ARC 035

PLANNING 2
FUNDAMENTALS OF URBAN DESIGN
& COMMUNITY ARCHITECTURE

" DESIGN REQUIREMENTS OF

SPECIFIC PLACES IN TOWNS &
CITIES"

RSW NO.2
Date Given: March 16, 2022
Date Due: March 21, 2022

College of Engineering & Architecture

University of Pangasinan - PEN

Patricia May P. Fernandez

Student name

Archt. Maria Teresa Cuares - Velasco

Instructor
Table of Contents
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS OF SPECIFIC PLACES IN TOWNS & CITIES .............................................. 1
Cluster Housing & Planned Unit Development ............................................................................................... 1
Mixed-Use Developments & Commercial Centers ........................................................................................ 10
Industrial Parks & Districts ............................................................................................................................ 12
Planning Educational Campuses ..................................................................................................................... 16
Government Center & Plaza Complex ........................................................................................................... 22
Resort Community Design ............................................................................................................................... 31
REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................................... 33
 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS OF SPECIFIC PLACES IN TOWNS & CITIES

Cluster Housing & Planned Unit Development

Planned unit developments (PUDs) and cluster developments are forms of land design that usually
focus on the integration of the natural features of a site with the new development to be constructed on
the site.
Most PUDs are largely residential, although increasingly they are mixed-use–usually with some
commercial uses mixed with residential.
Commercial, office, and industrial PUDs are also becoming common, especially in urban and
suburban locations along freeways. Good design with a large natural vegetation buffer area around the
sensitive resource can result in its protection as an asset to the PUD.
Cluster development is a form of PUD that is usually exclusively residential and surrounded by
large amounts of open space.

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 PUDs and cluster development can be a very effective way for communities to permit some
development in areas with sensitive natural resources without seriously undermining the integrity of the
natural features. This takes careful design, attention to mitigation, good site plan review standards, and
experienced professionals reviewing the proposed site plans to get the best result.

CLUSTER HOUSING
Minimum area required.
The minimum area required for a residential cluster is not less than five acres. The city council,
in order to protect the public health, safety, welfare, and interest, may limit or restrict development in the
area proposed to be clustered, or portion thereof, in relation to the size of the area being developed or
redeveloped, provisions for open space, and adequacy of roads and utility systems to accommodate the
use as well as to minimize the impact the development will have on the existing or intended development
on adjacent lands and the general neighborhood.

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Minimum area per residential lot created.
The minimum area for any residential lot created through residential clustering shall be 4,500
square feet. Lots developed at the minimum allowed area shall be subject to the performance standards
and dimensional requirements as delineated.
Reduced required side setbacks
The minimum side setbacks in a residential cluster shall be reduced for those lots developed at
the minimum lot area.

Variety of lot sizes.

Based on the flexible concept of the residential cluster, lot sizes within any proposed project
developed under this concept shall offer a mix of lot sizes. A maximum of 40 percent of the total lots
allowed per acre of the overall density of the zone in which located shall be allowed at the minimum lot
size specified.

Open space set aside.

A minimum of 10 percent of the gross area of land to be developed under the residential cluster
designation must be set aside as open space, 50 percent of which shall be active open space adequate for
such uses as playgrounds, sports fields, ball courts, pedestrian/bicycling trails, courtyards, orchards,
landscaped picnic areas, gardens, etc.

Design criteria.
Any application for development under the residential cluster concept shall be required to
incorporate the following design features:
Diversified streetscapes and sidewalks capes will prohibit building on a linear plane. The
applicant shall implement a combination of design options to create a diversified streetscape.

Frontages.
The front door and main entrance to every residential building shall face the street or, in the
alternative, common open space if the unit does not about a public right-of-way (not including alleys).

Traditional Neighborhood Design and Development Pattern

(a) Streets should be laid out in the traditional grid pattern with connections to existing city
thoroughfares at right angles.
(b) Cul-de-sacs should be avoided. They may only be placed where it can be demonstrated that a
traditional complete connection to the grid pattern is not logical.
When proposing new designs for redeveloped housing within Monwabisi Park, it is ideal to find
a solution that not only conserves free space but also respects the community’s wants and needs. Building
off of the above considerations, the team suggests the layout shown below. In the illustration, each colour
represents the unit one family would occupy. It is two-storey, simple row cluster unit.
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 A simple row-unit conserves space without significantly hindering ventilation. Each unit still has
at least two walls open for windows. Furthermore, by keeping the building shape a rectangle, one can
lower cost and simplify construction.
Because the span from front to back wall is only 6m, only one structural beam is needed for the
entire structure. Also, a simple non-structural roof can be used. These two considerations significantly
reduce cost.

Another proposed housing layout is shown below. It is the footprint for a two story back-to-back
cluster housing unit. Although the ventilation of middle units are significantly hindered, the building is
cheaper to build per unit and conserves even more free space that a simple row. Once again the team
proposed a rectangular building to keep construction simple.

This layout would require two structural beams and a gable roof which does not significantly
increase cost.
By allotting free space within the dotted areas, home owners could add one story, two stories, or
even a garage if need be. Home owners would have a fair amount of freedom to build accordingly to their
needs as their financial situation allows. Although additions will give residents needed interior space,
they will also take up free space and decrease the size of yards. Furthermore, additions significantly
decrease the ventilation of middle units. It becomes even more important to address ventilation in another
way.

