Planning Considerations

• A doctor’s medical prescription was usually based on the result of examination or

diagnosis of his patient. Similarly, a master plan of a house or any structure is also
the designer’s prescription based on the wants and need of his client.
A master plan is defined as a visual presentation of conceptual ideas supported
by mathematical calculations aimed at giving convenience and comfort to the
users or occupants. A good plan however. Are those that are functional and
economically designed adhering to the principles of “Form Follows Functions”.
Sound Planning Considerations Include:

1. Distribution
2. Circulation
3. Light and ventilation
4. Sizes, areas and shape
5. Orientation
6. Zoning Laws
7. Height
8. Electrical and mechanical facilities
9. Location of doors and windows
10. Superstition
Sec. 808 of the National Building Code on windows opening state that:

• “Every room intended for any use and not equipped with artificial
ventilation system, shall be provided with widow or windows with a
total free opening area equal to at least ten percent of the room floor
area, and such window shall open directly to a court, yard, public
street or alley or open water courses”
Sec. 806 of the National Building Code on Size and Dimensions of rooms
provides that:

• “The Minimum size of rooms and their last horizontal dimensions

shall be as follows:

a. Room for human habitations shall be 6.00 square meters with a least
dimension of 2.00 meters.
b. Kitchen shall be 3.00 square meters with a least dimension of 1.50 meters.
c. Bath and toilet shall be 1.20 square meters with a least dimension of 90
centimeters.

When we say least dimension, it does not mean to limit the additional length or
width the owner may want.
Sec. 807 of the Building Code on Air Space Requirements in determining
the size of the room states that:

• “The minimum air space shall be provided as follows:

1. Habitable room . . . 14.00 cu. m. of air space pre room.
2. School room . . . . . 3.00 cu. m. with 1.00 sq. m. of floor area per person.
3. Office workshop and facilities . . . 12 cu. m. of air space per person.
Sec. 805 of the Building Code on Ceiling Heights provides that:

a. Habitable Rooms with Natural Ventilation shall have a ceiling height not less than
2.70 meters.
b. Habitable Rooms with Artificial Ventilation shall have ceiling heights not less than
2.40 meters measured from the floor to the ceiling. For buildings more than one
story high, the minimum shall be 2.70 meters and 2.40 meters for the second
floor. The succeeding floors shall have an unobstructed typical head room
clearance of not less than 2.10 meters above the finished floor.
c. Mezzanine Floors shall have a clearance of not less than 1.80 meters above and
below it.
Dimensions of Human Figure

• Dimensions and clearances for children

• Dimensions and clearances for adults.

Dimensions and clearances for children

Age Height(cm) Age Height (cm)

5 110 11 140
6 115 12 145
7 120 13 150
8 125 14 155
9 130 15 160
10 135 16 165
Dimension and Clearances for
adults.
The Living Room
Living Room Furniture Groupings

• 1.Primary Grouping . - Chairs and sofa are grouped

around a fire place ( if there is)
• 2.Secondary Grouping. - Chairs and love seat are grouped at end of the room
or at the center
• 3.Reading Group. - Chair, Ottoman, Lamp shades, etc.
• 4.Writing or study Group - Desk, Lamp, one or two chairs,
book cases.
• 5.Music Group – Piano bench, storage space
• 6.Game Group – Game tables and four chairs.
Furniture Dimensions
The Dining Room
 Recommended Space
Dimensions.
• 1. Size of Place Setting.
For Greater freedom of movement, a minimum width of
50cm. Is acceptable, although 75cm is desirable, but 60cm width is
adequate that could permit 45cm wide chair at 15 cm apart.

• 2. For a Place Setting.

Provide a minimum clearance of 35 cm, allow space for
china, glassware, silver and elbow extension.
Table Requirements per
Person
• A. For Crowded Seating – 50 to 55cm on table perimeter
• B. For Comfort Seating – 60cm on the table perimeter.

Furniture Clearances
 1. 80cm. – for chair plus access thereto
 2. 95cm. – for chair plus access and passage
 3. 105cm. – for serving from behind chair
 4. 120 cm. – from table to base cabinets (in dining – kitchen)
Size of Table and Dining Area
• RECOMMENDED DINING TABLE
LENGTH
Persons Minimum Length Recommended
(cm) Length (cm)
4 130 150
6 195 210
8 260 270
10 325 330
12 380 390
  SPACE FOR TOTAL DINING AREA

Persons W x L (cm) Area (sq. m.)

4 300 x 360 10.80

6 300 x 420 12.60

8 300 x 480 14.40

10 300 x 540 16.20

12 300 x 600 18.00

The Bedroom
 Clearance Between Walls
and Furniture
• 1. Between wall and furniture 5 to 7 cm
• 2. Between furniture units 5 to 10 cm
• 3. One side or foot of bed for dressing 100 to 110 cm
• 4.Between side of bed and side
of dresser, or chest 15 to 20 cm
• 5. In front of dresser, closet and chest 90 to 100 cm
drawers.
• 6. In one side of bed for circulation 55 to 60 cm.
• 7. For major circulation path door 60 to 70 cm
• 8. On least used side of double bed 3 to 40 cm.
Side of Bed
• Single 90 to 96 cm x 230 cm long (c)
• Twin Bed 96 x 230 cm long (f)
• Three Quarter Bed 125 – 135 x 230 cm long (b)
• Double Bed 135 x 230 cm long
• Roll Away Bed 60 x 150 cm on edge, 8 cm.

clearance on wall side (a)

• Bed table (g) 35 to 60 x 30 to 60 cm
• Bedroom Chairs (h) small 50 x 50 cm
large 75 x 85 cm x 80
to 95cm
• Dresser 90 to 120 x 45 to 55 cm
• Chest of Drawers 80 to 100 x 45 to 55 cm.
The kitchen