ISU MODULE TEMPLATE

Subject: DESIGN 4: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 4-SPACE PLANNING 1

CHAPTER 1: SPACE PLANNING 1

Topic 1- Construction Materials & Systems as Design Considerations

Introduction
Material selection in architecture is not only about choosing the strongest,
cheapest, or most obvious materials available. Architects also choose warm, formal,
functional, or local materials for buildings. And the material options are not limited by
only these considerations. The material selection process is a complex process that is
influenced and determined by numerous preconditions, decisions and considerations.
The current material selection tools, however, focus mainly on the technical aspects of
materials. In order to make well-considered and justifiable material choices, architects
have a need for information on the whole spectrum of aspects considered during the
design and selection process
This brings us to another well-worn stance adopted by progressive architects;
that architecture (unlike mechanical engineering) responds in some measure to a
prevailing cultural climate in which it is created and therefore emerges inevitably as a
cultural artefact reflecting the nature of that culture
Learning Outcome
 Familiarize different space planning concepts and building materials
properties including utility systems in design
 Learn the nature of architecture by enabling them to discover their
ability to manipulate basic forms and shapes into the basis of
architectural forms.
 Apply lessons learned in shape manipulation and proper
anthropometrics and ergonomics to structures fit for human habitation.
 Understand human behavior and human interrelationships as viewed
in architectural design.
 Determine vernacular architecture and how it is designed to fit the
tropical environment.
 Design spaces for the various human behaviors.
 Develop their interest in architectural design
 Express their creativity and skill through manipulation of shapes and
forms to achieve the basis of architecture.
Learning Content
This brings us to another well-worn stance adopted by progressive architects;
that architecture (unlike mechanical engineering) responds in some measure to a
prevailing cultural climate in which it is created and therefore emerges inevitably as a
cultural artefact reflecting the nature of that culture.
Basic considerations and design implications of the problem of determination of
the materials and the construction details and process for buildings.
Examine the critical role of materials and methods for the design and
construction of buildings. The primary focus is on materials and systems, their
properties and connections, and their intrinsic relationship to structural systems and
environmental performance.
Every architecture project has its personal and individual character due to the
many variable facets it is built from; building materials are one of these facets.
Numerous architecture projects (think of work by Kengo Kuma, Herzog and Demeuron,
or MVRDV) illustrate that the material choice does not only determine what can be built,
but also determines the character of the building.
Designers do not only design for function and use but also for experience. In
architecture, the materials that shape an environment will largely influence the user’s
perception of that environment. Choosing materials for an architecture project is not
only about meeting technical requirements, the material’s appearance and sensory
behaviour play an equally important role while designing (Ashby & Johnson, 2002;
Fernandez, 2006; Malnar & Vodvarka, 2004; Pallasmaa, 2005).
The current material selection tools and material data sheets provide extensive
information on the technical aspects of materials, useful for specifying a material’s
technical performance. These material sources, however, lack the considerations or
descriptions to evaluate the sensorial and intangible aspects which are important to
architects
Ashby and Johnson (2002) introduce ‘aesthetic attributes’ in the material
properties list for product designers when describing material aspects such as the
transparency, warmth, or softness. Within the field of product design several studies
focus on the definition or description of sensorial, expressive or emotive qualities of
products (Desmet & Hekkert, 2007; Schifferstein & Cleiren, 2005; Sonneveld, 2007) or
more specifically materials (Bergmann Tiest & Kappers, 2007; Karana, Hekkert, &
Kandachar, 2008; van Kesteren, 2008).
Understanding the selection process
Before investigating the descriptions of such ‘intangible’ parameters of materials
within the field of architecture, the authors believe that the overall material selection
process should be mapped in detail. Fernandez (2006) argues that the contemporary
architect mainly makes choices that result in “fabricated assemblies of standardized
performance attributes”, implying that they do not choose for materials but rather for
‘material systems’. He continues that limiting the assembly of buildings to the
specification of systems would impede the discovery of design opportunities inherent in
materials themselves. The development of a material selection model will frame the
aspects that contain these opportunities.
New materials and products and new methods of construction, when proven
sound, may justify changes from these standards. Special consideration shall be given
to technology and careful analysis to accommodate future advancement. Design with
building sustainability concepts shall be discussed, considered and integrated into the
Project. Planning for technological flexibility within budgetary constraints is a primary
task.

