The document provides an introduction to architecture and building design. It defines architecture as both an art and science that involves designing structures to meet functional, technical and aesthetic considerations. It discusses the design process, which includes analyzing site conditions, developing a program and zoning diagram, and creating schematic designs and final plans. It also outlines different building types like residential, commercial and industrial. The document concludes by listing some minimum requirements and considerations for residential building design, such as room sizes and orientations.

1. INTRODUCTION TO
ARCHITECTURE
BY. KALEAB DEJENE
KALEA
kaleabdejene@4gmail.com

2. WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE?
 The ART and SCIENCE of designing and erecting buildings and other physical
structures.
 A GENERAL TERM TO DESCRIBE BUILDINGS and other structures.
Architecture is the art and science of building design. BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION is the process of assembling materials to form a building.
 Architecture is both THE PROCESS AND PRODUCT OF PLANNING, DESIGNING
and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical,
social, and aesthetic considerations

3. WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE?
Architecture is the imaginative blend of art and science in the design of
ENVIRONMENTS FOR PEOPLE.
 People need places to eat, work, live and play……
 Architects transform these needs into concepts and then develop the
concepts into building images that can be constructed by others.
 These projects can be as small as an entrance way and as large as an entire
college campus—and everything in between.

4. WHAT IS ART?
 A creative human activity in which materials are shaped to convey an idea,
emotion, or visually interesting form
The use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects or experiences
that can be shared with others •
Divided into two
 Fine Art: Painting, Sculptor, Music & Poetry •
 Decorative Art: pottery, weaving, metalworking, and furniture making.

5. WHAT IS SCIENCE?
The systematic observation of natural events and conditions
 to discover facts about them and
 to formulate laws and principles based on these facts
Divided into two
 Natural Science: physics, biology, chemistry
 Social Science: like sociology, economics, geography
No creativity but based on research and discovery

6. WHAT IS DESIGN?
A rational, logical, sequential process intended to solve problems
Involves making a detailed plan of the form or structure of something
• Emphasizing features such as its appearance, convenience, durability and economy.
According to Marcus Vitruvius Architecture is (the three Vitruvian Principles of
Architecture)…
• Commodity (function / Utility): serving a purpose
• Delight (aesthetics/ Beauty): visually pleasing & stimulate a sense organ
• Firmness (Strength): erectable and durable

7. BUILDINGS &
TYPES OF BUILDING

8. WHAT IS BUILDING?
A building is an assemblage that is firmly attached to the ground and that
provides total or nearly total shelter for
• machines, processing equipment,
• performance of human activities,
• storage of human possessions,
• or any combination of these.

9. BUILDING DESIGN
Building design is the process of providing all information necessary
for construction of a building that will meet
• its owner’s requirements
• and also satisfy public health, welfare, and safety requirements.

10. ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
• Architecture is the art and science of building design.
• Building construction is the process of assembling materials to
form a building.

11. ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
• In the design of a building, architects should be guided by the following principles:
1. The building should be constructed to serve purposes specified by the client.
2. The design should be constructed by known techniques and with available labor and
equipment, within an acceptable time.
3. The building should be capable of withstanding the elements and normal usage for a
period of time specified by the client.
4. Both inside and outside, the building should be visually pleasing.

12. TYPES OF BUILDINGS
• Buildings have come a long way since ancient times.
• Their forms and structures have changed and been strengthened and in developed
countries materials used have progressed from mud, stones and straw to timber, bricks,
metal and glass.
• However the purpose of buildings remains the same: to provide shelter, privacy and a
place to gather to conduct social activities.
• There are many different kinds of buildings, each one designed to cater to a specific
purpose or group of people.

13. RESIDENTIAL
• Residential buildings are structures where people live.
• These include apartment complexes, which are self-contained housing units that form
part of a larger building,
• dormitories located in schools,
• nursing homes that care for the elderly, and the more luxury residential buildings such as
mansions and palaces for those with a wealth of money and who enjoy a high-class
lifestyle.

