Seven Story Apartment Building

I. Statement of the Problem:

A local and foreign owned company have formed a joint venture on a real estate project
in Philippines. The project is Seven Storey Apartment located in Makati City. They decided to
commission you to design the project and for the ease of coordination you have been also
hired as construction manager to subsequently manage the construction. The property
consultants alongside with the marketing specialist have strongly advised to design the
project to target the market of executive that are young and BPO employees nearby working
in the heart of country central business district.

Design Requirements
1. The Ground floor must contain at least 24 car parking spaces connected to the street
by a 6.0 meter wide driveway starting 70 meter from the left corner of the lot.
a. At the right corner of the ground floor must have a space for the entrance lobby,
guards quarter with T&B, storage, with 4.90 meter width, with area of 57.33 sqm
b. A 1.0 meter width pedestrian walkway is adjacent to this space mentioned above.
c. At the rear of this floor are the utility room of 5.0 meter x 2.0 meter and the
generator room/ electrical of 5.9 meter x2.8 meter, position opposite each other.
2. The space planning should maximize the use of the lot by building to allowable 7 floors.
You must also strongly consider open areas of the perimeters for landscaping.
3. Typical 2nd to 7th floor composed of
a. 8 units (each floor) Studio type with balcony 3.2m x 7.7m positioned at the rear
(4 left) (4 right)
b. Two units per floor of two bedroom with balcony 6.0mx 10.2m to be positioned
at the front of the building, thus the total habitable units per floor are 10
c. All balconies will be 1.20m max width with an area of either 3.84 sq.m or 7.20
sq.m if applicable and can be also used as unit's drying area.
d. The hallways with a total length of 24.80m x1.5 width will end at the fire exit
stair 1.5mx 8.0m which will also serve as a service stair. The other end of the
hallway will end to a wall ventilation, common area of the lobby, stair and storage
is 57.33 sq.m with width of 4.90m
4. At the roof deck of the same size as the typical floors, an area of 24.64sq.m is for the
location of elevated water tanks with additional storage and the rest of the available open
space are for party place.
II. Project Site Features:
The site is an inside lot that is rectangular with an area of 647.90 sq.m an frontage of
20.90 meters and presently occupied by three (3) unit of Two-Storey with 0.0 elevation from
the sidewalk. At east side it is bounded by sidewalk and road right of way. As per zoning
ordinance it is classified as R3 zoning with allowable 3.0 m front setback.
III. Design Objectives:
The Architect should consider the design strategies and solution that strongly consider an
"improvement" of the existing building of the same use to minimize construction cost, so the
cost of the units is affordable so it has competitive edge to the market Project brief from
developer should be taken care in terms of profitability. The project should but is limited to
 minimum 7 floor. Important factor for consideration must be valued to the full maximization
of limited lots' area.

Situation – The following questions pertain to ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS of Project No.2, 7-Storey
Apartment Building.
6. What would be the best economical but appropriate lighting for this project?
A. Fluorescent with louvers
B. Bulb
C. Pin lights
D. Ceiling mounted lights
7. What would be the best and cost-effective material for toilet?
A. 300 x 300mm ceramic
B. 1200 x1200mm granite
C. 200 x 200mm ceramic
D. 300 x 300mm marble
8. What is that button part of an elevator which is used to request elevator when pushed?
A. Call
B. Direct
C. Panel
D. Switch
9. What would be the thickness and kind glass would you use of its shower enclosure?
A. 12mm tempered glass
B. 10mm tempered glass
C. 10mm float glass
D. 12mm clear glass
10.The putty or sealant compound used to connect a glass is ___.
A. Clear might bond
B. clear pvc
C. clear silicon
D. epoxy

Situation – The following questions pertain to SPACE PLANNING of Project No.2, 7-Storey Apartment
Building.
31.Select the appropriate and cost-effective paint for the ceiling at the lobby?
A. Red oxide
B. Enamel
C. Flat wall enamel
D. Latex
32.What is the nearest allowable maximum building footprint of the project rounded off to the nearest
square meters?
A. 439
B. 648
C. 710
 D. 426

AMBF = TLA – Setback

AMBF = 647.9 sqm – ((2*20.90 rear) + (3*20.90 front) + (26*2 side) + (26*2 side))
AMBF = 647.9 sqm – (41.8 + 62.7 + 52 + 52)
AMBF = 439.40 sqm

33.What is the minimum width of the common stair at ground floor in nearest meters?
A. 1.0m
B. 0.75m
C. 0.90m
D. 1.20m

Width. Stairways serving an occupant load of more than fifty (50) shall not be less than 1.10 meters.
Stairways serving an occupant load of fifty (50) or less may be 900 millimeters wide. Private stairways
serving an occupant load of less than ten (10) may be 750 millimeters. Trim and handrails shall not reduce
the required width by more than 100 millimeters.

