Lesson 2 of 530 min read

Architectural Design & Planning

Design Principles, Site Planning, and Space Organization

In This Lesson

1. Design Principles 2. Design Process & Methodology 3. Site Planning 4. Space Planning 5. Circulation & Flow 6. Building Typologies 7. Planning Standards 8. Anthropometrics

1. Design Principles

Elements of Design

Primary Elements

Point: Position in space, no dimension
Line: Extension of point, has length
Plane: Extension of line, has length and width
Volume: Extension of plane, has depth (3D)

Visual Elements

Form: Shape and configuration
Space: Area defined by elements
Light: Illumination revealing form
Color: Visual perception of light
Texture: Surface quality (visual/tactile)

Principles of Design

Balance: Visual equilibrium (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial)
Rhythm: Repetition creating visual movement
Emphasis: Focal point drawing attention
Scale: Size relative to standard (human body)

Proportion: Relationship between parts
Unity: Harmony of all elements
Contrast: Juxtaposition of opposites
Hierarchy: Order of importance

Proportioning Systems

Golden Ratio (φ): 1:1.618 - aesthetically pleasing proportion found in nature
Le Corbusier's Modulor: Human-scale proportioning system based on golden ratio and human body
Classical Orders: Module-based proportioning (column diameter as base unit)
Ken: Japanese module based on tatami mat (90cm x 180cm)

2. Design Process & Methodology

Design Process Stages

1
Programming: Define requirements, user needs, constraints, budget, schedule
2
Schematic Design: Initial concepts, bubble diagrams, massing studies
3
Design Development: Refine design, preliminary drawings, material selection
4
Construction Documents: Working drawings, specifications, details
5
Bidding/Negotiation: Contractor selection, cost estimation
6
Construction Administration: Site observation, submittals, changes

Design Determinants

Function

• User requirements
• Activities housed
• Spatial relationships
• Flexibility needs

Context

• Site conditions
• Climate
• Cultural factors
• Regulations

Technology

• Structural systems
• Materials available
• Construction methods
• Building systems

3. Site Planning

Site Analysis Factors

Physical Factors

• Topography and slope
• Soil conditions and bearing capacity
• Drainage patterns
• Vegetation and trees
• Water features
• Views (toward and from site)

Environmental Factors

• Sun path and solar orientation
• Prevailing winds
• Rainfall and flooding
• Temperature ranges
• Noise sources
• Air quality

Building Orientation

Philippine Climate Considerations

North-South orientation: Main facades face north and south to minimize east-west sun exposure
East-West walls: Should be minimized or well-shaded (low morning/afternoon sun)
Southwest monsoon (Habagat): June-November - heavy rains
Northeast monsoon (Amihan): November-May - cooler, dry winds

Site Coverage & Setbacks

Percentage of Site Occupancy (PSO): Maximum ground area covered by building
Floor Area Ratio (FAR): Total floor area / Site area
Open Space Ratio (OSR): Minimum open space required
Setbacks: Minimum distance from property lines (front, side, rear)
Building Height Limit (BHL): Maximum height based on zone classification

4. Space Planning

Spatial Relationships

Types of Relationships

Adjacent: Spaces sharing common edge
Overlapping: Spaces sharing common area
Interlocking: Spaces penetrating each other
Space within space: Contained relationship

Organization Patterns

Centralized: Dominant center with secondary spaces
Linear: Spaces arranged in a row
Radial: Linear elements extending from center
Grid: Modular arrangement
Clustered: Grouped by proximity

Zoning Within Buildings

Public Zone

• Reception
• Lobby
• Waiting areas
• Public facilities

Semi-Private

• Meeting rooms
• Work areas
• Break rooms
• Shared spaces

Private Zone

• Private offices
• Storage
• Restricted areas
• Service spaces

5. Circulation & Flow

Circulation Types

Horizontal Circulation

• Corridors and hallways
• Lobbies and foyers
• Galleries
• Bridges and walkways

Vertical Circulation

• Stairs (primary, service, emergency)
• Elevators
• Escalators
• Ramps

Circulation Patterns

Single-loaded corridor: Rooms on one side only
Double-loaded corridor: Rooms on both sides
Central core: Vertical circulation at center

Loop: Continuous circular path
Branching: Main path with secondary branches
Network: Multiple interconnected paths

Corridor Standards

Minimum corridor width: 1.20m for residential, 1.50m for commercial/institutional
Exit corridor: Must be unobstructed, clear of projections
Dead-end limit: Maximum 6m for dead-end corridors
Exit access travel distance: 45m (unsprinklered), 60m (sprinklered)

6. Building Typologies

Residential

• Single-detached, Semi-detached, Row houses, Townhouses
• Apartments, Condominiums, Mixed-use residential
• Design focus: Privacy, family zones, outdoor spaces

Commercial

• Retail: Shops, markets, malls, department stores
• Office: Low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise towers
• Hospitality: Hotels, restaurants, resorts

Institutional

• Educational: Schools, universities, libraries
• Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, care facilities
• Government: Offices, courthouses, civic buildings
• Religious: Churches, mosques, temples

Industrial

• Manufacturing, Warehousing, Distribution centers
• Design focus: Efficiency, flexibility, heavy loads

7. Planning Standards

Residential Standards

Living room: Min 9 sqm (3m x 3m min dimension)
Bedroom (master): Min 9 sqm with 3m min dimension
Kitchen: Min 4.5 sqm with proper ventilation
Toilet/Bath: Min 1.2 sqm (0.9m min dimension)
Ceiling height: Min 2.4m (habitable), 2.1m (service)

Natural Ventilation Requirements

Habitable rooms: Window area = 10% of floor area minimum
Openable portion: At least 50% of required window area
Cross ventilation: Openings on at least two walls preferred

Accessibility Standards (BP 344)

Ramp slope: Maximum 1:12 (8.33%)
Ramp width: Minimum 1.2m
Landing: 1.5m x 1.5m at every 6m rise
Accessible parking: 3.6m wide with 1.2m access aisle
PWD toilet: Minimum 1.7m x 1.8m with grab bars

8. Anthropometrics

Human Dimensions

Anthropometrics is the study of human body measurements for design purposes. Dimensions are typically based on percentiles (5th, 50th, 95th).

Standing Dimensions

Average height: 1.65-1.75m
Eye level: 1.50-1.60m
Shoulder height: 1.35-1.45m
Elbow height: 1.00-1.10m
Shoulder breadth: 0.42-0.48m

Seated Dimensions

Seat height: 0.40-0.45m
Seated eye level: 1.15-1.25m
Table/desk height: 0.72-0.76m
Counter height: 0.90-1.00m
Bar height: 1.05-1.15m

Clearances & Reach

Body width: 0.60m minimum (0.75m comfortable)
Two people passing: 1.20m minimum
Wheelchair width: 0.90m minimum
Forward reach: 0.40-1.30m from floor
Side reach: 0.40-1.40m from floor
Door width: 0.80m minimum (0.90m for accessibility)

Key Takeaways

✓Design elements (point, line, plane, volume) and principles (balance, rhythm, emphasis, scale, proportion)
✓Golden ratio 1:1.618 is the aesthetically pleasing proportion
✓Philippine climate favors north-south building orientation to minimize east-west sun exposure
✓Ramp slope maximum 1:12, minimum width 1.2m per BP 344
✓Window opening = 10% of floor area minimum for natural ventilation

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