Thesis Manual 2023

[DHVTSU THESIS MANUAL 2019-2020]
DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY

Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Department of Architecture
ARCHITECTURE THESIS MANUAL
2023-2024
1
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
1.1.1 INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND

This part is supposed to give the reader a clear idea of what your thesis
is all about. Remember, clear idea. Therefore, you cannot go discussing
anything you come across without understanding how it relates to what
you want to achieve in the end.
Here are some of the point you have to cover to make sure that you
Introduction will give the reader a strong vision of of the direction
you want your project to take.
1. Present the problem and concerns, which will bring you to choose to
work on your proposal. You should do this without using the word “I” and
without presenting your proposal just yet.
2. Inform your reader about the present scenario – the unsatisfactory

conditions and problems that your feel need to be solved (and that YOU
can actually solve ARCHITECTURALLY). These would include such aspects
such as technical problems; absence/ incompatibility of present site;
need for proper planning need for recognition of potentials; etc. Make
sure, though, that you stick only to the relevant factors.
3. State the reason/s why it is necessary to conduct the study, which

will lead to your solution. This is sometimes called the “RATIONALE”
(which is also a tip: this is where you rationalize what you are doing)
why in the world must you do this? Will it make the world a better
place?)
4. Does your problem has a historical background? Most problems do. Trace
it. Then present it clearly and coherently. However, be careful about
delivering too much on the historical context. Once you have connected
the historical events with present developments and the problem at hand
move on.
5. Ask yourself these questions: Do you have a clearer and deeper

understanding of the conditions pertinent to your problem? Do you want
to find a way to solve it? If there are already existing ways of solving
it, are you interested on going the extra mile to come up with a better
solution? If your answer to these questions is a resounding “YES!”, then
tell your reader so (again: do not use “I” and do not actually address
your reader). All you have to do here is to convince your reader that
your project is worth your effort and the reader’s attention.
6. Describe the condition of your study locale. You should do this in

an informative manner, which is not too technical for readers with no
background in architecture. In addition, you should do this whether the
2
locality is being used as a source of basic data or a targeted site for

application.
7. Wrap up. Before you start with the next part, make sure you have
linked all the things you have discussed. Do not leave the reader
wondering where you got the idea of conducting this study. If you can
come up with a clever parting statement here, then by all means, DO!
1.1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This is composed of a GENERAL STATEMENT of a MAJOR PROBLEM and SPECIFIC
QUESTIONS or SUB PROBLEMS pertaining to your thesis topic. If you ha e
formulated them in the introduction, you only need to repeat them in
this section.
Since you will be focusing on several RESEARCH TOPICS, you may be able
to come up with different specific needs that you have identified are
supposed to make your project unique from other studies. Let your reader
know this by stating your problem is a SIMPLE, CLEAR and DIRECT manner.
1.1.3 ARCHITECTURAL THESIS GOALS/ OBJECTIVES/ STRATEGIES
1.1.3a ARCHITECTURAL THESIS GOAL

There is one very important word here and that is “ARCHITECTURAL”. You
can begin “selling” your project here by defining what kind of structure
you want to see in the translation of your study. A brief description
of the outcome could also help so that a conceivable “Image” may be
formed. Keep in mind that you are doing an architectural thesis. Refrain
from devising PROGRAMS for the operation of your project.
1.1.3b OBJECTIVES
Objectives are more SPECFIC targets, which eventually lead to the
attainment of your architectural goal. You may want to group them by
certain categories as determined by your goal, or arrange them
accordingly to importance.
1.1.3c STRATEGIES
Strategies are particular actions you have to do to achieve each specific
objective. Forget about architectural for a while and focus on RESEARCH
WORK. What you need to know, study, research on, survey, observe,
estimate or program in order to create a body of knowledge that will
lead to meeting your objectives. It would, therefore, be more
comprehensible if you allow the succeeding outline in stating your thesis
goals, objectives and strategies.
3
GOAL
OBJECTIVE
1.
STRATEGIES
1.
2.
2.
STRATEGIES
1.
2.
3.
As you enumerate the objectives and strategies, keep checking their

relevance to your goal. If you do not see a direct relationship, scrap
the objectives before you get carried away identifying the strategies.
In addition, please be consistent with your sentence structure. If you
begin the GOAL and the first OBEJCTIVE with “To + verb....” use the
format until you ran out of objectives to state.
Strategies are very different thing. They are structured in the

imperative form (the better to scare you into doing them, perhaps?).
1.1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
1.1.4a SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This is very important that you state in the clearest manner possible
the coverage of your study and project. To do this, you must first ask
yourself what you need to do and why you need to do them. Once you have
identified this you can again categorize or group them to gauge the task
better.
Let us say you will be covering a lot of investigation with respect to

the site. Identify what you need to know as required by your project.
Then let us say again that you also have to conduct a deeper research
about your thesis topic/s. do you know why? Of course, you do. Write
your purposes. Elaborate if possible. Then let us say further that you’ll
be conducting case studies. What will be your subjects? What will you
be looking into? Will it be the locale, the users, the activities, what?
Then (as you may have already guessed) you have to explain why. Then let
us say you stop. Good.
1.1.4b LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Most researchers make the mistake of using this part of the paper to
state simply what their project will NOT be about. But then again, who
said that you are like most researchers? You are not, right? Right. So
make this a statement of the constraints or limiting factors that might
affect your research and therefore, the final output. Some examples would
be budgetary limits (don’t we all have this??), unavailability or
4
inaccessibility of data, and not of course our favorite excuse: time

constraints.
However, these limitations determined only to keep your study at a

realistic level in no way should be used as an excuse for personal
shortcomings o blocks in the outcome of the projects.
1.1.5 PURPOSE/ RELEVANCE/ SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THESIS

Who will benefit from your studies? How can this study be of any help
in fostering a better architecture? These are few of the questions you
have to take into considerations in writing the significance of your
thesis. This may deal with the social, economic or cultural aspects of
the project. You can even combine or address all of the aspects if you
like. But HOLD IT! Do not think of yourself as some kind of God who can
actually SOLVE the problems with your thesis in blink of an eye. You
cannot alleviate poverty nor improve the whole bureautic system through
your study.
But it can be a TOOL. (and it MUST be a tool if that is what you aim).
Always keep in mind that you are an architect, not a psychologist,
sociologist, physician, nor a politician. And so you must always direct
your discussion on the ARCHITECTURAL aspect of your work. Oftentimes you
get carried away by the description drawn from the client’s project
proposals and thereby forgetting the architectural contributions you
want your project to have. Example, if you are working on Rehabilitation
Center for Drug Dependents, you will not say that your thesis can
actually heal these addicts. Instead, you can state your possible
contributions, as an architect, to meet this concern.
1.1.6 ASSUMPTION
The thesis, though a theoretical exercise which need to immediate
application, should however be REALISTIC and ACHIEVABLE as possible. It
would only mean that you will be dealing assumptions which will support
your study and give substance to your work. These may be conditions where
you base your study that needs some validation through key informants
you have interviewed. Your client’s name, the possible funding source,
the organization which will run the proposal and the likes are example
of these. Your assumptions can be of great help when dealing with
programming and cost analysis. Further, it can bring your project into
a more realistic sense and create a more formidable framework for the
design.
1.1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPT

One in doing this: this is NOT a mini-dictionary. And so you are reminded
that you will just write words that you believe that are TOO TECHINICAL
for your readers. Do not include terms which are only unfamiliar to you.
You might end up doing a list of terms for you not your readers.
5
The following are some guidelines in writing an effective definition of

terms:
1. Only terms, words or phrases which have special or unique meaning in

the study are defined. Example: learning areas may be defined as a
classroom, but may take another meaning is to what your study is all
about, say a laboratory or a drafting room, study room.
2. Terms should be defined operationally, that is, how they are used in
your study. For instance the study is about accessibility. What do you
mean by accessibility? To make the meaning clear you have to define what
covers the term, essential for a clearer understanding of your study.
3. You may develop your own definition of from the characteristic of the
term defined. Thus, a house made of light materials as one made of
bamboo, nipa, buri, etc. this is also an operational definition.
4. Definition may be taken from valid sources. Encyclopedias, reference

books, magazines and newspaper are samples of these. And hey, because
these are printed and published materials, you need to acknowledge them
in any form possible. Definitions taken from these kinds of materials
are called conceptual or theoretical definitions.
5. Acronyms should always be spelled out especially they are not commonly
known or if they were used for the first time. You may be using and
typing the same long meaning of Department of Environment and Natural
Resources for a hundred times or even more along your work. So don’t you
think DENR would be a better alternative?
6. Use simple words in defining your terms. It would be more complicated

if you will not, and therefore building another bulk of things to be
defined.
7. Definition should be as brief, clear and direct as possible. Need we

say more?
1.2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

When you already established your scope, you probably would have also
known the coverage of your thesis. Hence, you are ready to define varied
literature related to your study. These are summarized versions of
articles, researches, write-ups and other thesis works which are somehow
related to your topics(s). The key here is simple. The more you read,
the better! And therefore the easier for you to visualize and understand
the needs of your work. This would also help you know where will you
take-off. Having known what were already written and published, you will
then have the idea where would you start study. Will it just be a
continuation of an existing project? Will you just be pushing a new
theory related to those previously stated? Or is it a totally new project
with totally new concepts related to the existing ones? To help you
further understand, here are some guidelines on citing related
literature.
1. Materials must be as recent as possible. New informations are

discovered every day. Your piece of literature may be true and relevant
today but not in the next months or years. It is not that changes occur
6
that abrupt but developments may arise which may have altered the
theories presented on your researched literature.
2. Materials must be as objective and as unbiased as possible. You have

to avoid materials which are obviously and extremely siding an
organization, group or an individual figure, whether political,
religious, or otherwise.
3. Materials may not be too few or too many. It is always best to know
where and when to stop. Maintain a balanced presentation of literature,
just when enough, not to overwhelm your readers. In an undergraduate
thesis like yours ten (10) pieces of literature for review is
recommended.
1.3 THEORETICAL/ CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Your thesis is a research-based thesis. It means that you are supposed
to formulate ideas based on your gathered facts and information to later
on be applied to a specific project. To know the applicability of these
theories, it is essential that you create a framework. Something which
will bind your thoughts into one concrete THRUST— where ALL your inputs
as well as your outputs will be based. Usually, your research topics
correspond to be supportive ideas in the development of your study, if
not the main end of it.
This will be the part where you will inform your readers if there is a
theory you want to prove e.g. a limited area can affect the behavior of
a drug dependent, or a concept you want to test say, a moving space is
a best suited for the healing mind.
You might wonder what the difference between a theory and a concept is.
According to humans (1967), a THEORY has three basic components (1)
conceptual scheme (2)set of propositions stating relationships between
properties or variables and (3) context for verification. Your Theory
of Architecture subjects (T.ARCH 1, 2, and 3) clearly state this as a
relation between two properties, in the given example, space and
behavior.
Theories have been subjected to further studies by various people and

yet they are still something that can be verified. Your thesis can be a
supportive study and a test if the theories presented are really true.
A theory is something which already has a proponent. It means that a
person before you had already proposed this theory and other people have
been verifying this as well. Therefore, your framework should be based
from a proponent and the consolidation of studies made as well to see
the extent of verification done.
CONCEPTS on the other hand are just ideas or concrete expression of terms
(see chapter on concept). These may be based on your OWN ideas and NOT
coming from another researcher or proponent. If your research topic will
be working on this type of framework, then you have to state so. Yes,
this may sound a little bit confusing and difficult at first but you
have already done this before, haven’t you? You are just to organize and
give your work a more solid basis by stating the theories and/or concepts
7
and HOW will you go about this. Again, these may just be part and parcel
of the research topic of the entire thesis.
1.4 METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH

In any research, it is not only important that you know WHAT to do but
more essentially HOW you will do it. The methods of research will help
you with this process. You see, this is an organized table or framework
which explains the step by step process of doing your study. You can
choose from a number of methods used in an architectural research
(descriptive, analytic or a combination), you have to enumerate them and
elaborate and explain as well why are you using them. If it is an
interview: wt whom? Why? Etc. if it is a survey: what type of question
will you be asking? How were you able to establish them? And so on and
so forth... it is also recommended that you prepare a WORK PLAN. This
is a synthesis of your plan and how are you going to conduct the study.
a. SYSTEM OF INQUIRY
b. RESEARCH DESIGNS
c. RESEARCH TACTICS
1.5 BIBLIOGRAPHY
This is the list of reference (books, magazine, interviews, etc.)
you have consulted in the development of your book.. Here items are
arranged alphabetically regardless of the articles a, an, and the. You
may provide bibliographies for every chapter and have them listed at an
end. You can break down rather long bibliography according to topics or
type of publication, but you have to maintain an alphabetical arrangement
within each section.
Remember to put the authors’ surname first, then the first name and
middle name or initial (if any). Separate the major elements with a
period. Page numbers are only necessary if the source s an article, but
if it is a book, you need not indicate them.
The following are some examples of possible sources and the manner by
which you should include them in the Bibliography.
1. Bibliography style for a book by one author
Jodidio, Philipi. Architecture Now. Cologne, Germany: Taschen GMBH,
2001.
2. For a book by two authors. Use commas to separate names.
Kirk, Stephen J. and Spreckelmeyer, Kent F. Enchancing Value in

Design Decisions. New York: Random House, 1993
3. For a work cited in another work.
8
Walpole, Jane R. Why Must the Passive Be Damned” College Composition and
Communication. 30:3 (October, 1979), 251. In Bush “The Passive.”
Techinical Communication, 28:1 (First Quarter 1981) 19-20, 22.
4. For articles. Give title of article in quotation marks, title of

Periodical underlines, volume number and issue number and date and
inclusive pages that the article appeared on Lacayo, Richard. “Buildings
that Breathe” Time Magazine. (September 2, 2002), 60-62. With newspapers,
it is sometimes necessary to give the section number or name with the
page number Clines, Francis X. “The Mother Tongue Has a Movement.” New
York Times (June 3, 1984), 8E.
5. From an on-line information. This is treated as a printed material,

but with a reference to the source/site at the end of the entry. Walpole,
Jane R. Why ust the Passive Be Damned?”
[www.archieoverload.blogspot/com~waltrj\passive]
6. For a computer software program.
 Include the name of the writer of the program, if known.

 Underline the title of the program
 Label Computer Software neither underlined nor enclosed in
quotation marks.
 Separate items with periods, but place between distributor nad the
year of publication.
 Add any pertinent information like the computer for which the
software was designed, the number of units of memory, and the form
of the program

Chapter 2: PRESENTATION OF DATA
2.1 DATA MANAGEMENT

After drawing a clear introduction and orienting your readers with the
particulars of your thesis, you are supposed to give them the “meat” of
the book in this chapter. However, you should be careful on what to
present. This is not a mere tally or a collection of data. Presentation
involves organization. To give you a clearer picture, you may do the
following suggestions:
1. Segregate the facts from the concepts. You probably know now what the
difference is between this two. Factual data are those information based
on what is existing, something which is of truth and reality. Conceptual
data may be written ideas which you could use as basis for your study.
It is necessary for you to know this so as you would determine which
data can be processed and what are not.
2. Recognize what data to present. You might be tempted to present

several bits of information or a huge number of knowledge about the
topics you are studying.
9
DON’T. analyze the articles, tables, etc. and their relevance to your
thesis. Ask yourself. Are these really helpful? Are these important? Can
I do without them? You see, not because an article or a clipping tells
you about your topic, it would automatically qualify and be accepted as
data.
3. Organize your data. It would be necessary to have a proper sequencing

of the data you will be presenting. Sequencing would mean developing
your data presentation from the simplest to the most complex ideas. It
would also help if you would relate topics after topics so that you would
establish the links between them, to later on be connected to the main
thing.
Alright, you may be a bit lost about that, but here’s a more
comprehensible way of looking at it. The following is a detailed
discussion of the types of data to be presented and the manner it should
be presented.
2.1.1 PRESENT CONDITION

