After presenting on March 31, 2014, this is our group’s last photo together with the poster and the completion of the project

From left to right: Cliff Qin, Ardeshir Sedighi, Howard Wong, Allan Chen, Ali Baris Oztekin, Alborz Rezaei

Contribution and Service to the Community

What we designed and presented to the community on this poster presentation day was very significant. We started from communicating with the client to designing graphics and to something that can be implement in real life. We feel that although we did not get to see the construction of our design, we feel that our time and effort was well spent in making this small contribution to the community.

Lessons Learned

This project has taught our group many lessons. Through project context, we learned to work efficiently with each other by dividing the workload evenly between our group members. We also learned to adjust time accordingly to each of our busy schedules and work closely together as a team. Through this project, we got to learn about each other’s skill sets and importance of cooperation of an engineering team. In addition, we learned that planning and implementation of the project can not always follow the original plan. Some of our expectations were not seen through (ex. Construction of the design). Thus, through the project, we conclude that although engineering work may not be precise in what the end results are predicted to be, we learned that planning ahead and working together as a team to solve problems is what we will value the most.

Our presentation of the project was of a formal report to the client and a poster presentation for the community.

OUTCOME

Formal Report:

The formal report given to the client was a success. We included all the details required and presented them in a respectable manner.

Review: Although we had given a successful report, we would like to have constructed the final design on the site. This would have been a major milestone for us and the community that will benefit from this project.

Poster Presentation:

We will be presenting to the community with an detailed poster. We plan to inform the community of the project goals, organization, planning, and implementation, and we are expecting good feedback. The plan is to show a video clip of a 3D model drafted on computer software along with other visual material so that the community can picture what the design might look like in reality.

What has gone well:

• Successfully handed in a report deliverable to the client for future references
• Concluded the project on a fair milestone (All details on design except for construction of the actual design)
• Completed all the process of design aspects of the project (Designing, refining, detailing)

What needed extra work:

• Construction of the design needed extra time
• Attendance of all group members was hard to schedule
• Client meetings were hard to set up due to busy schedule of the client

Final Design with Construction Dimensions. (Side view)

Final Design with Construction Dimensions (Top view)

After going through vigorous decisions, we have chosen the following design to implement in the playground space at Guildford Family Place:

Xylophone Musical Instrument

For the final implementation plan, our group decided to divide the workload among each member. We decided to submit a final report as the final project deliverable to the client so that she can have it as a reference in the future. The following below are details of the divided workload:

List of Tasks

1. Research of Materials and Costing

Team Members: Cliff (Tao) Qin and Allan Chen

Resources used: 

Online references:

• Rona Retail Company: http://www.rona.ca/en
• Ebay Online Sales: http://www.ebay.ca/
• Pinterest Picture Reference: https://www.pinterest.com/

• No monetary costs
• Estimated time of Completion: 3 Days
• Risk Issues: Approximation of Pricing

2. Design Construction Schedule Plan

Team Members: Ali Baris Oztekin and Ardeshir Sedighi

Resources used:

SmartDraw CI computer program application:

• A layout plan of milestones and tasks for construction of the design
• Includes approval dates, construction dates and estimated completion of project

• No monetary costs
• Estimated time of Completion: 2 Days
• Risk Issues: Estimated time completions may not be accurate

3. Final Report Submission

Team Members: Howard Wong and Alborz Rezaei

Resources used:

Microsoft Word:

• Includes all of the construction schedule plan and material costing details
• Includes all previous preliminary designs and final design
• Report is based on all the details done for project for future reference

• No monetary costs
• Estimated time of Completion: 3 Days
• Risk Issues: Incorrect values of report could result in difficulty for client

Result of Material Costing

The expected overall cost of implementing this design (materials for the design) is paid by our client.

