CHAPTER 3Resolution and Design

Predesign Phase• Programming

– Functions to:• Guide• Inform• Inspire the project designer

– Not a ‘grocery list’– Not a ‘wish list’– Owner and Architect break a project down:

• Room-by-room• Space-by-space• Department-by-department• Relationship-by-relationship

The Project Program• A function of the owner, guided by the

architect to meet the following needs:– Provides information about desires and the general

concepts of the project – answers the architect’s questions.

– Provides all information required by the architect to design the project

• Life-style• Features• Design style• Specific parameters

– Discuss budget and contingency funding– Discuss possibility and method for changes

The Program• The sequence of programming and design

events involves the following:– Strategic goals and objectives– Legal and regulatory parameters– Building functions and unique activities– Space requirements for each room and associated

adjacencies– Specific requirements for each room– Specific requirements for each building services

(mechanical) systems– Site constraints and development requirements– Design and planning considerations– Concept solution– Project budget– Project schedule and delivery constraints

Design Phase• Project Design

– Balloon Diagram• Show routings• Relationships between operations• Departments and personnel• Combine the above into some shape or form of

enclosure• Enclosure then designed to be

– Pleasing– Attractive– Functional

– Virtual design is more widely used today– Design is founded on:

• Function, strength, aesthetics and economics

Design Phase• Project Design (continued)

– Design is a process that is directed toward resolving four general areas in every project:• Needs and desires of people

– Physical, intellectual, aesthetic and emotional

• Influences of architecture– Natural, cultural, and technological

• Major requirements of architecture– Function, strength, aesthetics and

economics• Design elements of architecture

– Plans, forms and composition

Design Phase• Project Design (continued)

– Design can be seen as following scientific processing, in that it closely follows ths six steps established by Galileo for scientific exploration:

1. Define the problem2. Establish objectives3. Collect pertinent information4. Analyze the problem5. Consider possible solutions6. Solve the problem

• Steps 1-4 are called ‘programming’• Steps 5-6 are called ‘design’

Design Phase• Development of a Schematic

(Preliminary) Design– Project Designer formulates an overall design

scheme– Examine factors that may affect design scheme– Incorporate more programming information as

manifested by meetings– Develop schemes (most often numerous) and work

with owner on final design

• Revisions, Changes and Additions– Tearing apart and starting again if viable solutions

are not attained– Reach a consensus solution– Variations of the basic solution

Design Phase• Revisions, Changes and Additions

(continued)– A CM could be hired to:

• Be an agent of the owner• Lend insight on the schematic design process in

the form of:– Construction practices– Materials– Systems– Cost information

– A GC could be hired much like a CM and provide construction data in the design process.

Design Phase• Revisions, Changes and Additions

(continued)– In the end the owner:

• Makes the subjective decisions of which design scheme or concept is preferable

– The professionals usually• Aid the selection process• Discuss pros and cons of each plan w/ the owner• Create, plan and develop options• Take comments and instructions from the owner• Revise to adjust the scheme to the new criteria.

Design Approval (By Owner)• Approval of Design Concept:

– Professional may present several concepts to the owner for evaluations which contain:

• Elements of the project• Associated cost

– The structure:• May change in appearance according to concepts• Options are usually necessary

– The owner should choose the configuration with the best fit for all of the project program parameters.

– The owner makes the final decision on which concept will be used.

– Formally approved by owner in writing (signed drawings)

– Renderings and floor plans are now developed

Design Approval (By Owner)– Renderings and floor plans are now developed

• These drawings control other aspects of the project

• Provide basis for:– Drawings– Documents – Concepts

• What if the plans do not work?– Project could be in jeopardy– May not achieve a good final result

• Floor plans give overall extent and configuration

• Renderings provide the exterior appearance

Interior Hand Rendering

Exterior Hand Renderings

Sketch-Up Rendering

Revit Rendering

Design Approval (By Owner)• Final Approval of Design Concept

– Approval must be documented:• In writing• Signed drawings• Could guide specifications listing

– Materials and systems– How the project will be constructed– How the contract will be fulfilled– Lacks minute details but sets:

» Directions» Requirements» Intent of the professional

– Marks the formal end of the schematic design

Design Approval (By Owner)• Subsurface Investigation

– I contradicted myself here in last lecture – in the architects ‘perfect world’ anything can be built anywhere given enough money.

– May be part of the feasibility study:• Think of the proposed site location• If the soil is tried-and-true to expected

performance there is no guess work.• Could be a deal breaker• Subsurface soils investigation is an essential part

of the design of the project:– Types of soil may determine expense of

bearing systems– Never ignore the soils condition it is an

essential part of the design process

Design Approval (By Owner)• Subsurface Investigation

– Common method of investigation:• Soil boring:

– driving a hollow tube, about 2.5” in diameter, and composed of two halves.

– Also called ‘split-spoon sampling’– Driven to a depth pre-established by local

geology mapping.– When opened the sample shows:

» Depth» Composition» Coloration of the various soils

– Expressed in pounds or tons/square foot– What is the best bearing material?

Design Development Phase• Design Development

– Second portion of the design phase– Brings detailed information to the documents– Involves selection of:

• Materials• Systems

– The gathering and piecing together of data that shows exactly the construction to come

– The drawings can be used and often seen as the actual contract (working drawings)

– This phase takes time, usually 20% of the total fee– CAD has helped in cutting this fee– Read paragraph 2 page 81