ARCHITECTURE LICENSURE EXAMINATION

MOCK EXAM FOR AREA 3 (DESIGN) 08:00 AM – 06:00 PM

DESIGN PROBLEM NO. 1 – LOGISTICS CENTER EXPANSION

I. Design Problem. A Filipino entrepreneur named Businessman A is planning to expand his business in Santa
Rosa, Laguna. To do this, he contacted his former college classmate named Businessman B who is now a big-
time businessman in the US. Since Businessman A had already established a quite large network locally and
Businessman B is also doing good internationally, they decided to form a joint venture company to expand their
business, especially in logistics operations. They thought that since Santa Rosa City in Laguna is a growing
industrialized city, it is a good opportunity to expand their logistics center there. The joint venture was then
registered with SEC under the name PhilEx Logistics Inc. The plan is to expand the lot and facilities established
by Businessman A in Sta. Rosa twice its size. This existing development is in a 1.20 hectare lot facing the Sta.
Rosa-Tagaytay Road. Another lot similar in size, slope and shape situated on the left of the existing lot was
acquired to serve as the expansion of the existing development.

The development and facilities in the existing lot includes the following:
A. Commercial center with an appliance depot in a 0.42 hectare land area facing the road. Included in this
land area are the 12m wide driveway on the left side, a 43m x 688sqm front parking space, a long 5m
softscape strip on the right, a two-storey appliance depot and a one-storey commercial storage.
1. The two-storey appliance depot has a footprint of 43m x 25m and is sited after the front parking
space. The ground floor contains 800sqm customer space and 275sqm support spaces such as
the comfort rooms, cashier’s office and package area. The second floor contains 500sqm
customer area and 575sqm office space.
2. Behind the appliance depot is the commercial storage measuring 1032sqm having the same
width as the depot and front parking space. This storage facility contains a number of racks for
the storage of different items especially appliances.
3. A 5m deep buffer space separates the commercial storage from the industrial area.
4. The 5m wide softscape to the right will be planted with trees to block noise and air pollution
from the surroundings. It will also serve as a relaxation space for the employees of the
commercial center. Concrete benches measuring 600mm x 1200mm are placed on this area.
5. The 12m-wide driveway on the left connects to another driveway with the same width in the
industrial area.
B. The industrial area is a portion of the existing lot with a land area measuring 60m x 4800sqm inclusive
of the 12m driveway to the left, a 2-storey logistics center fronted by an unloading area and 5m wide
softscape strip around.
1. The 12m wide driveway has a length of 80m which connects to the residential area at the rear
portion of the existing lot.
2. Along the driveway is an 8m x 70m unloading area in front of the logistics center.
3. The logistics center building footprint measures 35m x 70m. The second floor measures the
same.
4. Softscape areas/strips surround the logistics center on three of its sides.
C. The 3000sqm residential area at the rear portion of the existing lot includes a semi-residential and
office building, a front open space and 5m wide softscape around.
1. The semi-residential and office building has footprint of 50m x 1500sqm with two storeys.
2. The front open space that measures 55m x 15m includes softscape elements, a 10m x 12m pool
and parking spaces. This open space is connected to public road through the 12m wide
driveway provided in the industrial and commercial area.
3. 5m-wide softscape strips surround the semi-residential and office building.
II. Site Features. The frontage of the existing rectangular lot is 60m. Its area is 1.20 hectares with a 1% downward
slope towards the back. It is bounded on the North, the longer side, along line 1-2 by a private lot; on the East
along line 2-3 by the 15m-wide Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road; on the South along 3-4 by another private lot which
is acquired for the expansion; and on the West along line 4-1 by another private lot. The new lot for expansion
is on the left with the same size, same slope and same shape. The existing lot is considered by the OBO as
composed of three zones – commercial, light industrial and residential – which must follow the separate
provisions of the NBC according to its zone requirements. With the new acquired lot on the left, each area/zone
will double in size.
III. Design Objectives. Since this is an expansion of the existing facilities, the RLA hired for the project is tasked
to determine how much development is allowed for expansion. No new constructions and renovations are to be
done with the existing lot and facilities. The RLA will consider the new combined lot size of each zone in
computing the development requirements for each of the zone. This will be his basis for the designing new
structures in the added areas.

