MAPUA University

Creative Design Fundamentals:

An Analysis on a 4-Bedroom Unit in The Amaryllis Condominium

in E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City

Pastrana, Christian Angelo R. – A51

AR142-1P : Architectural Design 2

November 18, 2019

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Introduction

Since ancient times, man has been dependent on shelter as a source of comfort, safety, and

protection. We have been conditioned to seek the comfort that a home provides us. A home is any

place that provides a person a source of protection, a barrier against nature, and a space where we

are at the peak of comfort. As such, an architect has a social responsibility in satisfying both a

person’s comfort and satisfaction and the contextual expression of the home as a reflection of life

itself.

The hallmark of a residential home is in its ability to create a space that is both functional

and ergonomic. When designing a residential home, it is important to know the metric design

standards, interrelationship of space and its circulation, and the overall appeal a house provides.

An understanding of the use and allocation of space, anthropometrics, and ergonomics is a

cornerstone that bounds the very principle of architectural design.1 Knowledge of such matters

greatly influence the space planning and the essential organization of design standards that follow

each residential house.2 The paper aims to provide an analysis regarding the given house with the

following considerations:

I. The design must bring the essence of the residential house plan that adheres to the

principles of “form follows function” by Louis Sullivan.3

II. The design must capture the client’s requirements, such that the space must

fundamentally be easy to follow and function.4

1
Space Planning. Lincoln, NE: Nebraska Administrative Services, State Building Division, 2011.
2
Kubba, Sam. Space Planning for Commercial and Residential Interiors. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
3,4
Bor, Walter G., Dennis Sharp, and Arthur Korn. Planning and Architecture. New York: Wittenborn, 1967.
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III. Lastly, the inhabitant must be able to create an atmosphere that is both conducive,

functional, and practical.5

Objective of the Study

The objective of the study is to understand the metric design data, interrelationship of

spaces, and the ergonomics of the given residential house by analyzing the current state of the

living space of a residential house, focusing on the relationship of standards and spatial planning

of the residential environment. For this study, the 4-bedroom unit in The Amaryllis Condominium

was selected to provide an in-depth analysis regarding the given house and to emphasize the

importance of the essentials of architectural planning and design. Invariably, this case study

provides a basis in analyzing the basis of design data, standards to follow, and the importance of

spatial planning.

Methodology

The researcher was tasked to conduct a case study of a residential house to analyze the

structure whether it was designed ergonomically, whilst at the same time, consider the standards

of design and interrelationship of spaces. The interior of the residential structure was to be carefully

observed, while considering any issues or possible design errors of the given residential unit. The

residential home that the researcher used is his own home, allowing immediate access and a higher

fundamental understanding of the inner workings inside the condominium unit.

5
Kubba, Sam. Space Planning for Commercial and Residential Interiors. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
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Metric Design Data

The National Building Code of the Philippines Chapter 8, Section 806 states that the

minimum size and dimension of the rooms must follow:6

Rooms for Habitation 6.00 square meters, with at least 2.00 dimension

Kitchen 3.00 square meters, with at least 1.50 dimension

Bath and Toilet 1.20 square meters, with at least 0.90 dimension

Residential houses, must have adequate light and ventilation, at least one sanitary station,

and must face a street or a public alley.

Moreover, the following are the standard measurement of various furniture at given

rooms:7

Figure 1. Standard bedroom furniture (single, double,

bedside table, dressing table, wardrobe, chest of

drawers) Littlefield, David. Metric Handbook:

Planning and Design Data

6
“National Building Code Of The Philippines.” Accessed November 17, 2019.
http://www.competitive.org.ph/doingbusiness/reference/downloads/Summit/forupload/RD-
DWCP/PD_1096__BASIC_LAW_book_format_.pdf.
7
Littlefield, David. Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data. London: Routledge, 2012.
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Figure 2. Standard kitchen appliances and

equipment. Littlefield, David. Metric Handbook:

Planning and Design Data

Figure 3. Standard living space. Littlefield,

David. Metric Handbook: Planning and Design

Data

Figure 4. Standard dining spaces. Littlefield, David. Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data
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Interrelationship of Spaces and Circulation

Most buildings are designed to cater the needs of people. However, man’s needs change

with the location, space provided, and its criteria in designing a structure. Bruno Zevi advocates

the use of his principle the ‘theory of architecture’ in which he correlates space to an indispensable

ingredient that helps us fundamentally grasp the essence of a building. 8

This is relevant in the cases of design planning of interior spaces. For example, the space

standards of a home in the heart of the city (urban) will generally have a smaller gross floor space

than the average residential home in the province (rural).9 Moreover, the client’s preferences must

also be noted with regards to their; type of home, working habits, room needs, leisure habits, and

entertainment. Following this, it is best to ensure the maximum comfort of the inter-relation

between the functional areas of a given residential home. A space that is utilitarian, who does not

serve any psychological or physical use, must be excluded from the design.10

Different room sizes are generally based upon their given function and furniture present in

the area. Each space has its own determinants, such that a bedroom must have a bed and wardrobes,

or that the kitchen must have a cooking area, cabinet, and a preparation area, which forms an

ergonomic triangular working relationship. As such are the given illustrations of an effective

circulation:

8
Zevi, Bruno. Architecture as Space. New York: Horizon Press, 1957.
9
Kubba, Sam. Space Planning for Commercial and Residential Interiors. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
10
Zevi, Bruno. Architecture as Space. New York: Horizon Press, 1957.
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Figure 5. Effective circulation in the dining, living, and bedroom. Littlefield, David. Metric

Handbook: Planning and Design Data

Observations

Figure 6. 4-Bedroom Unit in The

Amaryllis Condominium.

https://www.dmciamaryllis.com
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Site Building and Location

The residential home is located along E Rodriguez Sr. Ave, New Manila, Quezon City,

Metro Manila. The condominium complex faces the main road; E Rodriguez Avenue. The unit

contains 4 bedrooms, 2 toilet and bathroom, and a dining & living and has a gross area of 105.50

sqm.

