Design Methodologies

Theory of Architecture 2

Course Module 5: Design

Methodologies

Ar. Elda Magna G. Olegario

Faculty, BSArch
 Design Methodologies

TOPIC OUTLINE

5 Design Methodologies

1. Design Criteria/Considerations
2. Flow Diagram/Behavioral Patterns
3. Proximity Matrix Diagram
4. Site Analysis
5. Bubble Diagram
6. Architectural Programming/Space Computation
7. Schematic Diagram
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OBJECTIVES
A F T E R R E A D I N G T H I S P A R T O F T H E M O D U L E ,
T H E L E A R N E R S W I L L B E A B L E T O :

1. Know and understand the architectural design

methodologies.

2. Understand the importance of studying

architectural design methodologies, particularly

design consideration / criteria, flow

diagram/behavioral patterns, proximity matrix, site

analysis, bubble diagram, architectural

programming/space computation, & schematic

diagram in providing solutions to design problems.

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Design Considerations/
Criteria
The design considerations and criteria are formulated to bring to the

attention of the designers in applying the universal

accessibility design principles and requirements to buildings and facilities. They

can also be used to identify barriers in existing buildings. These are explicit

parameters and goals that a design or project must achieve in order come up

with a recommended and feasible design.

Here are some common design considerations/criteria with their suggested

icons (note that a designer may draw his/her own icon for each consideration/

criterion):

Accessibility Lighting & Ventilation Circulation Acoustics

Orientation Health & Safety Signages Landscaping

Efficiency Sustainability Utilities Proximity

Visibility Security Materials Technology

Parking Human Behavior Urban Density Fire Exit

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Flow Diagram/Behavioral
Patterns
It is a representation of a sequence of events, helping decision makers

and designers understand the relationship between their decisions and a given

outcome. These diagrams use simple geometric shapes to represent a process,

decision, or output.
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Proximity Matrix
Proximity Matrix guides the designer to which space should be adjacent to

another space and so on and so forth. It is a tool that allows the designer/s to

identify the adjacency, proximity, and considerations of relationships between

two or more lists of items. It provides a compact way of representing many-to-

many relationships of varying criteria depending on the project.

Programs and Spaces

Prior to establishing the proximity matrix for a structure, the program must

be identified. The program is a list that itemizes the spaces that must take place

in the building. The program serves as an outline of the requirements of your

building and describes spaces with assigned square footage and description of

function, use, or activities. This information is normally acquired from the client,

then further research is needed for the function, use or activities expected from

each space. The recommended area for specific space can always be

referenced from building laws.

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Site Analysis
Site Analysis can be defined as a process of surveying or analyzing the

existing environment and how it will influence the structure’s design and layout

on the site. It is a preliminary phase of architectural and urban design processes

dedicated to the study of the climatic, geographical, historical, legal, and

infrastructural context of a specific site.

Several graphical tools for site analysis have been developed to assist

designers in this task. The result of this analytic process is a summary, usually

a graphical sketch, which sets in relation the relevant environmental information

with the morphology of the site in terms of parcel, topography, and built

environment. This result is then used as a starting point for the development of

environment-related strategies during the design process.

The typical site analysis includes but is not limited to the following

categories: site location and size, neighborhood context, zoning, legal aspects,

geology, physiography (natural and man-made features), hydrology, soils,

vegetation, wildlife, climate, culture, pedestrian and vehicular circulation,

access, utilities, historic factors, density, sensory stimuli, and any other factor

deemed appropriate for the particular site.

Good site analysis allows the designer to improve the project, ensuring

that the building makes the best use of the resources, such as light, access,
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views, on the site as possible. It should also allow the designer to anticipate any

potential issues which may cause problems to the project.

STEPS TO DO SITE ANALYSIS:

1. SURVEY (Data Collection)

Prior to designing and planning a structure, the following data must be

collected from the site:

• Site Dimensions: Evaluate the site dimensions, setbacks & surrounding

road widths & pedestrian paths. Dimensions can also be sourced from the

client’s lot plan and/or transfer certificate of title (TCT).

• Vegetation: Identify the vegetation on the site or outside the site which

can affect the design. Collect the coordinates & dimensions of trees on the

site with the names of the species.

• Constraints: Identify the constraints on the site. They could include

underground gas pipeline, water pipeline, fault lines, etc. running through

the site that can affect the construction. Even presence of trees and water

bodies could also be constraints on the site.

• Local Norms and Restrictions: Check the local norms like how much

setback is necessary on the site. Is there any height restriction in the area

due to nearby airports or anything similar?

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• Site Accessibility: Calculate the distance from the near public

transport stations to reach the site. Check if the site is connected to

roads (from how many sides).

• Site Surrounding: Click pictures of the site surrounding buildings and

areas. Note the height of nearby buildings which can block wind

movement of can cast shadows on the site. Roughly the height of the

nearby buildings can be found by counting the floors and considering each

floor to be 3-4 m. Nearby areas such as garbage dump areas, drainage

channels, transforms, and factories can affect the site.

• Street Network: Make the hierarchy of roads and streets to reach the

site. Main Road, Secondary Road, Pedestrian path.

