The Unorthodox Approach of Designing an Innovative,

Efficient, and Sustainable 6 – Storey Office Building near

Ayala Terraces, Cebu City

_____________________________________

A Research Paper
Presented to the
Architecture Department, School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design
University of San Carlos
Cebu City

_____________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Course
AR3100 – Architectural Design 5

By:

GWYNETH FIONA CATAQUEZ

Academic Year 2021 – 2022, First Semester

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE
TITLE PAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Design Problem
1.2 The Client
1.3 The Client’s Vision and mission
1.4 The Context
1.5 Definition of terms

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Building Laws
2.2 Bank Planning
2.3 Case Study of Bank Layout
2.4 Case Study of Office Layout
2.5 Atech Solutions by Studio 4A, India
2.6 Tony Fruit Office by TAA Design, Vietnam.
2.7 The Bioclimatic Flexi-Office by T3 Architects.
2.8 Retail Store Layout
2.9 Parking Layout
CHAPTER 3

3.1 Initial Decision Derived from the Data Gathered

3.2 Space Program

REFERENCES

2
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Design Problem

Throughout the years, office buildings have evolved from one design to another. Office

spaces have been programmed according to how people manage their tasks, and every year

people seem to continue the ambition to design an office space that promotes productivity and

efficiency. In the early period of 1900s – 1930s, office spaces began to take their pure form, it

started from the developing demands of the militant manufacturing industry, and since

telephone system was applicated for business systems, it put more and more people behind a

table and office space was designed to meet with the desired work efficiency. Frederick Taylor,

an American Engineer, initially designed an exclusive space where the boss could look out on

the workers in their workstations, hence the Taylorism movement was emulated. His system

essentially became the standard of office spaces back then and quickly spread over to the

government firms.

In the 1950s, the era of the Midcentury Modern, desks, chairs and office furniture were

arranged in a certain style with the inclusion of organic partitions, air conditioning and

fluorescent lighting. The modern style quickly rose as architecture depended on steel and glass

for their structures. And soon made the natural light an unnecessary element in an office space.

1960s all the way to 1980s is where the cubicle system was first implemented as the first

computers and printers were available to be used in office spaces and later in the 90s, world

wide web was introduced.

Although the initial design of working in cubicles were to let people be in their own head

space and work effectively, studies have shown that there’s nothing good about working in a

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cubicle. It was stated by Franklin Becker, PhD, director of the Cornell University International

Workplace Studies Program, open spaces in work area leads to more productivity and learning

than those who work in closed offices or cubicles. Older workers may choose private office

spaces than open ones because of their experience and reasons of having privacy that leads to

focus and concentration. But they also switched to open space option due to the easier

communication with fellow co-workers. In comparison, when working in an open space, co-

workers are easier to read than in private spaces, for example, in an open space, when they

appear to be busy, other workers can wait and choose the right time to disturb, but in a private

space, they may be interrupted or be disturbed at the wrong time. This will make things worse

or ruin focus and concentration that was already built up.

Cubicles have crated the illusion that private spaces equal more focus and concentration

but in actual, they are just distractions for workers to be free to make long and loud

conversations. (Murray, 2002). While an open space office is not entirely the correct solution

to improved productivity, it can help with the innovation of the perfect office layout. There

have been many people who are dissatisfied with the design of an open space office,

complaining that they don’t have enough privacy as well as an abundant of noise distraction

complaints. The statistics in figure 1 shows that people now more dissatisfied with open space

than private space.

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 figure 1.