Team Project Management

Our team has ensured the success of this project through careful planning and division of work to effectively deliver the end result to our client. Through structured procedures, we have develop many skills to acquire that success. Below are some of the things we have learned to do in managing this project:

• Dividing workload among each group member to work efficiently

• Effective communication through social media

• Coordinate due dates so everything is on track

• Weekly meetings to keep updates and progress of the project

Resulting Indicators of Success

• Client is satisfied with our design
• Client has intentions of implementing the design
• Client leaves with good comments of our group and willingness to cooperate in the future

Process of the Project

Through learning and researching about possible designs for a “nature” themed playground, our group has discussed our next steps to approach the actual design. Since our design requires us to consider green elements, varies safety factors (playground element for kids, age 0-6), and negotiable and non-negotiable constraints, we decided to brainstorm an abundant amount of ideas and then carefully analyze each so that we can ultimately choose the best option of design and requirements for our client.

Current site dimensions

These are the initial ideas that we brainstormed which will fit in the design requirement of our project:

• Green, living walls
• Large structural playgrounds
• Seesaws and swings
• Sitting tables
• Sand and water feature play area
• Musical instruments made out of green materials (Eg. Wood)
• Tree houses

After gathering ideas, we proposed those designs to our client at Guildford Family Place. Much of the client’s suggestions relate to the importance of safety, time deadlines, and efforts in construction. The feedback there was very useful in helping us narrow down which elements of design would suit our client’s needs. Further evaluation of our design would be done by our client with her other associates to choose the best option.

Another perspective of the site consisting of plastic play toys that need to be removed

Once we receive the best option for design from our client, we will start to design and refine the primary selection for better quality. This may include computer sketches, precise dimensions, cost and time completion. We will also consider more emphasis on factors of safety and refine the selected design since we think that it is the most important requirement of all.

Another large structure design option for the green playground space. Tree-house theme

A possible bench (Octagon theme) design for the playground space.

Another possible bench design. There is a half moon shape mushroom theme.

Timeline and Milestones

We have considered many deadlines, due dates, workload and action plans for this particular project for our CIVL 202 course. The Gantt chart below depicts the approximated timelines that we expect to complete. Some important milestones include the presentation of ideas to client, complete models of design and most importantly the delivery of the final design to the client.

Gantt Chart representing the expected due dates and deadlines of each task.

Background: Options Community Services Society (OCSS)

Options Community Services is a non-profit organization that provides social services primarily in Surrey, Delta, White Rock and Langley. They promote a sustainable and creative community for everyone to enjoy living in. From 2009, they were a result of a merge between Surrey Community Service Society and OPTIONS: Services to Communities Society. United together, they will strive to improve the communities of all place around the service regions.

Company Vision: 

We inspire hope and belonging for all.

Company Mission:

We are a diverse organization, united in the purpose of helping people to help themselves and promoting safe, healthy, vibrant communities.

Company Values:

Diversity – At OCSS, everyone has a voice. We are inclusive, respectful and fair.
Integrity – We are accountable, honest and compassionate.
Resourcefulness – We are creative, flexible and innovative.
Collaboration – We work collaboratively as partners and teams within the organization and
broader community.
Excellence – We go above and beyond ordinary and strive towards the exceptional and
extraordinary.

Website: http://www.options.bc.ca/families-children/family-resource-programs

Site: Green space at Guildford Family Place

10310 – 154 St. Surrey, BC V3R 0B3

Project Goals: Design elements in a green, living, outdoor space at Guildford Family Place for children(0-6 age) to explore and reconnect with nature. This space is to encourage the children to discover and investigate nature’s wonders to help develop the children’s curiosity of life. The community around the area and people who uses the Guildford Family Place facility will benefit from the new additions to the park.

