This is a presentation of Architecture Design Studio 3 notes held at QU on 10-4-2011.

1. Qatar University
College of Engineering
Department of Architecture and Urban Planning
Architectural Design 3
Spring 2011
Studio Notes
April 10, 2011
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub

2. Introduction
• As a result of my discussions with students
during our design studio today, several issues
came to my attention that they need some
clarification.
• The Design Process
• Human Sciences
• Sustainability Rating Systems (QSAS)

3. Project
• The project is to design a
community center in a public
park.
• It is a gathering place for all
faculty members of all ages
and genders.
• The client provides the
project brief and the architect
looks for the “fit” between
Need, Context and Form …
The project Concept.

4. Community
Center
• How to bring people of all
ages and genders to the
building?
• What image of building
attracts them?
• What functions should be
provided to encourage them
to come to the building?

5. 1- Need
• The Need (function, uses or
activities) is provided by the
client and “verified” by the
architect.
• The Need is translated into a
“Program” that contains
names of functions, required
“net areas” and
specifications.

6. 1.1. Program
• The architect should also
recognize the addition of
areas for corridors, walls,
services, etc., called “non-
assigned” areas, to find the
“Gross area” of the functions
and project.
• The average of “Net to Gross”
area ratio is 60%. It can be
more or less according to the
building type, functions,
required image, luxury, and
feasibility.

7. 1.2. Program
analysis
• The architect then starts to
“analyze” the program in
terms of functions’
relationships and proximity.

8. 1.2. Program
analysis
• The next step is to study the
relationships using the
“bubble diagram” technique.
• The Bubble diagram provides
an image of relationships
between functions regardless
of their size according to
location only.
• The lines between the
bubbles represent magnitude
of relationship.
• It is very important to start
the bubble diagram by an
entrance arrow.

9. 1.2. Program
analysis
• The shapes of the functions
sizes are placed over the
bubble diagram to create a
relationship diagram
according to sizes and
locations.
• The next step will require
completion of site analysis
stage. This is when we place
the relationship diagram on
the site according to site
analysis.

10. 1.3. Human
Sciences
• Our understanding of people
helps us design successful
buildings for them. Human
Sciences include Psychology
(individual), Sociology
(groups), ), Behavior
(individual and groups),
Anthropology (culture) and
History (civilization).
• “We shape our buildings, and
afterwards our buildings
shape us.” -Winston Churchill,
28 October 1943

11. 1.3. Human
Sciences
• It is very important to realize
that buildings are not neutral
“containers” but they affect
peoples existence, being and
dwelling.
• That’s why our responsibility
as architects is tremendous
because our products affect
people, society and culture.
• For example, a classroom
shape and arrangement
affects students, teachers and
education of future
generations.

12. 2- Site
• Site study is another
important stage that should
be conducted “in parallel”
with the Need study and
program analysis.
• We have to consider the
“physical” as well as the
“human” site characteristics.
• PEOPLE should be our first
and foremost concern when
designing projects.
• After all we are a service
profession that provides
artifacts used by people.

13. 2.1. Site
characteristics
• As we discussed before, site
characteristics include location,
size, dimension, shape,
topography, soil conditions, etc.
The context include climatic
conditions (Macro and Micro) ,
surrounding streets, buildings
and vegetation.
• Climatic conditions include
temperature (ranges [min, max
and average]), sun (sun path
and angles), wind (direction,
frequency, quality), humidity
(frequency), and precipitations
(rain).

14. 2.1. Site
characteristics
• While sun, wind and
precipitation have known
solutions, yet humidity is a
unique characteristic of this
region that needs to be
considered carefully.
• There are traditional climatic
solutions that we can learn
from; courtyards, wind
catchers (badjeer), thick walls,
small windows, etc.
• Also, building shape and
configuration can play an
important role in solving
many climatic conditions.

15. 2.2. Site analysis
• Site analysis includes analysis
of topography and site shape
and dimensions to investigate
how would they affect the
building configuration.
• Our understanding of Survey
and Soil conditions (Civil
courses!) helps us determine
the appropriate solutions for
the site.

16. 2.2. Site analysis
• Building configuration affects
cost, performance and image.
• We can achieve the same
area using different
configurations and shapes.
Yet the perimeter length will
be different and hence
exposure to climatic
conditions and cost.
• Site analysis will also consider
access (vehicular and
pedestrian), views (from and
to), surrounding buildings
(style, color, materials) etc.

17. 3. Concept
• Now the Concept! The most
difficult step in the design
process.
• Program and Site analysis
provide us with information,
considerations and conditions
that affect our design decisions.
• The Concept provides the
holistic idea that brings the
program and the site together.
• Sources of concepts can be
from nature, technology,
culture, literature, art, site,
program, etc.. It can be
pragmatic (direct) or abstract
(indirect).

18. 3. Concept
• The concept will provide
solution to program
requirements, site conditions
and human aspirations.
• The building will be seen by
the society (indirect users)
most of the time and be used
by direct users part of the
time.
• Architecture is Exterior Form
and Interior Space.
• It will provide and image,
landmark and place.

19. 3. Concept
• The project is like a cup that
contains juice!
• The cup is the site while the
juice is the program .
• The concept gives shape and
appearance to the “cup” and
a taste of the “juice”. 
• Our study of examples
“precedence” is very critical
at the stage of concept
generation. They provide us
with ideas and solutions that
we can learn from.

20. 4. QSAS
• All projects should work
according to a sustainability
strategy.
• For this project we select to
study QSAS (Qatar
Sustainability Assessment
System) to apply on this
project.
• To achieve sustainability,
projects should work from day
one on applying sustainability
strategies.
• It is too late to achieve
sustainability after the design
and construction is finished.

21. End