Bahir Dar University

Institute of Land Administration

Department of Architecture

Basic Architectural Design Studio II

Architectural design Process
Ideation phase; Program development

March 21, 2025

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Recap

• Definition and Pillars of Architecture

• Architecture vs Building
• Who is the Architect?
• The architecture profession
• Star-Architects
• Architecture and other related disciplines
• Project Based Learning/Education
• Architectural Design in Practice vs Education
• Architectural Design Process

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Recap Recap

• Definition and Pillars of Architecture

• Architecture vs Building Planning phase Ideation Phase Evaluation phase
• Who is the Architect?
Client Brief Zoning Diagram Preliminary design
• The architecture profession
• Star-Architects Research Bubble Diagrams Final Design
• Architecture and other related disciplines
• Project Based Learning/Education Design Program Schematic
• Architectural Design in Practice vs Education diagrams
• Architectural Design Process Site analysis

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 Recap 1. Establishing the Program

Establish a Conduct a site Setup Bubble Develop design Chose a design Present design
Program analysis Diagrams concepts approach solutions

§ Subsurface § Adjacency § Processes: § Plans or site

What are Architectural Design Programs?
§Needs § Rectilinear
features matrix analysis, plans
§Budgets
§ Natural
diagnosis, § Radial How is architectural design program derived?
§ Space synthesis. § Arc-and § Elevations
§Regulations features
§ Circulation § Products: Tangent § Sections
§Surveys § Cultural and concept
man-made § Special § Irregular § Renderings
§Objectives relationships diagrams,
features § Curvilinear § models
§ Character
§ Aesthetic § Labels sketches,
factors concept
statements

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program

Activity 1

Develop a draft program of accommodation of the

house you grew up in.
…Architecture manifests organization toward a purpose ,

How might we define purpose in architecture?

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program

• Vitruvius defined the discipline of architecture as combining firmitas, utilitas and • The question of usefulness in architecture provokes questions such as –
venustas – [stability, utility and beauty]
• Use To What End?,
• To Whose Benefit?
• The notion of utility in architecture is contested: • Utility vs Purpose vs Function?
The essential premise for architecture, vs its proverbial fly-in-the-ointment.

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program
Client Profile Design Brief

• The client has its own needs, tastes and objectives. 1. General Information 1. Project Overview

2. Vision and Goals 2. Project Objectives and Vision

• Your task is to conceptualize and realize the client’s needs.
3. Functional requirements
3. Site Context and Analysis
• Build a design brief based on client profile 4. Aesthetic preferences
4. Functional Requirements
5. Context and environmental considerations
5. Design Considerations
6. Budget and financial constraints
6. Technical and Regulatory Requirements
7. Socio-cultural consideration
7. Budget and Timeline
8. Technical and Operational requirements

9. Stakeholders and Decision making 8. Deliverables and Presentation Requirements

10.Success Metrics

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program

Research [Literature Review] Design Program

• Information gathering about the project. • A table consisting of space (room) types & their area based on Design Brief and Research
• Books, case study, site visit, internet. E.g.
• Project Research includes • Living + Dining Rm. …………..30m2
• Kitchen…………………………12m2
§ Aesthetical Requirements § Special Requirements • Master Bed Rm. ……….……….20m2

§ Functional Requirement § Furniture • Consult & check weather you attained the client’s need.

§ Bldg. Service Requirements § Light, View ,Noise

§ Structure, Construction § Fixture
§ Bldg. Codes & Regulation
§ Material
§ Spatial Relationship
§ Standard Sizes

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program

Rule of thumb for residential building Rule of thumb for residential building

Living Room Dining Room

· Minimum Area = 12m². · Minimum Area = 12m².

· Minimum Width = 3m. · Minimum Width = 3m.

· Minimum Door Size = 90cm. · Minimum Door Size = 90cm.

· Minimum Window Area = 1/10th floor area. · Minimum Window Area = 1/10th floor area.

· Maximum Window Sill Height = 0.90 cm. · Maximum Window Sill Height = 0.90 cm.

· Requires View and North Side Exposure. · Require View and South or East Side Exposure.

· Should be at the front of a house and accessible · Should be adjacent to Kitchen and Living Rooms.
from the front door.

