4.

Function in Architecture
Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings
Every building is designed to give services
Hospital where patients will be treated
Court House where you find justice
Theater where you see a play
Hotel- where you recreate
Church ( Mosque) where you practice your religion
School where you learn
House where you live

The serviceability & usability of any building and its designFUNCTION

Function in Architecture (cont)

What do you feel,
feel when you see this building?

Function in Architecture (cont)

In addition to giving services, a building affects our feelings
When you enter in some buildings
buildings, you will be excited
When you are in some building, you will be depressed
When you see some buildings, you will be amused
When you look some buildings, you will say what a piece of art
When you are in some buildings, you may be sober
When you enter in some buildings, you feel relaxed

The emotional and the feeling aspect of a BUILDING or

its ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - AESTHETICS

Function in Architecture (cont)

A building is designed to be erected or constructed, hence
It should house its occupants
p
and furniture LIVE LOAD
It should support its own weight- DEAD LOAD
It should resist wind loadload WIND FORCE
It should withstand against EARCH QUICK FORCE
It should be strong enough against FLOODS
It should resist other NATURAL and ARTIFICIAL FORCES

The
h erectibility
ibili andd constructability
bili off a BUILDING or
its ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - STRENGTH

Function in Architecture (cont)

Building Design is all about

FUNCTION - serviceability of

AESTHETICS - emotional aspect of

STRENGTH erectibilityy of

B
U
I
L
D
I
N
G

Function in Architecture (cont)

Form
o
vs Sp
Space
ce
A building will be designed to give services
To give this services, it should accommodate
People
Furniture and Fixtures
Equipments

To do so, it should be void

The difference b/n building and sculptor
Building is void and accessible by people

Sculptor is solid

Function in Architecture (cont)

The void part of a building - SPACE
Through
g which we enter, circulate, wonder and undertake different activities

The envelop or outer part of a building - FORM

Which wee see,
see look,
look observe
obser e and admire

FORM is the envelop of SPACE

FORM is exterior, where as SPACE is interior of the building
FORM differentiate out side and inside

SPACE is volume of hollow solid

Both SPACE and FORM have
ha e Function & Aesthetics

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Form

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Form (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Form
(cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Form (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Form (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Space

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Space (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Space (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Space (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

E
Example
l off Space
S
(
(cont)
)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Example of Space (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Functional Aspects or Parameters of a space of a Building
1.

Enclosure

2.

Approach & Entry

3.

Circulation

4.

Light

5
5.

Comfort

6.

Size

7
7.

Sh
Shape

8.

Adjacency & Sequence

Function in Architecture (cont)

1. Enclosure
A building
g houses different activities
Some activities need differentiation
Sleeping and Living activities

Spaces for these activities should

be divided byy
walls, floors and ceilings

Building Components to divide spaces

are called Space Defining Elements
FORM is enclosure of interior space
p
FORM protects the interior of a building from weather

Function in Architecture (cont)

2. Approach and Entry
To undertake different activities in a

FRONTAL

building we should approach and access it

The process of being near a building
is APPROACH

DIAGONAL

Types of Approach
Frontal:

emphasis front view

Diagonal:
Di
l shows
h
effects
ff t off perspective
ti
Round: emphasis form of building

ROUND

Function in Architecture (cont)

A
Approach
h and
dE
Entry
t (cont)
(
)

Frontal Approach

Function in Architecture (cont)

A
Approach
h and
dE
Entry
t (cont)
(
)

Diagonal Approach

Function in Architecture (cont)

Approach and Entry (cont)
The gate that allows you to enter in to a building
or rooms of a building is called Entry (Entrance)
Entry to a building should be emphasized and easy to identify
Types
T
off Entry
E t
Flush:

on the wall

Projected: coming out from the wall

Recessed: coming into the interior

Function in Architecture (cont)

Approach and Entry (cont)
Projected Entry

Function in Architecture (cont)

Approach and Entry (cont)
Recessed Entry

Function in Architecture (cont)

Approach and Entry (cont)
Flush Entry

Function in Architecture (cont)

3. Circulation

We need
d to be
b able
bl to reachh ffurniture,
i
equipment
i
andd other
h facilities
f ili i to perform
f
some tasks.
A process off wondering
d i through
h
h a space off a building
b ildi - Circulation
Ci l i
Circulation pattern of movement inside and outside a building
Types of Circulation
Circulation

within a room: interior space

Horizontal circulation from one room to another: corridor, foyer, lobby

Vertical Circulation from one floor to another: Stair, Elevator, Ramp
Circulation should be
easy

to identify

comfortable to move through

sizable enough to allow people and furniture to pass

Function in Architecture (cont)

