Programming & Site Selection

Part 1: Design Project Brief

That part of the thesis clarifies (and focuses) the scope of work for the design thesis based on research discoveries from the Findings and Discussion chapter.

Design Philosphy & Theories

• Project Design Philosophy: The character concept

• Design Theory: Describe the design theory (or theories) that are the basis with which you will analyze your project

Design Concept & Strategy

List the design concepts and the corresponding design strategies that you will use to implement (carry out) the concepts.

For example, if one of your concepts is “hierarchy of space” you should broadly address how you will give form to this concept in your design. Do not be specific, give only a general idea.

References:

• Rengel, Shaping Interior Space (3rd ed): Chapter 10: Ideation;

• Robinson & Parman, Title: Chapter 3:

Design Goals

• Functional goals: What are the functional goals for the design project?

  • For users

  • For objects

  • For activities

• Form and Aesthetic goals: What are the aesthetic goals for the design project?

  • For site (if applicable)

  • For building interiors

Brand analysis

• Identification of the client’s business and vision. What does it stand for?

• Product and/or services—what does your client sell and what is its history in the market?

• Analysis of client’s competitors and target market (information on sex, age range, economics and any other necessary information that defines to whom the design is targeted).

• What is your client’s niche in the market? Analysis of the client’s niche in the market.

• Analysis of logo/symbol (if one exists for the client); includes integration of concept ideas with clients brand analysis. It may include the creation of a clever and thoughtful logo that may represent the company.

• Other aspects: flexibility (moves from past, present, future); differentiation; coherence (what they are familiarized with); sustainability longevity; value (uniqueness); commitment to community.

Part 2: Programming Brief

The purpose of programming in the design process is to establish programmatic requirements or use recommendations based on literature findings and analysis of data collected through research.

The information in the brief informs the rationale for all design strategies and decisions related to the project. A framework for analysis has been provided here. The Programming Brief should address each of the areas listed below and result in a comprehensive accounting of all required spaces in the project.

Comprehensive (Activity based) Program

This is a summary of the building and spaces. It is in response to the activities that will take place in the building.

For each space in the project:

• Description of space

• Quantity in the overall project

• User demographics and/or needs unique to the space

• Optimal square footage

• List of activities that will take place in the space (include description)

• Equipment requirements

• Furniture or material performance requirements

• Lighting and acoustical requirements

• Environmental requirements

• Wellness requirements

• Connection to literature/research

For the overall project:

• Occupancy classifications (completed with the code analysis portion of this chapter)

• Circulation percent

• Number of restrooms

• Storage requirements

• Total square footage for the entire project

Visual Presentation

In addition to the programming table developed above, students will synthesize and visual present the program analysis in the following formats:

Research Summary Matrix

• Identifies key programatic spaces and reference to relevant research (literature, case-study, precedent study, etc.)

Program Analysis Diagrams can include any of the following:

• Relationship/Adjacency Diagrams (sometimes called Bubble Diagrams)

• Adjacency/Criteria Matrix (reference Page 314)

Part 3: Site Selection

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• Proposed floor plan (shell and identification of materials, columns, entry, etc.);

• Site Analysis for the building (site context to pedestrian and vehicle traffic, cardinal or compass rose identified, sun calculations, identification of exterior materials and architectural features);

• Historical analysis of the site (town, city, building itself, etc.);

• Square footage analysis and test fits (rooms required and square footage needs for them, public/private analysis, circulation analysis, etc.);

Historic Research

Historical Research, Context: the gathering of contemporary and period materials: photographs, articles, and other visual and written documentation relating to the history and growth of the town and region both generally and as they specifically pertain to the building and site in question.

Historical Research, Building Type: research into the evolution of the building type in question focusing upon the period of its original construction, but also including information pertaining to more recent developments and examples of its type.

Site Analysis Drawings

Neighborhood Map: Neighborhood characteristics usually have a greater impact on the design of new buildings than on interior spaces. They can, however, be relevant to interiors when they have dominant tendencies, as in the case of an historic neighborhood, a suburban neighborhood, or an urban neighborhood. (Rengel 2007) Your neighborhood map should:

• include the city block of the site plus three additional blocks in all directions;

• indicate transportation infrastructure such as: parking locations (if applicable), bus stops, metro stops, railroad stations, and alternate modes of transportation;

• indicate important programmatic spaces in adjacent buildings that appear on the map;

• identify significant views or natural features of the immediate site.

Environmental Features Map: Environmental factors on the immediate site have a great impact on the decisions made during the design process. Specifically, these environmental features / factors influence the interior zoning of the program. Your environmental feature map should:

• include the city block of the site plus 1/2 of the neighboring blocks in all directions;

• indicate the shape and location of the building footprint;

• indicate the most significant natural features including water, trees, landscaping, etc;

• indicate major slopes in the landscape on the site;

• identify significant views or natural features of the immediate site;

• identify significant environmental factors such as prevailing wind, natural light, loud noises, and strong smells.

• identify other significant environmental features on your site.

Circulation Map: Circulation analysis drawings identify major circulation paths through the site and access points to the building. Your circulation map should:

• include the city block of the site plus 1/2 of the neighboring blocks in all directions;

• using line weight and/or color, indicate major methods of circulation (pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular, delivery);

• identify the major pedestrian entrances to your building and identify which are ADA accessible;

• identify the delivery entrance(s) to your building (if applicable);

• identify other significant modes of circulation on your site.Photo Documentation

Photo Documentation of Building Shell

• Photographs: Elevations; Characteristic or Distinguishing Features or Details; Contemporary, Period Photographs, Postcards

• Near and Far, General and Particular, Serial and/or Panoramic Views of Building and Surroundings (including and excluding context)