It is inevitable to come up with basic data about your proposal. These
come in statistical form. You may have come to come back to your god old
junior year in high school to be able to understand this. But hey,
haven’t you done this before when you were doing your research methods
a year ago? Yes, this is as simple as showing factual data to your
readers, whether in textual, tabular or graphical form
However, you have to take note that these are “statistical” data and so
these are data, already processed, initially, by the agency where you
got them. Population, vehicular volume and Growth in Rice Production are
just few samples of such.
1. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
 Present and Projected Population

 Population Distribution by:
Age, Sex, Religion, Educational Attainment, Employment,
Income
 Urban-Rural Population Distribution
 Population Density
 Growth Trends
 Literacy Rate
 Household Size
 Number of Dwelling Units by:
Type of Construction Materials, Structure, Ownership
2. PHYSICAL DATA
 Macro-Site Data
Political Boundaries
Area and Land Uses
Climate
Adjoining Areas and Uses
Access
 Micro-Site Data
10
Boundaries
Area
Land Use
Topography/ Landform
Water Bodies and Quality
Orientation in relation to solar paths and wind paths
Vegetation
Flora and Fauna
Visual Resources
Existing Structure
3. SECTORAL DATA
 General Public Services
This covers the administrative system of the municipality, e.g.,

organizational structure, policy development and information management.
This also includes the local government’s financial report and fiscal
administration.
 Social Services
This encompasses education, culture, sports and manpower development;

health and sanitation, nutrition and population policies; housing and
community development; social welfare, protective services and
recreational facilities of the municipality.
 Economic Services
This covers agriculture, trade and industry, tourism, labor and

employment; existing and projected income and employment opportunities;
direction and pattern of growth of agriculture and industry.
 Physical Infrastructure
This includes the inventory of roads, transportation, communication,

sewage and drainage power, telecommunication, drinking water, solid
waste disposal, transport terminal, traffic management.
4. INDUSTRY PROFILE
This consists of pieces of information relative to particular industries

or aspects of the economy following are some examples of industries that
need to be studied relative to a number of thesis topics.
Industries Thesis Topics
The Housing Industry Subdivision development Community

development Housing component s
and materials
The Retail sales industry Commercial development
The Health care Industry Pharmaceutical Facilities Hospital
Complex
The tourism industry Historic town renewal plans
11
Some of the basic data that make up the industry profile are the
following:
 Current Standard of Operations

 Accomplishments and Shortfalls
 Administrative/ Organizational, Technical/ Technological, Problems
 Outlooks or envisioned future business environment
 Players and Leaders in the Industry
 Competitions and Competitive Advantages
 Opportunities for Improvement
2.1.2 PRIMARY DATA
Primary data come from original sources. They are not commentary about
the topic, but rather consist of information that must be commented upon
the succeeding topics.
Tactics that may be used to gather Primary Data include interviews,

listening (to symposia, lectures), focus groups, surveys and
observations (participatory, non-participatory)
Tactics Interviews Non-interactive
Interviews  In-depth interviews

 Key informants
interview
 Career History
Listening  Symposia  Lecture
Focus Groups  Discussion guided
to test in small
groups
 Participants help
construct the right
questions
Surveys  Multiple Sorting
 Projective Survey
Observation  Participant  Non-participant
observation observation stream
of behavior
 Chronicles
 Field notes
 Visual mapping
2.1.3 TABLES and GRAPHS
You may be already identified these tables and graphs at the beginning
of your book you might be wondering where this will appear. If you think
that it they will all come in a single bulk in just a single chapter,
think again. This chapter may contain most of these figures but you are
free to present some whenever the need in certain discussions arises.
12
We are architects and so this graphs and illustrations will be our most
effective tools in expressing our thoughts.
Now, the question you might have In your mind is what are these tables?
What about these graphs? A statistical table or simply table is defined
as a systematic arrangement of related data in which classes of numerical
facts or data are given each a row and their subclasses are given each
a column in order to present the relationship of the sets or numerical
facts or data in a definite, compact and understandable form of forms.
Now, you may probably recognize a table when you see one, right?
A graph on the other hand is a chart representing the quantitative

variations or changes of a variation itself, or quantitative changes of
a variable in comparison with those of another variable or variables in
pictorial or diagrammatic form. There are some advantages of using a
graph over a table. These are:
1. It attracts attention more effectively than tables, and, therefore

is less likely to be overlooked. Your readers may skip tables but
pause to look charts.
2. The use of colors and pictorial diagrams make a list of figures in
thesis report more meaningfully.
3. It gives a comprehensive view of quantitative data. A moving line
exerts a more powerful effect in the reader’s mind that the
tabulated data. It shows what is happening and what is likely to
take place.
4. Its general usefulness lies in the simplicity it adds to the
presentation of the numerical data.
But the graphs have disadvantages as well as advantages. They are

generally inaccurate, incomplete, more expensive and time consuming.
Further, graphs can only be made only the data have been tabulated.
Listed below are the varied types of graphs you may encounter:
1. Bar graphs
a. Single vertical bar graph
b. Sing horizontal bar graph
c. Grouped or multiple or composite bar graph
d. Duo-directional or bilateral bar graph
e. Subdivided or component bar graph
f. Histogram
2. Linear graphs
a. Time series or chronological line chart

b. Composite line chart
c. Frequency polygon
d. Ogives
e. Band chart
3. Hundred percent graphs or charts
a. Subdivided bar or rectangular bar graph

b. Circle or pie chart
4. Pictograms
5. Statistical maps
6. Ratio charts
13
You might just be copying these tables, graphs and charts as part of
your presentation of data. But you think it would be more fruitful on
your part if you’ll be doing these by yourself? Why not? You might have
already gathered your data and so you are in the right position to
process them yourself and show your readers these data as you understand
them.
2.2 CASE STUDIES

This chapter us actually an extension of your Research Data. The
difference is that with Case Studies, you are analyzing existing
related structures, groups, localities and situations and you
might be getting information that may not be available in textbooks
or previous studies. This is especially true for local cases that
may have some connection with your project. Focus, however, should
be on the variable that may be difficult to determine without
actual reconnaissance. Do not forget that you are the one who has
the best understanding of your project and what information you
need from the case studies. That simply means that it is also YOU
who can conduct the studies most effectively.
If you need information regarding structures or scenarios abroad

(especially if you want to determine the applicability of certain
theories and principles to the Philippines , you may use secondary
data. It is best, in this case, to come up with at least one local
study (besides the foreign one) so that it would be easier to
determine the applicability and feasibility of foreign concepts in
local settings.
2.2.1 SCOPE and DELIMITATIONS
As you study different cases, it would become evident to you that

each structure, user group, locality or situation is made up of
several variables. A study of a municipality, for instance, could
cover its physical, cultural, historical, social and economic
frameworks. But not all of these may be relevant to your project.
So, you have to state in the SCOPE all the specific concerns that
you will focus on. You also have to discuss the extent of work
that you will cover in regard to these elements.
To further clarify matters, you can discuss all those concerns

that you will NOT be covering in the DELIMITATION. This will give
your reader a more simplified view of what to note in the cases
under study.
2.2.2 CASE STUDIES

14
Each case study can be presented by first explaining how they are
related to your project. You can discuss the situation by dividing
it into sub components and presenting their respective merits. If
you think that sketches, maps, graphs, and photographs would help
you explain them better, then use them to support your data. Just
remember to provide proper captions or else, they may be useless.
Lastly, you have to maker sure that all the specific concerns are
discussed properly, and their relevance to the project stated
clearly. It is also advisable that you choose cases that are
related to your thesis in distinctly varied ways. One case study
may be concerned with a project similar to your proposal and
another which employs a technology which is comparable to what you
are proposing. You might also be able to draw more reliable
conclusions by studying both local and foreign cases.
At least three TOPICS for study would be ideal -- a study of

similar user groups, a study of a case similar to the project
(local and foreign), and a study of the current trend/s (local and
foreign) pertinent to the project. It might also be useful to
include a failed case that used the same technique or was intended
for the same user group. Even the failed cases are helpful in your
research as they give you a fairly good idea of what NOT to do.
However, please take note of the word TOPIC. This does not mean
that you have to limit your case studies to three also.
2.2.3 SUMMARY and RECOMMENDATIONS