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I. Design Problem. A Filipino lawyer was encouraged to venture in real estate business. With his savings, he
plans to build a commercial building in his hometown in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. This new building will house
rentable commercial spaces and his law office. The busy lawyer hired an architect to design the building and
manage its construction. The architect must consider the following space requirements for this venture:
A. At ground level, the following spaces are required:
i. A rentable commercial space measuring 149.5sqm inclusive of a 6sqm comfort room on rear right
corner. On the front right corner is the staircase area measuring 3m x 10.5sqm. The staircase area
and the commercial space forms a 10m-deep rectangular footprint.
ii. The 10m-deep non-commercial space at front consists of the parking space with a 2.2m-wide
walkway on the left side connecting the road sidewalk to the staircase area.
iii. A softscape strip is provided at the rear with the width equal to the require minimum rear setback.
B. At 2nd floor level, the following requirements are needed:
i. A 169sqm square law office on the left side.
ii. A 3m x 6.5m comfort room and storage space on the right rear corner.
iii. A 3m x 6.5m stair and circulation area on the right front corner.
iv. A 2m wide front balcony spanning from left to right. This balcony is offset from the road by the
minimum required front setback.
v. The rear setback is maintained in all levels.
C. At 3rd floor level, same space requirements as the 2nd floor except that the law office will become a rentable
commercial space.

II. Site Features. The project site is a rectangular inside lot facing a 15m city road, located in a medium-density
commercial area in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The lot measures 352sqm. The lot is bounded along line 1-2 by a private
lot; along line 2-3 by a private lot; along line 3-4 by a private lot; and along 4-1 by a RROW. The lot slopes at
3% downwards toward the north-west direction. The technical descriptions of the lot are as follows:

III. Design Objectives. Given the busy schedule of the lawyer-businessman, he doesn’t have time to deal with all
the administrative roles for the project. Because he has a huge amount of savings, release of money is never an
issue. The architect must consider this scenario and must do his best to provide the best design for the client.
He must also consider that the lawyer-businessman is a proud Filipino and wants a design that really represent
the local culture. The client is also an active member of WWF-Philippines so the architect should consider the
best eco-friendly materials and building methods.

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I. Design Problem. After 20 years since the first Administration Building was built, the Department of Education
(DepEd) has now approved the total rehabilitation of the Baguio Teachers Camp. As part of the rehabilitation
of this historic site, additional buildings are proposed to be built within the camp. One architectural firm was
hired to design and manage the construction of an extension administration building (Building 2) which will be
called the Building Science Center. The firm is assigned to provide a design considering the following
requirements:
a. A multipurpose hall with an area of 840 sqm and front width of 40m. Accessory to this hall are two large
storage rooms for keeping necessary equipment and materials. The two adjacent storage rooms are on the
west side of the hall.
b. Storage 1 (255sqm x 17m) and Storage 2 (170sqm x 10m) are accessible through a connected rear platform
measuring 3m wide and 77m long. The hall and the comfort room are also adjacent to this platform.
c. The longer side of the platform is serviced by a rear multipurpose open space where vehicles can park, load
or unload. This open space measures 3150 sqm x 105m.
d. A 200 sqm x 20m business center is located on the right side of the lot.
e. An entrance lobby measuring 12m wide and 11m deep is located between the business center and the
multipurpose hall. It contains the staircase leading to the 2nd floor spaces. An adjacent 72 sqm comfort room
also separates the hall and the business center.
f. An entrance deck measuring 104 sqm x 26m provides the front space of the building facing the main road.
The side deck of the same width and 20m long is on the eastmost portion adjacent to the business center.
The decks are connected and accessible by a series of steps from the main and secondary road.
g. Beside one of the storage rooms is a 6m driveway connecting the rear open space and the main road. A 2m
wide, 30m long planting strip separates the driveway and the west adjacent lot.
h. On the 2nd floor, a 12m x 11m circulation area containing the stairwell, hallways and waiting area is
provided right exactly above the entrance lobby. A 12m x 6m comfort room is connected to it.
i. The admin office measuring exactly the same as the business center is adjacent to the circulation area and
comfort room. On its side facing the secondary road, a 4m x 20m balcony is provided. This balcony is on
top of the side deck on the ground floor.
j. The remaining front and side yards are planted with grass and other softscape elements. Since these yards
are large and accessibly from the roads, benches are provided near the sidewalk for public use.
k. The FFL of the lobby, business center, comfort room, multipurpose hall and storage rooms is 600mm above
the main road sidewalk while the platforms and decks 150mm lower than the rest of the ground floor spaces.
II. Site Features. The project site is a small camp located within the larger Baguio Teachers Camp (BTC). The
15m main road traverses E-W while the 12m secondary road runs N-S. Their intersections is assumed to be
perpendicular. The site is located on the west side of the secondary road and the north side of the main road.
The frontage of the lot measures 105m. The intended building use is classified as Group C – Education and
Recreation, Division C-1 other types of government buildings while the lot is zoned accordingly. The site slopes
downward at 2% towards the rear side of the lot. The main road sidewalk is assumed to be level while the
secondary sidewalk follows the contour of the site. The camp has its own planning ordinance requiring
minimum setbacks along public spaces or roads to be 6m. Property lines coinciding with other private properties
must follow the NBCP-required setbacks.
III. Design Objectives. The firm is hired to design a welcoming architectural piece especially for building science
teachers and students coming to the camp. The building must incorporate in its architectural features not just
ordinary building materials and methods but also the potentials of new and advanced construction technology.
As much as possible, the building materials used must be proudly Pinoy. The design should also inspire the
public to use passive design strategies especially for the harse tropical climate. Since it is in Baguio, the building
is expected to be naturally ventilated all throughout its spaces.

