Chapter 2 - Technical Documents - Residential Design

Republic of the Philippines
AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Zabali, Baler, Aurora
Engineering Department
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
CHAPTER 2
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
PREPARATION OF BUILDING PLANS AND CONTRACT DOCUMENTS
Technically construction plans consist of drawings, diagrams, and notes showing the layout of the
floor and use the elevations or views, cross-sections specified materials, other relevant information about
the structure. In general, the building plans consist of the following:
1. Architectural plans and detail drawings

2. Structural Design computation and detail drawing
3. Electrical plan, load analysis, computation and riser diagrams, specifications
4. Plumbing plans, detail of Septic Vault, diagrams of plumbing lines, specifications
5. Mechanical Plans and Specifications
6. Others: landscaping and interior design etc.
Documents forming part of the building plant such as:
1. Construction Specifications
2. Bill of Materials and Cost Estimate
3. Structural Design Analysis and Computations
4. Applications for construction permits and utilities
5. Other supporting papers or clearance are required by local government rules and regulations.
The above plans and documentation should be signed and sealed by the architect and engineers who
prepared them. The project owner must also sign them to signify approval.
TEAM PLAYERS IN THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PROJECT
There are 3 lead roles in the planning and construction process namely:
1. The Project Owner
2. Professionals (Architect, Engineers and Consultant)
3. Contractor, Builder, Construction Manager or Administrator
Furthermore, the supporting players for this construction and planning are the financiers, real estate
brokers, government regulatory agencies, manufacturers and distributor of construction materials and the
construction materials.
The Project Owner – the one that created an idea of constructing a building to serve a specific need or
purpose. They also provide the fund to construct this idea. To transform this idea the project owner needs
to contract the services of licensed professionals – qualified by training and experience to prepare and
implement the necessary documents for the project to start.
Professional (Architect) – is commissioned to conceptualize and to draw the architectural designs and
plans of the project based on the requirements of the project owner and the building codes that may apply
tot the kind of structure to be built.
Professional (Engineer and Consultant) – work with the architect by providing expert advice and
engineering services pertaining to electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, air-conditioning or other
specialized installations to be done on the project.
Contractor, Builder, Construction Manager or Administrator – after the completion of related drawing,
plans and documents the project owner engaged to the service of a licensed contractor or builder in order
to start the construction of the prepared drawings and plans via negotiated or competitive bidding process.
The project owner may also opt to undertake the construction by administration with the help of a project
Architect or Engineer designated as in charge of the construction.
THE PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Prior work commences on the blueprints, the owner and architect would meet and discuss the
project's requirements and objectives. The owner would be the one to specify it. The function of the
structure is described, as well as the needs to be satisfied and the commitment to achieve. He provides
ideas and recommendations for the architect to consider when drafting the building designs.
During the project discussion, the owner informs the architect about the project budget and the
source of funding for the construction project related activities. The payment fees and schedule of releases
for the architectural-engineering services, inspection and supervision are agreed upon as well. These
agreements are put in writing through contract document and being signed by both parties.
Aside from his regular staff consisting of draftspersons, architectural designers, estimators,
specifications writers and administrative employees, the Architect must also avail of the technical
expertise of Engineers and consultants b assist in producing all drawings and accompanying documents
for a given project. Engineers/experts supplementing the regular work force of the Architect's office are
the following:
• Professional Electrical Engineer or Master Electrician - prepares, signs and dry-seals the
Electric Plans; including the application for an electrical permit to be issued by the concerned
government office and the utility company to supply electric power for the project.
• Sanitary Engineer or Master Plumber - prepares, signs and dry-seals the Plumbing Plans;
including the application for the plumbing permit from the concerned government unit.
• Civil-Structural Engineer - designs and computes the correct sizes for structural frames and other
critical parts to achieve economy in the construction, strength, stability and safety of the building;
signs and dry-seals his work.
• Mechanical Engineer - prepares plans for mechanical installation; signs and dry-seals the plans
and application for permit to place the equipment indicated in the drawings.
• Geodetic Engineer - draws the lot plan based from the data on the OCT or TCT of the project site
if not yet available; or surveys the land, computes boundaries; and locates or relocates concrete Iot
monuments; signs and seals his work.
• Other experts, if required by the nature of the project or by the owner are: Landscape Architects,
interior Designers, Environmental Planners; Geo-technical Engineers, etc.
LOT PLAN AND LOCATION MAP OF THE PROJECT SITE
The project owner - aside from giving the guidelines and requirements to be taken into account in
drawing the plans - should also provide the architect with the information about the area, shape, boundaries
and characteristics of the terrain on which the building will be erected. The ideal source of the required
information is the Lot Plan prepared by a licensed Geodetic Engineer or Land Surveyor. On this plan are
plotted the land monuments (represented by circles) and the bearings and distances of the boundaries based
on the technical descriptions appearing on the Original Certificate of Title (OCT) or Transfer Certificate
of Title (TCT) of the land. Where the terrain of the land is so uneven and rugged, contour lines and hotes
should be included on the lot plan.
The architect/project designer needs all the technical information about the lot/project site to help him
determine the ideal size, shape, orientation and placement of the proposed structure when he prepares the
Site Development Plan for the project.
LOCATION/VICINITY MAP OF THE PROJECT SITE
The Lot Plan is prepared by the Geodetic Engineer on a prescribed drawing sheet. Among other
standard drawings to be shown thereon is the Location or Vicinity Map where the exact position of the
project site in a su6ivision or community is pinpointed. Details shown on the location map are the lots,
blocks and the network of roads in the area, etc.
THE SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
ln the site Development plan, the position, shape and dimensions of the proposed project are shown.
The improvements proposed to be introduced on the property are also indicated.
To acquaint the architect with actual conditions of the project site, the project owner should invite and
accompany him to inspect it. This will result in further exchange of views on how best to achieve their
common goal before the plans are started. lt will also enable the architect to evaluate the negative and
positive features of the land and take them into consideration in developing the design and plans. For
example, if the terrain of the land is sloping, the architect will prepare a plan that will fit the contour of
the land. This will reduce construction cost by minimizing the need to level and fill the uneven surface of
the project site.
PREPARATION OF THE PRELIMINARY STUDIES
The development of the building design and plans generally comes in two stages.
ln the first stage, the architect prepares presentation drawings reflecting his best concept of the project.
The plans he produced must conform to the reasonable wishes of the project owners and the building laws
and regulation, among other considerations. The initial drawings produced - commonly called preliminary
studies - are presented to the owner for his study and approval. A rough estimate of the project cost, which
may be calculated based on the floor area of the proposed structure is also shown. The drawings initially
submitted to the owner usually consist of the perspective view of the proposed building that shows how it
will look like when finished, the floor plans, site development plan, elevations or cross sections of the
project.
The preliminary studies are rendered in black and white or in color, using manual drafting or by
computer. Needless to say, the architect or designer would strive to produce well-laid out floor plans that
will enable the building occupants to live in comfort within it, or perform efficiently the activities or work
in the building. He/she would strive for aesthetically pleasing views of the building; and to make a
convincing presentation of his/her ideas to elicit favorable reaction from the project owner or proponent.
If the owner is not satisfied with the preliminary plans and requests for changes, the architect will have
to go back to the drawing board, so to speak, and make the desired revisions. He/She will present the new
drawings to the owner for study and approval. The owner may make one or more such requests for plan
adjustments before he gives his approval.
DRAFTING THE FINAL WORKING DRAWINGS
The second stage involves drafting the complete construction drawings of the project following the
owner's approval of the preliminary design studies. The detailed drawings and plans would cover all the
architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and other construction phases - to be
implemented by the contractor, builder, construction project administrator or manager in charge of the
construction. The architect will also prepare the related construction documents such as the Bill of
Materials and Cost Estimates, Construction Specifications, invitation To Bidders and draft of proposed
Construction Contract. He will also accomplish the Application for Building permit for submission and
approval of the proper government office.
When the plans and companion documents are completed, they are reproduced in several copies by
whiteprinting and photocopying respectively. The reproduced copies are signed and dry-sealed by the
architect and the engineers who prepared them. The building owner would also affix his or her signature
on the plans and documents to signify approval of their contents. copies of the plans and accompanying
documents are issued to contractors desiring to bid for the construction or the structure. The prescribed
number of copies are submitted to the concerned government offices for approval and granting of the
necessary construction permits and clearances.
THE BUILDING SITE

