AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

I. Module 1 Title : Users Requirements in Building Design, Energy Efficiency and Design
Considerations
Course Title : Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2
Course Number : AD 315
Course Description :
Design exercises on problem stressing the analysis of space requirements
based on organizational structure, functional set-up and human
behaviours to point linkages and interaction to spaces.
Total Learning Time:
4 units = Lecture – 1 hour and Studio – 9 hour per week (10 hrs/wk)
Pre-requisites : Architectural Design 4: Space Planning 1
II. Overview : This module will cover the Process of Space Planning and Energy-
Efficient Design Considerations.
Space Planning has five process these are the following; 1) Collect
information, 2) Interpret requirements – build the brief, 3) Consider
spaces and spatial relationships, 4) Create the solution, 5) Review and
revise.
Energy-Efficient Design Considerations are as follows; 1) Whole-
building systems approach, 2) Ultra-efficient buildings, 3) Advanced
building framing, 4) Cool roofs, 5) Passive solar building design, 6) Earth-
sheltered, Straw Bale, Log, and Manufactured homes, 7) Energy
efficiency in log homes, 8) Efficient manufactured homes.
III. Learning Outcomes:
After completing this module, the students should be able to:
1. Analyse and compare the process of space planning.
2. Differentiate the considerations of energy-efficiency design.
3. Present design exercises that involves the process of space planning
and energy-efficiency in the building.
IV. Indicative Content: Topics Page
A. Five Process of Space Planning - - - 2
1. Collect information - - - - 2
2. Interpret requirements – build the brief - - 2
3. Consider spaces and spatial relationships - - 3
4. Create the solution - - - - 5
5. Review and revise - - - - 8
B. Energy-Efficient Design Considerations - - 9
1. Whole-building systems approach - - 9
2. Ultra-efficient buildings - - - - 9
3. Advanced building framing - - - 9
4. Cool roofs - - - - - - 9

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

5. Passive solar building design - - - 10

6. Earth-sheltered, Straw Bale, Log, and Manufactured
Homes - - - - - - 10
7. Energy efficiency in log homes - - - 10
8. Efficient manufactured homes - - - 10
V. Discussion:
A. Five Process of Space Planning
Space planning is a complex process with many factors to consider. The principles of space
planning involve satisfying a defined criteria on a priority basis – as a result, space planning is
frequently about compromise. That being said, there is often more than one solution to planning
out the space requirements of a building.
1 – Collect information
The design of a building or space will have numerous requirements from the client or end user. It
is important in the very early stages of design to carry out in depth research and consider as many
aspects of the use of the spaces as possible. Some considerations can include:
• Do the spaces have specific functions or need to be particular shapes or forms?
• Do the spaces need to be flexible?
• Is it possible to create a sequence of spaces (offices, museums for example)?
• Do the spaces have different requirements in terms of light, ventilation, view, accessibility?
• Do the spaces need to have access to external spaces?
• Must any of the spaces have particular security or privacy?
• Is there any hierarchical requirements of the spaces?
• What relationships must each space have with one another, and the external environment?
• How should the spaces be connected?
• Which rooms need to be adjacent to one another and which rooms need to be apart?
An example of some questions to consider if you are designing a residential unit:
• What is the family size and structure?
• Location of site
• Number of levels
• Family or individual interests and activities
The more information and data that can be collected in these earlier stages, the easier it will be to
make the leap from data to diagrams and drawings as you proceed through the space planning
process.
2 – Interpret requirements – build the brief
When we look at how to create spaces and accommodate humans in those spaces we can consider
some universal concepts relating to how people interact with their environments.
 Insider vs outsider
 Individual vs community

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

 Invitation vs rejection
 Openness vs enclosure
 Integration vs segregation
 Combination vs dispersion

With these factors in mind we can start to develop a plan of requirements, extract from the data
we have collected the necessary functions these spaces will be fulfilling.

In some cases it is suitable to develop a matrix/table that demonstrates the requirements of each
room, in terms of privacy, daylight, access, equipment and so forth, along with writing out any
additional requirements or special considerations for each room. This information will be a useful
reference as you work through the spaces of each room and start to develop some sketch diagrams.
3 – Consider spaces and spatial relationships
Spatial Relationships
How can spaces be related to one another?
• Space within a space

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

• Interlocking spaces
• Spaces linked by a common space
• Adjacent spaces

Organizing the space

You can consider a varying forms of spatial organisation, some of which are more naturally suited
to particular uses than others:
• Centralized organisation
• Linear organisation
• Radial organisation
• Clustered organisation
• Grid organisation

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

Consider some of the following as you plan out your spaces:

• How does the envelope affect the internal spaces?
• How will the contents of the room be arranged?
• Do the rooms connect?
• What is the flow of the circulation?
• Are the proportions of the spaces comfortable?

Developing circulation
• How people move around the building from room to room is just as important as the
destination.
• When developing a circulation structure we can look at a few basic principles.
• How efficient is the circulation in getting from point A to point B
• Is the circulation discrete?
• What is the fluidity of the circulation? Is there a smooth flowing route or a more direct
route?
• Does the circulation route clash with furnishing requirements?