14. COMMERCIAL
• Commercial buildings are constructed for a variety of purposes.
• food outlets such as grocery stores, bakeries and restaurants.
• recreation and entertainment complexes like shopping malls, bars, nightclubs, casinos,
dance studios or gyms.
• Other practical commercial buildings include banks, gas stations, hotels, motels and office
buildings.

15. GOVERNMENT OR PUBLIC
• Government buildings include government offices where legal discussions take place.
• city hall which is the administrative building of a city,
• buildings that provide emergency services such as police and fire stations,
• justice services such as courthouses and prisons.
• Other government buildings include post offices.

16. INDUSTRIAL
• Industrial buildings include
• breweries where beer and wine are produced,
• refineries that refine or convert raw materials into products,
• power plants that generate electric energy and
• factories where goods are manufactured.

17. AGRICULTURAL
• Agricultural buildings include barns that are used for storage or to house livestock,
• chicken coops, horse stables, pig pens, storage sheds, a granary to store animal feed, a
root cellar to store food supplies, and a storm cellar which is designed to protect
occupants against violent weather such as severe storms.

18. ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN PROCESS

19. THE SITE AND THE PROGRAM
SHOULD BE
"RIGHT FIT FOR EACH OTHER“!
PROGRAM
SITE

20. The Architectural Design Problem has Three Main Variables;
NEED - CONTEXT - FORM
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN VARIABLES
Need
Form
Context

21. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS
• Design is a creative process to solve a problem.
• Design involves a lot of decisions
• It is composed of phases and steps
Phases
• Planning Phase: Research & Data gathering
• Generation Phase: Solution creation
• Evaluation Phase: Testing solution

23. 01. CLIENT BRIEF
 The client has its own needs, testes and objectives
 Your task is to conceptualize and realize the client’s needs
 Client Brief includes
- Size - Religion
- Age - Profession
-Gender - Functional preference
- Culture - Aesthetical preference

24. 02.LITERATURE REVIEW (Research)
• information gathering about the project
• Sources: books, case study, visit, internet
• Project Research includes
- Function - Spatial Relationship
- Standard Size - Special Requirements
- Furniture - Light, View ,Noise
- Fixture

25. 03. DESIGN PROGRAM
• a table consisting of space (room) types & their area
• based on Design Brief and Research
• E.g.
- Living + Dining Rm. …………..30m2
- Kitchen…………………………12m2
-Master Bed Rm. ……….……….20m2
• consult & check weather you attained the client’s need

26. 04. SITE ANALYSIS
 identifying site conditions that affects the design
 these factors include
• Climate
• Circulation
• Urban Context
• Natural & Man made elements
• Sensory Features
• Zoning & Building Codes

27. 04. SITE ANALYSIS
 The process of identification and systematic organization of Site factors which guide decision
making in the design of buildings
 The process of identifying design determinants
is called Site Analysis
 Site is defined as the “whole situation”,
background or environment relevant to
some event or product.
 Site isn’t inert ( dormant)
but active network that affects a design of building
 A good design should response to site factors

28. Objective of Site Analysis
• to enable designer pre-informed about site factors so that he/ she
incorporate these factors in the design process
Specific Objectives of Site Analysis
• to avoid inappropriate design responses to the site
• to develop greater efficiency when designing
• to discover interrelationships between site factors
• to maximize date amount for the design process
• to analyze the impact of the surrounding on the building

29. Site Analysis List
• Sub Surface Analysis
• Climatic Analysis
• Sensory Elements Analysis
• Circulation Analysis
• Natural & Man Made Elements Analysis
• Urban Context Analysis
• Building Codes

30. Sub Surface Analysis
• these factors include
• Geology: Geological history of the area, bedrock type & depth etc.
• Hydrology: Underground water table, aquifers, springs etc.
• Soil Genesis: erosion susceptibility, moisture (pF), reaction (pH)
organic content, bearing capacity etc.