A review of over 300 papers from 67 journals stated that open office layout shows very

significant effect on productivity. They stressed that noise and acoustics should be given

importance in designing an office space if the goal was to increase productivity. (Ogden, 2018)

Furthermore, a lot of other aspects in an office design other than its layout affect worker’s

productivity and focus. Things such as indoor air quality, over-illumination and bad acoustics

create a distraction for workers’ productivity and focus. Office workers spend most of their

time in the office, it is only fair to also control the air quality and observe proper ventilation or

having enough presence of indoor plants. If observed more in depth, you can notice that a lot

of office buildings are filled with too many artificial lights and so little natural light. Relying

too much on fluorescent lights for space illumination removes a lot of work and electrical

energy. To improve productivity, it is good to consider the positive effects of an increased

natural light. (Ramsdell, 2016)

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 It takes a while to notice that commercial and residential buildings contribute about 1/4th

of the total global emission of greenhouse gases. In Philippines, International Energy agency

data accumulated data that shows CO2 emission from electricity and heat production that is

about 36.6 million tonnes, and this data was gathered 7 years ago, in 2014. We can only

imagine how much it has increased since then. Commercial and residential buildings are the

biggest electricity consumers. In 2013, the department of energy shows that commercial and

residential buildings used up 63% of electricity supply that totaled to 38.92-million-megawatt

hour, this is a 45% increase from 10 years before 2013. The numbers have sure multiplied

since 2013. To understand the concern, annual building growth rate is about 6%, and with the

way buildings are designed, it is an extreme pressure on the electrical supply to cover

construction and maintenance. This leaves to the question, is it really that hard to build green?

Reducing energy use and shifting to a clean or renewable energy have always been the answer,

and it does sound quite easy to approach.

The idea is to always build green, it does however, promote a more efficient energy

consumption and resources while reducing the building’s impact on human health and

environment. But the lack of awareness and knowledge really gives a setback to green building

construction. The idea was always perceived to be something too expensive to do because of

its complexity. The fear is this, green buildings would drive away consumers, but it should

really be the opposite, with the increasing rate of electricity in the country, green buildings

should attract those who want to save energy and cost. (Lacerna, 2015)

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1.2 The Client

The Client is a government-owned banking institution, Phillipine National Bank or also

known as PNB. It was established by the Philippine Government on July 22, 1916, during the

American era. PNB was the first universal bank in the Philippines in 1980 after it was acquired

by Tycoon Lucio Tan and was privatized by the government. Today, PNB has a total domestic

footprint is 713 branches and more than 1400 ATMs located nationwide.

1.3 PNB’s Vision, Mission, and Values

PNB is a leading dynamic Filipino financial services group with a global presence

committed to deliver a whole range of quality products and services that will create value and

enrich the lives of their customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities they serve.

Vision 2010 and Beyond

To be the most admired financial services organization in the country in terms of:

• Financial performance – rank #1 or #2 in its businesses in terms of return on equity

• Innovativeness – in products, services, distribution and the use of cutting-edge
technology
• Customer perception
o The preferred financial services provider
o The customer-centered organization with a passion for service excellence
• Social responsibility – the employer of choice, a good corporate citizen and partner in
nation-building
• Long-term vision – developing competitive advantage on a sustained basis by
anticipating changes in customer’s preferences and in the manner of doing business

PNB’s vision to be the most admired financial services organization in the country is what

appeals to be the chosen client for the project. PNB is innovative in their products, services,

distribution, and the use of cutting-edge technology, this relates to the project’s vision to design

an innovative and effective architecture. One of their values to adapt to change is great for

7
 building sustainable architecture as sustainability is defined as being able to adapt to change.

PNB’s theme color is also a symbol of productivity and success with its light and dark blue

presence.

1.4 The context

The site’s location happens to sit right in front of Ayala Terraces in Cebu City, within the

Cebu Business Park. The site has a slight elevation to it but barely noticeably making it

relatively a flat surface to work with. The location is surrounded by modern and tall

commercial and office buildings alike with other banks and offices. The site has convenient

access to public transportations on the two-way road of Mindanao Avenue on the northeast

side of the lot, the two-way road is prone to noise and air pollution from heavy vehicular

transportation, and this is where the public transport like jeepneys often pass by and stops by

the pedestrian lane. The Southwest side of the lot is a private one-way road with less traffic

because of it’s private use for Ayala customers only.