34.What is the approximate length in meters of the car parking?

A. 8
B. 4
C. 6
D. 5

The size of an average automobile (car) parking slot must be computed at 2.50 meters by 5.00 meters for
perpendicular or diagonal parking and at 2.15 meters by 6.00 meters for parallel parking. A standard truck
or bus parking/loading slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.60 meters by 12.00 meters. An
articulated truck slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.60 meters by 18.00 meters which should be
sufficient to accommodate a 12.00 meters container van or bulk carrier and a long/hooded prime mover.
A jeepney or shuttle parking/loading/unloading slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.00 meters by
9.00 meters. The parking slots shall be drawn to scale and the total number of which shall be indicated on
the plans and specified whether or not parking accommodations are attendant-managed.

35.What is the minimum width of the common hallway, in meters?

A. 1.50
B. 5
C. 1.20
D. 1.20

d. The hallways with a total length of 24.80m x 1.5 width will end at the fire exit stair 1.5mx 8.0m which
will also serve as a service stair. The other end of the hallway will end to a wall ventilation, common area
of the lobby, stair and storage is 57.33 sq.m with width of 4.90m
Situation – The following questions pertain to STRUCTURAL CONCEPTUALIZATION of Project No.2, 7-
Storey Apartment Building.
41.An artificial stone made up of mixing cement, aggregates and water is ___ concrete.
A. regular
B. rough
C. mixed
D. plain
42.What is the most common type of cement that is in general use?
A. Pozzolan
B. High lumina
C. Sulfate
D. Portland
43.Which cement type has very high rate of strength development versus other type?
A. Portland
B. Pozzolan
C. Blast furnace
D. High lumina
44.Which cement type has low hardening characteristics?
A. Portland pozzoland
B. High lumina
C. Ordinary
D. Sulfate
45.Crushed stone, crushed gravel or natural gravel with particles retained on a 5mm sieve is a
___aggregate.
A. fine
B. small
C. big
D. coarse

Situation – The following questions pertain to STRUCTURAL CONCEPTUALIZATION of Project No.2, 7-

Storey Apartment Building.
56.A closed loop of reinforcement bars that is used to hold the mail reinforcement bars of beams is called
a ___.
A. stirrup
B. pull bar
C. lateral tie
D. closing bar
57.A closed loop of reinforced cement bars that is used to hold the mail reinforcement bars in columns is
called a ___.
A. closing bar
B. pull bar
C. stirrup
D. lateral tie
58.A composite material in which concrete’s relatively low tensile strength and ductility are counteracted
by the inclusion of reinforcement having higher tensile strength and or ductility is a _____.
A. Ductile board
B. reinforced concrete
C. High density board
D. plain concrete
59.Which is NOT a raw material for rebar spacer?
A. Concrete
B. Metal
C. Plastic
D. Foam
60.What is NOT considered a temporary facility needed during construction?
A. Sum pit
B. Barracks
C. Site office
D. Bunkhouse

Situation – The following questions pertain to ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN of Project No.2, 7-Storey
Apartment Building.
71.Which part of the building elements is considered NOT part of architectural design drawings?
A. Ceiling Plan
B. Schedule of Doors
C. Schedule of Windows
D. Details of Shear Wall
72.A graphic horizontal section looking up instead of down as normal drawing?
A. Isometric Drawing
B. Ceiling Plan
C. Inverted Plan
D. Reflected Plan
73.In what architectural design service phase does an architect renders the initial line drawings
representing design studies leading to a recommended design solution including the general description
of the project?
A. Design Development
B. Contract Document
C. Design Brief
D. Schematic
74.The general term for precast materials that are fastened to a metal frame and carry no loads is ___
walls.
A. Composite
B. Precast curtain
C. CHB
D. Metal Panel
75.What type of window designs that may be introduced on this project that will provide more space?
A. Dormer
 B. Fixed
C. Bay
D. Clerestory

Situation – The following questions pertain to ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN of Project No.2, 7-Storey
Apartment Building.
126.A window which hinged at top is ___.
A. sliding
B. fixed
C. awning
D. casement
127.A window which hinged at the side is ___.
A. sliding
B. casement
C. awning
D. overhang
128.What is the document required during the application of building permit wherein the estimated
materials and costs are listed?
A. Quantity of Materials (QOM)
B. List of Materials (LOM)
C. Bill of Materials (BOM)
D. Schedule of Materials (SOM)
129.What is the technical term of the space between the building and the sidewalk created by required
setback?
A. Free space
B. Court
C. Yard
D. Open space

YARD - The vacant space left between the outermost face of the building/structure and the property lines,
e.g., front, rear, right and left side yards. As a yard performs a vital environmental function because of its
exposed soil and/or plant cover (surface water percolation, light/heat absorption, etc.), it shall preferably
not be paved/hardscaped. A yard may be considered part of the Total Open Space within Lot (TOSL),
provided that it abuts a permanent public open space without any separation between them which
obstructs the free flow of light and ventilation.

