Planning and Programming

SUBJECT TEACHER GRADE DATE

Architectural Drawing Sheridan Wood ABTCE February 2, 2017

AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

1. Discuss the importance of planning in a building/design project.

OBJECTIVES
2. Understand the stages of a building project

4. Identify various means how solving a design problem

Notes
INTRODUCTION
It is imperative that the program or predesign document outlines all the information and that each
student should develop a set of design constraints and the design criteria that respond to them.
The program document should include preliminary alternative concepts that articulates the program
and respond to the constraints identified for each project and site.

WHAT IS THE ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM?

 Architecture Program is the research and decision-making process that defines the problems
to be solved by design.
 Architecture Program is a research process to gather, analyse and document relevant
information (needs of client, facility users, surrounding environment, human factors, functions
and activities, relationships, cost, ordinances, sizes, site, climate, etc.) and then reach a
conclusion. A well-conceived program leads to high quality design.
 Architecture Program established the appropriate criteria for proper design solution (a guide)
to identify the forces that influence the design (both internal and external).
Architecture
Program is the first
step of the project
life cycle. Decisions
taken at this stage
affect the cost and
operations of the
project in the
future. The most
cost-effective time
to make changes is
during
programming. This
phase of a project if
the best time for
interested parties
to influence design
and subsequent
instructions.

The first steps in the planning sequence are:

1. Relationship Matrix
2. Site Analysis
3. Zoning Diagram
4. Bubble Diagram
5. Concept (initial) leads to second stage of project life
cycle

RELATIONSHIP MATRIX
The Relationship Matrix is a design tool that
abstracts the building program to
conveniently summarise for activities to be
housed and their required relationships.

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SITE ANALYSIS1
 To achieve a successful design, site analysis is a must & should be done carefully
 Site Analysis involves taking an inventory of site elements and analyzing these factors relative
to the clients needs & aims
 Gather relevant information about the properties of the site, from topography to climate to
wind pattern and vegetation
 Analyze these features and incorporate them into the design

EXAMPLE SITE CONDITION: -----

 Under Topography, 5 degree

slope is noticed
 Analyzing the conditions, ideal
location for building can be
established
 High spot might be right for
building & low spot for water
body
 For prevailing hot winds, trees
would act as buffer
 Openings in building could be
placed to absorb cooler winds

SITE ANALYSIS CHECKLIST

 Subsurface Features
 Geology: Geological history of the area, bedrock type & depth etc.
 Hydrology: Underground water table, aquifers, springs etc.
 Soil Genesis: erosion susceptibility, moisture (pF), reaction (pH) organic content,
bearing capacity etc.
 Natural Surface Features
 Vegetation: Type, size, location, shade pattern, aesthetics, ecology etc.
 Slopes: Gradient, landforms, elevations, drainage patterns
 Wild Life: ecology, species etc.
 Climate: precipitation, annual rain/snow, humidity, wind direction, solar intensity &
orientation, average/highest/lowest temperature
 Cultural & Man-made Features
 Utilities: sanitary, water supply, gas, electrical etc.
 Land use: Usage of site, adjacent use, zoning restrictions, easement etc.
 Historic notes: archeological sites, landmarks, building type, size, condition
 Circulation: linkages an transit roads, auto & pedestrian access, mass transit routes etc.
 Social Factors: population, intensity, educational level, economic & political factors,
ethnicity, cultural typology etc.
 Aesthetic Factors:
 Perceptual: from an auto, by pedestrian, by bike etc.
 Spatial Pattern: views of the site, views from the site, spaces existing, potential for new
areas, sequential relationship

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Written by Sabeer Hamid

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 Natural Features: significant natural features of the site, water elements, rock
formations, plant materials

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

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ZONING DIAGRAM
The Zoning Diagram is an abstraction for an early design. The Zoning Diagram corresponds to the site
and climate establishing position and orientation of functions with respect to each other and the
natural site. Natural light and heat, views, building access, and zoning of functions are also
considered.

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BUBBLE DIAGRAM
Bubble Diagram is a tool for the designer to move from the design program to the building design. It
transforms the program into visual graphic. Bubble diagram illustrations are fundamental in the
design process, no matter what phase or type of project undertaken.
Bubble diagram illustrations are fundamental to the design process, no matter what phase or type of
project undertaken. There are various opinions within the educational communities regarding the
diagramming symbol sizes and shapes, the type and amount of visual information depicted, graphic
creativity, and color. This chapter will identify and explain these issues in order for one to develop
their own system and level of skill in bubble diagramming illustrating.

