Real-Life Math -- Solution
Here are your calculations:
Carpet installation:
$12 x 3,700 = $44,400
Carpeting for the library would cost $44,400.
Tile installation:
$15 x 3,700 = $55,500
Tile for the library would cost $55,500.
Carpet maintenance:
$500 x 10 = $5,000
Over 10 years, it would cost $5,000 to maintain and repair the carpeting.
Tile maintenance:
$100 x 10 = $1,000
Over 10 years, it would cost $1,000 to repair and maintain the tile.
Total cost of carpeting:
$44,400 + $5,000 = $49,400
Total cost of tile:
$55,500 + $1,000 = $56,500
The carpeting is the least expensive option. You advise your client of this fact.
Get ready to do plenty of these calculations as a facilities designer.
"Most budgets are based on building area, so we do a lot of square foot calculations," says facility designer Nancy Doyle.
While some facility designers do a lot of these calculations, others don't do a lot of math. That's not to say you don't have to know any!
"You have to understand geometry in its broadest terms," says theater design consultant Brian Arnott. "You have to see things in 3D and be able to picture how they work in 3D."
As for calculations, you can rely on the design team to handle complicated engineering calculations.
"We don't really have much call for it -- it's more sculptural than calculating wind loads."