Circulation (cont)
Forms of Circulation
Enclosed
Open one side
Open
O
on bboth
th sides
id

Function in Architecture (cont)

Circulation (cont)
Enclosed circulation
No spatial & visual flow

Function in Architecture (cont)

Circulation (cont )
Open one side circulation
spatial and visual flow
on one side

Function in Architecture (cont)

Circulation (cont
Open two side circulation
Visual & spatial
flow on two sides
EgE ECSC

Function in Architecture (cont)

4. Light

To undertake different activities in rooms, we need light

Light also affects the feeling that we feel in a room
Sources of Light
Artificial

Light:
g costly,
y, unfriendlyy and controlled

Natural Light: no cost, friendly and reliable

Combined: good distribution of light
Natural Light Sources in Building
- Window

- Sky Light
-Glass
Gl Curtain
C
i Wall
W ll
-Open Down

Function in Architecture (cont)

Light Source
1. Artificial Light Source
controlled
different color

Function in Architecture (cont)

Light Source
Artificial Light Source (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Light Source
Artificial Light Source (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Light Source(cont)
2. Natural Light Source
N
Natural
l Light:
Li h illuminate
ill i
with
ih
good intensity up to 6m

uncontrolled
uni color
psychologically good
provide view
enlarge room

Function in Architecture (cont)

Light Source(cont)
Natural Light Source (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Light Source(cont)
Natural Light Source (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Light Source(cont)
3. Combined
Light Source

controlled
colorful & evenly distributed
psychologically good
provide view
enlarge room

Function in Architecture (cont)

Light Source(cont)
Combined
Light Source (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Light Source(cont)
Combined
Light Source (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light
g Source
1.Windows
light
provide view
enlarge room

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source
Windows (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source
Windows (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source
Windows (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source
Windows (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
light

2. Sky Light

good distribution of light

no view
increase height

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
Sky Light (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
Sky Light (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
Sky Light (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
3. Open Down

light
no view
Ventilation

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
Open Down (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
4. Glass Curtain Wall
light
provide view
enlarge room
spatial continuity

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
Glass Curtain Wall (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
Glass Curtain Wall (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Natural Light Source(cont)
Glass Curtain Wall (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

5 Comfort
5.
Ventilation
A room should have the appropriate temperature & air to feel the occupants
comfort
This can be done by replacing existing hot air by fresh air
This process is called

ventilation
entilation

Two
wo kinds
ds oof Ve
Ventilation
o
Artificial Ventilation
Natural Ventilation

Function in Architecture (cont)

Comfort
Purpose of Ventilation
At normall condition
diti an adult
d lt
inhale b/n 0.10 to 0.12 liters air/second
exhale CO2 of 0.003 to 0.005 liters / second
generate heat of 100 Watts sensible and 40 watts latent
produce vapour of 59g of water vapour per hour
Main Objective of Ventilation (Three)
1.

to supply oxygen

2.

to create air movement

Function in Architecture (cont)

Comfort
Main Objective of Ventilation ( cont)
3. To remove unnecessary air components
carbon
water

dioxide

vapor and moister

heat and smell

gas and vapor from industry products
out door pollutants like dust and smoke
Indoor pollutants like dust from carpet

Function in Architecture (cont)

Comfort (cont)
(cont )
Artificial Ventilation
By fans using electricity
It is costly
Common USA & Europe

Function in Architecture (cont)

Comfort (cont)
(cont )
Natural Ventilation
By using natural flow of air
It is less costly
Common in Africa, Asia and Latin America
habitable room requires one or more ventilation openings,
the total area not be less than 1/10 of the floor area of the room

the
th opening
i mustt be
b more than
th 0.9
0 9 metres
t above
b
floor
fl
level
l l

Natural Ventilation design should consider

To supply fresh air for the occupants

To change the temperature in the room sufficiently

Function in Architecture (cont)

Comfort (cont)
(cont )
A. Cross Ventilation
By using natural flow of air
It is less costly

Function in Architecture (cont)

Comfort (cont)
(cont )
B. Stack Effect Ventilation
Air moves when temperature
and density difference exists
Hot air is less dense and it rises
Cold air is dense and replace
the position of hot air

Function in Architecture (cont)

6 Size
6.
Diff. activities take place in spaces
In addition to the activities,
the space should be big enough to house
Users
Furniture & Fixtures
Equipment
E i
t
Vehicles
Internal Circulation

Spatial Functionality Criteria related with size

Proportion
Users, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment Accommodation
Circulation Provision

Function in Architecture (cont)

Size (cont)
(cont )
Eg.