In planning the design and construction of a building we should carefully consider the environmental
forces which is the physical context for the building and its site. A site geographic location, topography,
climate, and orientation to the sun and prevailing winds all influence the decision at a very early stage in
the design process.
A doctor’s medical prescription was usually based on the result of the 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 occupant.
A good plan however is those that are functional and economically designed adhering to the principles of
“Form Follows Functions”
SOUND PLANNING CONSIDERATION INCLUDES:
1. DISTRIBUTION – Refers to the placement, location and arrangement of each room unit in
relation with each other as to functions and coordination. One particular example is the
interrelation between the dining and the kitchen which primarily requires accessibility on food
servicing. These area units are interrelated and should not be far from each other.
2. CIRCULATION – like roads and highways with traffic problems, traffic is also present inside the
building that must be considered in planning. Circulation and movement of the occupants inside
the building should not be hampered by any obstacles nor be detoured as a result of poor planning.
In short, the design of the floor plan be it residential, commercial, or industrial type, must address
the traffic condition inside the building without the necessity of using red and green lights signal.
3. LIGHT AND VENTILATION – there is no substitute for a good daylight and fresh natural air
entering and circulating inside the building. Artificial lighting and ventilation is very costly to
those who cannot afford, but others prefer it for maximum comfort regardless of costs. The design
therefore, depends upon the likes and preference of the owner.
4. SIZES, AREAS AND SHAPE – all rooms are intended for human use and therefore should be
planned according to human scale. Good design always provides areas to accommodate furniture’s,
appliances, and other related facilities, including the most critical and important lanes or pathways
for routinary movements inside the house. The shape as to plan and elevations should be strictly
functional not fancy in character.
5. ORIENTATION – Refers to the position and direction of the sunrise and sunset. It also includes
the prevailing wind directions in the area for the year round. A brief nap or rest at mid day or in
the afternoon is normally done in the bedroom. Thus, bedroom should not be oriented facing the
afternoon sun. The kitchen laundry and bathroom are better oriented west for sunlight kills may
types of bacteria.
6. ZONING LAWS – The zoning ordinance should be consulted first before deciding on the final site
of the house or building of the house or building. You might be constructing your residential house
on an industrial or commercial zone. Of course, the family would be very happy if their house is
constructed in residential areas provided with the right facilities like market, school and
playground for school children, church etc.
7. HEIGHT – a moderate high ceiling allows fresh air circulations, comfortable atmosphere and
preserved aesthetic value of the room. Room with low ceiling has warm atmosphere that requires
artificial ventilation.
DIMENSIONS OF HUMAN FIGURE
The study of human dimension will be categorized into two:

1. Dimensions and clearances for children
2. Dimensions and clearance for adults

RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE DIMENSION GUIDELINES
THE LIVING ROOM
The kinds of furniture, furnishing and the manner how they were arranged in the living room offers the
feeling of grandeur and inviting atmosphere. Furnitures may vary from what will be presented depending
upon the taste and preference of the individual use. In any furniture groupings a minimum spacing distance
should be considered and established for convenience as to:
a. Space allocation
b. Lanes or pathways between furniture’s arrangement
LIVING ROOM FURNITURE GROUPINGS
1. PRIMARY GROUPING – Chairs and sofa are group around a fire place (if there is any)
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.
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR LIVING ROOM
In planning a living room, consider the following recommendations:
1. Separate the through traffic from the activity center.

2. Opening should be positioned giving enough wall space for various furniture’s arrangement.
3. Provide convenient access to:
a. Doors
b. Windows
c. Electrical outlets
d. Thermostat
e. Supply grills
4. For simple passage between low object such as sofa and coffee table, the pathway should have a
minimum clearance of 40 centimeters.
5. For single passage between tall objects from the hip height or over provide minimum clearance of
60 centimeters.
6. For general traffic lane the minimum recommended pathway clearance is 100 centimeters.
7. For seating area to permit one person to be passing at the back of an occupied chair, a minimum
clearance of 90centimeters is acceptable.
THE DINING ROOM

THE BEDROOM
THE KITCHEN
THE BATHROOM

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Chapter 2 - Technical Documents - Residential Design

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Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

PREPARATION OF BUILDING PLANS AND CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

1. Architectural plans and detail drawings

Documents forming part of the building plant such as:

TEAM PLAYERS IN THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PROJECT

THE PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

LOT PLAN AND LOCATION MAP OF THE PROJECT SITE

LOCATION/VICINITY MAP OF THE PROJECT SITE

THE SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

PREPARATION OF THE PRELIMINARY STUDIES

DRAFTING THE FINAL WORKING DRAWINGS

THE BUILDING SITE

SOUND PLANNING CONSIDERATION INCLUDES:

DIMENSIONS OF HUMAN FIGURE

The study of human dimension will be categorized into two:

2. Dimensions and clearance for adults

RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE DIMENSION GUIDELINES

THE LIVING ROOM

LIVING ROOM FURNITURE GROUPINGS

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR LIVING ROOM

In planning a living room, consider the following recommendations:

1. Separate the through traffic from the activity center.

THE DINING ROOM

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