ESQUISSE NO.

03 | ARCHITECTS’ OFFICE

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
• Learn the basic planning of Architects’ Office.
• Know the considerations and standards for office planning.
• Understand the importance of effective and well-organized working
environment.
ESQUISSE NO. 03 | ARCHITECTS’ OFFICE

Flexible working is a concept that allows workers to have freedom to choose

when and where they work. Advanced information and communication
technology make it possible for the organization to develop this new concept.

An architect is part scientist and part artist with various possible sets of skills which
can set them apart from the others. This unique combination often inspires an
architect to create extraordinary projects and to innovate and become an
inspiration for others.

Architects are designers by themselves they design spaces which makes prime
important for them to design their own architecture office in their own unique
philosophy and style which reflects their language of working and their personal
liking. This results in designing good workspace studio, which becomes an
example for the clients that how the architects design or what is there ideology.
Architect’s office becomes first inspiration to the clients who visit their office.
The architects’ office design is conceptualized to be a place which being leisure
is also conductive for people to work in a creative environment, a workplace to
enjoy.
Concentration, creativity, performance and mood are important factors for
efficient working in the architect’s office, which depend greatly on the design as
well as the working environment.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES IN PLANNING OFFICES

1. WORKFLOW
The most important phase in space planning is the development of the layout
that conforms to and compliments with the predominant workflow requirements.
The planner must know the operations, processes and procedures involved in a
particular office in order to assist the management by providing workstation
patterns that will insure smooth workflow.
2. THE STRAIGHT LINE PRINCIPLE
In a well-planned office, papers move from one desk to another with the least
amount of carrying, traveling and delay. Work must go in series of straight line with
general forward movement, avoiding crisscross motion and backward flow.
Under the straight line principles, the flow pattern can be traced from desk to
desk. Straight line pattern however, cannot be adopted to all activities like
departmental offices whose staff functions are different from the norm.

3. EXECUTIVE CORE CONCEPT

Executive core concept is placing all or most of the offices in the core area,
providing spaces along the building for others.

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
WORKSTATION PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
 Desk should be facing in one direction. This type of arrangement provides
straight line work flow pattern, fast communication, neat and attractive
appearance.
 In an open office space area, placing desk in rows of two allows bank-type
partitions as dividers for work that requires visual privacy.
 Desk should be spaced at 1.80 meters from the front of a desk to the desk
behind it. This distance should be increase to 2.10 meters when desk are in
rows of two.

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
WORKSTATION PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
• In an open office space work area, supervisor should be located adjacent
to the receptionist or the secretary.
• In private offices, desk is positioned where the occupant could see the
door.
• Access to the supervisory workstation should not be through the work area.
• Desk of employees having more visitors contact, should be placed near the
office entrance.
• Desk of employees doing classified work should be far from the entrance.
 • Employees working in closed working area should be in a well-lighted
condition. Glaring surfaces that affects vision should be corrected.
• Heavy office equipment should be placed against walls or columns to
avoid floor overloading.
• Observe safety. Comply with safety rules. Do not obstruct exits, corridors or
stairways.
• Aisles leading to main exits from areas with substantial traffic should be 1.80
m wide.

THE GENERAL OFFICE SPACE

General office space refers to an open area occupied by number of employees,
supervisors, furnishings, equipment and circulation areas. General large office
space area, offers the following advantages:

 OFFER FLEXIBILITY AND EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION

 AID OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS
 PROVIDE BETTER LIGHTING AND VENTILATION
 REDUCE SPACE REQUIREMENTS
 OFFER BETTER WORKFLOW
 SIMPLIFY SUPERVISION
 ELIMINATE PARTITION COSTS

CONFERENCE ROOM
 Private office needs not be provided with conference space.
 For large offices, conference room should be adjoining the office of top
officials that held large number of conferences.
 Conference room should be centrally located to the users.
 Interior space that is not so desirable for office purposes is suited for
conference use.
 Access to conference room should be through corridors or reception area.
SIZE OF CONFERENCE ROOM
Conference room is designed to accommodate average number of people only,
not maximum attendance. Extra chairs can be used for additional seating.
RECEPTION AREA
The impression of visitors lies on the layout and decoration of the reception area.
Therefore, reception must be:
• ATTRACTIVE
• NEAT
• BUSINESS-LIKE
• ADEQUATE TO ACCOMMODATE NORMAL VISITORS TRAFFIC.
*1.00 to 1.20 square meter should be the adequate occupant load for the
reception area. The receptionist should be positioned to command clear view of
those entering and be readily accessible to visitors.