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I. You were hired by Delos Santos family to design their house in their newly bought site located in Biñan,
Laguna. To describe the family, Mr. Delos Santos is a real estate broker who likes woodworking. His wife,
Mrs. Delos Santos is an accountant who likes gardening and collecting native or indigenous plants. Their two
daughters likes weight-lifting with the older one having won multiple local competitions. The siblings are
very close to each other.

II. The project site is a corner lot in an exclusive executive subdivision in Biñan, Laguna, cornering the streets of
Sampaguita which runs N-E and Rosas which runs S-E . Both roads serve as the primary roads for this
project. The following lot descriptions were given:

III. Line 1-2 is bounded by a private lot, Line 2-6 by road lot and Line 6-1 by a private lot. The site slopes
downward towards Rosas St. by 2%.

IV. From the multiple interviews, the summary of their requirements are as follows:
a. The family likes the famous Francisco Mañosa and wants a house that embodies Filipino culture in terms
of materials and aesthetics. Wood parquet is the preferred finish for the bedrooms. The façade shall
incorporate wood finishes and natural stones which will compliment the surrounding gardens.
b. A covered and paved carport is desired on the northern corner of the lot, measuring 6m x 5.5m and
abutting Sampaguita street. As much as possible all remaining open spaces will be permeable gardens.
Adding to the paved carport, a paved 1.5m x 15 sqm wide path on the front yard is provided to serve as
path from the carport to the living area.
c. The ground floor will house the 30sqm enclosed woodworking area on the northwest, a living room on
southeast, dining room and other areas.
d. The second floor will have a master bedroom facing both the roads. A shared bedroom for the two
daughters is provided along with an adjacent 34 sqm weightlifting room on the NW side. The rest will
accommodate the hallway and stairs. The second floor will maximize the allowable building footprint.

V. The architect is expected to satisfy the needs and requirements of the family, considering the requirements of
the code and the subdivision.

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I. Design Problem. Two couples decided to live nextdoor because they have all been F.R.I.E.N.D.S. since
highschool days. The first couple is Ross, a polontologist and Rachel, a fashion executive. The second couple
is Monica, a chef and Chandler, a transponster. The four decided to build a two-storey duplex house so they
can live right next to each other. They will equally share a lot they bought in a subdivision where the BHL is
3 storeys. Because they are all friendly, they really expect a lot of old friends coming over to their homes.
They also like to throw parties and make fun of themselves. Through their friend Phoebe, they hired a local
architect named Teddy Boy Mosby to design and manage the construction of the house. Their close friend,
Joseph Francis Tribbiani Jr., explained all the requirements which are as follows:
a. At front yard, 2-car paved carport is expected for each unit. Each car slot is the minimum required as per
the code.
b. The ground floor of each unit measuring 69sqm will contain the foyer, stairs, dirty kitchen, living room,
powder room, dining room and storage under the stairs. The entrance foyer is 2m deep with 6sqm area.
The front of the foyer will be landscaped with plants and will have permeable pavement. The carport can
be totally paved which was allowed by the OBO.
c. The second floor of each unit follows the footprint of the groundfloor where above the foyer is a balcony
of the same size. This is good especially since it faces the east. The second floor will contain the master
bedroom, another bedroom on west side, hallway and the balcony.
d. The architect must maximize the lot. The side and rear yard will be a mix of softscape and hardscape.

II. Site Features. The project site is an inside lot in a subdivision in New York, Cubao, Quezon City. It
measures 16m x 288sqm with 18m frontage. The site is relatively flat and has a good front view facing the
east.

III. Design Objective. Teddy Boy Mosby, the architect, is tasked to follow the said requirements. He should also
consider his clients’ profiles. Monica is obssessed in cleaning. Chandler likes to dance. Ross likes to collect
stuff while Rachel likes fashion. The two couples expect their homes to be the place where they can be
comfortable with themselves.

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