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Shape and Orientation for Safety
By using varying shapes of row housing, one can also increase visibility. The illustration below
shows the footprint of a crescent row housing design. The curved geometry of the structure creates a
sheltered courtyard in the middle. In this design, the building geometry is used to maximize the exposure
and visibility of the courtyard. It is important to use building shape and orientation to promote a cohesive
community.

Although the design above promotes a safe courtyard, there are a few drawbacks that make this
option not viable. The most notable downfall is the spatial footprint. On average, circular shaped layouts
conserve less free space than rectangular layouts. For this reason, row housing units are typically laid out
in a rectangular in shape. Furthermore, rectangular buildings are cheaper and easier to build. Although
the circular design would be difficult to implement, the concept and theory demonstrated are still
important considerations. One can use the orientation of multiple rectangular row units to achieve a
similar result. The illustration below shows how a semi-sheltered courtyard can be created from two
simple row units.

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PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
Area Planning
Planning and designing of PUDs projects shall take into account the following:
a. safety and general welfare of the future occupants:
b. adequate, safe, efficient, and integrative road circulation system servicing every lot therein;
c. judicious allocation of land uses for diversity and amenity;
d. preservation of site
e. proper siting or orientation of lots;
f. harmony with existing and proposed development in the vicinity;
g. Application of workable design principles or parameters for a well planned and self-sustaining
environment.
When a developer or planner submits a Planned Unit Development (PUD) type of project, the
layout shall likewise conform to the standards for residential/condominium projects
a. Open spaces
Open spaces shall conform to the provisions of P.D. 1216 and its implementing rules and shall
include the following:

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a. 1 Streets -adequate and safe means of vehicular and pedestrian circulation and easements for utilities
and planting strips, shall be provided.
a. 2 Walks -paved walks shall be provided to the living units from streets, parking spaces and from living
units to play areas.
a. 3 Parks and playground - suitable recreational area(s) shall be allocated within the subdivision. Where
applicable, a hierarchy of such recreational areas may be provided for, such that, a strategically located
main park area is supplemented or complemented by one or smaller pocket(s) or areas for recreational
use. These areas must be accessible to living units and free from any form of hazard or risk_ Said parks
and playgrounds shall be cleared and free from any debris. Parks and playgrounds as much as possible
shall be at street level.
b. Facilities and Amenities
Areas required for subdivision facilities and amenities shall be judiciously allocated in accordance
with the provisions herein specified.
c. Density
The density of PUDs projects shall conform with the residential densities set forth in the zoning
ordinance of the city/municipality where the project is located. Where there is a mixture of housing types
within the subdivision (such as single-detached, row house, townhouses, etc.), density shall include the
total number of dwelling units in multi-storey structures plus the total number of lots intended for single
and semi-detached houses.

Site Preservation
a. Slope
The finished grade shall have the desired slope to allow rainwater to be channeled into street
drains. Where cut and fill is necessary, an appropriate grade shall be attained to prevent any depression
in the area. Grading and ditching shall be executed in a manner that will prevent erosion or flooding of
adjoining properties.

b. Preservation of Site Assets

Suitable trees with a caliper diameter of 200millimeterss or more, shrubs, and desirable ground
cover per Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) rules shall be preserved. Where
good quality topsoil exists on the site, it shall be banked and shall be preserved for finishing grades of
yards, playgrounds, parks, and garden areas.

c. Ground Cover
Grass, shrubs, plants and other landscaping materials used for ground cover shall be of a variety
appropriate for its intended use and location. They shall be planted so as to allow well-tended cover of
the area.

Easements
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 PUDs projects shall observe and conform to the following provisions on easements as may be
required by:
a. Chapter IV, Section 51 of The Water Code, on water bodies;
b. National Power Corporation (NPC), on transmission lines;
c. PHIVOLCS per Resolution No. 515, Series of 1992, on identified fault traces;
d. Other public utility companies and other entities' right-of-way;
e. National/local government units for projects abutting national roads (primary roads) where adequate
easement shall be provided for, including loading and unloading areas;
f. Other related laws
Circulation
Depending on the classification of roads adjacent to the subdivision and the size of the project
site, road network should result in a hierarchy of functions and should define and serve the subdivision
as one integrated unit.

a. Roads
complemented with pathwalks within the subdivision must be so aligned to facilitate movement and to
link the subdivision to the nearest major transportation route and/or adjacent property. Whenever there
are existing roads within the project site which shall be made part of the subdivision plan, these shall be
improved in accordance with the standards set forth herein.
b. Streets should conform to the contours of the land as far as practicable where a proposed project adjoins
a developed property, roads within the said project shall be connected/integrated/aligned with existing
ones. Where a proposed project adjoins undeveloped property, a provision for future connection shall be
mandatory.
c. As far as practicable, streets shall be laid out at right angles to minimize critical intersections such as
blind corners, skew junction, etc.
d. Roads shall conform to sound engineering practices.

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 e. Cluster Housing projects shall comply to the pertinent requirements of Batas Pambansa No. 344,
otherwise known as the Accessibility Law.