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 1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program
Rule of thumb for residential building Rule of thumb for residential building

Bed Rooms Kitchen

· Minimum Area = 12m2 · Minimum Area = 6m2

· Minimum Width = 2.7m · Minimum Width = 1.8m

· Minimum Door Size = 90cm · Minimum Door Size = 90cm

· Minimum Window Area = 1/10th floor area · Should be at the back of a house adjacent to dining
room.
· Maximum Window Sill Height = 0.90 cm
· Orient to north side (cooler side) & kitchen yard.
· Require View and East Side (morning sun)
Exposure · Minimum Window area should be 15% of floor area

· Should be at the quiet part of the site preferably · Perimeter of work triangle should be between 3.6m
on upper floors. to 6m.

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program

Rule of thumb for residential building Rule of thumb for residential building

Bath Room Half Bath Room Car Port/ Garage Study room
· Minimum Area= 4 m². · For visitors and contain WC and HWB. · Minimum Area = 15m². · Minimum area ~3m2
· Minimum Width = 1.5m. · Minimum Area = 2.5 m2 · Minimum Width = 3m · Minimum width = 15m
· Minimum Door Size = 70cm. · Minimum Width = 1.5m. · Minimum Length = 5cm · Minimum length = 2m
· Bath Rooms should be adjacent to bed rooms. · Minimum Door Size = 70cm. · Should be at the front of a house and accessible
from the main gate.
· Requires west side exposure. · Should be near living & dining room.
· Up to 1.5m height interior walls should be covered · Up to 1.5m height interior walls should be
with ceramic tile. covered with ceramic tile

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program

Key Terminologies in Program development Key Terminologies in Program development
NSF [Net Square Footage] NOSF [Net Occupiable Square Footage] Non-Usable Spaces Circulation space
The area that is directly used for a specific function. • This refers to the space allocated to each occupant or • Circulation Space (e.g., hallways, stairways) Refers to areas that allow people to move within a
building.
user in a building, focusing on usable space for each
Excludes spaces that are not directly used. • Mechanical and Utility Rooms (e.g., boiler rooms, • Includes corridors, hallways, stairways, elevators,
person. and lobbies.
electrical panels)
Excludes walls, hallways or bathrooms, mechanical room
• NOSF might vary depending on building type (office, • These areas are necessary for accessing different
other non functional spaces. • Structural Elements (e.g., columns, beams)
rooms or sections of a building,
residential, etc.).
• Some circulation maybe part of the unit sizes • Restrooms • They are not considered usable space for specific
functions.
(i.e. space in front of counter or cabinet)
• Storage Rooms (e.g., janitor closets, supply rooms)
• How much more? This is an estimate, based on:
• Need additional SF for circulation between Rooms.
• Elevator Shafts and Stairwells • Experience doing these types of layouts.
• Some circulation is included in the NSF for work areas.
• Arbitrary circulation area 15–25% per floor.
• Building Core Areas (e.g., utility shafts)
• Some circulation is included in the NSF for residential
spaces. • Parking Garages These spaces are essential for a building's functioning and
• Roof Space (if not designed for usable purposes) structure but do not provide direct utility or purpose for
occupants. As a result, they are excluded from the Net
• Facade and External Walls Square Footage (NSF) and Net Occupant Square Footage
(NOSF) but included in the Gross Square Footage (GSF)
since they contribute to the overall size of the building.

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program
Key Terminologies in Program development Key Terminologies in Program development
Feature Net Square Footage (NSF) Net Occupiable Square Footage (NOSF)
Gross Square Footage (GSF)
The usable floor area of any specific space, Only the usable space that people can occupy and
Definition This is the total area of a building,
regardless of type work/live in

All usable spaces: offices, classrooms, storage Only spaces where people can be present: offices,
Including walls, hallways, restrooms, mechanical rooms, and other non-usable spaces.
Includes
rooms, restrooms, mechanical rooms classrooms, lounges
It measures from the outside walls and includes everything.
Unoccupiable spaces: storage rooms,circulation,
Excludes Non-usable areas like walls, corridors, columns GSF=Total Area of All Spaces including circulation and supporting functions
mechanical/electrical rooms, restrooms
GSF = All areas inside the outer walls
Used to plan all functional spaces, including
Purpose Focuses on planning human-centric areas only
support areas

Architects, facility planners (detailed space Occupancy planners, HR, space management for
Used By
planning) staff/user allocation

Relation NOSF is always less than or equal to NSF NOSF is a subset of NSF

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program

Key Terminologies in Program development Steps in Program Area Calculation
Efficiency Factor
Net occupiable square footage = space per person for specific activity
• An efficiency factor shows how much of the total building area (Gross Usable Net Square Footage= Number of occupying persons * Net occupiable square footage
Square Footage, GSF) is actually usable space (Net Square Footage, Total Net square footage = Number of units * NSF for each space
NSF). It tells you how efficiently a building uses its total area.