As seen in figure 2. The blue arow

indicate the travel path of jeepney riders

who are going to Ayala Terraces from

Mandaue Avenue to Biliran road. Figure 3

shows the site’s location from Mandaue

avenue and figure 4 shows the site’s

location from Biliran road.

Figure 2. Satellite View of Site

8
 Figure 3. View from Mandaue Avenue, Figure 4. View from Biliran Rd.

1.5 Definition of Terms

CO2 Emission - Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless and non-poisonous gas formed

by combustion of carbon and in the respiration of living organisms and is considered

a greenhouse gas. Emissions means the release of greenhouse gases and/or their precursors

into the atmosphere over a specified area and period of time. Carbon dioxide

emissions or CO2 emissions are emissions stemming from the burning of fossil fuels and the

manufacture of cement; they include carbon dioxide produced during consumption of solid,

liquid, and gas fuels as well as gas flaring.

Over-Illumination - is the presence of lighting intensity higher than that which is appropriate

for a specific activity. Over illumination was commonly ignored between 1950 and 1995,

especially in office and retail environments

Renewable Energy - A renewable energy source means energy that is sustainable - something

that can't run out, or is endless, like the sun. When you hear the term 'alternative energy' it's

usually referring to renewable energy sources too.

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 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter will provide information on the essential design solutions that can be applied

to the context of the development. It covers the space requirement per typology in accordance

to building codes and standards for the issue on spatial organization. An analysis of similar

developments will be provided to act as design references. Furthermore, human, and social

considerations, and technological opportunities will be met. Finally, a framework on how this

information will be applied to come up with the solutions will be provided.

2.1 Building Laws

General Building Code Requirements

Dimensions Building
Code
A. Zoning Classificaton C2 – Division E2
B. Lot Type Through Lot
C. Building Height Limit (BHL) 6 storeys; 18 meters above highest PD 1096
grade
Front 5.00m
D. Setbacks Rear 2.00m
Sides 2.00m
F. Stairs
Riser (min) 200 mm PD 1096
190mm (class A); 200mm (class RA
B) 9514
Tread (min) 250mm PD 1096
250mm (class A); 230mm (class RA 9514
B)
Occupant load 10- 750mm PD 1096
below
Width (min) 915mm RA 9514
Occupant load=10-50 900mm PD 1096
915mm RA 9514

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 Occupant load=50- 1100mm PD 1096
above
1120mm RA 9514
Dist. Between landings 3600mm PD 1096
Landings(min) 2750mm (class A); 3700mm (class RA 9514
B)
Dist. Direction of travel equal to stair width PD 1096
1120mm RA 9514
Handrails Height 800mm-900mm from nosing PD 1096
G.
Circulation
1.10m PD 1096
Corridor (min) Width 0.55m RA 9514
1.20m BP 344
Dead ends Width 6.00m
<10 occupation load min. 1 exit PD 1096
min. 2 exits RA 9514
10-499 occupation load min. 2 exits PD 1096
exit door width (min) 700mm PD 1096
Exits 710mm RA 9514
exit door height (min) 2.00m
distance - with 60m PD 1096
sprinkler system (max) 61m RA 9514
distance - without 45m PD 1096
sprinkler system (max)
46m RA 9514
Entryway Slope 1:3 or 1:4 PD 1096
Ramp Slope (max) 1:10
1:12 BP 344
H. Light & Ventilation
headroom clearance (min) 2.00m
ceiling height (habitable spaces) 2.40m - artificial ventilation
2.70m - natural ventilation
ceiling height (buildings-general) 2.70m - first floor
2.40m - second floor PD 1096
2.10m - succeeding floors
1.80m - mezzanine
window openings (min) 10% of floor area
window eaves (min) 750mm extended
I. HABITABLE ROOM
area 6.00 sqm
minimum dimension 2.00m

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2.2 Bank Planning

Space Requirements & Layout:

Space Space Dimensions Condition Furniture/ Users

(General) (Specific) Fixture
Lobby 22 sqm ease of seating
(min) public
Public access -staff
Spaces Teller -public -clients
(60% access counter -security
space) -staff booth personnel
privacy
-located on
one side
Check -shall not -seating
Writing block -desk
circulation
Records 300mm -fireproof -storage -staff
Vault (wall -access to -lockers
thickness); service
2.2 (height) proof, trust,
room bookkeeping
dimension dept.
(see fig.) -high
security
Deposit -fireproof
Vault -high
Operations security
(10% Toilet (staff) 1.8m x -water
space) 0.9m -privacy closet
(refer to -BP 344 -urinal
plumbing compliant -lavatory
code) -slop sink
Client 2x2m (min- -seating -clients
meeting room); -desk -staff
rooms/booth (booth) -storage
Executive -two office -seating -executive
Suite spaces -desk staff
-privacy -storage
Legal, -privacy -staff
Accounting, 2x2m -consultants
Bookeeping, minimum
Office Trust habitable
Space Department area

12
 (20% Proof -close to
space) data
processing
Clerical -storae for
mail
Maintenance -sanitary -storage -staff /
-seating maintenance
-desk personnel
-
equipments

2.3 Case study of bank layouts

Figure 5 is an example of a typical bank layout where parking space is provided in

front of the building, and typically 2-3 ATMs are provided and attached to the front of the

building. As entering the room, teller counter is usually the first thing to see and easier to

approach because it is where most transactions are made. Provided near the teller is the

private room where the vault is located with a vault manager room. Other spaces such as

manager room is excluded from the open space into a private area, and customer service

area is located before the teller area.

Figure 5. typical bank floor plan. Source: Pinterest

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 In a more modern approach, some banks in America have replaced the face-to-face

teller with digital teller, but customer service area remain to assess questions and customer

needs. This can be seen in the layout of Renasant Bank, Memphis, United States. Figure 6

shows the floor plan and layout of a modern bank layout of Renasant Bank and figure 7

shows the perspective view of the Renasant Bank. (Brg3s Architects, 2018)

Figure 6. Renasant Bank Floor Plan.

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 Figure 7. Renasant bank perspective view.

2.4 Case study of office layout

Space Requirements & Layout

Space Dimensions Condition Furniture / Users

Fixture
Office 2x2m -Privacy -Desk
minimum -collaboratio -Seating
habitable area -flexible -storage -office clerks
-amenities -executive
Toilet 1.8m x 0.9m -Privacy -water closet staff
(refer to -BP 344 -urinal -other staff
plumbing compliant -lavatory
code) -slop sink

15
2.5 Atech Solutions by Studio 4A, India.

While there are workers who are dissatisfied with open space office plan, they can’t deny

its benefits for co-working. Communication in an open office plan is much easier and co-working

works better and more efficiently. In some offices, there are private office space for when receiving

clients and there are the open one table for 5-10 people work area. The Atech solutions office by

Studio4A provides the best of two worlds. With the awareness to make a better office space, Atech

solutions works its way to tackle the challenges of noise pollution, integrating nature into design,

and improving air quality.

Studio4A uses brick for wall and the existing mango tree to reduce the effect of noise

pollution as a distraction for workers. A skylight or open below system is used to let enough natural

light come through and dissipate into the space without letting it be a distraction. Studio4A aims

to design an office space that addressed the function of the building and at the same time answering

to the broader context of nature and productivity. Shown in figure 8 is the typical floor plan of the

office space that involves co-working and shown in figure 9-10 is the perspective views of the

spaces. (Studio 4A, 2016)

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Figure 8. ATech Solutions Ground Floor Plan.

17
Figure 9. Co-working space.

Figure 10. ATech Solutions Skylight design.

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2.6 Tony Fruit Office by TAA Design, Vietnam.