Community Facilities
Mandatory provision of areas for community facilities, such as neighborhood multi-purpose
center both for open market and medium cost housing projects with area one (1) hectare and above. These
areas are non-saleable. However, the developer may provide additional areas for community facilities
such as schools and commercial/retail centers in excess of the mandatory requirement set forth in this
rule which shall be deemed saleable. The use of the said area shall be indicated in the plan and shall be
annotated in the title thereto.
Lot requirements

a. Lot Layout:
The following shall be considered when plotting the subdivision project:
a. 1 Preservation of site assets and proper siting orientation of lots; blending with existing and proposed
development in the vicinity; and
a. 2 Application of workable design principles/parameters for a well planned environment.
To accommodate a wider range of clientele (in terms of income level and lifestyle), and to provide
diversity in housing design in a subdivision project, the owner/developer is encouraged to allocate areas
for various housing types such as single-detached, duplex/single attached and rowhouses.

Length of Block
The maximum length of block shall be 400 meters, however, blocks exceeding 250 meters shall
be provided with an alley approximately at mid-length.

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Mixed-Use Developments & Commercial Centers
The mixed-use design guidelines are intended to provide clear and useful recommendations for
the design, construction, review, and approval of mixed-use development. Mixed-use development
plays a vital role in creating neighborhoods where people can walk between home, work, shopping, and
recreation.
The primary design issue related to mixed-use projects is the need to successfully balance the
requirements of residential uses, such as the need for privacy and security, with the needs of commercial
uses for access, visibility, parking, loading, and possibly extended hours of operation. There are two basic
types of mixed-use residential projects.
The first type is vertical mixed-use, which is typified by residential use over commercial uses in
the same building. The second, called horizontal mixed-use, combines residential and commercial uses
on the same site, but in separate buildings.

Design objectives
•The following objectives form the basis for the mixed-use design guidelines. The intention of
the guidelines is to promote a desired level of development quality that will:
•Provide the resident living on upper floors of a mixed-use project with a high-quality
environment;
•Protect the pedestrian and enhance the pedestrian environment and scale; Protect bicyclists and
their environment ensuring the needs of non-motorized travelers are incorporated into the circulation
plan;
•Design parking that not only provides secure resident parking but also promotes safe interaction
between vehicles and pedestrians; Ensures that retail/commercial space on the lower floor is
appropriately designed to promote uses that serve the community living in a mixed-use development;
•Ensure compatibility between adjacent uses, especially residential; and Encourage high-quality
mixed-use infill development that is comprised of residential, office, entertainment, and commercial uses.

Site planning
Site planning guidelines consider the internal organization of a development project and the
external relationship with the public right-of-way and other projects.

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Building Placement
One of the most important elements of new mixed-use development is the way the project is
integrated physically and functionally into the public realm. Properly executed building placement and
orientation can enliven adjacent public spaces, encourage pedestrian activity, and strengthen the link
between businesses and residences.

Street Orientation
Mixed-use buildings shall be sited and oriented so that the primary commercial building entry is
located along the public sidewalk, which is the main pedestrian route.

Parking Orientation
A well-planned circulation system efficiently moves vehicles in a well-defined manner while
avoiding and reducing potential conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.

Parking and Circulation

Parking and circulation patterns for mixed-use projects shall be sensitively designed to ensure
that adjacent properties are not impacted by new mixed-use development. Parking structures, tuck under
parking, parking in the rear of the structure, and other creative solutions to providing parking are
recommended (i.e., access to parking areas by alleys and side streets is encouraged).

Landscaping
Private mixed-use project landscaping is typically different from the landscape treatments and
methods used in suburban commercial and residential settings.

Compatibility with Adjacent Properties

Site designing mixed-use projects must respect and complement adjacent buildings through
consideration of mass, rhythm, scale, setbacks, height, building materials, texture, and related design
elements

Site Amenities
Similar to site design and building architecture, site amenities such as courtyards, site furniture,
and landscaping contribute to the overall tone, image, and style of the mixed-use project.

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 • Outdoor spaces play a significant role in the development of the site plan and shall be designed
as “outdoor rooms” that can be used for play, recreation, social or cultural activities. Avoid
undifferentiated, empty spaces.
• Outdoor spaces shall be appropriately scaled for the intended use and be designed to include
safety and security measures

Industrial Parks & Districts

Master planning has a lasting impact on how an industrial park develops, operates and is
integrated into surrounding areas and communities. It defines the connection between the topography,
land use, infrastructure, public right-of-way, buildings, social settings, and their surrounding
environments.
Master plans should be prepared based on existing public plans, as well as new site-specific
surveys, investigations and analysis. Proper comprehensive master plans start with a feasibility study.
The master plan should cover most of the following elements to ensure an overall successful design:

• Lay down long-term vision and a broad planning framework, with international site
competitiveness in mind;
• Address the target industries’ specific needs; Focus on integrated infrastructure – with an
emphasis on environmental management, utilities and inclusive social infrastructure;
• Optimal utilization of available land;
• Flexibility in designing the built environment;
• Synergies of co-location, circularity and industrial symbiosis (the exchange of industrial by-
products, heat and process waste and by-products among closely-situated firms);
• Synergies of collocation of ancillary and symbiotic industries Mixed land use;
• Conservation of important natural features; Enhancing physical connectivity to adjacent
communities and regions; Use of renewable energy sources and energy conservation;
• Phasing of the project;
• Integrate with regional and local planning; and Compliance with planning norms and
guidelines.

Preparing Site and Plots Layout

The industrial park’s layout plan is essentially the physical portion of the development plan. It
indicates the location of the major facilities that are to be provided by the developer and sets the general
pattern for the site. The layout should be designed with a full understanding of the site development
phasing programmed in mind.
The objective of phasing is to ensure investments in infrastructure are in accordance with market
needs. Indeed, different components of the industrial park will need be constructed at different times. The
anticipated demand and use, project development phasing, and associated investment requirements must
therefore be modelled and analyzed for each phase of development.

