Design Process and Architectural Programming
Design Process and Architectural Programming
2. DESIGN PROCESS
3. DESIGN PRIORITIES
4. DESIGN OBJECTIVES
5. CONTEXT
6. SITE SELECTION
7. ACTIVITY PATTERNS
8. ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAMMING
Living Rooms
Circulation
proceeding to building-form
Enclosure
Bedrooms
alternatives.
Kitchen
Entry
Baths
Decks
• The matrix starts with a list of
design issues and a list of
functions.
Comfort
• At each point of relationship in Budget
the matrix, we ask the
importance of this issue to this
function.
Character
Maintenance
• The degree of importance is Energy
indicated by the size of the dot.
Flexibility
Living Rooms
Circulation
most important issues and
Enclosure
functions (those with the highest
Bedrooms
Kitchen
cumulative degrees of
Entry
Baths
Decks
importance) can be identified
and a hierarchical list of issues
and functions formed.
• To initiate thinking about the problem, we can adapt a technique used in creative writing that builds a network of verbal associations.
• In order to bring the subconscious mind into action, the standard tabulated lists are replaced by a loose, open-ended method of
notation that lets ideas develop in an organic pattern much like the roots of a tree.
• As a complex network of associations develops, we can begin to identify the most important issues and relationships.
Sunlight
Seclusion
Prestige Nature
Quiet Garden
Dignity Sleep
Peace
Sense of
Hospitality Place
HOME Permanence
Reception Solid
Guests Stability
Family
ENTRANCE Gathering Transition
Entertaining Sharing Refuge Buffer
Selected Site
Orientation
Problems
• A few examples are shown here in plan diagrams using a similar drawing style
to facilitate an easy comparison.
• A range of organizational
types show three-
dimensional options for
spatial order and the
implications for
appearance.
• The size of people is the most handy reference for other sizes; this is called human
scale.
• Though it is obvious that all structures cannot be within our scale, we can feel
more comfortable with a large building if certain or its features range in size from
human scale to the overall building.
• The size of people is the most handy reference for other sizes; this is called human
scale.
• Though it is obvious that all structures cannot be within our scale, we can feel
more comfortable with a large building if certain or its features range in size from
human scale to the overall building.
• Proportion is the
relationship between
dimensions (horizontal-
vertical)
• Further, mass and balance are associated with many other feelings
AR. MAY MARICAR MERILLES
such as security and flexibility.
MASS/BALANCE
• In a building, a sense of mass can convey security or permanence; a sense of airiness can
convey flexibility of freedom.
• Throughout architectural history, many methods have been discovered for varying the
apparent mass of buildings.
• By analyzing buildings that have clear sensations of mass, the use of such formal devices as
horizontality, verticality, and emphasis can be uncovered.
AR. MAY MARICAR MERILLES
MASS/BALANCE
• Walking is a tremendous feat
of balance.
• One way of achieving unity in a building is through repetition of parts that are alike, such
as windows or columns.
• Members of the human race are recognized by a number of similar features in spite of the
great diversity in appearance of individuals.
• Legato rhythm is softer, formed by more subtle transitions between intervals and
parts, as in the curvilinear architecture of Gaudi.
• Conceptual strength and clarity often play an important role in the experience
and use of a building.
• Focusing on generalities
helps the designer to form
a visual memory of the
important site
considerations.
• For this recreational house the sun pattern, the ridge of the land, and the summer
breeze suggest the general orientation of the building.
• The existing site entry, disposition of the trees, and the small river to the South set up
the prominent views and basic site circulation.
AR. MAY MARICAR MERILLES
SITE
• This site analysis can be further
ANALYSIS
extended, taking into account
program area needs to explore
some preliminary alternatives for
building massing.
• You must be detailed and precise in your gathering or you will fail in
the end result.
• You will need to analyze the information, prioritize the need and the
wants and if any questions come up, make sure to go back and get
them answered.
• You will write the program and the customer should review it and
approve it before moving to the next phase of the design process.
•Lifestyle
• Hobbies, activities, entertainment, meals, music games,
TV, cooking etc.)
Guest Bedroom
Living Room
Guest Room
• Another type of relationship diagram is
Guest Bath
the Matrix.
Bedrooms
Kitchen
Important Space
Entry
Deck
Bath
• All the functions are listed along two
perpendicular axes and then the
relationship of each function to the other
functions is categorized. Entry
Kitchen
• The advantage of such a matrix is in the
ways it can be read by the designer.
Living Room
• This example demonstrates that the Bedrooms
kitchen is a critical point of relationship
for the whole family and their guests, that
the sleeping areas should be isolated Deck
from each other and from most of the
rest of the house, and that the access to
the guest areas should be controlled.
Bath
Guest Room
Guest Bedroom
Guest Bath
AR. MAY MARICAR MERILLES Isolation
RELATIONSHIPS
Guest Bedroom
Living Room
Guest Room
Guest Bath
Bedrooms
Kitchen
Important Space
Entry
Deck
Bath
• Although it is true that most of these
observations might be made
intuitively for a house, the matrix
promotes a restructuring of thinking Entry
that can stimulate new insights
regarding needs such as separation or Kitchen
communication, particularly in more
complex buildings.
Living Room
• Finally, the matrix provides a simple Bedrooms
graphic reinforcement of the
designer’s memory as he considers Deck
the building context and form.
Bath
Guest Room
Guest Bedroom
Guest Bath
AR. MAY MARICAR MERILLES Isolation
PHYSICAL BEHAVIOR
Need
PHYSICAL BEHAVIOR
• Although we might assume that most people use
houses in pretty much the same way (judging
from new housing development design), there are
differences.
DECK
site. B
BR
DECK
DECK
functions are also considered. K DR
ENTRY LR
Semi Public
Public
Entry
Porch
AR. MAY MARICAR MERILLES
TRANSFORMATION FROM PROGRAM TO
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
• This transformation from program to
schematic design is only one of the vast
numbers of paths that could have been
taken.