The district 4 of Ho Chi Minh City is very high in building ratio and most of the

buildings are constructed to be commercial and office building. This is where the Tony Fruit

Office stood. The location is exposed to sunlight from dusk till dawn making interior overheating

a big challenge to overcome. However, the building utilizes the art of geometry to create

perforated canopy to block most of the sunlight but at the same time letting in enough to light the

interior during daylight.

Walls are also set back to create room for our door area where greenery can be used to be

utilized as a natural skin that covers the exposed façade. The geometry shading and greenery in

every window gives as system of green surface that allows the people inside to obtain a fresh

view when they look outside. Figure 11-13 shows in detail the application of geometry in the

architecture of this office building and how it serves as shading. (TAA Design, 2020)

Figure 11. Solar radiation study.

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Figure 12. Perforated Geometry.

Figure 13. Overview of Tony Fruit Office.

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2.7 The Bioclimatic Flexi-Office by T3 Architects.

T3 designed this office to consider what workers want and what they need in an office

space. The aim was to give the best space to work in, with many choices to depend his mood on

such as: need of concentration, need of inspiration, need of meeting people, need of calm or

comfort, etc. In this office, T3 proposed 10 different working styles environment. Having good

vibes is important when entering an office, it will affect your mood while you work, and your

productivity throughout the day. T3 decides to make the reception feels like a resort with the

presence of tropical materials such as bamboo, tropical garden, loose furniture, lime plastering,

solid wood, and local stone and plants.

T3 collaborated with energy efficiency engineers to design a sustainable building by doing

several actions as stated:

1. To keep the main structure of the existing building (grey energy saving).
2. To create a tropical garden by breaking the outdoor existing concrete slab,
bringing back the natural and permeable soil, adding new trees and plants,
allowing rainwater to go through it to minimize common flooding issues it that
area.
3. To reduce Air Conditioning spaces, adding big sliding doors for the ground floor
to create a connection with the exterior garden and maximizing the air circulation
with strategically located ceiling fans.
4. To add a double ventilated façade in Bamboo which is an efficient sun protection
and keeps the main walls cool improving the energy savings, moreover we added
some horizontal and vertical louvers specifically designed for each
orientation/façade to reduce over lighting and improve the comfort of customers.
5. To limit as much as possible the use of industrial materials, chemicals and plastic
to improve interior air quality.
6. To well insulate the roof slab to avoid overheating and save energy.

21
Figure 14-17 will show in depth the sustainable and good vibes aspects that T3
achieved.

Figure 14. bamboo with sunshade façade.

Figure 15. Office Space by T3.

22
Figure 16. Sun protection study.

23
 Figure 17. Façade design.

2.8 Retail Store Layout

With bank and office present in the building, a small retail store or mini supermarket will

also be available at the ground floor, the store will be designed with traditional grid store layout.

Grid layout, whilst traditional and most seen in supermarkets, pharmacies, and of-price retailers,

is the most effective and customer friendly layout that comes with advantages and disadvantages

to it. Grid layout allows products to be located at right angles throughout the store and allows the

customers to be familiar with there the products are placed. With grid layout the store is well

organized and efficient. It uses the maximum amount of floor space at a lower cost, and it is easier

for merchandisers to stock the shelves. Shown in figure 18 is the typical grid layout plan. (Gilbert,

2017)

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 Figure 18. Typical Grid Store layout.

2.9 Parking Layout

Parking space

Typology Computation PD 1096

A) Bank GFA = 720 sq.m. GFA > 70 sq.m.
720 ÷ 70 = 10.28 or 11 slots - (1) slot per 70 sq.m.
B) Retail GFA = 360 sq.m.
360 ÷ 70 = 5.14 or 6 slots
C) Office Space 190 sq.m. ; 190 ÷ 8units = 23.75 GFA = 18 to 40 sq.m.
GFA -(1) slot for every two (2)
8 units ÷ 2 = 4 slots units
TOTAL 11 + 6 + 4 = 21 slots
PARKING 21 slots x 50% = 11 slots

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 Basement parking layout will be used for the project while implementing ramp parking

design to incorporate full efficiency of the provided space. The Ayala-Seda Parking space is

designed as ramp system while having the parking surface sloping down. Attached below is figure

19 that shows systems of ramp parking layout.