31. Climate Analysis
• these factors include
• Temperature
• Attitude
• Rainfall and Snow
• Prevailing wind
• Sun orientation
• Earthquake

32. Circulation Analysis
• these factors include
• Vehicular traffic
• Pedestrian Traffic

33. Sensory Analysis
• these factors include
• Noise
• View
• Smell `
Noise
Smell + View
- View

34. Natural & Man Made Elements Analysis
• these factors include
• Greenery
• Topography
• Water bodies
• Existing structures
• Walk way

35. Urban Context Analysis
• these factors include
• Height
• Form
• Materials
• Elements
• Principles

36. Building Code Analysis
• these factors include
• Height Restriction
• Function Restriction
• Set Backs Regulation
• BAR- Built up Area Ratio

37. 05. ZONE DIAGRAM
• spaces which have similar & related function form zone
Zone 1( Living Zone) Lobby, Living Rm, Garage, Veranda etc.
Zone 2( Meal Zone) Kitchen, Dining Rm, Breakfast Rm etc.
Zone 3( Sleeping Zone) Master Bed, Ch. Bed, Bath Rm. etc.
Zone 4( Utility Zone) Store, Laundry, Traditional kitchen etc.
• Zoning helps to decide
-Location - Orientation -Privacy
-Level - Circulation

39. 06. BUBBLE DIAGRAM
• zone diagram provides rough layout & arrangement zones
• but it is bubble diagram that provides rooms/ spaces
- Relationship - Orientation
- Location - Circulation
• bubbles represent rooms/spaces
• arrows represent circulation
• bubble diagrams are floor plans in terms of bubbles
• try to develop as many bubble diagram as possible till you meet different design requirements

41. 07. SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
• from the bubble diagram the schematic diagram develops
• schematic diagram is a one line drawing
• at this point, think also about the appearance of the bldg
• spaces start to get exact shape, size and location
• consider also the impact of design factors
• you try a number of schematic diagram until you attain the clients needs and tests

43. 08. VOLUMETRIC STUDY
• when the plan gets shape, start to visualize the form
• perspective or isometric drawings
• volumetric model
• apply elements of design
• elements of design
• principles of design
• make as many volumetric study as possible to come up with aesthetical pleasing form

44. 09. PRELIMINARY DESIGN
• Develop the schematic diagram to preliminary design
• widening walls
• including openings
• structural elements
• adding furniture
• selecting interior and exterior finishing materials
• type of roof
• includes plans, section, elevations, site plan, 3Ds

45. 10. FINAL DESIGN
• you show the preliminary design to your client
• after getting confirmation from client start preparation of
final design
• Final Design includes rendered, dimensioned and labeled:
• Floor Plans
• Sections
• Elevations
• Site Plan
• 3D: Perspective or Model

46. CODES AND MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS

47. THUMB RULES FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
• Living Room
- Minimum Area = 12m2
- Minimum Width = 3m
- Minimum Door Size = 90cm
- Minimum Window Area = 1/10th floor area
- Maximum Window Sill Height = 0.90 cm
- Require View and South Side Exposure
- Should be at the front of a house and accessible from the front door

48. Dining Room
- Minimum Area = 12m2
- Minimum Width = 3m
- Minimum Door Size = 90cm
- Minimum Window Area = 1/10th floor area
- Maximum Window Sill Height = 0.90 cm
- Require View and South or East Side Exposure
-Should be adjacent to Kitchen and Living Rooms
Bed Room
- Minimum Area = 12m2
- Minimum Width = 2.7m
- Minimum Door Size = 90cm
- Minimum Window Area = 1/10th floor area
- Maximum Window Sill Height = 0.90 cm
- Require View and East Side ( morning sun) Exposure
- Should be at the quiet part of the site preferably on upper floors
Car Port/ Garage
-Minimum Area = 15m2
- Minimum Width = 3m
- Minimum Length = 5m
- Should be at the front of a house and accessible from the main gate

49. • Kitchen
- Minimum Area = 6m2
- Minimum Width = 1.8m
- Minimum Door Size = 90cm
- Should be at the back of a house adjacent to dining room
- Orient to north side ( cooler side) & kitchen yard
- Minimum Window area should be 15% of floor area
- Perimeter of work triangle should be between 3.6m to 6m
• Bath Room
- Minimum Area= 4m2
- Minimum Width = 1.5m
- Minimum Door Size = 70cm
- Bath Rooms should be adjacent to bed rooms
- Minimum Window sill height is 1.5m
- Up to 1.5m height interior walls should be covered with ceramic tile