Any type of illustration, including bubble diagrams, from “rough conceptual thinking” to “portfolio
presentation quality” should address visual and written information clarity and readability. Going
through the bubble diagramming process will generate ideation inspiration for the project concept and
design development, and creating several bubble diagram options will help define and determine the
best solution(s) for the project. Because, the first concept may not always be the best solution –
expand your thinking with diagramming options. Illustration 1, above, is a graphic depiction of the
expanded components of bubble diagramming illustration using the bubble diagram technique. Now, let’s
move onto the mechanics, visual graphics, and written information associated with creating bubble
diagrams.

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 DIAGRAMMING SYMBOL SHAPES AND SIZING
The educational and professional practice diagramming shape has been the “circle.” Each circle is a
representation of a space or area within the design project and should be proportional to the intended
size of the space based on square footage allocations. When beginning an illustration, one can use an
architectural scale/circle template to determine a bubble shape size as a guide for the rest of the
space allocation bubbles. Do not let this simple initial step be a drawing “crutch” because you may
not have a building shell floor plan as a visual reference if the project itself is highly conceptual or a
particular floor plan/building space has not been determined. The student, building on their bubble
diagramming skills, should begin to envision proportional bubble sizing strategies for square footage
allotments based on a design project program.

SPACE ALLOCATIONS
Start with any size free-hand
circle and enlarge/reduce in
proportioned ratios the circles to
represent square foot allocations
of space requirements.

ADJACENCIES
Space allocations then need to be
located graphically using the
determined program requirements
for “functional proximities.” These
spatial groupings can be
illustrated as separate adjacencies
or interlocking adjacencies. (Note:
an advantage of the interlocking
adjacencies can show visually the
level of proportional importance of
the adjacency.)

CIRCULATION PATTERNS
Two types of graphic illustrations for circulation/traffic
patterns within a bubble diagram that have consistently
been used are primary and secondary relationships.
Primary illustrations can also be considered “public
access” and secondary illustrations can be considered
“private access” for either residential or non-residential
projects. These graphic symbols are used as directional
connectors between space allocation bubbles. Examples
in Illustration 4 can be used as primary or secondary
circulation as long as each is identified in a symbol
legend key discussed in “Written Information”.
Students are encouraged to develop their own types of
graphic symbols keeping in mind to be consistent in use
of the symbols and not to overpower the bubble diagram
with artistic quality.

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VIEW INDICATIONS
The project program may emphasize the importance of a
particular view or views in relation to the space allocation
bubbles. This can be done by simply placing a similar
graphic representation as depicted in Illustration 5 just
outside of the diagram bubble for that particular space
allocation. Again, students can graphically experiment with
types of illustrations to use but not to overpower the
presentation.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Design focal points such as a fireplace, stairs, level changes,
media center, skylights, etc. should just be noted for a
bubble diagram. A representative shape and proportional
size for such components would be more appropriately depicted on a space block plan or schematic
floor plan diagram.

WRITTEN INFORMATION

SPACE IDENTIFICATION
Free-hand lettering for each space allocation bubble must be identified as indicated in Illustration 3.
Just be consistent in space title names so not to confuse the viewer and an appropriate lettering size
proportional to the bubble size. Sometimes it may be necessary to letter beyond the bubble shape,
which is acceptable, but again be consistent visually.

NOTES
If there are some significant features or information necessary to communicate to the viewer at this
conceptual stage of the design illustration process, be selective. (Save some of your information for
the oral presentation). The scale of note information, as a general rule, should be approximately one-
third (1/3) the height of space titles.

SYMBOL LEGEND
Creating a symbol legend for the bubble diagram is just as
important as all design development and construction drawing
documents. The symbol legend should include
circulation/traffic patterns, indicating primary and
secondary relationships, and again, could be identifying
public and private relationships, intended important view
identification, and any other visually needed graphic symbol.
The words “circulation and/or traffic patterns” could be added
to the legend description. Graphic arrows (as shown in
Illustration 4) added to either or both ends of the circulation pattern symbols can help define the
importance of direction flow of the circulation and room space allocation.

