ARCHITECTURAL

PROGRAMMING
 PROGRAMMING

a process leading to the statement of an architectural problem and the

requirements to be met in offering a solution

the search for sufficient information to CLARIFY, UNDERSTAND and

STATE the problem.

PROGRAMMING = PROBLEM SEEKING = ANALYSIS

DESIGN = PROBLEM SOLVING = SYNTHESIS

establishes the considerations, limits and possibilities of a design

problem to avoid trial and error design alternatives.

The product of programming is the STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.

Qualitative Analysis
 Five Major
Concerns

Establishing GOALS
Collecting and Analyzing FACTS
Uncovering and Testing
CONCEPTS
Determining NEEDS
Stating the PROBLEM/S
GOALS
“What does the client want to achieve and why?

Related to and implemented through CONCEPTS. Goals are

the ends. Concepts are the means.

Only practical goals have concepts to implement them. Some

goals are too general to be useful.

Do not try to solve social goals with an architectural solution.

FACTS
“What is it all about?”

They are used to describe the existing conditions of the site

(physical, legal, climatic, aesthetic). Other important facts include
statistical projections, economic data and descriptions of the
users’ characteristics.

Facts are only important if they are appropriate. Collect only those that
might have a bearing on the problem and organize into categories.

Numbers needed to be accurate enough to ensure the impartial

allocation of space and money, yet rounded out enough to allow for a
loose fit.
CONCEPTS
“How does the client want to achieve the goal?”

Programmatic concepts – abstract ideas intended as functional

solutions to clients’ performance problems; pliable, vague

Design concepts - concrete ideas intended as physical solutions to

clients’ architectural problems; based on vague ideas which are
articulated only after all information are available

Ex.: Convertibility is a programmatic concept

Folding door is a design concept
NEEDS
“How much money, space, quality?”

Necessities are separated from “wants”.

An economic feasibility test determines or fixes the budget

according to the four elements of cost:
1. space requirements
2. quality of construction
3. money budget
4. time
PROBLEM/S
“What are the significant conditions and the general directions
the design of the building should take?”

Selects the most important statements regarding the problem which

may serve as premises for design, and later as design criteria to
evaluate the design solution.

Should, as much as possible, be limited to TEN statements. More than

this would indicate that the problem is still too complex or that even
minor details are being used as premise for design

Must be clear and concise – in the designer’s OWN words – and must
stress the uniqueness of the problem. (But do not lock it to a specific
solution)
 Four Considerations

FUNCTION – People, Activities, Relationships

FORM – Site, Environment, Quality
ECONOMY – Initial Budget, Costs
TIME – Past, Present, Future
 Information Index
GOALS FACTS NEEDS CONCEPTS PROBLEMS

FUNCTION Mission Statistical data Space requirements Service grouping Unique and important
PEOPLE Maximum number Area parameters Parking requirements People grouping performance
ACTIVITIES Individual identity Manpower/workloads Outdoor space Activity grouping requirements
Interaction/privacy User characteristics requirements Priority which will shape
RELATIONSHIPS
Hierarchy of values Community characteristics Building efficiency Security controls building design
Security Value of loss Functional alternatives Sequential flow
Progression Time-motion study Separated flow
Segregation Traffic analysis Mixed flow
Encounters Behavioral patterns Relationships
Efficiency Space adequacy

FORM Site elements Site analysis Quality (cost/sq.m.) Enhancement Major considerations
SITE Efficient land use Climate analysis Environmental and site Climate control which will affect
ENVIRONMENT Neighbors Code survey influences on cost Safety building design
Individuality Soil analysis Special foundations
QUALITY
Direction F.A.R and G.A.C. Density
Entry Surroundings Interdependence
Projected image Psychological implications Home base
Cost/sq.m. Orientation
Building efficiency Accessibility
Functional support Character
Quality control

ECONOMY Extent of funds Cost parameters Cost estimate analysis Cost control Attitude towards the
Cost effectiveness Maximum budget Entry budget (if required) Efficient allocation initial budget and
INITIAL BUDGET Maximum return Time-use factors Operating cost (if Multi-function its influence on
OPERATING COST Return on investment Market analysis required) Merchandising the fabric and
LIFE CYCLE COST Minimize operation cost Energy-source cost Life cycle cost (if Energy conservation geometry of the
Maintenance and Activities and climate required) building
operating cost factors
Economic data

TIME Historic preservation Significance Phasing Adaptability Implications of change

PAST Static/dynamic Space parameters Escalation Tailored/loose fit or growth on
PRESENT Change Activities Convertibility long-range
Growth Projections Expansibility performance
FUTURE
Occupancy date Linear schedule Concurrent scheduling
FUNCTION – People, Activities, Relationships

GOALS

Mission – higher than goals; may have already been formulated by the
users/clients
Maximum number – of people to be served, activities to be
performed
Individual identity – unique character as defined by function
Interaction/privacy – degree of interaction between users, activities
Hierarchy of values - users, activities, relationships that will be given
more importance
Security – degree of security to be offered for different users, activities
Progression – desired flow of people and activities
Segregation – separation of people and activities
Encounters – may be maximized or minimized according to other goals
Efficiency – degree of organization among the relationships between
people and activities
FUNCTION – People, Activities, Relationships

FACTS

Statistical data – choose only those which have direct impact on goals
Area parameters – limitations of the area in which people would perform
activities
Manpower/workloads – number of users and workloads
User characteristics – unique characteristics of users (as determined by
age, education, culture, etc.
Community characteristics – common characteristics of the users that
form a community
Value of loss – characteristics, activities, relationships that may have to
be sacrificed to attain the goals
Time-motion study – behavioral analysis of the users over a certain
span of time
Traffic analysis – data on flow of people and activities and the factors
affect them
Behavioral patterns – modes of behavior as determined by certain
factors
Space adequacy – existing space vs. requirements
FUNCTION – People, Activities, Relationships

