Republic of the Philippines

Palawan State University

College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Department of Architecture

January 13, 2020

Architectural Design 10

Research 01: Architectural Character

Thesis:

Design Consideration

Design Objectives

AUSTRIA, COLEEN FLORABELLE C.

Student
BS-Architecture – 5th Year

AR. ANTHONY P. ANDERSON, UAP

Class Adviser

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
The character of a building depends upon its capacity to express a
particular function and status. All aesthetic components, such as unity,
composition, contrast and scale together make up the character of a
building to evoke a certain visual and psychological response in the
user. The exterior of a building expresses the internal function and
so manifested character is the external expression of internal qualities.
The element of character grows out of the function of the building and
the consideration of all the creative principles of composition.

To be able to identify the architectural character of a building,

important points of architectural character are listed below:

 Character brings out the utility and purpose of a building.

 Appropriate character should be seen in every building whether it
is a bank or a church or a library. For example, the structure of
the Bank should be such that it should look massive and represent
the country’s financial stability.
 Character of a building denotes all those qualities which
differentiate it from other buildings. It is the notable feature
of a building and describes the purpose of its existence.
 In design, character is obtained not only from the natural or man
– made elements but also from aspects like function, materials and
technology of construction.
 The character of the building is reflected in terms of treatment
of openings, scale of elements, proportion of the smaller to the
larger units etc.
 Materials based on their intrinsic character or nature is to be
used accordingly.
Example:
 When stone is used it signifies strength as also long-
lasting nature.
 Glass denoted fragile character and one of delicate
nature than strength.
  Wood, steel or brick when used with their natural
finishes can give and enhance the beauty of the
structure.

Architectural character can be divided in to 3 categories:

1. Functional Character

In architecture it is developed as expressions of a building which is

the manifestation of internal function. The purpose or function of a
building gives us the external appearance of a building. For example:
Design of factory building, industrial workshops, the layout of which
are dictated purely by a functional aspect. The function can be static
or dynamic, horizontal or vertical, compact or sprawling.

A type of classification of functional character includes the:

Permanent structures will have performance of repetitive functions

or actions. Hence use of more permanent materials.

In case of Semi-permanent structure use of materials will be of

such a nature which can be removed and reused like portable cabins,
thatch roof, or AC sheet, Polycarbonate sheet etc.
 Transient structures are meant to satisfy the immediate need and
can be dismantled or removed.

Ex: Exhibition pavilions, film or theatre sets

Also use of domes for large spans and use of columns and beams for medium
and smaller spans reflect the functional character of the structure.

For example:

 Designing skylights instead of windows can indicate a museum.

 Designing a long wall having numerous windows in a particular order
can also indicate a museum.
 Designing tall and wide windows suggest a library.
 Designing a symmetrical entrance to a central block having a wide
entrance to express balance and rhythm indicates public buildings.

2. Associated Character
This character develops from the influence of ideas or impression related
to or growing out of past experience. It is used to recognize a building
which has been associated with particular style. We know by association
and experience that the various races have different physical
characteristics and we are thus able to distinguish between an Oriental,
a Negro, a Caucacian, and an Indian. We often associate such features
as color, eyes, height, nose and others.

Likely, we have come to recognize buildings by features which have long

been associated with that particular structure. For example, A spire
atop a building with stained glass windows has always told us that the
edifice was a church. The use of the classical orders often indicates
the presence of a bank, and Collegiate Gothic frequently discloses the
identity of an educational institution.

Ex: Design of a temple out of religious belief or spiritual context,

layout of a house – based on vaastu shaastras etc

The character of some buildings is expressed through

elements associated with certain influences. Such influences often go
thousands of years back in history and culture. Cultural aspects play
an important role in determining the Associated Character of a particular
structure….

We recognize a building by its features, which we associate with a

particular structural style. A spire on a tower by the side of a spacious
building indicates a church. A gopuram depicts a Hindu Temple whereas a
crescent and a white dome is the symbol of a mosque.
3. Personal Character or Individual character

Each architect would express certain character which makes his/ her own
style. For Example: Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Charles Correa.
Character in architecture is comparable with the attributes of an
individual. If a building is designed in the proper spirit, personal
characteristics such as grace, dignity and vitality can be expressed as
an integral part of the structure.

RONCHAMP
 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Design Objectives
PLANNING
Space/Axial Arrangement
Spaces should be designed To design spaces with a plan
with direction, balance and emphasis composition of “rooms around a central
unit”, the vertical farm and access,
placed within the center of the
building gives an emphasis as well as
easy distribution of room supplies.
Zoning and Circulation
The building should be designed To design a hotel with spaces that are
in a way that the guests will properly zoned (private/public/semi-
have easy access on their own private spaces) and good circulation
public and private spaces to avoid human traffic flow inside the
building

Accessibility
The design of the hotel should To design a hotel with accessible
be accessible to all and must spaces that meet the needs of the
give priority to persons with people regardless of their cognitive
disabilities and physical capacities

Sustainability and Green Initiatives

Improve the efficiency of To design a hotel that has less impact
building performance through a in the environment by reducing
framework of acceptable set of consumption of non-renewable energy
standards of green and resources, minimize waste, and create
sustainable design a healthy, productive environments for
the users.

Physical Conditions of the

Environment
 Guest’s comfort like colors, To design a hotel with long-term
décor, lighting, temperature sustainable features that passively
and most of all a pleasant and maintain thermal comfort like wall and
relaxed atmosphere window insulation, green walls, green
roofs, natural wind barriers, etc

Safety and security

The building should be designed To design a hotel with safety measures
wherein guests will feel secured like metal and smoke detectors,
and safe especially in case of scanners, control rooms, emergency
emergencies and fire. exits, back-up power for signages that
ensures the safety of the guests at
all times

FORM
Character
Functional character in To design a hotel that represents its
architecture which results from functional character as a luxury and
the purpose of the project as a a modern way of integrated agriculture
luxury hotel integrated showing distinctive qualities of a
vertical farming luxury life in urban fabric

Shape and Surface Articulation

The design should reveal To design a hotel that creates
how the building parts will fit emphasis and accents of building’s
into the whole by emphasizing each distinct parts but does not obscure
part separately its sense of whole
Suitable Material
It should be designed with To design a hotel with materials that
materials that are applicable to makes a place for comfort and
coastal areas and are energy relaxation using warm and natural wood
efficient and blends with the and paint finishes, floor to ceiling
vertical farm
 glasses (intended for views), and all
those that fits within the context of
luxury and sustainability

SITE
ANALYSIS
VICINITY MAP

PROPOSED EL VERDE HOTEL: BUILDING

INTEGRATED VERTICAL FARMING
BY: AUSTRIA, COLEEN FLORABELLE C.