ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Instructor: Architect Abelardo Firmeza FORMAT OF DESIGN EXAM

1. 20”x30” tracing paper – provided by PRC
COURSE OUTLINE 2. Black ink – final drawings is in black ink
1. Introduction 3. Pencil – for enhancing and construction line (staedler
2. Architectural Design Theory pencils)
3. Esquisse 4. College major plate type drawings
4. Building Economics - schematic
5. Building Utilities - no dimensions
6. Approaches and Strategies - no “call-outs” such as specifications
7. Simulated Board Exam - “fully rendered” in the used pencil shadows but not
colored
 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - material must be drawn in full
- it is the translation of an abstract solution to a - “no columns” unless it is part of design
real, tangible and concrete solution - “furniture layouts” defending on layout and
- it is the optimum and better solution which must instructions
approximate the pre-set solution of the examiner - entourage and landscape are allowed but not
- it must involve the judicious use of design tools in colored
developing the solution within:
a. parameters / constraints RULES
b. circumstances 1. Individual drawing implements and drawing boards
c. environmental conditions - triangles
: must be conserve - compass
: must be protected - pencils
: must be included in the design solution - magic, masking, scotch tapes
- rubber band
- set by the examiner. The solution must be: SAFE - drawing board with straight edge
- erasing shield
Simple – provide what is needed or simply follow - scissors
instruction - protractors
Appropriate – must fit on concept - french curve
Functional – look-out for specific use of the - 2 sets of sign pens varying in points
building - circular template
Economical - optional coloring materials
- cutters
- ballpens
- erasers (different types)
- liquid paper
- scale
- watch
2. PRC will provide tracing paper with official seal
3. Drawing Grids
- preset grids, but to be shown to the proctor
4. Not allowed!
- no color
- no people or human figures
- no vehicles even triangle representation on plans Notes:
- no electronic equipment  Acconometric Drawing
- no scientific or programmable calculators, only - another type of aerial perspective
simple scientific calculator is allowed  Berthing
- no references - term for parking at water

TOOLS FORMAT OF THE QUESTIONAIRE

1. Drawing implements 1. Title
2. Codes “Building Codes” 2. Background or description of the problem
3. Building Standards 3. Requirements
4. Vocabulary a. Plate requirements – specify needed rooms or
spaces
ARCHITECTURAL CONVENTION b. Drawing requirements – specify scale, needed
1. Lettering drawings, etc
-simple gothic, upright and all caps Notes:
-text : 4mm in height  Marina
-title : 8-10mm - luxurious facilities for water vessels
-sub-titles : 6-8mm - yatch
2. Lines - fine dining : luxurious eating place
-construction lines or guide lines  Condominium
-final lines - high-rise residential buildings
-dimension lines - luxurious
-masculine/feminine lines - with elevators to make it more luxurious than townhouse
3. Each drawing must have title and scale and north - can be bought but original lot remains to the owner
orientation  Townhouse
-orientation must always upward! on site - can be bought
development plan - horizontal residential structures
-on plans refer to main entrance of structures - can be leased (long term)
 Apartment
- not more than 10 units
- rented (short term payment) - compose of common center area such as plaza
- usually two storey and for rent  The TIANGGE a flea market
 Rowhouse - flea : “surot”
- can accommodate a full length of block - baratillo
 Tenements - huge number of stalls that is detachable
- an apartment that is not more than 4 storeys
 Apartelle Notes:
- fully furnish with equipments (such as food, beds)  Assume 1-1/2 hours to finish every sheet
while apartment will be provided by the tenants  Consider facing
 Condotelle
- rented by other person to the owner of the room
wherein the owner of the room rented it to the
owner of building
 Hotel
- rented area provided with room and comfort room
and other facilities will be common areas
 Motel
- rented area with room, comfort room and “garage”
(motorist hotel) a. reading and understanding (3 hours)
 Garage b. preliminary drawings (2hours)
- enclosed with walls, roof and door and facilities for c. final drawings
repairs
 Carport THINGS TO BE AWARE IN DESIGNING
- with roof and columns 1. vocabulary
 Parking Slot 2. building code
- compose of lines and has no enclosure at all 3. presentation
4. requirements
EXAMPLES OF TITLES ANALYSIS 5. common sense
 The OASIS a resort
- a mirage : an illusion of water in the desert Notes:
- located in the desert; a body of water located in  Stairs cutting line
the desert -7th and 8th steps
- leisure activities
- having a main focus of “water element” it can be
water fountain
 The HAMLET a townhouse
- hamlet : a small French village
- having no huge elements such as columns
THINGS TO DO IN PREPARATION FOR DESIGN EXAM UNITY
1. practice – drafting technique - creating unified site development plan
2. multiple deadline – time management 1. Central Theme
3. composition - creating a motif
- sheets must be clean 2. Major component of buildings must dominate
- clear, use acceptable architectural symbols - exceptional size
and architectural conventions - strategic location
- respect margins - unique shape
3. compact and coherent unit
 PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION - orientation marker, ex. sculpture
- inward orientation
Dimension Contrast Variety 4. Harmony in materials, styles, design,
Proportion Measurements etc.
Scale Fixed Proportions
Equilibrium Balance Gravitation CHARACTER
a. Formal balance - manifested external expression of
b. Informal balance internal qualities
Physical Rhythm Movement
Manifestation Unity Order / Harmony
a. function – use of the building
Character Expression
b. association – influence of traditional types
c. personality – character of occupants or human
CONTRAST OF LINES quality
 Masculine Lines – bold, dark, straight, strong lines
 Feminine Lines – soft, fragile, thin, curve lines
 ANALYZING THE DESIGN PROBLEM
 read – understand
1. Residential : feminine; informal
a. title
2. Institutional
b. description or background
a. government buildings : masculine; formal
c. requirements
b. health care : masculine; formal
- plate
3. Industrial : masculine; formal
- drawing
4. Commercial : feminine; informal
 familiarize with the site
5. Recreational
a. simply given
a. active : masculine; formal
b. derivation / computation
b. passive : feminine: informal
- closing the traverse (protractor and calculator)
6. Religious : masculine; formal
- textual
7. Education : masculine; formal
 determine the area of the lot - BP 344 (accessibility law)
a. formula a. site development
- regular shapes - parking allocation (for disabled
- irregular shapes - curb-cut-outs
b. “dot-grid method” - ramps
- approximate area all dots (1:12)
included in the site will be
multiplied to the reference
area of the square
c. planimeter
- use in computing the lot