NEEDS

Space requirements – may be based on existing codes or special

requirements of the users
Parking requirements
Outdoor space requirements
Building efficiency – necessary degree of efficiency of spaces to
attain the goals
Functional alternatives – need to offer alternatives to meet certain
requirements of space and efficiency
FUNCTION – People, Activities, Relationships

CONCEPTS

Service grouping – possible design approaches to achieve certain

interrelationships of services required by users and activities
People grouping
Activity grouping
Priority – emphasis to be given in order to prioritize certain users,
activities and relationships
Security controls
Sequential flow
Separated flow, Mixed flow – based on area parameters, traffic
analysis, behavioral patterns
Relationships – approaches to be applied to attain the goals regarding
relationships
FUNCTION – People, Activities, Relationships

PROBLEMS

Unique and important performance requirements

which will shape building design
FORM – Site, Environment, Quality

GOALS

Site elements – objectives with respect to preservation, enhancement

Efficient land use – maximum use of the site and its resources
Neighbors – objectives with consideration for the surrounding areas
Individuality – what unique building and site characteristics are being
aspired for
Direction – towards achievement of certain environmental and building
qualities
Entry – emphasis to be made on the access points towards the site, the
building and other special features
Projected image – desired character that can easily be discerned from
the building envelope
FORM – Site, Environment, Quality

FACTS

Site analysis – choose only data that have direct impact on your goals
Climate analysis, Soil analysis – data that may affect concepts,
theories or technologies to be applied to the design
Code survey – provisions in various codes that may apply to the
development
F.A.R and G.A.C. – may be set by local ordinances and guidelines
Surroundings – data on the site and its environs
Psychological implications
Cost/sq.m.
Building efficiency – level of efficiency of existing structures as
compared to required/desired efficiency
Functional support – existing site or building provisions that may
support the efficient function of the proposed project
FORM – Site, Environment, Quality

NEEDS

Quality (cost/sq.m.) – needs related to optimization of cost of

development of the site and construction of the building

Environmental and site influences on cost – based on site

analysis
FORM – Site, Environment, Quality

CONCEPTS

Enhancement – possible planning and design approaches to enrich

existing site features
Climate control
Safety
Special foundations – structural concepts as dictated by the location,
soil characteristics and other attributes of the site
Density – concepts in relation to the use of the site in proportion to the
number of users, buildings, etc.
Interdependence – approcahes that may reinforce the relationship
between the environment and the proposed project
Home base – integration of the most unique, important or imposing site
feature in the conceptual framework
Orientation
Accessibility
Character
Quality control – concepts utilized in order to achieve certain qualities
FORM – Site, Environment, Quality

PROBLEMS

Major considerations which will affect building design -

disparity in what are being tried to be achieved and the facts,
requirements and laws related to the development of the site
ECONOMY – Initial Budget, Operating Cost, Life-cycle Cost

GOALS

Extent of funds – targeted budget

Cost effectiveness – objectives related to allocation of available or
targeted funds
Maximum return
Return on investment– objectives connected to the return on
investment (amount of money or percentage of capital over a span of
time)
Minimize operation cost
Maintenance and operating cost
ECONOMY – Initial Budget, Operating Cost, Life-cycle Cost

FACTS

Cost parameters – factual considerations that have bearing on cost

Maximum budget – maximum amount of actual available budget
Time-use factors
Market analysis
Energy-source cost – varies according to the needs and concepts
Activities and climate factors – select only the factors that may
have an impact on the projected budget
Economic data – include only the most relevant data
ECONOMY – Initial Budget, Operating Cost, Life-cycle Cost

NEEDS

Cost estimate analysis – required budget categories and the

amount needed per category
Entry budget (if required)
Operating cost (if required)
Life cycle cost (if required)
ECONOMY – Initial Budget, Operating Cost, Life-cycle Cost

CONCEPTS

Cost control – related to budgetary restrictions for the project in

general
Efficient allocation – concepts regarding efficient allocation of
funds to maximize it and minimize unnecessary wastage
Multi-function
Merchandising – concepts connected to how the project could be
“sold” to prospective investors
Energy conservation
ECONOMY – Initial Budget, Operating Cost, Life-cycle Cost

PROBLEMS

Attitude towards the initial budget and its influence on

the fabric and geometry of the building
TIME – Past, Present, Future

GOALS

Historic preservation – may apply to projects that involve the

preservation of historic sites and structures; or to projects that are
considered to be architecturally significant and may have to be preserved
for future generations
Static/dynamic – objectives regarding the ability of the project to
remain the same or change in relation to time
Change
Growth
Occupancy date
TIME – Past, Present, Future

FACTS

Significance – relevance or importance of the project with

respect to time
Space parameters – considerations regarding the functions,
extent and other spatial characteristics that have to be related
to time factors
Activities – include only those that will be affected by time
factors – whether short- or long-term
Projections
Linear schedule
TIME – Past, Present, Future

needs

Phasing – applies to projects that have to be undertaken in

phases due to availability of resources (ex. site, budget)
Escalation - applies to possible increase in requirements in
relation to the time required for phasing
TIME – Past, Present, Future

CONCEPTS

Adaptability – include those that will enable the project

(structure and site) to adapt or adjust to possible modifications
in requirements
Tailored/loose fit – determines whether the project will
effectively accommodate only the intended functions or will be
suitable to other uses as well
Convertibility
Expansibility
Concurrent scheduling – concepts on how the use of the
project can be organized with respect to set schedules
(whether short- or long-term)
TIME – Past, Present, Future

PROBLEMS

Implications of change or growth on long-range performance