This is where you correlate a d summarize all the factors that you
have studied to see their implications to the project. You can end
this chapter by recommending and endorsing concepts and approaches
learned from the case studies according to their suitability to
your project.
C. RESEARCH TOPIC (or you can write the TOPIC TITLE)
A research topic is something born with your thesis. Ideally these

topics should be thought of before the project since these are
basically the things of your interest.
But of course, we don’t want to be too idealistic here, and so

they may come together as a package, with the source of your
project hooked on these topics.
In selecting a research topic, you should look into your thesis

project and see the possible requirements or kind of character
15
which will make it unique or increase its architectural value. In

other words, being the “soul” of your book, this section will give
your readers a great deal of what they will be reading as they go
along with your thesis. These research topics do not only explain
the essential things about your study but clarify as well the
theoretical or conceptual framework you mentioned in Chapter1.
This would require you to write the applicability of these topics
to your project and so you should be wise in selecting the topics.
Be very specific. Focus.
How will you do this? First, you have to orient your readers why
you choose the topics as your focal points of study. You can very
well do this be reiterating the roots of your problem(s). You have
to go back to the background you have presented in Chapter 1 and
stress the need for the topics to be studied so as to have a clear
solution, in the end, to the problems posted in your statement.
THE RESEARCH BODY
This is the thorough discussion regarding your research. This

should contain studies, approaches as well as trends (of course
acknowledged)relative to your topic. But don’t be misguided. A
common mistake here is that the contents of the research body are
lifted from published work, completely! This is a big no-no! Any
data or information appearing on this part will have to be
processed and quoted.
Discussion should be paraphrased and again - for the nth time-

properly acknowledged! The information should be brief and
discussions well-organized. Again, the key is focus. If for example
you are to discuss behavioral analysis as a research topic, do you
need to write everything about behavior including the psychology
of the human mind if your readers about the basic, why not? But
the meat of the discussion should be on the psychology of children.
Focus! You may also want to mention cases and examples, but you
must not discuss them fully as you would be required to do in the
Case Studies.
APPLICATION
It was mentioned earlier that your research will not have any value
or significance unless you connect it with a project which will
manifest the studies made. This is the part where you relate your
topics with your project. Let us continue our example in the
behavioral analysis. It will be pertinent to note not only the
theories on behavior but its application to the architectural sense
16
as well. You may have to study theories on perception, color and

space to support your documented research when applied to the “real
thing”. Again, you have to be specific. Bear in mind that what
you’ll be writing should be something which will give your readers
a clear understanding of your thesis and not confuse them. So go
straight to the point.
However, you will not stop when you have given the application.
You still have to cross examine these data. Check on its economic
feasibility and other areas you might thinks its appropriate for
study.
CHAPTER 3. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
3.1 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

3.1.1 IDENTIFICATION/ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS
If you need that it is enough just to gather and present your data
think again. They will have no value unless they can be related to
the project. What you have to do in this chapter is “sift” through
the information that you have presented in the previous chapters
and come up with those that can serve as a basis for further
developments. With the theoretical foundation that you’ve laid out
in Chapter 1 and the factual components that you’ve presented in
Chapter 2, you can very well analyze.
WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE? But remember, the needs you identify
here should always be ones that can be satisfied by ARCHITECTURAL
SOLUTIONS. Otherwise, discard them or process them so that although
the root maybe social, psychological, physiological, etc., the
expressed needs and requirements are architectural.
3.1.2 RESTATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Okay, so you might think that we’re going back to Chapter 1 here.
This time, you’re right. At least, in a way. You have to reread
the Statement of the Problem you formulated with only preliminary
information and high hopes. You have the facts now. This time,
they should anchor your thoughts to the ground.
Your situation can have you viewing the problem in a new light.
You might need to come up with a NEW STATEMENT. Just don’t veer
too far from what you have previously stated. Keep this in mind:
new view but not necessarily new problem.
17
If, on the other hand, all the facts just reinforced the problem
you stated in Chapter 1, do not feel compelled to change your
statement. All you have to do in this case is to RESTATE it. That
simple.
3.1.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
So, you have made the problem clearer and more specific than
before. What do you do now? That would be what you will be
discussing in this section. This maybe a statement of what
structure you have concluded is necessary to solve the problem. If
there are concepts and theories that need to be studied and
discussed further so that you could arrive at the most effective
design solutions, you have to present them along with your
recommendations. Same goes if you think that there is a new design
approach which has to be developed and used for the proposal.
3.2 SITE
It must be our primary concern as designers to find the most ideal
combination of function and location. We might struggle to create a very
well-contrived plan but if the structure juts out like a sore thumb in
its location, all the programs we use and the designs we produce can
come to nothing.
For this chapter, you will have to conduct several types of studies at
several levels to come up with the best site for your proposed project.
The extent of what you will discuss here will depend basically on how
important and influential the choice of site is to your project. Your
focus should be on the appropriateness and feasibility of possible sites
to the intended use. And to determine this, you have to conduct
comprehensive analyses of the characteristics of the site and its
surrounding areas. Of course, in the end, you will have to indicate how
these factors and attributes will affect the project.
There are several topics to be covered in this chapter. However, this

is once again NOT a standard thing. You can add relevant topics but make
sure that each one will be discussed clearly and thoroughly.
3.2.1 BACKGROUND
With a reliable knowledge and a vision of your project proposal,
you can now determine its requisite site requirements and the
possibility of having to seek for alternatives. Your site may be
given, but that does not mean that you will have a lighter workload
than if you have to look for one. At this point, at least acquaint
your reader with your situation (or predicament?) and what you
plan to do about it. If the site is given, brief your reader about
pertinent matters in regard to it (location, size, etc.). If it’s
not, don’t whine. Just tell the reader so and give him an idea of
your game plan for your quest.
3.2.2 SITE SELECTION CRITERIA
18
In this section, you will have to discuss what features of a site

-- both natural and built -- are best-suited to your requirements.
It is, therefore, a huge advantage if you can coherently state the
character of your project, the site attributes that it requires
and why. Don’t worry. The “why?” is quite easy to answer. Did you
get them from a textbook? Did you so brilliantly come up with it
on your own? Are you following standards set by a government
agency? Or is it all of the above? Once you have stated your
answer, discuss each criterion intensively. And there’s your SITE
SELECTION CRITERIA.
Some points may be helpful here:
1. Be specific. Avoid vague statements such as “big enough”,

“should be accessible”....
2. Stick only to the criteria that are most relevant to your

project. Time distances relations, for example, may mean the world
to one project and have no effect whatsoever on another
3. Be realistic. Do not seek qualities that would be impossible to

find. Yes, that makes a location on top of a snow-capped mountain
here in the Philippines totally out of the question!
3.2.3 SITE SELECTION and JUSTIFICATION

So, let’s say that you were lucky enough to find three possible
sites for your project. Start by pointing out their favorable and
unfavorable aspects by BRIEFLY discussing each one. It might also
simplify the work if you can try to evaluate the sites’ merits
using a rating system (1 for severe limitation, 2 -moderate
constraint, 3 -good condition, 4 -excellent condition).
Then, select the most ideal one. This is the site that could meet
the project requirements with the least modifications. Try to see
if the score in the rating system validates your choice. The table
on Figure 2 is very effective tool in selecting the best possible
site for your proposal.
3.2.4 SITE ANALYSIS