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 The site’s various phases must moreover be carefully designed so as to integrate with one another
and provide continuity. During the first phase of any industrial park development, the focus should thus
be on basic infrastructure, as well as limited ready-built, sustainable industrial structures or factory shells.
The layout should provide as much flexibility as possible. It must also be adapted to the site’s topography,
so as to take full advantage of drainage, vistas, cost of buildout and other considerations.
Plots should be regular in shape to provide for efficient use of the site. Plots should also be
appropriate for a range of industrial and business uses. There are no set rules regarding the size of the
plots, as it should be determined based on demand analysis, as well as on the common infrastructure and
services needed on site.
An appropriate layout will achieve the following:

• Create suitably-sized plots that are functional, accessible, accommodate future expansion and
enhance the local character;
• Provide for a diversity of plot sizes and uses;
• Protect and enhance environmental and landscape features, and address the site’s constraints;
Maximize passive solar design through plot orientation;
• Adhere to mandatory requirements;
• Parcellation suitable to target industries;
• Development phasing based on market demand; Non-processing areas to be incorporated;
• and Flexibility of master plan.

Zoning within the Park

Industrial parks should be configured and organized in accordance with the expected uses of the
land within them; this form of spatial organization and planning is known as “zoning”. It is always an
advantage for an industrial park to have different zones for different types of industrial and non-industrial
activities.

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 The relationship between industrial, residential (e.g., multi-format worker housing, hotel and
guesthouse, etc.), commercial, administrative, social and recreational zones, and the expanse and
intensity of each use, significantly impacts the project. Zoning helps by encouraging on-site economies
of scale in utilities infrastructure concentration and utilization, for instance as regards waste collection
and treatment, wastewater recycling, internal transport networks, and other amenities.
It also smooths vehicular and pedestrian circulation by enabling clear movement patterns.

• Segregated internal zones such as the following are typical in an industrial park context:
• Industrial zones for targeted sectors - these include industrial plots, industrial factory shells, and
multi-story industrial units for non-polluting or medium-polluting industries;
• Amenities zones - these cover information centres, training centres, R&D facilities, clinics,
administrative buildings, shopping centres, fire stations, weigh stations, fire stations, etc.;
• Special infrastructure zones - these cover certification laboratories, quarantine services, market
intelligence unit, etc.;
• Logistics zones - these cover loading and unloading yards, parking lots, packaging facilities,
transportation hubs, cargo-handling centres, raw material collection and storage depots, goods
storage warehouses, etc.;
• Utilities zones - these cover solid waste collection centres, electrical sub-stations, CETPs, etc.;
Residential zones - these cover multi-format worker housing, guesthouses and hotels, etc.;

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GENERAL SITE CONSIDERATIONS
While business & light industrial parks may primarily be served by automobiles, pedestrians,
bicyclists and transit riders must be considered.
1. Provide sidewalks and planter areas to serve as buffers between pedestrians and vehicles.
Provide trees for shade as well as lower plantings to soften roadways and parking lots.
2. Create a well defined pedestrian circulation system throughout business and light industrial
parks. Many workers take the opportunity to walk at break times. Consideration should be given to
walkway routes or loops that will support this activity.
3. Where transit stops exist in front of business & light industrial parks, provide a walkway from
the stop to building entries. Transit riders should not have to walk through landscaping, vehicles and
parking spaces to access the buildings.

LANDSCAPING
1. Provide an 8 foot planter between the curb and the sidewalk with ground cover and street trees
along typical frontage streets. See section 1.2 and 1.3 for additional information on streets and sidewalk
configuration.
2. Integrate new landscape design with surrounding landscaping.
3. Design on-site street furniture, accessories, and lighting to be consistent and uniform in its
design.
4. Landscape and irrigate side yards.

NEIGHBORHOOD & STREET PATTERN

1. When business & light industrial parks are located adjacent to a residential neighborhood they
should include other uses beyond employment, such as: restaurants, other retail and neighborhood serving
services, and when appropriate, residential.
When other uses are included close to employment, auto trips are reduced as lunchtime errands
can often be accommodated on foot. Additionally, by including residential uses, some employees of the
business park may be able to walk to work. Mixed uses create more ‘around the clock’ activity, improving
the safety of areas
2. Provide direct walkways, where legally permissible between business & light industrial parks
and adjacent residential areas to reduce the need for automobile usage.
3. When business & light industrial parks are adjacent to residential areas, locate vehicular entries
so as to minimize auto and service vehicle traffic through the residential neighborhood.
4. Provide a major entry to the off-street parking and truck access areas.

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 5. Design the buildings and landscaping to enhance the streetscape and create an inviting
pedestrian experience along the sidewalk fronting the project. 6. Locate some buildings in buildings and
light industrial parks near the street perimeter to reinforce the streetscape and screen parking.
Planning Educational Campuses
The purpose of Educational Facility is to bring together diverse people and their ideas in an
environment that creates potential for intellectual and social exchange. While the physical character and
quality of a campus is defined by both its buildings and its open space, it is the open space which has the
greatest potential for unifying and equalizing the shared space of the campus. It can promote the sense of
community derived from actively shared space, and provide for the enriching experiences of both planned
and chance encounter.

