control measures may be undertaken in the pre-contract stage of the building project. Foremost, it is vital to conduct a site investigation. This process involves establishing the requirements of the project against the expenditure that is set aside for it. Based on the resulting considerations, excessive costs, and those that may not be key to the realization of the core aspects of the project are removed. At the end of the initial debriefing stages, a cost limit shall be realized. Two elements need to be addressed at the initial stages of the project. First, there is a need for costing a design which involves the estimation of costs of the evolving design. The result of this process must be reported to the client. Secondly, designing to value would entail beginning by ascertaining what budget is available for the project. Once the budget is determined, the project is created accordingly. It requires that cost overruns are adjusted per the cost limit (Cunningham, 2015, p.5).

The other approach that can be used is the elemental cost planning. Using this approach, comparative cost estimates are established. Considerations are made with regards to the project details. A cost plan is drawn that stems from the elemental costs. Besides the financial plans, it is essential to establish work plans and plans for periodic reviews once the project kicks off. The project implementation phase is divided into several stages which require reviews and submission of reports for evaluation and assessment of compliance with the budget and resource allocation (Cunningham, 2015, p.10). The selection of the most appropriate procurement options should occur at this initial stage as well as the determination of how to engage consultants. Communication channels are also drawn.

Many cost control approaches can be used in the post-contract stage. First, standards for costs and variance is determined. The project must aim to realize a favorable variance from similar projects. Some of the areas from which variations are determined are overhead cost, cost of materials, plant and labor costs. The second approach would be cost coding for items of works. In this approach, every activity that contributes to the overall project is assigned a code which makes it easy to identify an activity. Cost records are then captured based on these codes. Thirdly, the project requires regular cost reports. Using such statements, it becomes easy to reflect on cost deviations and plan for future segments of the project. Next, the project can use the earned value analysis which offers the project the opportunity to address the dependence that exists between the cost expenditures and the actual work. The weekly reports should build up into monthly P&L reports that will provide the indications on the financial position of the company in a progressive manner. Lastly, using cost projections, it becomes easy to predict the costs that are likely to be expended at a particular point of the project.

References

Cunningham, T., 2015. Cost Control during the Pre-Contract Stage of a Building Project-An Introduction.

Jacoby, D., LeBlanc, D., Tubbs, J. and Woodward, A., 2016. Considerations for Coordinating and Interfacing Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems. In SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering (pp. 1740-1784). Springer, New York, N.Y.

Li, J., Ng, S.T. and Skitmore, M., 2017. Review of low-carbon refurbishment solutions for residential buildings with particular reference to multi-story buildings in Hong Kong. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 73, pp.393-407.