PROJECT/CLIENT INFORMATION

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Identify the project and/or client name, project location (if known), date, and reference to a drawing
number, such as “Concept Bubble Diagram #1,” for record keeping purposes. As shown on “Illustration
7” to the right, hand lettered information could be standard architecturally-trained styling (7a) or
custom lettering, or a combination of both (7b). Custom hand-lettering is further discussed in “Graphic
Creativity” below.

GRAPHIC CREATIVITY

LINE GRAPHICS
Using “line graphics” as well as
“delineations” discussed in the
following section is a choice of
the student designer. The author
uses both to emphasize certain
diagramming components that
are deemed important based on
the project program and written
information being conveyed
depicted
in Illustration 8a (underscoring space names) and 8b (accenting titles) respectively. Varying graphic
“line weights” can help in emphasizing illustration information also.

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 DELINEATIONS
Students may be familiar with various
delineation techniques for visual
enhancements in any type of illustration;
the most common ones are depicted in
Illustration 9a, 9b, and 9c. Dots or
“pointillism,” lines, cross-hatching, and
combination of the three can be used to
accent/emphasize diagram bubbles,
project title information (Illustrations 9a
and 9b respectively).
Illustration 9c shows an example of the
common delineations used for any graphic
representation. Again, the student should
experiment and practice delineations; you
may create your own style(s).

CUSTOM LETTERING TECHNIQUES

Students can create their

unique lettering style,
specifically for project title
information, sub-titles, and
student name/class/school
information using an “under-
lay guide” that is hand-
lettered on another sheet of
paper (author prefers
“bond/copy” paper). Using
light guide lines also for all
lettered information is
essential for height and style consistency, and proportional correctness. Create the lettering guide
styles using a medium to wide-tip felt marker or pen for a variety of size and visual style from all upper
case to upper/lower case letters, and from architecturally-trained lettering to more “boxed” type
lettering as depicted in Illustration 10. Experiment!

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Then, using lettered guides as above in Illustration 10, overlay tissue paper or sometimes bond copy
paper will suffice as long you can see the letter images beneath, and line trace the letters to create the
desired graphic look as depicted in Illustration 11. Check out various copy-right free font styles to trace
over for additional letter graphic uniqueness.

COLOR AND ENHANCEMENT APPLICATIONS

The use of color in any illustration application always draws the attention of the viewer, focusing in on a
particular feature or group
of features. Color in
bubble diagramming
should always be used to
help visually organize the
composition, identify
functional groupings and
associations, highlight a
significant project
program component,
and/or visually stimulate
written graphic
information. In addition
to color being a visual
stimulant, it can also
inspire or be inspiring
through “ideation”
processes envisioning
potential color schemes
for the project setting the
stage for further design development and presentation discussions. But, grayed neutral schemes with
various delineations have been quite successful visually, that has a “professional finished” appeal to
them. Illustration 12 below is an example of color enhancement possibilities for both diagramming
bubbles and written information. The next page shows two bubble diagram scenarios incorporating
illustration process sketching techniques discussed in this chapter.

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Illustration 13: A neutral color scheme would be appropriate in identifying the spatial allocations only
when “color” is not an influential
factor at this stage of the design
process, as in this residential
project scenario example created
by a list of predetermined client
program requirements.
-using three color hues of cool
grays and reemphasizing each
bubble perimeter with the same
cool gray marker.
-the dining area, in both
illustrations, has two different
color applications to convey both
“service” and
“social/community/public” spaces
-remember to use very light
guide lines for all lettered
information (4H or non-photo
blue pencil leads), and erase
them before adding color

Illustration 14: Color in bubble

diagramming is important when “color”
is an influential visual and project
program factor (i.e., complement the
presentation color scheme or assist in
emphasizing spatial allocation
groupings)
-additional shading delineations in each
bubble (i.e., light lavender pencil over
the yellow-gold and aqua green
bubbles help to not only distinguish
those groupings but also reinforces the
“secondary/service/private” circulation
relationships)
-living area, foyer, and dining area
have “pointillism” delineation to
emphasize those functional areas
-hallway/gallery has angular linear line
delineation to emphasize a unique project program requirement.

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OTHER EXAMPLES

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