Comprised of streets, walkways, greens, courtyards, plazas, gardens and playfields, open space
has the potential to knit together the diverse elements of the campus in a coherent way.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Arrange campus buildings, open space, circulation and utility systems to:

• establish positive interactions among academic, research, outreach, cultural, and operational
activities;
• protect and strengthen the campus as a living-learning resource integral to the University’s
mission;
• protect and enhance campus beauty;
• enhance environmental stewardship;
• minimize energy impacts and increase/retain energy efficiencies; and
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 • optimize safety and facilitate risk management.

PLANNING PRINCIPLES RELATED TO LAND USE AND FACILITIES

Organize the campus in logical districts of compatible land uses. Implement compact campus
development to achieve the following benefits:

• preserve and protect existing natural areas and systems to support teaching and research;
• conserve land and maximize land productivity;
• protect contiguous agricultural teaching and research land;
• encourage social interactions and vitality;
• encourage collaboration, partnering, and interdisciplinary connections;
• reinforce ties between research and undergraduate teaching;
• control utility, transportation, parking, and infrastructure costs;
• enhance functional efficiencies;
• maximize efficient energy use; and,
• minimize utility distribution extensions, which are inefficient and costly to maintain.

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• Provide intramural recreation fields in locations that balance accessibility for both on- and off-
campus participants.
• Protect and enhance campus open space, providing an appropriate balance (qualitative and
quantitative) to the built environment.
• Protect the land south of Mount Hope Road from development to support AgBio Research and
the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ teaching, research, and outreach mission.
• Protect existing and future drinking water well locations in the Agricultural District in accordance
with the Well Head Protection Plan.
• Favor reuse, renovation, and repurposing of existing buildings after carefully assessing
programmatic alignment, functionality, long-term capital renewal (deferred maintenance),
historic significance, location, energy efficiency, and replacement costs.
• Organize the arrangement and design of campus buildings and exterior spaces to encourage
human interaction and to foster a sense of shared community among the University’s diverse
population. This may include, for example, incorporating “transitional spaces” outside of
classrooms for pre- and post-class collaboration and “blended spaces” where food service, study
space, and general meeting resources coexist.
• Design new buildings and renovations to be architecturally compatible with the best features of
existing adjacent buildings and to be harmonious with their contextual surroundings.
• Maximize flexibility in the design of new and renovated space to accommodate changing needs
and functions over time.
• Recognize historically significant aspects of the campus and the heritage of the campus as a park
and as a living and learning laboratory.
• Acknowledge that the campus is part of the larger surrounding community. Build compatible land
use relationships and circulation patterns.
• Consolidate support service facilities into the Services District as defined by the University
Zoning Ordinance.
• Organize land uses, facilities, and infrastructure to encourage physical activity.

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PLANNING PRINCIPLES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

• Minimize environmental impacts and maximize resource conservation through prudent and
compact land use, protecting sensitive environmental systems, and incorporating low-impact
development guidelines.
• Minimize negative impacts to the water quality of the Red Cedar River Watershed; incorporate
Best Management Practices for storm water.
• Acknowledge the intrinsic value of biodiversity and enhance natural system integrity by creating,
restoring, and maintaining large-block natural areas and improving their interconnections.
• Provide a suite of transportation options that maximize the movement of people and minimize the
movement of cars, thus reducing congestion, vehicle miles traveled, and greenhouse gas
emissions.

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 • Continuously pursue building and utility systems that encourage renewable resource use and that
decrease waste and hazardous materials.
• Recognize land use issues associated with climate vulnerability including storm water
management, flooding, snow removal, temperature extremes, and storm intensity.

PLANNING PRINCIPLES RELATED TO OPEN SPACE

• Protect and extend the park-like character of the historic circle campus in order to reinforce and
enhance the University’s distinctive physical identity.
• Enhance the landscape quality south of the Red Cedar River.
• Promote efficient land use that protects existing, and creates new, green space.
• Protect, maintain, and develop the campus as an arboretum to support the University’s
teaching/learning, research, and outreach mission.
• Provide opportunities for academic and social interaction.
• Provide a variety of open spaces that accommodate the full range of outdoor activity, for example,
large athletic fields to intimate spaces for personal reflection and meditation.
• Preserve and protect existing natural areas and enhance their interconnectivity.
• Integrate public art appropriate to surrounding context (excluding Natural Areas).

PLANNING PRINCIPLES RELATED TO PARKING

• Safely and efficiently meet the parking needs of faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
• Integrate parking facilities into the campus setting in an aesthetically pleasing manner consistent
with its park-like setting.
• Utilize a variety of parking resources including surface lots, decks, and parking garages;
emphasize parking on the campus perimeter.
• Provide conveniently located barrier-free spaces across campus.
• Reclaim surface lots for green space and future building sites when appropriate.
• Relocate parking that contributes to unsafe traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian conditions.
• Minimize the loss of open space for small inefficient surface parking lots.
• Connect the campus transit system to major parking facilities.
PLANNING PRINCIPLES RELATED TO CIRCULATION

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 • Emphasize personal safety in the circulation system’s planning and design.
• Design all roads as complete streets (designed and operated to enable safe, attractive, and
comfortable access and travel for all legal users).
• Provide a safe, efficient, and effective transportation network that enhances the overall quality of
life on the campus.
• Incorporate traffic-calming measures where appropriate.
• Plan and design for the following circulation priorities:
• pedestrians first;
• bicycles and other forms of non-motorized transportation second;
• mass transit and service vehicles third; and,
• private vehicles last.
• Design for the safety of persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disability
Act.
• Reduce private vehicular traffic in academic and residential districts.
• Effectively integrate with the regional transportation system.
• Establish a coordinated bicycle system including bike lanes within roadways, dedicated pathways
and/or shared-use pathways, and convenient and appropriately sized storage facilities where
appropriate.
• Enable an effective and efficient mass transit system including developing residential
neighborhood transit centers to gain transit efficiencies.
PLANNING PRINCIPLES RELATED TO UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE

• Develop campus buildings and infrastructure to foster energy conservation.

