DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS/GUIDELINES

A. RESIDENTIAL
1. STRICTLY RESIDENTIAL (SINGLE DETACHED)
a. Identify specific problems at hand & particular focus/factors should be considered
b. Special treatment regarding space(internal/external) concerning environmental factors present on-site &
off-site
c. Users density & characteristics/qualities

2. SUBDIVISION PLANNING
a. Consider lot size given for apportioning
b. Roadway system shall be double loaded type
c. Avoid trapezoidal lot; at least one side of the lot is perpendicular to the road
d. Provide green buffer 6.00 m wide on the side of the subd. Lot facing major thoroughfare or any side
abutting offensive use or situation (say, a side facing a factory, a junk shop, a cliff, etc.)
e. For housing types, follow standards set forth by authorities
f. Meandering of roadways create more interest

3. APARTMENTS, TOWNHOUSES, WALK-IN CONDOMINIUMS, ETC.

a. For apartments & townhouses, cluster arrangements are preferred like court type, cul-de-sac placements,
linear & pseudo-linear
b. For condominiums, do not miss utilities & services like the use of meter banking, electrical room, fore
exits & suppression system; if there are elevators, laundry areas/units, water tanks, etc.
c. Hallways must be adequate

B. COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS

1. OFFICES
a. Consider nature/function/services of the office concerned
b. Open planning concept is preferable but delineate arrangement & allocation of rentable/leasable units
c. Most economical ratio for rent/leasable spaces & circulatory/service areas must be achieved, say 70%-
30%
d. Problem-specific situations must be carefully analyzed
e. If basement parking and services are required, take note of density requirements; basement may assume
the whole lot limit at substructure space even if the superstructure is not occupying the whole lot at
ground level

2. BANKS
a. The vault shall be so located at the most secured independent spot within (min. wall thickness 0.30m with
time lock features
b. The manager’s cubicle/office should be near the public area
c. Clear definition of the banking floor and the clerical area must be established
d. Straightforward circulation
e. Security is primordial so that spatial managements must promote this quality/need
 3. HOTELS
a. Guests’ needs must be a primary consideration
b. Guests’ rooms must be provided with adequate facilities according to accommodation (single, double,
triple, twin, family, suites, etc.)
c. Internal T&B’s for guest rooms are acceptable since active ventilation is expected. Bed areas must be
exposed to window areas & views.
d. Kitchen areas must be accessible to function areas like the banquet hall, restaurants, ballroom, function
rooms, poolside and coffee shops
e. Laundry areas/storage facilities/service areas must be adequate but away from public views
f. Business centres & information concierge must be accessible from all points
g. Hospitable atmosphere must pervade on the whole hotel setting

C. INDUSTRIAL & AGRICULTURAL

1. LARGE-SCALE INDUSTRY (MANUFACTURING)
a. Eco-environmental considerations in terms of pollutants they create
b. Buffer zones must be created
c. Roadways must accommodate movement of large vehicles and equipment
d. Site zoning according to activities must be clearly established like administrative zone, production zone,
storage facilities and service zones, danger/offensive/prohibited zones, etc.
e. Site utilities like powerhouse, transformer vault, water storage, effluent containment, waste
management, fire protection, STP and the like must be integrated showing their appropriate location and
possible capacities they serve
f. Safety features must be included

2. FACTORIES
a. Internal zoning of spaces are required; color coding of areas (floor finish) are preferred to monitor
movement of personnel
b. Catwalks can be provided for easy monitoring; system supervisors must be provided with work
stations/areas
c. Clinic must be near production area
d. Loading/unloading zones for finished products & raw materials must be properly located in relation to
storage facilities
e. Pollutants must be checked

3. SHIPYARDS
a. Stockyard for materials must be large enough to accommodate volume of materials
b. Tidal basin must be deep enough to accommodate large vessels
c. Dry & wet docks must be located /oriented towards waterfront
d. Slipway must be provided
e. Boatshed for repairs
f. Sandbars & breakwater must be placed accordingly to stabilize waves & check situation

