What's common

in all these
projects?

 The

Design Process will be

divided into Three parts:
1. Program (+ Case Study Analysis)
2. Site Analysis
3. Conceptual Design

Programming

Three

main groups:

Similar cases (case study).

Content ( function, users,
circulation, structure, special
needs),
Context ( site analysis)

Case study options:

Similar function,
Similar context,
Similar users.
Similar approach (concept).
Analysis should identify what aspects
(issues) are being analyzed. ( relation
to site, space configuration, functional
relationships, circulation, approach

Analysis Main Goals

1.

General :
Understanding the Project
Concept, general approach
Plan (form, function, circulation,
structure, light, materials, etc..)
Elevations: materials, openings, solid &
void, masses, vocabulary, etc)
Sections: function, circulation, space
relationships, structure, etc)
3D: masses, form, general design
Analyze location and settings
Neighborhood and site

2-Specific Issues of concern:

This depends on the project,
designer, issues facing design
Such as:
entrance configuration,
relation to surroundings,
circulation options,
light design,
construction, other)

EXAMPLES

A) Function:
What are the functions in the
building?
What are the spatial needs for
each function?
Are there any special needs
for a function other than
spatial?

Example:
A school has many functions included,
one of them is teaching.
Teaching requires class rooms,
Each classroom has special furniture
needs, thus certain space requirements
based on the number of students,
Other needs for the classroom would
be related to material use, lighting
requirement, noise control, colors, etc..

Function analysis depends on the objective

of the project.
Each function should be first studied
separately, to identify the space or spaces
required to achieve it,
Once the spaces have been identified, each
space must be studied in terms of design
needs.
Then , the relationship between functions
would be analyzed.

Example:

In the school project, the functions may be

studying, teaching sciences, research.

This requires many spaces: like classrooms, labs,

libraries, computer facilities, etc.
Each space should be analyzed in terms of what it
needs to function properly (furniture, lighting, ..)
Each space should also be studied in terms of who
is using it, what time(s), and for how long.
Once the requirements of each space is fully
understood, relationships are to be identified.

Each project has several spaces doing

different functions,
The spaces should be arranged in a way
that makes their functioning the easiest,

Spaces could have strong relationships like: kitchen

and restaurant hall
Spaces could have some relationship: like worker
offices and secretary,
Spaces can have week relationship, Like a motel
room and storage in the motel.

Relationship between functions are studied

in many ways,
One of the most common is the Bubble

Diagram,

Bubble diagrams show both size of space,

and its relationship to other spaces.
Other way is the MATREX

refer to Architectural Graphic Standards; and Time

Saver Standards for Architectural Design Data.

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rain gardens

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gateway

reforestation

water re-use

organic garden

composting toilets

coffee

reed beds

bananas

conservation buffer

entrance area

trails

bus/taxi shuttle

solar

parking

gift shop

museum
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tourist information

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exhibits

caf

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wind

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courtyard

jacuzzi/spa
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gardens

ecolodge
jacuzzi/spa
gardens
courtyard
caf
exhibits
museum
gift shop
tourist information
parking
bus/taxi shuttle
entrance area
bananas
coffee
organic garden
reforestation
rain gardens
wind
solar
trails
conservation buffer
reed beds
composting toilets
water re-use
gateway

ecolodge

Functional
Relationship
Matrix

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Bubble Diagram

Matrix Diagram

Once the functional analysis is done, it

should provide a very good idea on which
s p a c e s a r e a d j a c e n t , and which are not.
The functional analysis should not lead you
to the Concept directly,

B) Circulation-Path
Once the functions in the building are
identified, and their relationships are clear,
an analysis of the circulation would be in
place.
This analysis is only intended to provide an
idea on the different routs different users
will take around the building.

Example:

A Library design study

Circulation for librarian:
Back entrance
employee lobby
Cataloguing Department.( or other dept.)
Path for library user:
Main entrance
Lobby
catalogues
book stacks.

For each required space, provide analysis of :

Functional needs
Furniture
Relation to other spaces
Any light, sound, or thermal needs
Finishing recommendations
Any special considerations

At the end of this stage (Program) the following must

be identified:

Components of the Project (Main

Spaces(Zones).
Components of each Space (Zone)
Relationship between all the components.
Area of each zone and room.
Overall Area.
The physical and environmental need for
each space and zone

The Circulation
Lows and Regulations
Relation to the Site.
Structure and Material

Next time

SITE
ANALYSIS