130. What is the approximate area in minimum in square meters of the office table for one person?
A. 0.72
B. 1.5
C. 1
D. 2

Situation – The following questions pertain to ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN of Project No.2, 7-Storey
Apartment Building.
1.What is the total area of common areas per floor excluding the fire exit stair?
A. 57.33 sqm
B. 94.54 sqm
C. 37.20 sqm
D. 45.12 sqm

Area of common areas = (Entrance lobby + Guard’s quarter with T&B + Storage) + Hallway area
Area of common areas = 57.33 sqm + 37.20 sqm
Area of common areas = 94.53 sqm

2.What is the AMBF of the project?

A. 453.53 sqm
B. 439.40 sqm
C. 426.05 sqm
D. 518.32 sqm

AMBF = TLA – Setback

AMBF = 647.9 sqm – ((2*20.90 rear) + (3*20.90 front) + (26*2 side) + (26*2 side))
AMBF = 647.9 sqm – (41.8 + 62.7 + 52 + 52)
AMBF = 439.40 sqm

3.What is the GFA of the roof deck?

A. 12.00 sqm
B. 36.64 sqm
C. 389.41 sqm
D. 24.64 sqm

4. At the roof deck of the same size as the typical floors, an area of 24.64sq.m is for the location of elevated
water tanks with additional storage and the rest of the available open space are for party place.

4.What is the length of the driveway?

A. 3 m
B. 7 m
C. 6 m
D. 1 m
5.What is the perimeter of the lot?
A. 85.80 m
B. 103.8 m
C. 72.66 m
D. 94.54 m

Perimeter = 31m + 31m + 20.90m + 20.90m

Perimeter = 103.80 m
Situation – The following questions pertain to ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS of Project No.2, 7-Storey
Apartment Building.
1. Which of the following is a resilient architectural flooring material for use on the project’s apartment
units?
A. Granite tile
B. Ceramic tile
C. Clay tile
D. Vinyl tiles
2. Which of the following will you specify for the toilet ceiling of the units?
A. FICEM
B. MDF board
C. Acoustic tiles
D. Plywood
3. What is the average size of parking space slot for perpendicular parking?
A. 3m x 9m
B. 2.50 x 5m
C. 2.15m x 6m
D. 3.60m x 12m

The size of an average automobile (car) parking slot must be computed at 2.50 meters by 5.00 meters for
perpendicular or diagonal parking and at 2.15 meters by 6.00 meters for parallel parking. A standard truck
or bus parking/loading slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.60 meters by 12.00 meters. An
articulated truck slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.60 meters by 18.00 meters which should be
sufficient to accommodate a 12.00 meters container van or bulk carrier and a long/hooded prime mover.
A jeepney or shuttle parking/loading/unloading slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.00 meters by
9.00 meters. The parking slots shall be drawn to scale and the total number of which shall be indicated on
the plans and specified whether or not parking accommodations are attendant-managed.

4. What is the minimum thickness of a foundation bed?

A. 10mm
B. 10cm
C. 15mm
D. None of the above
5. For this project, what is the ideal thickness of concrete hollow block would you used for this toilet?
A. 100mm
B. 120mm
C. 100m
D. 150mm

Situation – The following questions pertain to ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN of Project No.2, 7-Storey
Apartment Building.
1.Considering cost, function, profitability, which roofing material is best used on this project?
A. Corrugated GI
B. Shingles
 C. Roof deck
D. Clay tile
2. For this project, is it necessary to install dry stand pipes for this project?
A. Yes
B. No
C. When it is required by the owner
D. If the plumber suggests

Dry Standpipes – Every building four or more storeys in height shall be equipped with one or more dry
standpipes.

3. What would be the best ceiling material for the project?

A. Gypsum board
B. PVC
C. Marine plywood
D. MDF
4. If you use decorative stones on this project, which brand name or manufacturer would you not use?
A. GT stone works
B. None of the choices
C. Decostone
D. EZ rocks
5. For this project, for its units what is the ideal flooring materials would you use?
A. Ceramic tiles
B. Marble
C. Granite
D. Timber