PROGRAMMING

• Problem Seeking
• Master Planning for Architects
Architectural programming
• A structured research and problem-solving process used
to identify, examine, and elaborate upon the various
needs underlying a design project . The architectural
program is the foundation for a creative, meaningful, and -
ultimately - useful architectural solution
• provide the designer with the information needed to
achieve the best possible solution to the problem at hand.
The stages of architectural design
Project Selection - define the goals (wants,
needs, requirements, etc.);

Programming - research and document the

related issues (facts, problems, potentialities,
etc.);
Preliminary Design - in a schematic form,
acknowledge the impact of those issues on the
goals;

Design Development - interpret the spatial

expression of the design, goals and issues;

Final Design - resolve the issues, and the inter-

relationships, of the design, goals, and issues;
 Dr. Fatima Al-Nammari 5

Identifying results
Collecting the Analysing the Presenting the
and
data data findings
recommendations

Meeting with client, Why is the project

beneficiaries, architects, needed? (significance&
public, experts, etc problem) What should this project What are the objectives?
Literature review on the How was it designed be? Goals, needs?
project: architecture and through history? Tables, matrix, graphics, What are the values for
related field theories What is new? diagrams, text client, architect, and users
Oral, visual, and written Use matrix, graphics, text
data etc.

Programming
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS
Content Analysis
A) Function:
• What are the functions in the building?
• What are the spatial needs for each function?
• Are there any special needs for a function other than spatial?
Function

Example:
A school has many functions included, one of
them is teaching.
• Teaching requires class rooms,
• Each classroom has special furniture needs,
thus certain space requirements based on the
number of students,
• Other needs for the classroom would be
related to material use, lighting requirement,
noise control, colors, etc..
Function
• Function analysis depends on the objective of the
project.
• Each function should be first studied separately,
to identify the space or spaces required to
achieve it,
• Once the spaces have been identified, each
space must be studied in terms of design needs.
• Then , the relationship between functions would
be analyzed.
Function
Example:
• In the school project, the functions may be studying,
teaching sciences, research.
• This requires many spaces: like classrooms, labs,
libraries, computer facilities, etc.
• Each space should be analyzed in terms of what it
needs to function properly (furniture, lighting, ..)
• Each space should also be studied in terms of who is
using it, what time(s), and for how long.
• Once the requirements of each space is fully
understood, relationships are to be identified.
Function
• Each project has several spaces doing different
functions,
• The spaces should be arranged in a way that
makes their functioning the easiest,
• Spaces could have strong relationships like: kitchen and
restaurant hall
• Spaces could have some relationship: like worker
offices and secretary,
• Spaces can have week relationship, Like a motel room
and storage in the motel.
Function
• Relationship between functions are studied in many ways,
• One of the most common is the “Bubble Diagram”,
• Bubble diagrams show both size of space, and its
relationship to other spaces
refer to “Architectural Graphic Standards; and
Time Saver Standards for Architectural Design
Data”.
WARNING
the zoning diagrams simplify the design task by
reducing the number of components for early
design idea conceptualization
Content Analysis
Content Analysis
• Once the functional analysis is done, it should provide a
very good idea on which spaces are adjacent, and which
are not.
• The functional analysis should not lead you to the concept
directly, DO NOT use bubble diagrams to generate plans.
Content Analysis
B) Circulation-Path
• Once the functions in the building are identified,
and their relationships are clear, an analysis of
the circulation would be in place.
• This analysis is only intended to provide an idea
on the different routs different users will take
around the building.
Circulation-Path
Example:
A Library design study
• Circulation for librarian:
Back entrance employee lobby
Cataloguing Department.( or other dept.)
• Path for library user:
Main entrance Lobby catalogues
book stacks.
Organize the bubbles around your circulation system conceptually
Space needs
• For each required space, provide analysis of :
• Functional needs
• Furniture
• Relation to other spaces
• Any light, sound, or thermal needs
• Finishing recommendations
• Any special considerations
Content Analysis
• Special needs
Your building may need:
• a special site,
• special structural elements,
• special mechanical and electrical connections
• Other,
therefore, all needs of the building should be noted in
this stage.
Content Analysis
• Users
The users of the buildings need to be addressed, some
might have special needs.
Example:
A school for the visually challenged.
• Other aspects ( general).
Program Development
• For each general function develop:
• A schedule of special needs
• All spaces serving that function
• All functional needs for each space

• Example:
• Nursery: will need: W/C, room for children’s belongings,
area for staff, other?
• Detail each one: spatial needs for W/C, and for other rooms one
by one
Results
• Will be in the form of general program outline
• A schedule for all the needed spaces
• Tables for the needs of each space individually
• Text describing general needs and considerations, bubble diagram,
functional matrix, circulation, layout recommendations, other…
Reading the matrix, bubble and
zoning diagrams for design
implications is a key activity to
bridging between

analysis and
synthesis
problem and solution

Your ability to
develop your concept
 55

Program contents
1-Introduction: quick background on problem, project, client, and
site (why is this project needed? Who owns it, who will use it? ).

2- In depth theory background:

• cultural, social, political, historical background on project type and project idea
• problem statement (what problems should this project solve?)
• Client profile: demography, organizational analysis, preferences, history,
customers, mission and goals
• Constraints: budget, codes, culture, other.

3- Future State:
-project Mission
-Goals.
-Objectives.
-Concepts
 56

Program contents
4- Suggested site: site selection, analysis and
recommendations
5- Case studies- similar problems and how they were
solved (functional, locational, theoretical, etc.)
4-Summaries: Budget, Space summery, site
recommendations and zoning.
5-Conclusion: Organizing concepts and themes.