• Traffic Density: Check the density of traffic on the roads which are

connected to the site. The density can vary with time during the whole day

so you have to note the traffic density with the time.

• Noise and Pollution: Check if the site is free from any noise and pollution.

If there is noise find out the source and note the intensity of its noise on

the site. For example, noise sources can be nearby traffic on the road,

Railway Station, or playground.

• Architectural Style: If it is found check the architectural style,

materials or any vernacular architecture followed in that area. It will

help in making better relations with the surrounding of the design.

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• Utilities: Check for presence of utility lines near the site, this may include

water, sewer, electricity, internet, telecommunications, etc.

2. ANALYSIS (Factors to be covered)

In this step, the following need to be analyzed properly for they have direct

influence on the design of the structure:

• Sun Path: Find the site on google earth and analyze the sun path on the

site during summer and winters. During winters the sun path from east

to west shifts towards the south direction. This may also be observed by

visiting the site, identifying the north using compass & observing the sun

path.

• Climate: Analyze the site on different weather websites to collect the

charts of temperature, Humidity, Rain in the area in past decades.

These data may also be collected from the general profile of the Local

Government Unit who has jurisdiction over the site.

• Wind Direction: Find out the wind rose diagram of the area in which the

site is located. Mark the prevailing wind direction on the site.

• Urban Context of the Site: Check the area surrounding the site on Google

Maps and mark out the different uses of buildings. For example

Residential Buildings, Commercial Buildings, and Institutional Buildings.

This may also be observed by actual visitation of the site.

Analysis can also be done by performing the SWOT Analysis:

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• Strength: These are the plus points or advantages of the site.

• Weakness: These are the minus points or disadvantages of the site.

• Opportunities: These are the factors or conditions on the sites which

can be used to enhance the design of the building.

• Threats: These are the limitations or dangers on the site which need to

be overcome through the design.

3. PRE-DESIGN (Design Guidelines)

This is the step where to summarize all the survey points and the analysis

to draw out a basic design of the building. This basic or pre-design will overcome

the limitation of the site and maximize its advantages.

In this pre-design, the different pedestrian & vehicular entries can be made

on the site, the orientation of the building can already be identified considering

the wind and sun directions, the direction of the main façade of the building and

the design concept can already be established.

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Bubble Diagram
The bubble diagram is a freehand diagrammatic drawing made by

architects and interior designers to be used for space planning and organization

at the preliminary phase of the design process. The bubble diagram is important

because later phases of the design process are based on them. These are

sketches that help architects identify the areas of the project that will be included

in the drawings. It is used at the preliminary phase of the design process and

are used for space planning and organization.

Bubble diagrams are circles or ovals drawn on a sheet of paper. These

diagrams help the architect identify the location of the rooms to be included in

the floorplan for a home or commercial building. They start with the first floor

and work their way up from there. Each bubble in the diagram has the name of

a room on it. The purpose for these diagrams is to understand how rooms

connect and how spaces flow from one to the next. By using the bubble

diagram, the architect will be able to figure out the best layout option for the

property, the home addition, remodel, etc., and its surrounding area.

They help the architect find the best layout for any architectural project.

The careful attention to detail will ensure that your project is being built safely,

and according to your city’s building codes. Basically, a bubble diagram conveys
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information. This information tells you the spaces of the building, their functions,

relationships, and the circulation patterns.

You might be thinking, why doesn’t the architect just draw up the floorplan

instead of going through the trouble of coming up with bubble diagrams? Bubble

diagrams are an important part of the design phase. Drawing the floorplan

without figuring out the orientation of the home may cause problems in the flow

of the spaces and the placement of floor levels. Bubble diagrams are important

because every detail is being looked at and analyzed to find the best option.

The main purpose of a bubble diagram is to help you to translate the

program into a strategy or form. Bubble diagrams simplify this step by

graphically depicting the program and allowing for quick expressions, multiple

layouts, and revisions. Like the seating chart does with the wedding guest list,

a bubble diagram illustrates the program.

Function

Bubble diagrams depict the program in the form of circles and ovals shown

in a floor plan format. Each circle, or bubble, represents the space needed to

carry out a function, such as dining, sleeping, and studying. Those circles get

you involved in functional aspects of design, such as privacy, circulation, noise,

daylight.
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Spatial Relationships

Bubble diagrams express not only the spaces within the building but also

the relationships between spaces. They indicate what functions/spaces (circles)

should be near each other for your building to offer functionality.

Adjacency defines the common needs, working spatial relationships, and

their relative importance, such as near or close to. In bubble diagrams,

adjacency is expressed graphically and written with keywords, such as primary,

mandatory, secondary, desirable, or undesirable.

Adjacency identifies the proximity requirements, too. Proximity is the

closeness of one space to another. A bubble diagram allows you to arrange

proximity relationships between spaces and communicate it with keywords,

such as immediate proximity and convenient proximity.