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 • Use centralized utility systems wherever feasible to maximize production efficiencies and to
minimize life-cycle operational costs.
• Establish consolidated distribution corridors that co-locate utilities and accommodate
maintenance with minimal campus disruptions.
• Provide adequate protection and security for critical system components including electric, steam,
chilled water, potable water, existing and future water wells, fiber, and natural gas.
• Provide redundancy for steam, electric, water, and communication utilities.
• Enable resource conservation and management through appropriate system design and controls.
• Prepare for developing technologies and their integration into the campus infrastructure.
• Implement practices, install systems, and develop procedures that prolong the capacity of the
power plant, increase reliability, protect health and wellness, reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
while managing affordability.

Government Center & Plaza Complex

Government Center
A Government Center is a network of spaces or buildings that provide essential services to a city
or town. It can include everything from government offices and public meeting spaces to free classes and
memorials honoring important members of the community. Government Centers are tailored to support
the often very specific needs of communities. As a result, Government Center architecture design varies
dramatically across the country in size, scope, and overall appearance.
Government Center planning can be very challenging, as architecture and design options are as
diverse as the members of the public the buildings will serve. Planning also involves weighing the
importance of short-term issues against long-term objectives and can often mean dealing with conflicting
political agendas. These things can be particularly challenging given that taxpayers are footing the bill
While all Government center projects are different, there are 10 primary design tactics that
experienced architectural firms implement to create a beautiful and highly functional Government center
that reflects the diversity and values of the community it will serve:

• Design for Functionality

• Choose the Most Effective Layout
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 • Inject Character
• Offer Community Amenities
• Set the Tone Through Landscaping
• Provide Efficient Wayfinding
• Design with Technology Top of Mind
• Foster a Sense of Security
• Design for Sustainability
• Prioritize Cost-Efficiency

Site Circulation
Design Site circulation design for Government Center will vary greatly depending on the context,
which can range from tight urban sites to suburban campuses or isolated rural settings. Yet the basic
criteria remain the same in all situations: the site design should segregate, at a minimum, pedestrian
access, vehicular access (including parking) and service vehicle access.
Service Traffic. Service dock access may be from an alley, from a below-grade ramp or from a
site circulation drive. Sufficient maneuvering space must be provided, and the service drive should be
screened as much as possible. It should always be separate from the access to the parking garage. Where
possible, a one-way design for service traffic is preferable to avoid the need for large truck turning areas.
Public Transportation. The use of public transportation among employees and visitors. The
potential need for a bus stop should be considered early in the design of a GSA building in an urban
setting and should be discussed with planners of the mass transit system.
Drop-Off. A vehicular drop-off area should be located on the street nearest the main entrance and,
site conditions permitting, also near the entrance to the child care center, if the project includes one.
Vehicular Drives, Parking Lots and Service Areas
Entrance Drives. Follow local codes for entrance driveways within the right-of-way limits of city.
Surface Parking Lots. Standard size parking stalls must be 3 000 mm wide and 5 400 mm long, with two-
way aisles of 7 200 mm. Where possible, 90 degree parking should be used. Internal islands for landscape
planting should occupy no less than 10 percent of the total parking lot area. Curbs should be provided
around the parking lot perimeter and around landscape islands.
Walkway Width. Walkways should be as wide as necessary to accommodate pedestrian traffic
but no less than 1 500 mm wide. This width allows two people to walk side by side or to pass one another.
Where walkways are located adjacent to parking areas, the nearest edge of the walkway should be at least
750 mm from the curb to accommodate car overhangs.

Landscape Design
The landscape design plays an important role in unifying the built elements of the site. Its primary
function should be to create a pleasant, dynamic experience for the staff and visitors who use the site
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every day, walking on their way to and from work, eating, or just sitting in the sun at lunch time and
during breaks. But the landscape is also important as seen from inside the building, both from the ground
floor and upper levels. In addition, the landscape functions as a setting for the building or campus as seen
from off-site by passing pedestrians and motorists. All of these points of view should be taken into
account in the overall landscape design.
For projects located in a district designated for special landscaping by the local Government, local
design guidelines should be followed.