Topics/Issues that we covered: Negotiable and Non-Negotiable

Negotiable Constraints

• Varying budget can be adjusted with client’s agreement
• Design can be assembled through multiple volunteers
• The design can be situated anywhere on the site
• Design can be altered to our standings as long as it is within the client’s timeframe and resources

Non-Negotiable Constraints

• Red truck play toy cannot be moved due to its deep foundation into the ground
• The outhouse shed cannot be moved
• Has to be low maintenance
• The design must include safety factors and age appropriate
• The “Nature” theme must be incorporated

Strategy to the Project:

Our current CBEL group has been doing research on the possible designs that could meet the requirements and provide a sustainable, natural design to the client’s needs. We have looked through many designs including hobbit hills, wooden bridges, musical instruments, green walls, etc). Through the research, we designed a few large structures, and layout plans in hopes of reorganizing and changing the theme to nature and sustainable use. In the end, we have decided to focus on one major aspect of those designs and improve more on it’s physical and interesting features. This will help ourselves with time to construct and provide more specific details on the design.

A possible design option for a green playground space.

Background: Traditionally, children explore on common playgrounds that suggest plastic play structures. This does not encourage children to discover the natural world. More natural elements such as hobbit hills, outdoor musical instruments and wood block dividers will provide the needs for children to be creative and visual in early developmental stages.

Organization: Options Community Services Society (OCSS)

Options Community Services is a non-profit organization that provides social services primarily in Surrey, Delta, White Rock and Langley. They believe in helping people help themselves. They want to create focused, effective and responsive resources for the community in collaboration with individuals, businesses, community groups and government.

The Community Project: Guildford Family Place

The community that will benefit in Options Community Services Society’s project will be the Guildford Family Place. The community is located in Surrey, B.C. This community place is committed to many programs for people to enjoy and use in their facility. Guildford has many new plans on upgrading their facility to improve the quality for its users and to create a greener and more sustainable community.

Client Manager: Katherine Macintyre

CBEL Group #9 Members: Six second-year Civil Engineering Students from UBC Vancouver

Alborz Rezaei:

Starting with my name I am Alborz Rezaei. Originally from Iran, leaved half my life here in Vancouver and the other half back home in Tehran. I enjoy the outdoors specially the slopes we’re blessed by for skiing/snowboarding. Now to the nerd side of my life. I am a second year Civil Engineering student at UBC. I am quite interested in all aspects of Civil. If I had to choose one aspect of it, I would go with how fluids affect different structures.

Ali Baris Oztekin:

I am Ali Baris Oztekin. I am a second year civil engineering student at UBC Vancouver campus. I am originally from Turkey and I came to Canada to pursue my higher education. My goal is to become a structural engineer and possibly pursue a post graduate degree in architecture.

Howard Wong:

As you know, my name is Howard Wong. I immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong with my parents when I was three years old to find a more diverse living community. I enjoy doing many things in my life which involves social interactions with new and old friends. Currently I am in Civil Engineering Year 2 at UBC Vancouver. I am looking forward to be involved in the Structural Engineering side of Civil Engineering.

Cliff Qin:

Hi! My name is Cliff Qin and I am in my second year of Civil Engineering in UBC. I immigrated from China six years ago and came to Vancouver. I have been enjoying my life in this beautiful city ever since. I love to get involved in different kinds of design project because I enjoy the process of solving different types of challenges. Currently I try to focus on the structural side of civil engineering and hope I will be a structural engineer one day!

Ardeshir Sedighi:

I am Ardeshir Sedighi. I am from Tehran, Iran. I am a second year Civil Engineering student at UBC. I am interested in structural and earthquake aspects of civil engineering. On the other side of my life, I really enjoy playing soccer professionally. I have started playing soccer when I was only three years old and I am really into it.

Allan Chen:

Hi, my name is Allan. I came to Vancouver from Fuzhou, China when I was around 5 years old. I love snowboarding, reading Stephen King novels, and eating green tea ice cream. As you know, I’m also a Civil Engineering student at UBC. I plan on going into structural and later obtaining a Masters in Architecture, because sitting down and doodling is more my kind of thing than doing the sorts of math and physics calculations involved.

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