Bath Room Size Determination & Design

Space

for Fixtures

Function in Architecture (cont)

Size (cont)
(cont )
Bath Room (cont)
Space

for Activities

Function in Architecture (cont)

Size (cont)
(cont )
Bath Room (cont)
Area

Determination

Function in Architecture (cont)

Size (cont)
(cont )

Bath Room (cont)

Final Design

Function in Architecture (cont)

6 Shape
6.
A room or space needs to have the appropriate shape to
provide

the required function

accommodate the necessary furniture

avoid wastage of space
house enough and clear circulation

Function in Architecture (cont)

Shape ( cont)
cont )
A. Rectangular Spaces
Easy

to accommodate furniture

Less wastage of space

Flexible

Function in Architecture (cont)

Shape ( cont)
cont )
Rectangular Spaces (cont)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Shape ( cont)
cont )
B. Triangular & Angular Spaces
Difficult

to accommodate furniture

High wastage of space

Less Flexible
Difficult to circulate

Function in Architecture (cont)

Shape ( cont)
cont )
Triangular & Angular Spaces (cont)

Wastage of Space

Function in Architecture (cont)

Shape ( cont)
cont )
C. Curved Spaces
Difficult

to accommodate furniture

Need Special Furniture

Less Flexible

Function in Architecture (cont)

Shape (cont)
(cont )
St

Function in Architecture (cont)

7 Adjacency and Sequence (cont)
7.
(cont )
Spaces which have related functions should be side by side
Spaces which have incompatible functions should be far to each others
Public spaces should be at front
Private spaces should be at back
Spaces, that need view, should be oriented to view
Spaces, that dont need noise, should be far from noises
Spaces should be also orient based on solar orientation
Entrances should be clear and visible (emphasis)

Function in Architecture (cont)

Adjacency and

Service Spaces
should be at back

Sequence(cont)
Private Spaces
should be away from
Frontage & Noise
Every room should be
Accessible from
corridor
Stair case should be
y
visible from lobby
Entrance should be at front

Public Spaces should

be near entrance

Function in Architecture (cont)

Adjacency and
Sequence(cont)

Kitchens
Kit
h
&
Dining Room
are Related

Maid
M
id Room
R
& Kitchen are
Related

Entranced &
Garage are Related

Entrance, Living
g Rm
& Stair are Related

Function in Architecture (cont)

Adjacency and
Sequence(cont)

Bed Rm &
Dressing Rm are
related

Bath Rm &
Bed Rm are
Related

Function in Architecture (cont)

Adjacency and
Sequence(cont)

Thumb Rules for Residential Building

Living Room
-Minimum Area = 12m2
- Minimum Width = 3m
- Minimum Door Size = 90cm
- Minimum Window Area = 1/10th floor area
- Maximum Window Sill Height = 0.90 cm
- Require View and South Side Exposure
- Should be at the front of a house and accessible from the front door

Dining
Di i Room
R
- Minimum Area = 12m2
- Minimum Width = 3m
- Minimum Door Size = 90cm
- Minimum Window Area = 1/10th floor area
- Maximum Window Sill Height = 0.90
0 90 cm
- Require View and South or East Side Exposure
- Should be adjacent to Kitchen and Living Rooms

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Car Port/ Garage
-Minimum Area = 15m2
- Minimum Width = 3m
- Minimum Length = 5cm
- Should be at the front of a house and accessible from the main gate

Bed Room
- Minimum Area = 12m2
- Minimum Width = 2.7m
- Minimum Door Size = 90cm
- Minimum Window Area = 1/10th floor area
- Maximum Window Sill Height
g = 0.90 cm
- Require View and East Side ( morning sun) Exposure
- Should be at the quiet part of the site preferably on upper floors

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Kitchen
-Minimum Area = 6m2
- Minimum Width = 1.8m
- Minimum Door Size = 90cm
- Should be at the back of a house adjacent to dining room
- Orient to north side ( cooler side) & kitchen yard
- Minimum Window area should be 15% of floor area
- Perimeter of work triangle should be between 3.6m to 6m

