Contents

I. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................1

II. Background of the Study...............................................................................................................2

III. Definition of terms.........................................................................................................................3

IV. Design Concept.............................................................................................................................4

V. Guidelines........................................................................................................................................5

VI. Laws...............................................................................................................................................8

VII. References:................................................................................................................................14
I. Introduction

In the Philippines, it is common to find Filipino families having two or more

generations living together. Maintaining social harmony and strengthening the bond of each
family is one of the great values present in a Filipino household. It is very important for them
to preserve their culture and build a tighter relationship with their relatives. However, some
families of two live in one house, commonly known as extended family, which is still relevant
in today’s Filipino context. One solution for this is to build a family compound to ensure a
much better space for each family while still ensuring social harmony within.

To define a family compound, a family compound is a single property/land that allows

numerous houses to be built with fewer buffers, setbacks, and access widths. It is either
owned by a particular family or group of persons related by blood and descended from a
common ancestor, as in an extended family. Having a family compound is a great way to
strengthen the bond or closeness of the family of the family members to one another. This
means that within a compound, members have different age ranges, starting from toddlers,
teenagers, and mid to older ones.

This presents a need to develop a solution to have a secure, child-friendly, elderly-

friendly, as well as disabled-friendly compound. One advantage of having a family compound
is that it optimizes the communal outdoor areas, which can be used for recreation, such as a
place for children's play. They can have peace of mind knowing that their children are safe
when playing outside because the location is merely within the property's enclosed zone.
Also for events, such as birthday party, and many other important events that could share
with important ones.

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II. Background of the Study

The location of the proposed family compound is somewhere in the better parts of
Quezon City, and it is said to be built in a rectangular corner lot having approximately
4,237.5 sqm with a 4% slope descending from north to south. It has an 85-meter frontage
that faces the south and a depth of 50 meters. Surrounding the site are also upscale
residences and a pre-existing graduate school. This is why one of the main problems given
in this project is the constant source of noise from the school and other areas surrounding
the site.

The objective of this project is to plan and design two exclusive upscale low-rise
single detached residential buildings. Another objective of this project is to build a landmark
and design a closely-knit residential community.

The Philippines lies right below the Tropic of Cancer, meaning the climate is
generally hot and dry. For this reason, there are lots of considerations that are needed to
build a house that can withstand the vast changes of the climate. The orientation of the
building is one major factor that should be considered when designing and planning it.

By the end of this project, one of the main goals of this study is to plan house models
that conspire with the weather conditions and climatic conditions of the country.

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III. Definition of terms

• Family compound - a family compound is a single property/land that allows numerous

houses to be built with fewer buffers, setbacks, and access widths
• Kitchen/Living/Dining Areas: The area designated for cooking, relaxing, and dining in
the house.
• Maid's Room: A small room for a live-in domestic worker.
• Toilet and Bath: A bathroom that includes both a toilet and a bathtub or shower.
• Bedroom: A private room designed for sleeping and personal use.
• Storage: A space for storing items, such as household goods or personal belongings.
• Stairs: Structures that allow movement between different levels or floors of a building.
• Walk-in Closet: A closet or storage space that is large enough for a person to walk
into.
• Hallway: The passage or entryway that connects rooms in a house.
• Master Bedroom : The main bedroom of the house, typically larger and more
luxurious than other bedrooms.
• Hallway & ramp; Common Area: An open space that is shared by multiple rooms or
occupants on the third floor.
• Laundry/Service Area: An outdoor space designated for doing laundry and other
household services.
• Carport: A covered area for parking vehicles.
• Green Area: Outdoor space with vegetation or grass, often used for gardening or
relaxation.
• Patio: An outdoor space for dining, relaxation, or entertainment purposes.
• Garden/Front Yard: The outdoor area at the front of the house, typically with plants,
grass, or landscaping features.
• Pathway: A path or walkway that connects various outdoor components of the house.
• Balcony/Deck: An elevated outdoor platform attached to the second floor, often used
for relaxation or outdoor activities.

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IV. Design Concept

Tropical-Americanized Style

Tropical architecture is a design that focuses on and responds to the climatic

conditions of the tropics. It studies the significant influences that impact architecture in
tropical regions and develops passive strategies to lessen heat gain. It also encourages air
movement through a home or building.

It means the strategic arrangement of elements in buildings to defend against

specific weather conditions in the tropics. Remember that Filipino design emphasizes an
airy, bright, and open living space. It would be best to pick a neutral color scheme for a soft
and balanced feel inside the home.

The goal of tropical architecture is to achieve thermal comfort through the use of
passive design elements. These houses would then be designed with sunshades,
overhangs, cavity walls, and light shelves to block the sun. Roof and wall insulation would
also be installed as added protection.

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 Another concept of this project is modern architecture. Philippine modern architecture
emphasizes personal expression, minimalism, and utility. It is also about accepting change
and adapting to changing circumstances. This combination means Filipino architects are
open to new design solutions that respond to their environment and adapt to future
demands.

In the past, modern architecture in the Philippines synthesized American and

Spanish colonial architecture, resulting in abundant mixed-themed urban buildings. The
Spanish influence can be seen in the white limestone of the church, the construction of the
bell tower, and other municipal buildings.

In application for this project, the family compound will be designed based on the
modern style principle while adapting the tropical architecture. The importance of designing
with a tropical architecture principle is much encouraged since it generally has two distinct
tropical monsoon climates. The plan for each house is set to be an open plan for free-flowing
circulation.

