Research

The first area of research for the TSA Architectural Model competition was to define what exactly a freestanding emergency medical clinic was and what it has to do. Freestanding just means that it is run separately from any other medical operation and is confined to its own building. The job of the emergency medical clinic is to help citizens with a range of different medical injuries or illnesses, from something as minor as a sprained ankle to something far greater like trauma from a car accident.

The second area of research for the project was location. A site had to be selected to build the freestanding EMC. We based our site selection on areas with high crime rates, areas that might need medical assistance, and available lots. After looking at areas that follow this criteria, Asbury Park, NJ was the final choice. When research was constructed, Asbury Park was not near a hospital, had higher crime rates and did have a large plot available to build on. We then researched the address of the City Hall in Asbury to retrieve building codes for our plot. The emergency medical clinic will be modeled on a lot between Heck Ave. and Asbury Ave. with a the back of the building facing Sewall Ave.

Once those parts of the research were complete we actually visited a freestanding emergency medical clinic, in Middletown, NJ, to see the components of the building. As we took a tour of the clinic we took notes for the layout and parts of the building that were an absolute necessity to any medical office. Before leaving we asked doctors, nurses, and staff for their opinions and suggestions. We then took the information and researched other EMO's and their components. They were basically all the same and these notes are what we used to compose our specifications, limitations, brainstorming and first alternate solutions. When reviewing our notes we realized that the Middletown EMO is not completely up to date. Instead of including a large file storage we will only need a standard sized room because most files are now on the computer. We also do not need a dark room because the images can be developed and printed electronically.

After looking through the notes we began researching what exactly were necessities to a successfully operating EMC. It must be handicapped and ambulance accessible, and especially easy to get to from the main street. With basic necessities outlined for us and a final location we had to begin researching construction. This helped lay out the floor plan as far as sizing and components of the final solution.

Then research of construction took place. I looked up building foundation, materials, and procedures. The first thing I concentrated on was foundation. This includes 8"x8" footings, 8"x8" cinder block walls built on top of the footings, gravel laid under a concrete slab which meets with the foundation wall and lightweight frame walls. The footing must be set below the frost line for New Jersey which is about 36 inches or 3 feet. After researching procedures at laying down a foundation, I researched roof styles. When I spoke with my group we all agreed on a flat roof pitch for our final design of the building. Upon completing these stages, I then went on to research building facades and materials. Again I conversed with my group members and we decided on stucco as opposed to the more common use of brick. Our reasoning was because stucco looks more natural and modern and will be easier to use than having to anchor the bricks and add more layers to the wall. For our roof I think the best material to use is a shingle that is durable and long lasting. I looked up some roof shingle options and decided on a darker brown quality duration shingle that can withstand up to 130 mph winds and is algae resistant for 10 years. Brown was chosen because of the natural looking theme and keeping with cooler earth tones would create a pleasant look to the building. It can look like a polished and professional clinic. The inside walls was my next concern. Of course with any building there must be insulation, drywall, and sheetrock to construct the basic interior of a wall. Of course with window and door openings things can get a little more complicated. The space on the wall that will include where the window or door will go will have to also include the header, trimmer stud, and sill to support the opening. Sometimes even cripple studs will need to be used to line the top of the opening. Sectional drawings will be revealing the details of the foundation and wall building and be labeled with dimensions and materials.