Although the Site Selection Process has already given your reader
an idea about your site, deeper analysis is still needed. This is
usually done in two levels -- the
MICRO SITE ANALYSIS which includes the specific area within the
property boundaries and its immediate environs; and the MACRO SITE
ANALYSIS which includes the examination of the site environs up to
the horizon (sometimes even beyond). In this analysis, the
condition of various factors such as utilities, natural elements,
climate, infrastructure and sensuous characters are presented. Of
course, a discussion of how these factors affect your project
always follows.
19
It is sometimes very tempting to limit the discussion of the effects to

the most obvious and conspicuous. But since an extensive analysis should
be involved, it is possible to learn how each factor influences the
project at a deeper level. There will be times, too, when you would feel
like you have to LIE about some of the factors.
Please DON’T. Your site needs not be perfect. Ideal, yes. But perfect?
Not really. If some important elements are absent in your site, say water
system, tell the truth. They might sound like big limitations now, but
in the end they will serve you better as useful design determinants. So,
the more honest you are about the,, the better.
3.2.5 SWOT ANALYSIS
To most designers, a tabulated SWOT analysis (defining its your project)

maybe the best visual guide t the analysis. It can give your reader an
idea of how suitable the site is to the project with just one look. It
will also enable you to relate your site’s potentials as well as it’s
imperfections.
Figure 2. SITE SELECTION CRITERIA
From Landscape Architecture: A Manual for Site Planning and Design
By John Ormsbee Simonds
New York: Mc-Graw Hill, 1998
CRITERIA SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE
1 2 3 4 5
I.
REGIONAL
Climate (temperature,
storm, rainfall, etc.)
Soils (Stability,
fertility, depth)
Water Supply and Quality
Economy (rising, stable,
declining)
Transportation (highways
And transit)
Energy (availability and
20
Relative cost)
Landscape Character
Cultural opportunities
Health care facilities
Major detractions (list
and describe)
Exceptional features
(list and describe)
II.
COMMUNITY
Travel (time-distance to
Work, shopping, etc.)
Travel experience
(pleasant or unpleasant)
Community Ambiance
School
Shopping
Churches
Cultural opportunities
(library, auditorium)
Public Services (fire,
Police, etc.)
Safety and Security
Medical facilities
Governance
Taxes
and describe)
21
(list and describe)
III.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Landscape character
Lifestyle
Compatibility of
Proposed uses
Traffic ways (access,
hazards, attractiveness)
Schools
Convenience (schools,
Service, etc.)
Parks, recreation and
Open space
Exposure (sun, wind,
Storms, planning)
Freedom from noise, fumes
Etc.
Utilities (availability
And cost)
and describe)
(list and describe)
PROPERTY
Size and Shape
(suitability)
Aspect from approaches
Safe entrance and egress
22
On-Site “feel”
Permanent trees and cover
Need for clearing
Ground forms of gradients
Soils (quality and depth)
Relative cost of
Earthwork and foundation
Site Drainage
Adjacent structures (or
lack of)
Neighbors
Relationship to
Circulation patterns
Relative cost of land and
Development
and describe)
(list and describe)
BUILDING SITE
Topographic “fit” of
Programmed user
Gradient of Approaches
Safe distance and
entrance drive
Orientation to sun, wind,
And breeze
Views
Privacy
Freedom form noise and
23
glare
Visual impact of
neighboring uses
Visual impact upon
neighboring uses
Proximity to utility
leads
LEGEND
* - Severe limitation
# - Moderate constraint
^ - condition good
> - condition excellent
Note: By substituting numbers for symbols, the arithmetic sum for each
column would give a general indication of its relative overall rating.
It is to be realized, however, that in some cases a single severe
constraint or superlative feature might well overwhelm the statistics
and become the deciding factor.
And remember that this is SITE analysis. Some municipality, city,

provincial or even regional data may help but they should NEVER be the
focus of this part, much less it’s only character.
3.2.6. BASELINE STUDIES
Baselines are starting points from which the design proper takes off.
They help paint the backdrop against which the research undertaking is
being pursued. Baseline information can be the bases for formulating the
parameter by which the outcomes of the researchers can be evaluated.
1. MAPS
Base Maps
 Municipal or General Base Map

 Poblacion or Urban Base maps
 Base Maps for other Built-up Areas
 Vicinity Map
 Thematic or Analytical Maps
 Contour Map
 Soil Map
 Slope Map
 Land Capability Map
 Soil Suitability for Agricultural Uses
24
 Soil Suitability for Urban Uses

 Hydro-geologic or Groundwater Map
 Facilities/ Infrastructures Map
 Development Constraints Map (geologic, fault, flooding,
etc.)
 Special Projects Map
 Weather Map
2. EXISTING STANDARDS
Quality Standards
 Governing Benchmarks that require that regulate the

physical make-up of industry outputs. These are often
measured by getting feedbacks form users or
consumers.
Performance Standards
 These are standards that regulate operations or ways

of doing things. These are often quantified and
measured in terms of units such as speed, rate,
efficiency, etc.
3.2.7 FACTORS and ISSUES RELEVANT TO THE SITE
These are factors and considerations in regard to the site that will be
relevant to your project. You may begin the section by presenting a Code
Survey. Look for local laws, codes and policies (or even international
ones, if necessary) that will help you define the limits of your
development. Aside form these, you also have to identify and study other
factors that are not based on the law. These will include phenomena which
are natural to your site (flooding, strong coastal winds, etc.), local
ordinances, local customs and community characteristics. Of course, in
the end, you will have to state how will all these affect your site.
CHECKLIST OF SITE DATA
From Site Planning by Kevin Lynch
M.I.T. Press, Massachusetts. 1979
a) INITIAL PERSONAL RECONNAISSANCE - observation of the site’s

apparent character, problem and possibilities presented through
notes, sketches, photographs, etc.
b) COLLATION OF EXISTING DATA such as contour maps, aerial photos,

geological soil and water surveys, climate records, ecological
studies, engineering reports, boring tests, census materials,
histories, social studies, market documents, traffic studies,
legal and public control documents, official proposals, records
and current controversies
c) SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE OFF-SITE CONTEXT AND ITS CHANGES -

geographic location, surrounding populations, social and
political structure, general economy, ecological and principal
off-site destinations and facilities
25
d) DATA ON THE SITE AND ITS IMMEDIATE CONTEXT
A. PHYSICAL DATA
1. GEOLOGY and soil
 Underlying geology, rock character and depth
 Soil type and depth, value as engineering
material and as plant medium
 Fill, ledge, slide and subsidence
2. WATER
 Existing water bodies - variation and purity
 Natural and man-made drainage channels - flow,
capacity, purity
 Surface drainage patterns, amounts blockages,
undrained depressions
 Water table - elevation and fluctuation,
springs
 Water supply - quantity and quality
3. TOPOGRAPHY
 Pattern of Landforms
 Contours
 Slope and Analysis
 Visibility Analysis
 Circulation Analysis
 Unique Features
4. CLIMATE
 Regional data on variation of temperature,
precipitation, humidity, solar angle,
cloudiness, wind direction and force
 Local micro-climates: warm and cool slopes,
air drainage, wind deflection and local
breeze, shade,heat reflection and storage, plant
indicators
5. ECOLOGY
 Dominant plant/animal communities - location
and relative stability
 Their dependence on existing factors,
self-regulation, sensitivity to change
 Mapping of general plant cover, including
wooded areas
 Specimen trees to be retained: their location,
spread, species and elevation at base
6. MAN-MADE STRUCTURES
 Existing buildings: outline, location, floor
elevation, type, condition, us
 Circulation facilities (roads, paths, rails,
transit, etc.): location, capacity,
condition
 Utilities (Storm and sanitary sewers, water,
gas, electricity, telephone, steam, etc.):
location, elevation, capacity
26
7. Sensuous Qualities
 Character and relation of visual spaces
 Viewpoints, vistas and visual focal points
 Character and rhythm of visual sequences
 Quality and variation of light, sound, smell
and feel
B. CULTURAL DATA
1. Resident and using population
 Number and composition
 Social structures and institution
 Economic structure
 Political structure
 Current changes and problems
2. On-Site and adjacent behavior settings: nature,

location, rhythm, stability, participants, conflicts
3. Site values, rights and restraints

 Ownerships, easements, and other rights
 Legal controls: zoning and other other
regulations
 Economic values
 Accepted “territories”
 Political jurisdictions
4. Past and future
 Site history and its traces

 Public and private intentions for future use of site,
conflicts
5. Images
 Group and individual identification and organization of site