Landscape Elements
Courts and Plazas. The most important considerations in designing exterior courts and plazas are
human scale and comfort. Avoid large, open, windswept plazas and consider the effect of shadows cast
both by the GSA building and adjacent buildings. A well designed exterior court or plaza offers sun and
shade, protection from severe winds, pleasant views and a variety of comfortable seating areas, which
can accommodate various size groups in both private and public settings. Where feasible, outdoor seating
areas should be considered, either as an extension of the cafeteria or as a stand-alone function. They
should be separated from public areas by planters or walls.
Site and Context
Building Form, Proportion, Scale and Context
Building massing creates solids and voids; their skillful interplay is the hallmark of excellent
design. Buildings are perceived either as "object buildings" surrounded by space or as "wall buildings"
enclosing a space. In urban settings either one can be appropriate, but it is interesting to note that the
great cities of the world treasure great spaces more than great objects.
Urban or Rural Context. In cities, a building should enliven the urban scene. It should enrich
the experience of those who use it and pedestrians who pass by it or through it. In rural settings, the
building should become part of the landscape and fit into the existing topography and vegetation.
Environmental Sensitivity. The natural setting of the site, its contours and vegetation should be
viewed as assets to be preserved and woven into the design as much as possible. In the larger sense, the
design should reflect an environmental awareness in the choice of building materials that can be
manufactured without a significant adverse effect on the natural environment.
Orientation. Where a choice exists, it is desirable to orient the building to reduce energy
consumption. Factors that should be evaluated are solar gain, prevailing winds and day lighting potential.
Exterior Circulation. Four categories of circulation usually have to be accommodated on the
building site: vehicular traffic to a drop-off area, vehicular traffic to and from parking, pedestrian access
to the building and vehicular service access. Car and truck traffic needs to be integrated into the off-site
street patterns.
Building Character and Exterior Materials. The exterior walls of Government buildings
should be made from a palette of materials to achieve a simple and elegant look. Various textures or

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colors of the same material may be used to articulate forms and to create contrasts. Durability and
maintainability are of prime concern.
Facade Articulation. Facade articulations, increase the opportunity for corner offices and special
spaces in open office layouts, like conference rooms and lounges. The articulation should be carefully
designed to avoid adding excessive construction costs, but it is worth considering, particularly in large
buildings.
Building Planning
Placement of Core Elements and Distances. In buildings with large floor plates, not all core
elements need to be placed at each core location. How often each element needs to be repeated is
governed by occupant needs and the following maximum radii and distances:
• Elevators should always be grouped in banks of at least two for efficiency. Travel distances from a
given office or work station to an elevator can be up to 61 000 mm.
• Stair placement and travel distances to stairs are governed by code.
• Toilets should also be placed within 61 000 mm of every office or work station.
• Electrical Closets must be stacked vertically and should be located so that they are no more than 45
000 mm from any occupied space. Shallow, secondary closets off permanent corridors may be used for
receptacle panelboards where the distance between the riser and the farthest work station exceeds 4 500
mm and a separate riser is not warranted.

• Communications Closets must be stacked vertically and should be placed so that wiring runs do
not exceed 76 000 mm.

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 Office Space Floor and Ceiling Grids. All walls and ceiling height partitions should be centered
on the planning grid.This permits the highest degree of flexibility in determining the size of individual
work stations. The grid for raised access flooring (i.e., the alignment of pedestals in both directions)
should be offset from the planning grid by 75 mm in both directions to facilitate future removal of floor
panels and to avoid excessive cutting of panels in instances where partitions must extend to the structural
slab.

A Plaza Complex is a community amenity that serves a variety of users including building tenants,
visitors, and members of the public. This space type may function as pedestrian site arrival points, homes
for public art, settings for recreation and relaxation, and inconspicuous security features for high profile
buildings. Plazas are a beneficial feature of any lively streetscape.
Programmatically, plazas are strongly linked to the lobby space type. Both are a "public face" for
a building that welcomes and orients visitors.
Visibility and Views Good street-to-plaza visibility announces the plaza's internal attractions. It
signifies that it is a public space, it permits users to watch street activity and it makes the space safer.
Good visibility can be achieved by the following:

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 • arranging any walls and planting to not screen or block off the plaza from the street;
• locating the plaza at or as close as possible to street level, preferably no more than 1.0 m above
or below street level. A plaza should also take advantage of distant views to the mountains, ocean
and other landmarks wherever possible.

Linkages
A plaza should be linked to other surrounding open spaces, as well as interior spaces such as
lobbies, to create a dynamic pedestrian network. Such links will make the plaza more useful and provide
a more dynamic, coherent urban environment. Linkages can be achieved or reinforced using the following
devices:

• passages;
• bridges;
• steps/ramps;
• paving patterns;
• planting.

SAFETY
Design
A plaza will be unsuccessful if it is not well used because of a perception of unsafeness. The
design of a plaza should provide for safety. Regard should be given to principles of designing for safety
such as defensible space, clear sightlines, good lighting and provision of alternate "escape" paths. The
differences in usage, ownership and responsibilities among commercial, commercial/residential and
residential plazas should be recognized, so that the different approaches to their design relative to urban
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safety is addressed at the initial planning stages. For example, zones of responsibility should be
established and delineated in the design of these plaza types, taking into account their respective use
patterns.

Accessibility
A plaza should provide easy and direct access particularly for the elderly, disabled and young
children. Ramp slopes should not exceed 8.3 percent and handrails should be incorporated. Selection of
surface materials should result in easy access for the elderly and disabled, and also discourage
incompatible plaza activities such as skateboarders. Placement of planters, nonmoveable seating and
handrails should further encourage easy wheelchair and pedestrian access, and seek to discourage the use
of skateboards.

Defensible Space
A plaza should afford good visual surveillance opportunities both from within the space and
along the edges. People need to feel secure and will usually avoid dark hidden corners and vacant places.
A plaza should be designed to maximize opportunities for casual monitoring from its perimeter and
abutting developments. Surveillance and overview from adjacent sidewalks, windows and decks are
necessary components that contribute to the safety of a plaza.