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Architectural Programming
Architectural programming is defined as the research and decision-making

process that identifies the scope of work to be designed (Gary JD Gingras,

M.Arch). It began when architecture began. Architectural Programming is a

process concerned with areas such as space requirements & parameters,

influences of building & zoning codes, the functional requirements of various

building types, factual information which influences architectural design, limits

of building efficiency, methods of predicting expansion & growth, alternative

principles & concepts of building organization & the sociological & psychological

needs for a given project (UAP-PDC).

Levels of Programming
Programming may happen for different purposes and may impact the level

of detail of investigation and deliverables. For instance, programming at the

master planning level is more strategic in nature—providing information to

building owners to make decisions regarding current and projected space needs

and rough budgeting for implementation. Programming at the individual project

level provides specific, detailed information to guide building design.

Architectural Programming Process

It is intended to provide a clear process for conducting the research and

decision-making that defines the scope of work for the design effort. It is
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imperative that the major decision-maker—the client/owner—allows

participation of all the stakeholders, or the client-users, who are affected by the

design. Experience has shown that client-users' involvement in the

programming process results in designs that can be optimized more efficiently.

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Space Programming/
Computation
Space programming is an iterative process used to define the

requirements of the occupants. It includes identifying problems and needs, then

providing the right amount and type of space, equipment, and furniture needed

to function efficiently.

. A critical challenge of space programming is the limitation in the link

between the client’s requirements and design tools. The rigorous process of

analyzing, structuring, and extracting meaningful information often leads to

requirements being overlooked or important requirements failing to be satisfied.

Failure to meet the client’s space program requirements, could possibly lead to

decline in the performance of the building, cost increase, client dissatisfaction

and penalty fines charged by the client which are usually clearly stated in design

contracts.

Space Users No. Area Furniture No. of Area Total

of (m2) Furniture (m2) area
Users (with (m2)
dimensions)

Total area (m2)

+ 30% for
circulation
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Schematic Diagram
A schematic is a diagram used to illustrate the elements of a system at an

abstract level. This typically involves the use of graphic symbols and lines.

A schematic will generally not show details unless they are expressly relevant

to what is being conveyed, unless they assist comprehension.

A common example of a schematic is an electrical circuit diagram, which

uses symbols in a layout which may not resemble the actual circuit layout but

are instead arranged for ease of interpretation. Similarly, a transit map uses

graphic symbols to represent stations and the arrangement of the train lines will

often not resemble the geographic location of the stations in relation to one

another.

The purpose of schematic design is to translate the project program into

physical drawings of space. In schematic design, the designer determines the

areas, physical requirements and relationships of all the required building

spaces and components. Schematic design includes a complete description that

affects the building systems (structural, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing and

electrical), interior and exterior finishes and the building site.

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Common Schematic Design Documents

The schematic design phase consists of various drawings that map out the

exterior, interior and systems of the building. Commonly, this includes the site

plan, floor plan, building elevations and building systems.

• Site Plan - a drawing of the location where the proposed construction

project will take place. It shows how the building is oriented in the lot

and the necessary site improvements. These can range from

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landscaping, walkways and roads to utilities, connections and service

drives.

• Floor Plan - a line drawing of the building’s floor plan or layout. It

includes dimensions, equipment, furnishings and other construction

details.

• Building Elevations - a drawing of the exterior of the building from

the point of view of someone standing directly in front of it. There can

be some interior elevations that show a vertical surface, such as a

corridor wall or the front of an auditorium.

• Building Systems (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical) -

a drawing of all the systems being delivered to the building. The

building system drawing shows where they will go in the building and

how they interact, including power sources.

Difference between concept design and schematic design

As part of the conceptualization process, during conceptual design, the

owner is convinced that the designer’s vision is worth pursuing. On

the schematic design, the designer makes the project feasible with the use of

schematic diagrams.

Concept design is more abstract while schematic design is the first step

toward creating the spatial and architectural elements that will be necessary to

actualize construction.
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The schematic design is responsible for taking the concept design and

placing it in the real world that can actually be constructed. It’s a framework that

allows the project to move forward in the design development. The end goal is

the successful construction of the design.

Concept design doesn’t have to reflect the real world. It’s loose and

expressive. It’s not concerned with issues such as if the drawing can be

constructed. Those architectural concerns are placed in the schematic design.

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References
Chicago Architecture Center. Discover Design. (2019). What is the Design

Process? Why Is It Helpful? Retrieved 28 March 2023 from

https://discoverdesign.org/handbook

Makstutis, Geoffrey (2018). Design Process in Architecture: From Concept to

Completion

Tait, James (2018). The Architecture Concept Book

Pabón-Charneco, Arleen (2020). Architecture History, Theory and Preservation:

Prehistory to the Middle Ages 1st Edition

Ching, Frank D. K. (2013). Introduction to Architecture. John Wiley and Sons,

Inc.

Ching, Frank D. K. (2012). A Visual Dictionary of Architecture 2nd Edition. John

Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Ching, Frank D. K. (2015). Form, Space and Order 4th Edition. John Wiley and

Sons, Inc.

McMorrough, Julia. (2013). The architecture reference + specification book :

everything architects need to know every day.

Uffelen, Chris van. (2013) Creating shade : design, construction, technology.

Uffelen, Chris van. (2013) Urban spaces : plazas, squares, and streetscapes