Figure 19. Diagram of Ramp parking system.

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 CHAPTER 3

3.1 Initial Decision Derived from the Data Gathered

Street circulation shows that with the existing pedestrian lane at Mandaue Avenue, the

pedestrians will have an entrance on that side, and drop off area from vehicles will be on the Biliran

Road with the advantage of less heavy traffic and privacy.

Open space and private space will be incorporated into the floor plan of both the bank and

the offices. The bank will incorporate both face-to-face teller and digital teller to maximize work

and time efficiency. The open floor plan for the bank will be used to maximize flexibility and

safety of the workers and customers. The open space of the office area will be used to promote co-

working and productivity with effective communication between co-workers.

Private office spaces may be available to be used while accepting clients or holding

meetings with clients for privacy purposes. Indoor plants will be present to improve air quality and

the presence of different materials and colorways will be used to improve the surrounding view

and will increase rate of productivity and overall mood and well-being.

The exterior of the building will incorporate perforated walls or sun shading materials and

equipment to let natural light in to avoid depending on too much interior artificial light. Presence

of plants in front of every window will also be used to improve overall view from inside to outside

and to integrate nature with architecture as well. Air ventilations will also be properly observed

from time to time to make sure that it keeps improving the air quality inside from the constant air

conditioning.

27
 The building will use solar power to maximize the sun light exposure and collect rainwater

that can be reused again. The basement parking space will use the ramp system to utilize the space

given efficiently and will follow the standard law for safety. The parking space will be given ramp,

stairs, and elevators for PWD access, as well as PWD parking slot by the nearest elevator.

3.2 Space Program

With PNB’s vision and mission in mind, the architecture will showcase a space that gives

motivation to work and enjoy the environment. With the presence of green infrastructure

throughout each space, air quality and workers views will be improved and with the abundant

windows and letting natural light in, over-illumination can be avoided to save work and electricity

energy. The open floor plan in both bank and office will improve productivity and mood by a big

rate.

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 REFERENCES

Ramsdell, D. (October 2016) Building Fails: Common Problems in Modern Office Building.

Retrieved From https://www.higheredgeek.com/blog/building-fails-common-problems-

in-modern-office-buildings

Manor Interior Solutions (January 2020) Outdated Office Design: 7 Most Common Problems That

May Impact Your Business Negatively. Retrieved From

https://manorinteriorsolutions.co.uk/blog/outdated-office-design-problems/

Lacerna, M.T. (January 2015) Philippines: Shattering the Myths: It’s not Tough to Build Green

Retrieved From https://blogs.worldbank.org/eastasiapacific/philippines-shattering-myths-

it-s-not-tough-build-green

Abdel, H. (2020) Tony Fruit Office /TAA Design Retrieved from

https://www.archdaily.com/963242/tony-fruit-office-taa-

design?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_all

Murray, B. (May 2002) There’s Nothing Good About Working in a Cubicle, Study Finds.

Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/may02/cubicle

Si, S. (September 2021) How Office Design has Changed Over the Years.

Retrieved from https://workplays.ph/blog/office-design-changed-years/

Gilbert, D. (June 2017) Which Store Layout Suits your Business best?

Retrieved from https://www.dotactiv.com/blog/best-store-layout-for-retail

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Pintos, P. (2018) Atech Solutions Office / Studio 4A

Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/930185/atech-solutions-offices-studio-

4a?ad_medium=gallery

Abdel, H. (2020) Biclimatic Flexi-Office / T3 ARCHITECTS

Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/955856/bioclimatic-flexi-office-t3-

architects?ad_medium=gallery

Castro, F. (2018) Renasant bank – Shell + Interiors / brg3s Architects

Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/894966/renasant-bank-shell-plus-interiors-

brg3s-architects?ad_medium=gallery

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