Lighting and Public Features

Good night time generalized lighting is important to enhance safety of a plaza, particularly if it
functions as a short cut or as a through route for pedestrians. Appropriately located and designed lighting
may also discourage loitering.
Environment

Sunlight
Exposure to direct sunlight is very important for many people. Warmth and sunshine are major
user attractions. Sun paths, sun altitudes and shadow patterns in the plaza should be examined for all
seasons, particularly the spring and autumn. Sunlight is particularly valued at lunch time in commercial
business areas. Sunlight can be maximized by:

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• locating seating in areas of maximum sunlight;
• creating sun traps - areas surrounded by walls with an orientation toward the south (walls should not
block plaza/street visibility);
• utilizing reflective light surfaces (if no direct sunlight is available).

Wind
Downdrafts from surrounding high-rise buildings can cause user discomfort and should be
prevented or reduced through specific design measures. Wherever possible, protection should be offered
from strong northwest winds and from harsh easterly winds which can accompany fall and winter
rainstorms. Wind reduction can be achieved by the following measures:

• avoid large, open, unprotected areas;

• avoid wind funnels: narrow openings between buildings with easterly or northwest alignment;
• utilize planting, low walls and canopies for wind deflection.

Noise
High levels of traffic, industrial and other ambient noises detract from the enjoyment of a plaza.
Noise can be partially mitigated by detracting attention from the noise source through the introduction of
such elements as fountains or waterfalls.

Weather Protection
Plazas should be designed with some overhead weather protection. Such protection should be
provided at waiting points and along major pedestrian routes. Protection can be achieved with the
following devices:

• canopies;
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 • awnings;
• shelters;
• glazed trellises

Environmentally Sensitive Design

Landscape design today must recognize a new reality in environmental awareness. For example,
wherever possible, permeable surfaces should be considered. Use of drought resistant plants may lessen
dependency on automatic irrigation. Selection of plant materials should be done with a mind to reduce
use of chemical laden maintenance. Perhaps plantings can be more productive by providing a habitat for
birds. A revised aesthetic may be in order: seasonal change can be achieved by selecting a variety of
flowering or colourful shrubs and perennials instead of largely relying on annuals which are put to waste
several times during the year.

USER ATTRACTIONS
Seating
Good seating is important to plaza users. Without it, fewer people will stop to use a space. There
are four major points to remember when planning seating:
a) Plentiful Seating

• maximize opportunities for sitting: walls, steps, planters, pool edges, lawns.
b) Choice of Sitting Location

• locate seating toward street, oriented to a view, near building entrances, next to
attractions/amenities, in shade, in sun.
c) Variety of Seating Types

• in groups/couples/alone;
• fixed and moveable;
• disabled accessible.
d) Comfortable Seating

• provide warmth: generally wood is preferable to stone, concrete or metal;

• provide contoured seating, preferably with a back and armrest.

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Amenities
A plaza which is furnished with a variety of amenity features encourages general public usage
and creates a sense of liveliness and excitement. Art work should provide a focal point for the plaza or
become an integral component of the overall design of the plaza. Bike racks, drinking fountains and waste
receptacles are practical, essential amenities. Some others are:

• game tables;
• kiosks for information and posters;
• open air cafes;
• children's play equipment (where appropriate).

Resort Community Design

Designing and planning a resort or hospitality destination is an orchestrated effort. From
developers, investors, owner’s reps, hotel flags (recognized hotel brands), planners, architects, interior
designers, consultants, contractors, and trade partners there are several professionals involved in the
process ensuring its success.
Architectural Planning
The goal of hospitality architecture is to create a welcoming, relaxing environment where
vacationers can come to escape and explore. The best resorts help people make memories and keep them
coming back.
Unforgettable hospitality design starts with exceptional architectural engineering. First, designs
for any of the buildings are put together through the process of compiling architectural drawings. An
excellent architectural design considers the environment of the planned project and any other
environmental factors during the design process. There should be careful consideration for how the
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building looks in its surroundings. Whether it is in the middle of historic landscapes or wild terrain, resort
architects know how to plan a resort that fits right in.

Interior Design
One of the biggest elements of a successful resort hospitality project is interior design. After all,
a well-crafted interior is paramount in hotel design. Interior design is planning everything indoors, from
creating the spaces where people relax to planning where furniture is placed in a room.
From the moment a guest enters the resort until it’s time to leave, they should feel relaxed in their
environment.
Guests should feel a sense of community in their resort. Resort interior design should take into
account the flow of visitors and should plan for areas of celebration, conversation, interaction, and
acceptance. When resort guests establish a feeling of community in their resort environment, they’re
more likely to return year after year.
Another important aspect of interior design in hotels and resorts is convenience. Interior design
should consider how guests will relax, play, move and even rest in the space. A successful interior design
will foster a certain level of convenience that is integrated into the guest experience. The more convenient
the design is, the more the guests can relax.
As the demand for resort communities increases so does the demand for wellness in luxury
developments. Incorporating a resort spa is common and almost expected. From yoga studios to massage
pools, innovative interior design is something that will set the resort apart from the rest.

Landscape Design
An exceptional resort community should feature well-planned landscape architecture. Similar to
architectural design, resort landscape design should blend with the natural elements of the landscape,
while also catering to the needs of the resort guests.
Many resorts can also use their landscape design to draw guests in, such as including amenities
like golf courses and swimming pools. Pathways between the properties serve to connect areas and guide
guests.
A landscape designer should know how to incorporate plans that allow guests to connect with
nature and the environment surrounding the resort. Guests are looking for unique, authentic experiences,
and using landscape design to provide this opportunity is important.

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