V. Guidelines

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 Detached house. The individually accessed, detached house standing on its own plot
is the prototype for the 'owner-occupied' house. It has a prestigious level of access from the
road, which is reached through an area at the front ('front garden'). It has direct access from
each story to further private or semi-public open spaces (e.g. garden. terrace, inner
courtyard or roof garden)

Deck access means that the individual stories of a block of flats are accessed along
horizontal passages, which are connected to each other and to the entrance by one or more
internal, projecting or free-standing fixed vertical structures (stair shafts, lifts). The flats are
organised along the passages singly, on two sides or on three sides (with an internal
function zone).

The open plan attempts to meld together the inside and outside spaces as far as
possible through an almost complete lack of solid (unglazed) external walls. The aspects of
privacy and publicity are (supposedly) neutralized. Minimalist and often subtly adapted
fittings increase the contrast to a total view.

DESIGNING WITH THERMAL COMFORT

It is essential to consider the following when designing:

 Insulation
 solar gain
 thermal insulation
 air ventilation

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 e

Based on the Oxford Dictionary, microclimate is the climate of a very small or restricted area,
especially when this differs from the climate of the surrounding area. One of the design
strategies for microclimate is passive design/cooling.

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 Passive design strategies use the natural environment to regulate temperature, lighting, and
ventilation within a building. Some examples include:

• Shading and insulation: Using shading devices such as eaves, pergolas, and louvers
to prevent direct sunlight from entering the building can help reduce heat gain and
maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Insulating walls, roofs, and floors han also
help reduce heat loss and maintain indoor temperatures.
• Natural ventilation: Designing buildings with operable windows, doors, and vents can
help promote natural air movement and improve indoor air quality. Cross-ventilation
and stack effect can also be used to promote natural ventilation.
• Thermal mass: Using materials with high thermal mass such as concrete, stone, or
brick can help stabilize indoor temperatures by absorbing and releasing heat slowly.

VI. Laws

National Building Code of the Philippines

General
classification Zoning
of PRINCIPAL ACCESSORY CONDITIONAL Classification
use/Character
of Occupancy
of Building
Division A-1 Single- Residential r-1 – a
(residential) detached Low-density
units residential Mainly by

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 single-family,
Single detached
Dwellings with the
Zone, characterized
usual community
ancillary uses on a
neighborhood scale,
such as executive
subdivisions and
relatively exclusive
residential
communities which
are not subdivisions.
ACCESSILIBILITY LAW (BP 344)

Classification: Category Group A

Single detached. Ten percent (10%) of the total units to be constructed. Barrier-free facilities
and features are required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, and L.

A – Stairs

B – Walkways

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C – Corridors

D – Doors and Entrance

E – Washrooms and Toilets

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G – Ramps

H – Parking Areas

2.4m x 5m - perpendicular or diagonal ; 2m x 6 - parallel

I – Switches, Controls, Buzzers

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J – Handrails

K – Thresholds

L – Floor Finishes

APPLICATION OF BARRIER-FREE FACILITIES AND FEATURES

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 1. Graphic signs shall be bold and conspicuously installed in every access from the
point of entry to the connecting destination.
2. Walkways shall be provided with adequate passageways in accordance with the
provision.
3. Width of corridors and circulation system integrating both and vertical access to
ingress/egress level of the building shall be provided.
4. Doors and entrances provided herein used as entry points at entrance lobbies as
local points of the congregation shall be designed to open easily or accessible from
the floor or to any point of destination.
5. The washroom and toilets shall be accessible and provided with adequate turning
space.
6. Whenever elevator/s is required, it should meet the requirements provided.
7. Ramps shall be provided as means of access to level of change going to entry points
and entrance lobbies influenced by condition of location or use.
8. Parking areas shall be provided with sufficient space for disabled persons to allow
easy transfer from car park to ingress/egress levels.
9. Height above the floor or switches and controls shall be in accordance with the
provisions.
10. Handrails shall be provided at both sides of ramps.
11. Floors provided for every wheelchair route shall be made of nonskid material.

ACCESSILIBILITY LAW (BP 344)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OUTSIDE AND AROUND THE BUILDING

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VII. References:

• NEUFERT ARCHITECT’S DATA

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• ‘TIME-SAVER STANDARDS FOR BUILDING TYPES 2ND EDITION,’ BY
JOSEPH DE CHIARA AND JOHN CALLENDER
• ‘PLANNING AND DESIGNERS HANDBOOK,’ BY MAX FAJARDO
• ‘NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES,’ BY VICENTE FOZ
• ‘BATAS PAMBANSA 344 ACCESSIBILITY LAW’
• ‘MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES: THE KEY DRIVERS IN
SUSTAINABILITY’, retrieved from: https://fulgararchitects.com/blog/modern-
architecture-in-the-philippines-the-key-drivers-in-sustainability/
• ‘How to Design for Thermal Comfort’, retrieved from:
https://archiblox.com.au/how-to-design-for-optimal-thermal-comfort-and-why-it-
matters
• ‘DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR SPATIAL THERMAL COMFORT’
• ‘UNDERSTANDING MICROCLIMATE IN ARCHITECTURE’, retrieved from:
https://archi-monarch.com/understanding-microclimates-in-architecture

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