Bath
B th R
Room
- Minimum Area= 4m2
- Minimum Width = 1.5m
- Minimum Door Size = 70cm
- Bath Rooms should be adjacent to bed rooms
- Minimum Window height is 1.5m
1 5m
- Up to 1.5m height interior walls should be covered with ceramic tile

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Half Bath Room
- For visitors and contain WC and HWB
- Minimum Area = 2.5m2
- Minimum Width = 1.5m
- Minimum Door Size = 70cm
- Should be near living & dining room
- Minimum Window height is 1.5m
- Up to 1.5m height interior walls should be covered with ceramic tile

Study
St d R
Room
- Mini
- Minimum Width = 1.5m

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Important Points

- Room arrangement should follow day today activities

- Avoid traffic circulation through rooms
- If a traffic must p
pass through
g a room, arrange
g doors in such a way
y that circulation
affects one side or corner of the room
- The route from Garage to Kitchen be defined and short
- Circulation Area should not exceed 15% of total floor area
- Main Entrance near the center of a house decreases corridor length
- Main Entrance to a house should be emphasized, inviting and accessible
- In front of Main Entrance there should be a transitional space like:
- Veranda, Canopy

- In side a house next to Main Entrance there should be a transitional space:

- Foyer, Lobby, Entrance Hall
- Make the Foyer or Entrance Hall is the continuation of the exterior
- Rooms located on west side need shedding
- Locate rooms ( non- sensitive to harsh sun) like WCs, Bath Rms, Store or
Garage on west and south west side

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Important Points ( cont)
t )
- Rooms in a house are grouped into zones
- Common Spaces

- Private Spaces

- Common Spaces: Open to all members of family, active and include

- Living Rm, Family Rm, Dining Rm, Gym, Garage, Kitchen, Utility Rm

- Private Spaces: Require privacy and quietness & include

- Bed Rms, Bath Rms, Study Rm, Pray Rm, Den

- It is important to separate the two zones either by level or location

- With in the common spaces we have two zones
- Living Zone: Living Rm, Family Rm, Dining Rm
- Service Zone: Garage
Garage, Kitchen
Kitchen, Store
Store, Utility Rm

- Living Zone should be at the front part of the house

- Service Zone should be at the back part of the house

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Residential Rooms Special Requirements
- Living Room
- Open both to the members of the family and visitors

- Located near the main entrance of the house

- Location of Living Room Door should allow direct access to living room as soon
as we enter into the house
-Oriented the living room to capture the best view from the site
- Have big windows ( French Window) facing the main street
- The location of the room should not allow view to private spaces like Kitchen,
Bed Rms, Bath Rms etc
-The location of doors in living room should not allow cross circulation
- South exposure is preferable
- Light interior color is preferable

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Residential Rooms Special Requirements ( cont)
t )
- Dining Room
- Open both to the members of the family and visitors

- Located adjacent to Kitchen and Living Rm

- There should be swinging door from Kitchen to Dining Room
-Oriented the Dining Rm to capture the best view from the site
- Have windows facing east direction

- Family Room
- Open only to the members of the family

- Located at back ( private) part of the house

-Oriented
O i t d the
th Family
F il Rm
R to
t capture
t
the
th best
b t view
i from
f
the
th site
it
- Adjacent to living and dining room

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Residential Rooms Special Requirements ( cont)
- Kitchen
- North or East exposure is preferable

- Should be located at the back of the house

- Easy and direct access from kitchen to garage is important
- Kitchen
Kit h should
h ld bbe nextt to
t Dining
Di i and
d Utilit
Utility Rooms
R
- Natural light and ventilation is important

-Store
St
- Near to the room for which it gives service

- Bed Room
- Private spaces and require quietness

- East exposure is best and south exposure is preferable

- Bed rooms should be located near bath room
- Light to medium interior color is preferable

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Residential Rooms Special Requirements ( cont)
t )
- Bath Room
- locate in the private part of the house

- avoid direct view from living room to bath room door

- natural ventilation and light is important

- Office/Den
- Den is private office where the parents work at night

- Office is open for customer

- Den should be located in private space adjacent to master bed rm
- Office should be located near main enterance

Thumb Rules for Residential Building (cont)

Residential Rooms Special Requirements ( cont)
t )
- Guest Bed Room
- Isolated Room with attached bathroom

- located in such a way that it gets privacy

- Garage
- Easily accessible from main gate

- Easy access from garage to main entrance and kitchen

- Circulation Spaces
- Minimum corridor size is 90cm but the standard size is 1.2m

- Minimum veranda size is 1m but the standard size is 2m