 Meanings attached to the site, symbolic expression
 Hopes, fears, wishes, preferences
C. DATA CORRELATION
1. Classification of site by areas of similar structures,

quality, and problems
2. Identification of key points, lines and areas
3. Analysis of curret and likely future changes – the dynamic
aspect of the site
4. Identification of significant problems and possibilities
3.3 BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS
3.3.1 ACTIVITY FLOW DIAGRAM
As your project will cater mainly to its users, it might be useful

to your study to look into their patterns of activities as these
would help determine the characteristics of spaces which will be
provided for them. The pattern of activity of spaces and,
consequently, structures.
27
For some projects, the activity flow diagram may be governed by a

given schedule. This is true for schools, for example, where the
activities of the users as based on the scheduling of classes. For
others, the pattern may have to be determined through direct
observation, interviews or any first-hand procedure. It is also
important to note the less obvious details in the pattern aside
from those which are based on a given program or are easily
discernible through observation.
3.3.2 ENVIRONMENT-BEHAVIOR STUDIES
Should your thesis have the behavior of the users as its main
thrust, you should expand this part and have a through and in depth
out-put. You may not only be dealing with the activities of the
users for the time being would most probably extend your analysis
to the culture of these people. Moreover, this would entail a
comparative analysis of your users’ behavior with that of other
paradigms.
Again, this is an analysis and so you would not just list the
activities. Apart from identifying the activities and behavior of
your users, whether individual or group, you are to give your
readers a hint of why you’re discussing these things. How will
these affect the overall concept of your thesis? In what way can
these behaviors be a toll in designing an effective working
environment? Do you need to apply your knowledge in space
engineering?
The concepts of territoriality, defensible space and bubbles are

very helpful tools in analyzing the behavior of people in relation
to the environment. In the end, this procedure will help you
understand how the environment shapes behavior and vice-versa.
3.3.3 INTERRELATIONSHIP ANALYSIS
This is the simplest part of spaces programming—but not quite. If

you think that doing matrices and bubble diagrams would be too easy
for you to do, well unfortunately, they’re not. Although such
graphical instruments help facilitate the organization of spaces,
they may be too flexible, and so you’ll have the tendency to
overlook at the appropriate circulation. To avoid this, it is
recommended that you have to go further and create alternative
schemes or bubbles (variation of your design) and even zoning
(based on the result matrices) with circulation diagrams of various
types of users. The result of your case studies would probably be
applied here. Again, you are encouraged to draw various schemes to
present probable solutions- and it will not stop there. You have
to orient your readers of the variances and indicate the advantages
and disadvantages of each scheme so that you would not have the
difficulty of explaining the design of your choice when later on
tested against the concepts. Remember to include the services and
utilities.
There are different methods in programming spaces. It can be a

matrix which allocates specific variable depending on the activity
e. g. pivotal and then coming up with the area. You may also use
basic standards from the National Building Code or other building
28
standers and multiply these with the number of users. Another way
is to lay-out a scheme containing the furniture, spaces, and
circulation (of course in scale). This may be most helpful for
rooms requiring specific furniture as in hospitals, laboratories,
factories and the like.
3.4 VIABILITY STUDIES
Viability studies are undertaken to ascertain the possibility of

the project getting implemented. They are used to determine
probable impediments to project realization and to identify
measures by which these impediments may be minimized or eliminated.
3.4.1 TECHNICAL VIABILITY & ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The Technical Design Constraints – All designers must work within

a set of parameters based on the following:
Technology
The project must be realizable based on the available systems,

infrastructure and know-how. Production, replication, testing must
be possible within the existing framework of expertise and tools
by which the processes can be carried out. Propositions must be
grounded on theories that are sufficiently backed up by past
research undertakings.
It’s also possible that the proposed project is illustrative of

new technology. In this case, the research output must include
recommendations on the development of the proposed technology.
Cost
Project Cost – these are expenses that are directly attributable

to the completion of the project. Examples are: design development
cost, construction/ development/ production cost.
Capital – this covers all initial, one-time expenditures. Examples

are: construction of production plants, equipment purchase, land
acquisition
Operation – regular/ periodic expenses such as utility bills,

salaries for personnel, rentals
Maintenance – periodic or one-time expenses for repairs and

facilities upgrading
Time
Timeframe – a schedule showing how the project will progress over

a projected duration must be shown. Schedules may be in the form
of a bar chart, and S-curve or a PERT-CPM diagram
Phasing – project completion may be done in period may be needed
Gestation – a lead-time or preparatory period may be needed before

a project can fully take-off
29
Resource Requirements
Materials – the types, sources and availability of needed building

or product components need to be firmed up
Manpower – the labor component, required expertise, organizational

requirements also need to be identified
Equipment – pieces of light and heavy equipment needed for the

production and operating stages must be available
Site Conditions
Location/ Surrounding
Areas
Land Area and Configuration
Access
Climate
Landforms
Topography
Geology
Soil Type
Water Bodies
Hydrology
Oceanology
Vegetation
Atmosphere/ Air quality
Fish and Wildlife
Visual Resources
Danger/ Hazard prone areas
Existing Structures
Infrastructure
Utilities
Water
Power
Drainage Communication
Environmental Impact Assessment – An EIA is undertaken to compare

scenarios with and without the proposed project. The results are
used to weigh favorable against unfavorable impacts of the project
on the environment. The word ‘environment’ here refers to both the
physical and non-physical dimensions.
The physical dimension cover ecological and technological concerns

while nonphysical dimensions cover the social, cultural, economical
and political concerns.
The Environmental Impact Statement Outline prescribed by the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
1.0 Name and Address of Project Proponent

2.0 Type of Projects
3.0 Overview Summary
4.0 The Project Setting
5.0 The Proposal
6.0 A Brief History of Past Environmental Conditions and a
Description of the Existing Environmental and Resource Use.
7.0 Future Environmental Conditions without the Project (An
Average of fiver tears projection)
8.0 Prediction and Assessment of Impacts
30
9.0 Contingency Plans

10.0 Environmental Briefings and Monitoring
11.0 Mitigation Measures
12.0 Residual/ Unavoidable Impacts
13.0 Information Deficiencies
14.0 Appendices
15.0 Consultation and Comments including Public Recommendations
• Details are in the attached Readings
Considering that projects of all types and scale have varying

degrees of environmental impacts, the EIA is used to identify ways
by which unfavorable impacts may be mitigated.
3.4.2 LEGAL VIABILITY
Project must be developed and implemented within the existing

framework that is defined by the following: Design Laws, Codes,
Guidelines – examples are the National Building Code, the Referral
Codes, Batas Pambansa 220, Batas Pambansa 344, Condominium Act,
Presidential Decree 957
Patent Laws/ Intellectual Property Rights – there are procedures

for claiming ownership over intellectual properties in the form of
creative work, inventions, models and paradigms
Accreditation – there are also procedures for recognition prior to

entry into the target market. For example the AITECH (Accreditation
of Innovative Technology) is a task force that screens, evaluates
and approves new technology for housing.
Other Laws – Other Laws that can directly or indirectly affect the
project outcome are Civil Code, laws that cover national defense,
trading, taxation, etc.
Another legal concern has to do with the entities or personalities

that will be tapped to develop and implement the proposed project.
Institutional Arrangements – the type and level of networking

required to effect project completion need to be identified.
Concerned Agencies – the particular public or private organizations

and their roles in the network should also be clarified it would
also be possible that the project is illustrative of the need to
modify certain aspects within the existing legal framework. In this
case the research output must include recommendations on how these
modifications can be systematically effected.
GUIDELINES FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT COST

From Problem Seeking by William Pena
1. SITE PREPARATION
Estimate 1% to 3% of building cost
2. PARKING
Refer to required ratio to get number of parking slots.
Estimate per slot.
3. ROADWAYS
Estimate per linear meter
31
4. SIDEWALKS AND TERRACES

Estimate 1%to 7% of building cost
5. WALLS AND SCREENS
Estimate .5% to 2.5% of building cost
6. OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES

Estimate lump sum per unit per type
7. ON-SITE UTILITIES
8. OFF-SITE UTILITIES
9. STORM DRAINAGE
Estimate .5% to 2.5% building cost
10. LANDSCAPING
Estimate 1% to 2% building cost
11. OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT
Estimate lump sum
12. OUTDOOR LIGHTING
Estimate pedestrian lighting 1% of building cost; parking
lighting lump sum per car
3.4.4 DESIGN PROPOSAL
Take a deep breath. You’ve come a long way. Take a minute or

two to congratulate yourself for what you have accomplished
so far. Actually, you will need all the confidence you can
muster as you forge through the next step: stating your DESIGN
PROPOSAL.
Since this is the foundation of all that you will be

conceptualizing from hereon, the Design Proposal should be
discussed in the clearest and most coherent manner possible.
Avoid words that may be too technical or too complex or too
vague. With just one look at the Proposal, the reader must
have a good idea of what to expect in the translation.
Aside from this, you must also enumerate the specific

functions that your project will perform and the specific
activities that your project will perform and the specific
activities that it will house. Refrain from naming specific
spaces though. This should be done in the Programming part.
For example, you can say “a venue for the exhibit of native
Filipino art” but you cannot say “museum”. Not yet. Remember:
functions and activities only.
3.4.5 DEVELOPMENTAL CONTROL AND COMPUTATIONS
Computation of the following based on NBC RULE 7&8

Total Lot Area
Allowable Maximum Building Footprint (AMBF1, AMBF2, AMBF3)
Percentage of Site Occupancy
32
Impervious Surface Area

Maximum Allowable Construction Area
Minimum Unpaved Surface Area
Open Space within Lot (TOSL)
Incremental Setbacks if applicable
CHAPTER 4: PROGRAMMING
This is perhaps the most important part of your thesis. Here,

you have to come up with the possible areas for your project
as a concrete solution to the things you discussed in the
earlier part of your work. It would be difficult to understand
and appreciate what you’ll write here if you don’t give your
readers a background of your project, its purpose, and users.
In addition, since the discussion to follow will delve on the
administrative structure of the proponent, then it would be
helpful if you could also explain what this organization does.
Your organizational chart could be your best tool on doing
this.
Before you go deeper with the details of space programming,

it would be appropriate to define the term for you. Space
programming is an exercise for the student to concretize the
abstractions of space relationships into units of measure as
well as the flow or circulation. It is the consolidation of
all the requirements, standards, rules and regulations.
Requirements would mean the needs of the project (users and
systems) in terms of 3-dimensional spaces, facilities,
spatial relationship, etc. these may be guided by legal
standards or conditions informally set by the unit of analysis
as dictated by the needs.
Rules and regulations are the legal guidelines that you must
follow in the course of the design. The main end of this
exercise is to have a systematic presentation of all these
requirements to later on be translated in into schemes and
plans. For the purpose of the thesis, you are to stick to the
minimum requirements. However, should the project need to
provide areas for expansion, let this be stated and taken
into account.
4.1 BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS
As your thesis will cater to its users, more than anyone else,
it is but rightful to take a look into their activities as
well as their operations if they move in an organization. The
visiting public would also share an ear with the analysis. In
this part, you will enumerate the main departments or units
and how the relate to each other. This will give you and your
readers an idea how a certain department works and interrelate
with each other. In doing so, you will find yourself
identifying which units are active, thus requiring an active
33
space, and which are not. You have to indicate the magnitude
and level of sensitivity of service to adequately and
effectively provide a space for them, afterwards.
Analyzing the schedule of the activities would also be

helpful. Should your thesis focus on the behavior of the users
as its main thrust, you should expand this part and have a
thorough and in depth out-put. You may not only be dealing
with the activities of the users for the time being but would
most probably extend your analysis to the culture of the
people. Moreover, this would entail a comparative analysis of
your users’ behavior with that of other paradigms.
Again, this is an analysis and so you would not just list the
activities and presto! You’re done with it! Apart from
identifying the activities and behavior of your users,
whether individual or group, you are to give your readers a
hint of why you’re discussing these things. How will these
affect the overall concept of your thesis? In what way can
these behaviors be a tool in designing an effective working
environment? Do you need to apply your knowledge in space
engineering? You watch and see.
4.2 INTERRRALATIONSHIP ANALYSIS
This is the simplest part of space programming—but not quite.

If you think that doing matrices and bubble diagrams would be
too easy for you to do, well unfortunately, they’re not.
Although such graphical instruments help facilitate the
organization of spaces, they may be too flexible and so you’ll
have the tendency to overlook at the appropriate circulation.
To avoid this, it is recommended that you have to go further
and create alternative schemes or bubbles (variations of your
design) and even zoning (based on the result of matrices)
with circulation diagrams of various types of users. The
results of your case studies would probably be applied here.
Again, you are encouraged to draw various schemes to present
probable solutions- and it will not stop there. You have to
orient your readers of the variances and indicate the
advantages and disadvantages of each scheme so that you would
not have the difficulty of explaining the design of your
choice when later on tested against the concepts. Remember to
include the services and utilities.
There are different methods in programming spaces. It can be

a matrix which allocates specific variable depending on the
activity e. g. pivotal and then coming up with the area. You
may also use basic standards from the National Building Code
or other building standers and multiply these with the number
of users. Another way is to lay-out a scheme containing the
furniture, spaces, and circulation (of course in scale). This
34
may be most helpful for rooms requiring specific furniture as

in hospitals, laboratories, factories and the like.
4.3 QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
This has been proven as one of the most effective, if not the most
effective way of programming spaces. Its is a tow-fold analysis,
which initially caters to the qualities of the project, and later
on translated to be quantitative one. Let us first deal with the
first one. Let us first deal with the first one. Qualitative
analysis, as the term suggest is an analysis pertinent to the
QUALITIES of your proposal which will inevitably become bases for
the design.
This would have to do with five major concerns namely:
(1) Establishing GOALS,

(2) Collecting and Analyzing FACTS,
(3) Uncovering and Testing CONCEPTS,
(4) Determining NEEDS and
(5) Stating the Problems
All these concerns will have to be interacted with four (4)

considerations: FUNCTION, FORM, ECONOMY, and TIME. You may notice
that this programming method include the basic steps in design or
what you familiarly know n as DESIGN PROCESS. You’re right! You
will have to use the objectives in chapter 1 (goals), the data
(facts) you have gathered in chapter 2, and the proposed ideas
(concepts) you have in the next chapter to do this.
Like the interrelationship analysis, this analysis also comes on

matrix form.
Therefore, it can be interchanged so as to fit the desired program.

Provided with this manual is a simple table with possible issues
for each concern. You may consult the book Problem Seeking by Pena
to further understand this discussion.
4.4 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
Like any other data, a qualitative input would have to be translated

into a more perceptible program to be understood and later be
translated into a plan. This is what a quantitative analysis does.
It translated the qualitative matrix you did to a more tangible
thing. That’s right, the word is TANGIBLE. While the qualitative
speaks of the abstract, the quantitative talks of the more
realizable output- something which can be grasped by the readers
at once. You may ask: why then can’t you go directly with the
quantitative? The answer is simple all the inputs in this section
will be taken from the Qualitative analysis. Remember, you will
only TRANSLATE on a quantitative evaluation.
What then would be the content of this part? You will be enumerating
the areas which you think will be needed by your proposal (again,
based on the qualitative analysis). These are general areas which
can be specifically named in various terms, depending upon the
function it will perform. Example, when you’re dealing with the
schools, you may want to call a classroom, a laboratory and a
35
drawing room under a single heading, say learning areas. This way,
you can generalize the function of the space you are providing.
But you have to identify all these rooms as well since you will be
determining the required number in the end. Yes, you read it right!
NUMBERS. Quantitative analysis involves quantities, figures,

number, numerals and therefore computations. This will contain the
mathematical computations for your project.
From the most basic computation of space areas to CONSTRUCTION

COSTS, OPERATION COSTS, LIFE CYCLE COSTS, MAINTENANCE COSTS, etc.
Perhaps, you could also deal with the analysis of the COSTING and
RETURN OF INVESTMENT through concepts on funding and its possible
revenue schemes.
CHAPTER 5: SYNTHESIS
You’re almost done! This is the phase where you summarize all that
has been done in the book. You may have to go back to your
objectives and see if you were able to meet them or restructure
your concepts so that your readers will have a clearer vision of
what you plan to do in your Design 10 (knock on wood!). This chapter
will be your LINK to your translation in your bid for an
architectural degree. How about that for a push?!
The discussions to follow may not be new to you for you have been
doing this for the past four, five, or more so years in your stay
in the institute. These are the basic contents of your concept
board. Something you should have known now by heart.
5.1 DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