THE MATERIALS INFLUENCE UPON THE BUILDINGS SUSTAINABILITY

The process of the architectural design of the construction begins with the
decisions meeting, among which stand out the definition of the constructive technology
and the environmental sustainability of a construction depends a lot on the materials
selected for its composition.
The environmental impacts that the construction in general comes to cause, and
the selection of the construction materials to be applied in the construction has great
influence in that sense and happen along its cycle, on its final discard. Therefore, there
is a need to treat the materials in a way that those impacts are as small as possible.

GUIDELINES FOR THE SPECIFICATION OF MATRERIALS

1. Preliminary study- where characterization of the forms and functions of the
building and the preliminary solution of the system is given, constructive and
the methods of finish.
2. Legal design – which must be approved by the public relation to the materials,
and also specific demands related to be taken in relation to materials.
3. Executive design – which should consists of all the necessary information for
the definitive solutions of all the constructive materials methods of finish, the
implantation and of all the systems needed.
 4. Design for production – the detail of design solutions according to the specific
characteristics of the materials and specified components, besides the
production processes to be adopted during construction.
5. Material selection – the architect, when designing should consider the whole
life cycle of the building and their components to make that has less
impactable choices as possible such as environmental impacts caused by the
construction materials, so tehrse a need to select the materials in a conscious
way.

Teaching and Learning Activities

A research work will be asked from them and be submitted online to let them do some
information gathering regarding the topic on how they understood each and later be raised on
the discussion.
The students will be engaged in some scheduled discussion to give them insights and
ideas in terms of the topics prepared and create some interactions to clarify some of the
questions they may raise to further understand the topic and boost their confidence in doing the
activities prepared like brainstorming where they can express their thoughts regarding the
topics.
Seat works and visual interpretation of topics to make them better understand each and
every term since it will be applied on technical drawings later on.
All materials used in architectural structures, such as stone, brick, wood, steel,
aluminum, reinforced concrete and plastics have become elastically within a certain defined
range of loading.
EXERCISE:
1. What laws or codes govern or is related to the topic discussed? State each and justify.
Research work on the consideration in relation to the design plate.

PLATE 1:
To plan and design two (2.0) prototype exclusive/ upscale, low-rise single-
detached residential (R-1) buildings. Aside from the drawings needed, consider
the materials to n=be used for the residential and justify its properties and
characteristics that will affect the building as a whole.

Required drawings:
SDP
FLOOR PLANS
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
PERSPECTIVE
 ALL @ ANY CONVINIENT SCALE ON AN A3 PAPER BORCERS NOT
REQUIRED

Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

Online (synchronous)
//Edmodo, google classroom, moodle, schoology, Podcast
Remote (asynchronous)
//module, case study or research works, exercises, problems sets, quizzes, major
exams, comprehensive reading and memorization

References
Allen, Edward& Iano, Joseph, FAIA. 2016. Exercises in Building Construction. 6 th
edition, Wiley publishing
Mehta, Madan, B. Arch.; Scarborough, Walter R.; Armpriest, Diane, MLA. Arch.
2017. Building Construction Principles, Materials, and Systems. 3 rd EDITION,
Pearson Publishing
Ching, FDK & Winkel. Steven R.,FAIA, PE CASp. 2018. Building Codes
Illustrated; A Guide to Understanding the 2018 International Building Code, 6 th
Edition, Wiley Publishing
Additional Learning Resources
Ching, FDK. Building Construction Illustrated.pdf

Magazines and Periodicals Documentaries

Discovery channels
Documentaries
Architect Philippines: a Blog for Philippine Architecture and Issues
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Revision: 02
Effectivity: August 1, 2020