Department of Architecture

B.Arch.
Museum Design

Subject: Guidelines for Literature Review and Case Study Presentation

General guidelines for collecting data/ information for case study analysis
Design Studio is not a ritual, it is a creative exercise, need to be explored. Design Studio work can
be divided into two broad parts namely 'Analytical aspect' — literature review and preparation of
'analytical framework' and analysis of case studies and 'Design components' — application of
lessons learned from the case studies and literature review into architectural design and
development including detailing. That case study analysis constitutes the key component of the
work which ultimately helps to maximize the land resources for building design.

Architectural design deals with future environment and in such case analysis of case of similar
existing built environment (building and its surroundings) is essential. Nonetheless, all the
students are advised to prepare a `theoretical framework' based on the literature review and the
aims and objectives of the Design studio project before visiting any case study sites/ buildings
complexes so that they can collect the meaningful data, information, drawings and can conduct
interview wills right person/ target group.

Purpose of the Case Study Analysis

• Case Study is a research method - which was unknown, wanted to make it known. It basically
brings out unknown frontiers.
• To learn numerous lessons from already existing successful cases and then to apply them in the
new proposed design;
• To direct designer's attention to just tissue relevant facts and needs;
• To produce multiple sources of evidences when the boundaries between phenomenon and
context are not clearly evident;
• To learn different approaches, design methodology and management for the similar problems
in different context and situations thus leading to 'system learning' and 'new case research
technique'; and
• To generalize a theoretical proposition.

While selecting Case Studies some common bases are essential in terms of the following:
• Project location, size and activity requirement including land use program;
• Most prominent project in terms of architectural design, site planning, etc.;
• Project located in the area comparable in terms of climate, culture and socio-economic context:
(2) CONTENTS OF PRESENTATION AND REPORT WRITING

a) Literature Review and Analytical Framework Preparation

• Significance of design topic;
• Aims and objectives of the design topic;
• Study of numerous literatures from books, journals, magazines, internet, etc. related to
the topic (and its aims and objectives);
• Analysis of the climate data of the project site and its significance on site planning and
design development part; Preparation of ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK/ DESIGN or
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY —essential elements/ salient features/ design parameters for
successful site planning and building design (of the topic) for case study analysis.

b) Case Study Analysis & Lessons Learned from them

Case study analysis based on the above-mentioned analytical framework.
• Brief introduction of each case study;
• Analysis of individual case studies with respect to master plan layout, hierarchy of spaces
and functional linkages of different activities, building volume, character, style and other
architectural detailing) of the analytical framework;
• Identification of strengths and weakness in the case studies and conclusions and
recommendations.

c) Comparative Analysis, Lesson Learned and Derivation of Planning Principles / Design

Guidelines
• Comparative analysis between literature reviews & case studies with respect to numerous
issues (both qualitative as well as quantitative aspects together with analysis of master
plan layout, hierarchy of spaces and functional linkages of different activities, building
volume, character, style and other architectural detailing) of the analytical framework;
• Formulation of planning principles and design guidelines;

(Note: The contents of presentation mentioned above should be taken as guidelines and students
should refine them (in terms of contents and other detailing) as per their topic and focus area but
this does not act as a limit.)
However, it would be beneficial to choose the cases that are different in scale and complexity on
sites (or cities) of distinct cultural background that provides variations in architectural design and
site planning and in other design parameters. Case study analysis requires the detail
investigations of the site planning and architectural design of the building complex (of the
selected project for the case study) not only in terms of functional relationship of activities and
their spaces but also its relations to cultural, social, economic and climatic dimensions including
management aspect. Nonetheless, general guidelines for case study analysis should include the
study of the followings:

Physical Design Parameters

• Site planning and its context with the surrounding areas/ open space and built form/
parking/ access to the site/ orientation, landscape, topography, etc;
• Building layout and form/ size and shape of the rooms/ scale, etc;
• Architectural style/ elevations/ sections/ detailing/ bulk and volume. etc;
• Materials used and construction technology/ structural system, etc
• Lighting and ventilation/ heating and air-conditioning, etc;
• Building infrastructure system (water supply, sewage treatment, electric wiring, etc.);
• Relationship among different rooms, activities including circulation spaces, flow of people
and materials, etc;
• Future extension and provision; and Provision of safety measures during emergency.

Climatic Study
• Sun/ rain/ wind/ humidity data;
• Energy conservation/ solar system, micro climate, etc; and
• Impact of climate on building form and planning, etc.

Legislation and Development Control

• Building bylaw, conservation code, development control, national environmental
guidelines, etc.;
• Planning standard and design guidelines, land use zoning regulation etc.; and
• General design guidelines and other site-specific regulations, etc.

Socio-economic and Cultural Aspects

• People's way of life;
• Local culture and tradition/ customs/ belief/ historic stories/ legends, etc.;
• Local vernacular architecture/ architectural development trend, etc.
• Affordability/ income/ expenditure pattern, etc.; and
• Level of awareness and community participation, etc.
Users' Experience
• Designer's views or experience;
• Building user's experience/ view regarding above mentioned issues, etc. and
• General public's view point, etc.

Specialized subject for detail study (landscape/ interior/ structure)

• Detail study and information collection on one of them.

In order to acquire above mentioned information, it is essential to collect/ take/ conduct:

• Various architectural drawings/ site plans/ detailing (draw sketches, diagrams, etc. in case
they are unavailable);
• Reports/ documents related to organization chart, building management and
maintenance, etc.
• Photographs/ slides; and
• Interview with different people particularly designers and building users.

(Note: The general guidelines are not mandatory), but should be refined according to individual
including specially of the case study project.)