• A high percentage of circulation space means less effective usable space Circulation space=15-20%
Non-
per occupant or function, which can impact the overall space planning and Usable Mechanical =10%
building cost estimations. Exterior and internal Walls=2%
Gross square footage = [NSF*No. of Occupant] + Circulation space + Mechanical space + walls
Gross square footage = NSF + Circulation space + Mechanical space + non usable spaces
Residential Type Typical Efficiency Factor Notes
Gross Square Footage (GSF) = Total NSF ÷ Efficiency Factor
Single-Family House 0.80 – 0.90 Few shared spaces, simple circulation
Low-Rise Apartments (2–4 floors) 0.70 – 0.80 Corridors, staircases, some shared spaces
High-Rise Apartments/Condos 0.65 – 0.75 More circulation, elevators, mechanical rooms, etc. Space Efficiency= NSF / GSF*100%
Luxury Apartments 0.60 – 0.70 More amenities, larger common areas

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program

Steps in Program Area Calculation Example in Program Area Calculation
Gross Square Footage = [NOSF*No. of Occupant] + Non usable spaces
Gross Square Footage = NSF + Non usable spaces
Space Efficiency= NSF / GSF*100%

Eg.
If a building has
NSF=850sqm
GSF=1100Sqm
Then, the space efficiency is;
Space Efficiency = 850/1100*100=77.27%
77.27% = usable space
22.73%=Non usable space (Circulation, mechanical, bath room, walls…)

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1. Establishing the Program 1. Establishing the Program
Program of Accommodation – Single-Story Small Office Building Activity 2
Develop a draft program of accommodation of your dream house
No. Room Name Usable / Non-Usable No. of Occupants NOSF per Person Total NSF Remarks
(SF) (SF)

1 Reception Area Usable 2 75 150 Includes waiting space

No. Room No. of Occupant Net occupiable Net square Footage Remark
2 Open Office Area Usable 8 75 600 Workstations
square Footage [NSF]
3 Private Office 1 Usable 1 120 120 Manager's office
4 Private Office 2 Usable 1 120 120 Manager's office 1 Usable space
5 Meeting Room Usable 6 33 200 Seats 6 comfortably
1.1
6 Break Room / Pantry Usable 3 (at a time) 33 100 Small kitchenette and seating
1.2
7 Restroom Non-Usable — — 120 Two stalls and sink
(Male/Female) .
8 Storage / File Room Non-Usable — — 80 Storage for supplies/files
2 None-Usable spaces
9 Server / IT Room Non-Usable — — 60 For IT equipment
10 Circulation Non-Usable — — 150 Connecting spaces 2.1
(Hallways)
— Total Floor area 15 — 1,600 Usable NOSF = 1,290 SF

. Total Floor area

Summary Breakdown:
•Total NOSF (Net Occupiable SF): 1,290 SF (sum of usable rooms only)
Efficiency Factor 0.75

•Total NSF: 1,600 SF (includes both usable and non-usable spaces) Gross Square Footage NOFS/Total floor area
•Efficiency Factor (approx.):[Total NOSF] 1,290 ÷ [Total floor area]1,600 = 0.81
•Estimated GSF (Gross Floor Area): 1,600 ÷ 0.75 = 2,133 SF (using 0.75 efficiency factor)

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Group Assignment
Literature review on Residential buildings
Tasks;
1. Conduct a comprehensive literature
review on Residential architecture.
2. Breakdown each function of a residential
building and analyze it using
anthropometry, identify occupiable
spaces and circulation spaces
3. Identify key rule of thumbs for each
functional layouts.
4. Present you works in a scaled layout
5. Prepare 10-15 page summary report.

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