Sure, you have established the theories and the concepts you’ll
need for your proposal, but it wouldn’t be enough to just have them
and let loose of the unifying thing in work. Philosophies do this.
These are the bases of your ideas for the proposal, a guiding
dictum which gels your proposed work into one, single composition.
There are two types of philosophy. One, coming from a person,
living or not, who may have studied the same topics you’re dealing
with and defined ideas appropriate for your study. Thus, you have
to quote them and tell your readers so.
And two, it may be YOUR OWN notions for the project. Yes, you can
be a philosopher, why not? And so, you are able to conceive your
own thought especially if you were the one who proposed the study.
CAUTION: you may be tempted to user philosophies you already have
used for your design plates when you were in your lower years. Why
not? But see to it that it would be applicable for your project
you’re doing. Philosophies are NOT FIXED. On the contrary,
they should be FLEXIBLE.
Meaning, they must bend to where they should go and reflect

the design you would like to have for your project, and vice
versa. And you must understand them! “Form follow function”
may be a cute cliché but WAKE UP! You CANNOT use it all the
time. Dictums of well-known architects (refer to your Theory
36
of Architectural Design 02) will be a great deal of help for you

in doing this part of your thesis.
5.2 DESIGN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Nope, you are not going back t your chapter 1 and rewrite the
objectives and goals you have written there, though this may be
your take-off point. You could base your design objectives from
the objectives of your thesis. But take note that these are DESIGN
goals and objectives – different from the goals and objectives of
your STUDY. The things you’ll present here are the ones relative
to your probable DESIGN. What do you wish to do with your
structures? How would you like the systems to go? What would you
like to achieve at the end of your translation? Hey, wait! These
do not only pertain to the possible appearance of the structures
but the overall objectives of the design as well. In other words,
these are more FOCUSED on the DESIGN aspects of your project. See,
perhaps you now realize that there REALLY IS a difference after
all.
5.3 DESIGN CONCEPTS

Concepts are thought concerning the way several elements or
characteristics can be combined into a SINGLE THING. In
architecture, a concept also identifies how various aspects of the
requirements for a building can be brought together in a SPECIFIC
thought that DIRECTLY influences the DESIGN and its CONFIGURATION.
This only means that the concepts you will be providing will somehow
wrap up the totality of your design program.
Do you still remember the discussion in the framework? While that

framework will be your THRUST, the Design Concepts will be the
BACKBONE of the ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN. And they should go hand in
hand to effectively work together – the framework and the concepts.
This may be simple for you to understand if you were getting high
grades in your concept boards in your past design subjects. If not,
here’s a review of your design concepts. Basically there are five
(5) types of concepts in architecture. See if you can still remember
them.
1. Analogy (looking at other things)

Here you identify possible, literal relationships between
things. You tend to look for a desirable characteristics of an
object and make this as the model for your project.
2. Metaphors and Simile
This type of concept also identifies relationships between
things. However, the relationships are abstract rather than
literal. You may have to establish certain patterns of parallel
relationships.
3. Essences
The whole program that you have for your thesis, complicated as
it is, is explained in terms of terse, explicit statements. It
has to connote insights, meaning, and your personal accounts for
the project. Most of the time, this comes with a conceptual
scenario – a short essay that tie together all the important
37
factors and ideas that influenced the design solution. It may

also be something which discovers the roots of the issues.
4. Programmatic
This is what you have been doing all the while in your lower
design subjects, where you write the problems, come up with the
objectives, state your philosophers and come up with a concept
at the end. In that way you directly respond to the stated
requirements.
5. Ideals
Here you look at the universality of the concept. You view the
project as a universal one – something which will be a
universal solution for even a general problem
So, how well did you fare in remembering them? You don’t have
to use all five at the same time. You just have to choose
which of the fits your thesis.
5.4 DESIGN INSPIRATION

Whether it’s a sailboat, moon, or orange wedges that inspired John
Utzon to a design the Sydney Opera House wouldn’t matter at this
point as long as it will look good on paper. On this sub-topic you
will state your inspiration and vision of what your project will
look like. It can be reflected on different aspects and features
of your proposed projects.
5.5 DESIGN PARAMETERS

All you need to do now is check the existing standards applicable
to your thesis for translation. These will comprise your design
parameters. You may also want to call these as Design
CONSIDERATIONS. And as the term conveys, you are to state the thing
s you would have to consider in doing your design. This applies
both to the structures and its immediate environment (both the
micron and the macro). You may have to be guided with legal
documents and follow pertinent laws to do this. Building
Orientation, Circulation, Security, Accessibility, and Economy may
be the factors you would be looking at here. But it would not just
end in writing these headings. It would involve an explanation
along with a long list of the laws, rules and orders governing such
considerations. Yes, you’re right again! This part will be your
DESIGN GUIDELINES which will tell your readers as well the
restrictions for your project. Having established the guidelines
would only mean you’re ready to go to you drawing board and
translate this book into ARCHITECTURAL PLANS.
CHAPTER 6: TRANSLATION
38
39

Thesis Manual 2023

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Thesis Manual 2023

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

[DHVTSU THESIS MANUAL 2019-2020]

DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE THESIS MANUAL

1.1.1 INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND

2. Inform your reader about the present scenario – the unsatisfactory

3. State the reason/s why it is necessary to conduct the study, which

5. Ask yourself these questions: Do you have a clearer and deeper

6. Describe the condition of your study locale. You should do this in

locality is being used as a source of basic data or a targeted site for

1.1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1.1.3 ARCHITECTURAL THESIS GOALS/ OBJECTIVES/ STRATEGIES

1.1.3a ARCHITECTURAL THESIS GOAL

As you enumerate the objectives and strategies, keep checking their

Strategies are very different thing. They are structured in the

1.1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

1.1.4a SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Let us say you will be covering a lot of investigation with respect to

1.1.4b LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

inaccessibility of data, and not of course our favorite excuse: time

However, these limitations determined only to keep your study at a

1.1.5 PURPOSE/ RELEVANCE/ SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THESIS

1.1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPT

The following are some guidelines in writing an effective definition of

1. Only terms, words or phrases which have special or unique meaning in

4. Definition may be taken from valid sources. Encyclopedias, reference

6. Use simple words in defining your terms. It would be more complicated

7. Definition should be as brief, clear and direct as possible. Need we

1.2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

1. Materials must be as recent as possible. New informations are

2. Materials must be as objective and as unbiased as possible. You have

1.3 THEORETICAL/ CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Theories have been subjected to further studies by various people and

1.4 METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH

1. Bibliography style for a book by one author

Jodidio, Philipi. Architecture Now. Cologne, Germany: Taschen GMBH,

2. For a book by two authors. Use commas to separate names.

Kirk, Stephen J. and Spreckelmeyer, Kent F. Enchancing Value in

3. For a work cited in another work.

4. For articles. Give title of article in quotation marks, title of

5. From an on-line information. This is treated as a printed material,

6. For a computer software program.

 Include the name of the writer of the program, if known.

Chapter 2: PRESENTATION OF DATA

2.1 DATA MANAGEMENT

2. Recognize what data to present. You might be tempted to present

3. Organize your data. It would be necessary to have a proper sequencing

2.1.1 PRESENT CONDITION

 Present and Projected Population

 General Public Services

This covers the administrative system of the municipality, e.g.,

This encompasses education, culture, sports and manpower development;

This covers agriculture, trade and industry, tourism, labor and

This includes the inventory of roads, transportation, communication,

This consists of pieces of information relative to particular industries

Industries Thesis Topics

The Housing Industry Subdivision development Community

 Current Standard of Operations

2.1.2 PRIMARY DATA

Tactics that may be used to gather Primary Data include interviews,

Tactics Interviews Non-interactive

Interviews  In-depth interviews

2.1.3 TABLES and GRAPHS