Four Storey Apartment Building

I. Statement of the Problem:

An existing corporation undergoing revitalization and rebranding is engage into real star
development and one of its projects is a low-rise apartment building to be constructed in a
lot in San Andres, Manila. The managing director of the corporation commissions a registered
and licensed architect (LA) to design the project and to manage its contractor but allows the
RLA to enter contracts with specialty contractors in its behalf. The main target market for the
apartments are the employees of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
The developer's requirements for the multi-level, low rise apartment building were simple
and few as follows;
a. Maximize the use of the lot by building into it 4 floors with roof deck. All building
laws and codes must be complied. The 12 x 80% maximum TGFA will be initially applied
unless rejected by OBO during the application of building permits,
b. The ground floor will contain at least 1-unit apartment, the next 3 floors will
contain 3 units apartments per floor and the roof deck for multipurpose use.
II. Project Site Features:
The project site is a rectangular, regular and inside lot. It has existing improvement which
is a 2-storey apartment which is due for demolition. The shorter side of the lot is facing
northeast and a ROW. The width is 10.00m and its depth is 14.25m. The lot plan is marked 1-
2: 10m, 2-3: 14.25m, 3-4: 10m, 4-1: 14.25m. The existing ground floor level is 300mm high
from the sidewalk.
III. Design Objectives:
The design and the apartment's amenities need not to be expensive. Cost of construction
should be appropriate for an inexpensive apartment rental.

Situation – The following questions pertain to ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN of Project No.5, 4-Storey
Apartment Building.
1.What is the MAXIMUM allowable TGFA for the project in square meters?
A. 1 197
B. 342
C. 1 368
D. 534

Maximize the use of the lot by building into it 4 floors with roof deck. All building laws and codes must be
complied. The 12 x 80% maximum TGFA will be initially applied unless rejected by OBO during the
application of building permits,

MaxTGFA = 12 x 80% (TLA)

MaxTGFA = 12 x 80% (142.5 sqm)
MaxTGFA = 12 x 114 sqm
MaxTGFA = 1 368 sqm

2.What is the approximate total gross floor area (TGFA) of this project excluding roof top in square
meters?
 A. 392.5
B. 300
C. 92.5
D. 277.5
3. What can be the size, in square meters, of each of the apartment unit in the typical floors, if 12% of the
floor area allotted for stairs and hallways?
A. 22
B. 25
C. 27
D. 30

Area of each apartment = (Area of the floor/3 units) * (100%-12)

Area of each apartment = (92.5 sqm/3 units) * (88%)
Area of each apartment = 30.83 sqm/unit * 88%
Area of each apartment = 27.13 sqm/unit

4.What is the MINIMUM typical floor to floor height of the 2nd floor to 4th floor if beam depth, floor slab
and space for utilities is 0.60m total depth and rooms are assumed to use natural ventilation?
A. 3.0 m
B. 3.3 m
C. 3.4 m
D. 3.6 m

Floor to floor height = (Minimum ceiling height + (Beams depth + Space for Utilities + Floor slab))
Floor to floor height = (2.70 m + 0.60 m)
Floor to floor height = 3.30 m

5.What is the MINIMUM typical floor to floor height of the 2nd floor to 4th floor if beam depth, floor slab
and space for utilities is 0.60m total depth and rooms are assumed to use air conditioning.
A. 3.0 m
B. 3.3 m
C. 3.4 m
D. 3.6 m

Floor to floor height = (Minimum ceiling height + (Beams depth + Space for Utilities + Floor slab))
Floor to floor height = (2.40 m + 0.60 m)
Floor to floor height = 3.00 m