d. road runner b.
- used in computing the length of the road structure
 determine the buildable area (BA) -
comfort room
buildable area = lot area – open space - corridor (1.50 meters)
70% 30% - stairs
 open spaces - fire exits
1. set backs – type of lots page 231 - ventilation
2. private yards (front, side, rear) page 227  heights
3. road abutments page 228 a. naturally ventilated
4. height of buildings page 234 b. artificially ventilated
5. private open space page 226 - 1 storey
6. natural open spaces - 2 to 4 storeys
a. rivers 5.00m - 5 to infinity storeys (high-rise)
b. creek 3.00m  structure
c. sea/beach front 50.00m a. superstructure
d. pasig river 10.00m b. substructure
 determine the floor area (FA) - in every five floors correspond to one basement

FA = BA x No. of storeys  COST ESTIMATE “BULDING ECONOMICS”

 saleable area (SA)  levels
S – budgetary estimate
SA = FA - common area (35%) (floor area x cost parameter)
 plate requirements / components D – detailed estimate
 code requirements (floor area: specific x cost parameter)
C – bill of materials 7. bonds and insurances 10-30% of A
(materials x cost) 8. miscellaneous 15-20% of A
C – bid estimate construction cost + AE = project cost
(bill of materials x margin of profit)
 cost parameter/ sqm  UTILITIES
1 storey: low cost P1.00 – P5,000.00 1. water supply
2-4 storeys: mid cost P5,001.00 – P12,000.00 2. waste water
5-infinity: high-rise P12,001.00 – infinity 3. sewage
basement (1.2%) = next level 4. electricity
5. lighting
6. mechanical
7. intelligent system
 locations of utilities is outside
a. utility company
b. users
c. “intermediary
 components of the estimate treatment”
a. land development cost 25% (P500/sqm)
1. earth development
 horizontal
2. roads and access ways
3. utilities (civil works)
4. landscaping
5. furnishings
b. structure 75%
1. structural 25% of the cost
2. utilities 15-30% of the cost
3. architectural 45-60% of the cost

BILL OF MATERIALS
1. materials x
2. labor 35-40% of x
direct cost = A Note:
3. equipment 20% of A Utilities
4. margin of profit 30% of A  step-down transformer : 220V to 110V
5. overhead 15% of A  step-up
(ballpen, bond papers, gas, secretary, etc.) transformer :
6. contingency 10-15% of A 110V to 220V
(allowance, wastage) : paid by contractor  water tanks
1. formal (masculine)
2. multi-storey
3. linear development
4. flag pole / assembly area

 HOSPITAL
1. users
a. patients
b. medical practioner
 RESIDENTIALS c. visitors
- (informal) feminine 2. activities
1. multi-storey : 4 storey and below
2. multi-family
3. utilities are shared or common areas
4. orientation:
work – west
rest – east

5. clusters

45 meters:
maximum length of
corridor

 GOVERNM
E NT BUILDINGS
- basically linear
and rectangular in
plan
3. high rise 1. users
a. players playcourts
b. officials rooms
c. spectators bleachers
2. playcourts

3.
unobstructed view
- less column with the gym
4. separate out-patient
 track oval
1. track and field
2. track and soccer

5. philippine heart center, example  swimming pool and

diving pool


bowling
- usually synthetic wood was used nowadays
 RECREATIONAL
 gyms
4. parking
5. theme activities

 ECUMENICAL
1. all religion
- no symbols of particular religion
2. celebrant’s place (altar)
- congregation
 golf
1. 18 holes – done by landscape architect
2. clubhouse – usually two storeys and placed on
the middle
a. first floor  EDUCATION
- dirty area 1. classroom
- caddy 2. 1 teacher = 40-50 students
- clean-up (1 sqm/person + circulation)
b. second floor 3. standard module 7m x 9m
- function room 4. flagpole / quadrangle
- fine dining 5. laboratories / libraries / admin / pe
- boutiques 6. parking
- pro-shop 7. canteen

 TERMINALS
 resort
1. feature international domestic
2. amenities Sea Ok : cargo Ok
3. operation system Land X Ok
Air Ok Ok
 COMMERCIAL
1. one-stop-shop  domestic
- all ages accommodated a. lounge, passenger
2. flagship store b. offices
- usually department store c. reception
- concessions : barbershop, boutiques, etc d. hygiene facilities
3. magnet nodes  international
a. lounge, passenger
b. offices
c. reception
d. hygiene facilities
e. customs
f. immigration
 separate people and good
 separate in and out

 EXAMPLE DESIGN PROBLEM

- government building
-formal / male
-rectangular / linear (45 meter)
-multi-storey
-flagpole / assembly
 3 branches of government
-executive : major
-legislative : vice major
-judiciary : judge
 north (type of government)
1. ilocos : bahay na bato
2. mountain province : ifugao house
3. batanes : ibatan house