4. SEAPORTS
a. Passenger and cargo traffic must be segregated
 b. Terminal bldg must be provided with appropriate facilities
c. If coastguard office is required, it must be provided with communication facilities
d. Land transportation access must be included
e. Passengers concourse and waiting area/lounge must be adequate especially during peak season

5. CINEMA
a. Sightlines in relation to the screen and setting location and arrangement must be carefully studied
according to the 60o cone of correct vision – 1.50m from the screen
b. Fire protection system and exits must be equitably distributed
c. Acoustical treatments/lighting allocation especially on aisles
d. Active ventilation

6. SOUND STUDIO
a. Control booth at high location with inclined viewing glass for full command of production floor
b. Catwalks for light control
c. Provide cyclorama for visual illusion of space
d. Dressing rooms with T&B
e. Large doors for equipment like cranes & booms

7. RECORDING STUDIO
a. Provide sound lock/acoustical treatments
b. Apply principle of box within a box
c. Control booth with sound equipment
d. For re-recording studio (dubbing) provide projector room & screen with sound effects pit
e. No walls are perpendicular with each other
f. Floor must be floating/isolated

8. MIXED-USED INDUSTRIAL-RESIDENTIAL
a. Vegetative buffer zone between the 2 major roads must be provided
b. Confinement of each areas to a prospective spot defining certain treatments about their atmosphere
c. Eco-environmental features
d. Promotion of facilities for industrial harmony & peace

9. INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
a. Zoning of related industries and/or complementing industries
b. Pollution control
c. Organization of road networks for facility in movements
d. Safety and security
e. Administrative areas-productive areas relationship

D. PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT

1. SCHOOLS
a. Identify primary users’ classification
b. Consideration of the major components of the academe-instruction, research and extension
 c. Lecture room size per DepEd/CHED requirements – 7.00m x 9.00m for 40 students
d. Provide ample movement facilities – adequate hallways, emergency exits, swinging- out doors
e. Safety and security features
f. Provide ancillary facilities

2. RESEARCH LABORATORY
a. Holding area for specimens
b. Safety and security
c. Provision of work stations and technical library
d. Records vault and surveillance system
e. Databank

3. LIBRARY
a. Determine book holdings
b. Use of ICT features
c. Provide repairs and work area
d. Ample storage facilities
e. Dumbwaiter for multi-floor libraries
f. Ample light and ventilation

4. MUSEUM
a. Circulation system/flow of viewers
b. Vault for priceless collection
c. Curatorial spaces
d. Flexible service entrance for large materials
e. Safety & security

5. CITY HALLS/CIVIC (GOVERNMENT) CENTERS

a. Application of all laws and provisions on design and construction
b. Heavy public-oriented/transactional areas must be at the ground floor
c. Presence of govt-lined agencies
d. Flagpole and assembly areas
e. Recreational facilities

6. HOSPITAL
a. Strict zoning of areas – sterile/non-sterile; private/public; quiet/noisy
b. Relationship of major divisions – OPD, emergency, clinical, surgical, wards, administration, ancillary
facilities
c. Healing environment

7. FIRE STATION
a. Sanctity of the apparatus floor
b. Hose tower
c. Equipment/apparatus floor
 d. Quarters and living areas
e. Administration and night watch
f. Equipment storage and facilities (oxygen, refill, etc.)

8. POLICE STATION
a. Booking counter
b. Armory must be near office of station commander
c. Safety and security features
d. Cell separation

9. EMBASSY
a. Delineation of consular affairs; attaches; portfolio; office and ambassadorial
b. Security and evacuation features
c. Quarters and residential units
d. Public spaces
e. Image

10. PENITENTIARY/REHABILITATION
a. Classification of areas by concentric arrangement: max. security-inner; medium security –sub-inner; min.
security- outer precincts
b. Security/surveillance features
c. Recreational/occupational areas
d. Humane environment

11. PARK
a. Openness
b. Free-flowing movement
c. Segregation of areas of different activities and features
d. Landscaping/colors/textures
e. Introduction of harmonizing elements

GENERAL

1. Site factors given (environmental) – views, lot configuration, qualities, topography

2. On-site/off-site context
3. Legal aspects – NBC, BP 344, RA 9514, PD 957 and other referral codes
4. Site-specific situation