TYPICAL SPACE ALLOTMENT BASED ON THEIR USE

RECEPTION ROOM – 35.00 SQUARE METERS
WAITING LOUNGE – 18.00 SQUARE METERS
CONFERENCE ROOM – 45.00 SQUARE METERS
*This is based by the use of 15 people at a time in a certain space. Add
approximately 1.00 square meter for each additional person to be served.
SPACE ALLOWANCES
Definitely, there is no accurate measurement of space that will make planning
layout automatic. However, experienced planners recommend the following
space requirements:
• TOP EXECUTIVE – 40.00-50.00 SQUARE METERS
• JUNIOR EXECUTIVE – 10.00-20.00 SQUARE METERS
• SUPERVISORS – 8.00-10.00 SQUARE METERS
• OPERATOR AT 1.50 M DESK – 5.00 SQUARE METERS
• OPERATOR AT 1.40 M DESK – 4.50 SQUARE METERS
 • OPERATOR AT 1.20 M DESK – 4.00 SQUARE METERS
• OPERATOR TO BE AT DESK SIDE BY SIDE – 2 IN A ROW

OFFICE PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

• Office layout is based on modules derived from standard furniture and
equipment, and other space clearances.
• For large general offices, the module is based on the desk and chair that
are about 1.50 x 1.80 meters.
• Since the 1.50 x 1.80 meters, dimension is also satisfactory aisle between
rows of desks, the module can be used to form rectangular grid in planning
large office areas.
• With this module, the smallest office with 2 modules would be 2.40 – 3.00
meters wide.
CHAPTER ACTIVITY
ESQUISSE NO. 03: ARCHITECTS’ OFFICE

ESQN03-PROJECT TITLE:
ARCHITECTS’ OFFICE
PROJECT LOCATION:
The proposed project is located at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
A group of young architects have purchased a lot in Taguig CBD to expand their
architectural firm. They have already outgrown their rented office in Makati and
has decided to move out and just developed a bigger space for their company.
As part of the firm, your team has been picked out to do the project. The
architectural office is set to provide small to large-scale projects for their
increasing clients. With that, they are also set to hire a bunch of employees for
their new office. You suggested to incorporate modern approach of office layout
for the said project highlighting the work-play balance on it.
DESIGN CONCEPT:
Contemporary Architecture - a form of construction that embodies the various
styles of building designs stemming from a wide range of influences.
Contemporary architecture cuts away from the modern architecture of the late
twentieth century by including eco-friendly features and embracing all kinds of
creativity resembling sculpture on an enormous scale.
PROJECT SITE FEATURES:

DRAWING REQUIREMENTS:
 Design Concept + Considerations
 Site Analysis NTS
 Plan on Site 1:200 mts
 Floor Plan(s) 1:200 mts
 One (1) Site Elevation 1:200 mts
  One (1) Site Section 1:200 mts
 One (1) Worm’s Eye view Perspective NTS

SPACE REQUIREMENTS:
 (8) Car parking slots
 Reception Area
 Visitors’ Lounge
 Employees’ Lounge/Common area
 Design Collaborative stations
 Materials library
 Products library
 Production and Layout area (for 36 pax)
 Printing area
 File room
 Storage room
 (4) Managing Director offices
 Large conference room (for 20 pax)
 (2) Meeting rooms (for 8 pax each)
 Pantry
 Kitchen
 Restrooms (male/female)
 Utility room