Advanced Structural Analysis & Design

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Level 3

Faculty of Engineering
University of Mauritius
25th January 2016

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND DESIGN BRIEF

Group 3
Problem Identification
So what we lack at UoM?
1) Parking
No need to tell you the scarcity of parking space around the UoM Campus.
2) A venue for parties
Significantly major parties are organized in UoM, welcoming 2000-4000 students. However the
POWA is too small and too crammed. The Gym has a synthetic floor on which parties or events
cannot be organized, unless the flooring is protected, which is very expensive. The gym lacks aeration
as well. Otherwise parties may be organized on open spaces, which is expensive to cover.
3) A venue for major gatherings like graduation ceremonies, gala diners and so on.
The graduation is currently organized in POWA which is highly crammed with its maximum capacity
of 700 persons, highly limiting the number of invites. There is also a lack of free areas for photos. The
University cannot also organize major gala diner, an area to seat 800-1000 is required.
4) Lack of space for recreational activities such as futsal, or even indoor games.
The gym is always overbooked during the semesters and the game rooms crammed at peak hours. The
duration/frequency of the training of particular sports are highly restrained due to the high demand to
book the gym.

Proposed Solution & Design Brief

For us a common solution can be found to all these requirements. Basically we need a large
multipurpose hall and parking space. Why a hall? A hall is a versatile large area which can be
accommodated in numerous ways. The hall can be used as a source of income for the university as
well, by renting it on Sundays for example. It can have rooms attached to it for various purposes. The
same building can have its two lowest levels designed as parking area, thus significantly increasing
the parking space available on the campus. Where can we place such a building on the campus?
Behind the Gym!
Design Brief

So we need a multipurpose hall about 40x30m where we can organize events like graduation
ceremonies, parties and galadiners. It has to include 2 lower levels designed as parking space to
accommodate at least 100 cars. It must also have all required accommodation for a sport facility, and
smaller multipurpose rooms attached to it. The project shall be realized on the plot available behind
the gym.