Kitchen

The main door is directly connected at the

kitchen. When entering the unit, the first thing

that we see is the kitchen. The main door

functions as both entry and exit passages. The

kitchen counter, stove, and other kitchen

appliances are within the reach to an average

Filipino citizen (162cm). Figure 6. Kitchen

Dining Room

The dining area functions as an all-

encompassing room that circulates the entire

unit. It is connected to almost every room in the

condominium. The area allows an efficient use

of the space in circulating the residents to each

individual room. The furniture located in the

area are both minimal and strategically placed

to maximize the limited area given, similar to figure 4. Figure 7. Dining

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Living Room

The living room, directly connected

with the dining, has a combined area of 22

sqm. With the addition of the side balcony,

which has 6.00 sqm, the area allows

ventilation and sun to enter the central living

space of the unit. The main furniture, the sofa

and the television set, are located at the sides

Figure 8. Living Room
of the room, allowing maximum access to the

space provided.

Masters Bedroom

The master’s bedroom, with its own toilet and

bathroom, is 16.00 sqm and is connected to the main balcony,

with 13.50 sqm. The bed is queen-sized and is located at the

center of the side of the room to allow an ergonomic

circulation, similar to figure 5.

Figure 9. Masters Bedroom

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Bedrooms

Figure 10. Bedrooms 2, 3, and 4.

The remaining bedrooms, connected to the dining room, has 10.00, 7.00, and 6.00 sqm,

respectively. With the limited area given, they are minimally decorated, with single sized beds,

with only bedroom 2 having a television set.

Toilet and Bathroom

Finally, the two toilet and bathroom, with similar layouts,

have both 5.50 and 4.50 sqm, respectively. The 1st toilet is located

near the master’s bedroom, acting as the resident’s main

bathroom. The 2nd toilet is located near the dining room, acting as

the guest’s bathroom.

Figure 11. Toilet and Bathroom

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Findings

As a resident of the residential condominium unit, the space, with its limited area, is

comfortable, ergonomically arranged, and spatially organized. Though the condominium unit is

relatively smaller than the average home in the rural areas, it is strategically placed, allowing

efficient circulation throughout the house.

Though the kitchen is at the front, acting as the main entryway of the unit, it is relatively

convenient, with its relative proximity to the dining room. The dining room allows immediate

access to majority of the rooms, and with its connection to both the kitchen and the living room, it

grants an illusion of a larger space. The living room, with its close proximity with the side balcony,

allows great access to the sun and wind. The maid room, even though there is no maid present, is

relatively accessible to both the kitchen and the living room, allowing immediate access to cook

and clean the condominium unit. The bedrooms are similarly close with another, allowing the

residents to conditionally think that other side of the unit is for the bedrooms. The toilet and

bathrooms are conveniently placed within their areas, one for the guests and one for the residents.

Overall, the space shows a simple, yet thought-out floorplan. The furniture is properly

arranged, similar to the teachings of David Littlefield from the figures above. Though the

arrangement of the furniture is within the bounds of the resident, both the plan and the furniture

are used to its potential; allowing convenient circulation, thus producing a spatially organized

residential home.
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Conclusion and Recommendation

After a detailed review of the related literature in the field of metric design data and

interrelationship of spaces, and the overall comfortability of the unit as a resident, the researcher

therefore concludes that the 4-bedroom unit in The Amaryllis condominium is spatially organized

and ergonomatically arranged.

The only recommendation that the researcher would like to suggest is to place the toilet

and bathroom nearer to the balcony, allowing immediate access to dry the laundry. Nonetheless,

the problem is merely miniscule, as the distance of the bathroom is already near the balcony.

Following the given design constrictions, the unit passed the requirements provided by the

National Building Code of the Philippines. Moreover, the standard measurements of the furniture

and appliances are all within reach, when compared to the average Filipino citizen’s height of

162cm.

In conclusion, the design followed the three original conditions that were stated at the

introductory part of the paper. The design of the Amaryllis condominium unit followed a “form

follows function” principle that Luis Sullivan popularized. Additionally, the residential unit

captured the client’s requirements, as the space is easy to follow, with relative efficient flow

throughout the entire unit. Lastly, the home creates an atmosphere that strives for comfort and

provides a conducive, functional, and practical use with the space provided.
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References

Bor, Walter G., Dennis Sharp, and Arthur Korn. Planning and Architecture. New York: Wittenborn,
1967.

Kubba, Sam. Space Planning for Commercial and Residential Interiors. New York: McGraw-Hill,
2003.

Littlefield, David. Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data. London: Routledge, 2012.

Space Planning. Lincoln, NE: Nebraska Administrative Services, State Building Division, 2011.

Zevi, Bruno. Architecture as Space. New York: Horizon Press, 1957.