ABSTRACT

Renovation, a term most commonly associated with buildings is known to be the act or process of improving the existing condition of a broken, damaged or outdated structure. It is the process of restoring to a good condition or making new again a building structure currently in a bad state. The concept of renovation as it relates to buildings will always remain relevant as long as every newly purchased item have a tendency of wearing out over a long period of usage. Reasons for renovation activities varies with individuals but it will generally be aimed at creating a new appearance for a property for the purpose of either to rent out, for sale or to continue living in a totally different atmosphere. In the case of this thesis work, the renovation of a newly purchased 4 Bedrooms Flat Apartment was embarked upon by a Client who had plans of relocating his family back to Nigeria from Dublin. He needed a beautiful residential and livelier atmosphere to welcome his wife and 2 Children back to mother land. The aim of this thesis work is to document literarily the entire renovation exercise from the brief taking to the final handing over of the apartment to the Client. This thesis work highlights the key differences between renovation, remodeling and rehabilitation in buildings. It also explains the professional role of an Architect in a renovation exercise. It went further to detail the renovation activities of the residential building in focus. The renovation process and methodology employed the collection of data via interviews from the Client on his initial brief and specific requirements as it relates to color, material finishes and the degree of renovation works to be embarked upon. Professional Inputs were also received from allied professionals as it relates to the Structural, Mechanical and Electrical Aspects of the renovation exercise. It was discovered from the entire exercise that renovation works sometimes can be more tasking than embarking on a fresh project. It was discovered that there is a high probability of engaging in additional works not initially factored in at the planning stages of the renovation exercise due to unplanned existing installations that may be encountered when the actual breaking process of the renovation exercise commences. Professionals are therefore advised to always have a prior technical visit to the renovation site so as to take accurate as-built measurement of existing structures and also conduct technical inspection with the structural and services engineers with a view to determine likely locations of the structural elements and all services installations. This must be advisably carried out before the costing for the renovation works is prepared by the Quantity Surveyor and subsequent commencement of the actual renovation exercise. The as-built drawing will also ensure that exact dimensions of existing spaces, quantities and rates for each building item and component are allowed for in the project bill of quantities. This will generally reduce the risk of unplanned additional works that may be encountered during the renovation exercise except for new ones requested for by the client during the course of the renovation works.