4 – Create the solution

Once the spaces have been considered and the requirements have been studied it is time to start
sketching out relationship diagrams. The relationship diagram takes your design from data to a
more visual look at physically planning out your space. It is abstract, and rough but enables you to
develop your understanding of the requirements and visualise how the spaces will work together
and how the circulation may flow between them.

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

At this stage the diagram does not need to represent the building size or space, more a look at how
each room relates to one another, sizes and so on. Let’s look at some examples:

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

As your sketch diagrams develop you can begin to build a rough sketch plan of your spaces, this
is sometimes known as bubble diagramming. The bubble diagram helps you make the connection
between basic spatial requirements and a fully drafted floor plan. It is essentially a trial and error
method of exploring the configuration options. If you are working within the constraints of an
existing building you can print out the floor plan and work within that. However, if you are
designing a new building the bubble diagram can often be connected with your concept and site
analysis to develop the design. During this process it is important to keep referring back to the
initial data collected and the relationship diagram to ensure you are considering all aspects of the
design requirements.
This is an opportunity to try both safe and standard ideas along with more erratic options as you
are carrying out fast sketchy ideas.
At this point it is often useful to have a general idea of size requirements of certain areas. For
example, in a residential house, it is useful to know a rough size of a double bedroom, or an average
living room size in order to start making sense of the spaces. Books like The Metric Handbook
Planning and Desing Data by Littlefield and Neufert Architects Data are a great reference and
contain stacks of data that would start you off in the right direction.
You can almost build a small library of ‘rule of thumb’ plans that you can refer to in order to speed
up your space planning time.

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

Try different options and configurations, sketch your ideas and how the spaces will connect to one
another. As you work through the different options, make notes on each one as to any pros and
cons, benefits etc., so that later you can easily disregard options that you don’t think will work at
a later point.
5 – Review and revise
Once some solutions have been sketched out it is then possible to review these solutions and look
for areas that require improvement. Things to consider when we look at a residential scheme:
• How will the occupants move from room to room?
• Does the circulation cut up the space?
• Does guest traffic flow through private areas?
• Are the doors and windows in suitable positions? Do they interfere or add to the overall
spatial plan?
• Does the plan orientate itself correctly with the site?
• Do the rooms work well in relation to one another?
Once you have reviewed your initial sketches and ideas the plans can be developed further by
adding more detail and refining your drawings. It is key to refer to any building regulations, codes
and standards that will have an impact on your space planning to ensure that your design is
compliant from an early stage.

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

B. Energy-Efficient Design Considerations

Before you design a new building or remodel an existing one, consider investing in energy
efficiency. You'll save energy and money, and your building will be more comfortable and durable.
The planning process is also a good time to look into a renewable energy system that can provide
electricity, water heating, or space heating and cooling.
1 - Whole-building systems approach
If you plan to design and build a new building or do an extensive remodel on an existing structure,
optimizing building energy efficiency requires a whole-building systems approach to ensure that
you and your team of building professionals consider all the variables, details, and interactions that
affect energy use in your building. In addition to occupant behaviour, site conditions, and climate,
these include:
• Appliances and building electronics
• Insulation and air sealing
• Lighting and day lighting
• Space heating and cooling
• Water heating
• Windows, doors, and skylights.
Before making upgrades, you may also want to work with an energy auditor to use the Home
Energy Score, which provides a rating of your home's current efficiency, as well as a list of
improvements and potential savings.
2 - Ultra-efficient buildings
Ultra-efficient buildings combine state-of-the-art energy-efficient construction, appliances, and
lighting with commercially available renewable energy systems, such as solar water heating and
solar electricity. By taking advantage of local climate and site conditions, designers can often also
incorporate passive solar heating and cooling and energy-efficient landscaping strategies. The
intent is to reduce home energy use as cost-effectively as possible, and then meet the reduced load
with on-site renewable energy systems.
3 - Advanced building framing
If you’re building a new structure or adding on to an existing one, consider using advanced
building framing (also known as optimum value engineering), which reduces lumber use and waste
and improves energy efficiency in a wood-framed structure.
4 - Cool roofs
Cool roofs use highly reflective materials to reflect more light and absorb less heat from sunlight,
which keeps homes cooler during hot weather.

5 - Passive solar building design

Passive solar building design takes advantage of climatic and site conditions to provide heating in
the winter and cooling in the summer.