50. • Half Bath Room
- For visitors and contain WC and HWB
- Minimum Area = 2.5m2
- Minimum Width = 1.5m
- Minimum Door Size = 70cm
- Should be near living & dining room
- Minimum Window sill height is 1.5m
- Up to 1.5m height interior walls should be covered with ceramic tile
• Study Room
- Minimum Width = 1.5m

51. • Important Points
- Traffic circulation should follow day today activities
- Avoid traffic circulation through rooms
- If a traffic must pass through a room, arrange doors in such a way that circulation
affects one side or corner of the room
- The route from Garage to Kitchen be defined and short
- Circulation Area should not exceed 15% of total floor area
- Main Entrance near the center of a house decreases corridor length
- Main Entrance to a house should be emphasized, inviting and accessible
- In front of Main Entrance there should be a transitional space like:
- Veranda, Canopy
- In side a house next to Main Entrance there should be a transitional space:
- Foyer, Lobby, Entrance Hall
- Make the Foyer or Entrance Hall the continuation of the exterior

52. • Important Points ( cont…)
- Rooms located on west side need shading
- Locate rooms ( non- sensitive to harsh sun) like WCs, Bath Rms, Store or Garage on west and south west side
- Rooms in a house are grouped into zones
- Common Spaces
- Private Spaces
- Common Spaces: Open to all members of family, active and include
- Living Rm, Family Rm, Dining Rm, Gym, Garage, Kitchen, Utility Rm
- Private Spaces: Require privacy and quietness & include
- Bed Rms, Bath Rms, Study Rm, Pray Rm, Den
- It is important to separate the two zones either by level or location
- With in the common spaces we have two zones
- Living Zone: Living Rm, Family Rm, Dining Rm
- Service Zone: Garage, Kitchen, Store, Utility Rm

53. • Important Points ( cont…)
- Living Zone should be at the front part of the house
- Service Zone should be at the back part of the house
• Residential Rooms Special Requirements
- Living Room
- Open both to the members of the family and visitors
- Located near the main entrance of the house
- Location of Living Room Door should allow direct access to living room as soon as we enter into the house
- Oriented the living room to capture the best view from the site
- Have big windows ( French Window) facing the main street
- The location of the room should not allow view to private spaces like Kitchen, Bed Rms, Bath Rms etc.

54. - The location of doors in living room should not allow cross circulation
- South exposure is preferable
- Light interior color is preferable
• Dining Room
- Open both to the members of the family and visitors
- Located adjacent to Kitchen and Living Rm
- There should be swinging door from Kitchen to Dining Room
- Oriented the Dining Rm to capture the best view from the site
- Have windows facing east direction
- Family Room
- Open only to the members of the family
- Located at back ( private) part of the house
- Oriented the Family Rm to capture the best view from the site
- Adjacent to living and dining room

55. • Residential Rooms Special Requirements ( cont.…)
- Kitchen
- North or East exposure is preferable
- Should be located at the back of the house
- Easy and direct access from kitchen to garage is important
- Kitchen should be next to Dining and Utility Rooms
- Natural light and ventilation is important
- Store
- Near to the room for which it gives service
- Bed Room
- Private spaces and require quietness
- East exposure is best and south exposure is preferable
- Bed rooms should be located near bath room
- Light to medium interior color is preferable

56. • Residential Rooms Special Requirements ( cont…)
- Bath Room
- locate in the private part of the house
- avoid direct view from living room to bath room door
- natural ventilation and light is important
- Office/Den
- Den is private office where the parents work at night
- Office is open for customer
- Den should be located in private space adjacent to master bed rm
- Office should be located near main enterance

57. • Residential Rooms Special Requirements ( cont…)
- Guest Bed Room
- Isolated Room with attached bathroom
- located in such a way that it gets privacy
- Garage
- Easily accessible from main gate
- Easy access from garage to main entrance and kitchen
- Circulation Spaces
- Minimum corridor size is 90cm but the standard size is 1.2m
- Minimum veranda size is 1m but the standard size is 2m

58. THE END