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

6 – Earth-sheltered, Straw Bale, Log, and Manufactured homes

If you live in or are planning to buy an earth-sheltered, straw bale, log, or manufactured home,
below is more information and links with suggestions to help improve your home’s energy
efficiency:
Efficient Earth-Sheltered Homes
Earth-sheltered homes can be built underground or bermed, and—when well designed and built—
can be comfortable, durable, and energy-efficient.
Straw Bale Home Design
Straw bale buildings were fairly common in the United States between 1895 and 1940, but it wasn't
until the mid- to late-1990s that building codes began to acknowledge them as a viable approach.
Two current straw bale construction methods include non-load-bearing or post-and-beam, which
uses a structural framework with straw bale in-fill, and load-bearing or "Nebraska style," which
uses the bearing capacity of the stacked bales to support roof loads.
Proposed straw bale structures face considerable barriers, including:
• Local building code approvals
• Building loans
• Mortgages
• Homeowner's insurance
• Community acceptance.
To learn about the building code standards for your state, contact your city or county building code
officials. Your state energy office may be able to provide information on energy codes
recommended or enforced in your state.
7 - Energy efficiency in log homes
Log homes use solid wood logs for wall structure and insulation, and require care in design,
construction, and maintenance to achieve and maintain energy efficiency.
8 - Efficient manufactured homes
Manufactured homes (formerly known as mobile homes) are built to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Code, and are constructed on a permanent chassis so
they can be moved. Owners can improve the energy efficiency of these homes by caulking and
weather stripping, air sealing, and choosing energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
VI. Additional Reading/Videos:
 What is Architectural Programming?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OmTCuoRTK4&t=36s
 Using A Bubble Diagram To Design The Layout Of Your Structure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7enyR4wFRJM&t=1s
 Architectural Program as part of Concept Creation Dynamic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmmnsFXvDFk

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

VII. Exercises/Drills:
Plate 1 (Partial) – Theater (2.5 weeks allotted time)
Design Brief:
A Cultural Advocate Organization is seeking your Space Planning services for its plan to
design and construct a Theater in the Province of Capiz. This Theatre will house the
performances of dances, musical also can hold educational seminars, conventions and
pageant. The said organization envision that it can hold up to 300 with a maximum of 500
seating capacity for the audiences.
The required spaces are as follows:
1. Lobby
2. Art gallery
3. Restaurant or Canteen
4. Auditorium/Audience seating area
5. Toilets for male and female
6. Stage
7. Back stage
8. Rehearsal room, Dressing room, Workshop room, Storage room and etc.
9. Administrative offices
10. Parking areas
This is the minimum required spaces, you cannot omit the minimum but you can add spaces
as long as it complements the whole design.
Required Drawings for submission:
1. Users requirements
2. Behavioural patterns
3. Organizational structures
4. Space matrix
5. Bubble diagram/Schematic diagram
5.1 Auditorium/Audience seating area
5.2 Rehearsal room, Dressing room, Workshop room, Storage room and etc.
5.3 The whole building/spaces
6. Design of concept
7. Floor Plan
8. Elevation and Perspective (Optional)

VIII. Evaluation:
Plate 2 (Full) – City Hall (3.5 weeks allotted time)
Design Brief:
A certain City in the Region 6 commissioned you to prepare a conceptual design of their
two or three storey New City Hall. The status the old hall is small and cannot accommodate
the increasing number of employees, public officials and transactions. The said project will
be the new center for office and public transactions in that city.

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

The required spaces are as follows:

1. Main lobby
2. Mayor’s Office
3. Sanguniang Panlulungsod (SB)/Councillors Office
4. Session hall
5. Toilets for male and female
6. City Administrators Office
7. City Treasures Office
8. City Accounting Office
9. City Registrar’s Office
10. City Engineering’s Office
11. City Assessor’s Office
12. City Agricultures Office
13. City Veterinary Office
14. Canteen
15. Parking Areas
This is the minimum required spaces, you cannot omit the minimum but you can add spaces
as long as it complements the whole design.
Required Drawings for submission:
1. Users requirements
2. Behavioural patterns
3. Organizational structures
4. Space matrix
5. Bubble diagram/Schematic diagram
5.1. Session hall
5.2. Mayor’s Office
5.3. The whole building/spaces
6. Space program
7. Design of concept
8. Floor Plans
9. Two Elevations
10. One Section
11. Exterior Perspective
12. Interior Perspective (Optional)
13. Vicinity Map (Optional)
14. Site Development Plan (Optional)

IX. References:

A. Books
 Ramsey and Sleeper, Architectural Graphic Standards, Latest Edition
 Francis D.K. Ching. Visual dictionary of Architecture, 1995
 Pickard, Quentin. The Architects Handbook, 2002

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AD 315 Architectural Design 5: Space Planning 2 Module 1

 Charles W. Harris and Nicholas T. Dines. Time Saver Standards for Landscape
Architecture, 1998
 Joseph de Chaira and Michael J. Crosbie. Time Saver Standards for Building Types,
4th Edition, 2001
 Max B. Fajardo Jr. Planning and Designers Handbook
B. Website
 Walshaw, Emma (2012). Space Planning Basics. First in Architecture. Unit 42059, PO
Box 6945, London, W1A 6US. https://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/space-planning-
basics/
 Energy Saver. Energy-Efficient Home Design. Office of Energy Efficiency &
Renewable Energy, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
DC 20585. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/design/energy-efficient-home-design

Prepared by:

AR. PETER JOHN D. FANTINALGO

AD 315 Course Facilitator

Recommending Approval:

AR. PETER JOHN D. FANTINALGO

Program Chair, BS. Archi.

Approved:

ENGR. JOHN IKE A. UVAS

OIC Dean, CEAT

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