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BASIC ELEMENTS OF PLANNING

Structure
2,l Introduction
Objectives

2;2 Principles of Planning 2.3 Architectural Co~lsiderations


2.4 Climatic Aspects
2.4.1 Orientation of Buildings 2.4.2 Shading Devices

2.5 Fire Resistance Regulations 2.6 Residential Buildings


2.6.1 Houses and Flats

2.7 Other Types of Buildings


2.7.1 2.7.2 2.7.3 2.7.4 2.7.5 2.7.6 2.7.7
Educational Buildings Institutional Buildings Business Buildings Mercantile Buildings Industrial Buildings Storage Buildings Hazardous Buildings

2.8 Relative Importance of Functional Elements 2.9 Anthropometric Data


2.9.1 Broad Classification of Components of Buildings 2.9.2 Pre-conception

2.10 Determinants for Design of a Building


2.10.1 Steps in the Planning Process of a Building

2.11 Sunlrnary 2.1 2 Answers to SAQs

2.1 INTRODUCTION
In Unit 1, various types of buildings like residential, industrial, hospital etc., each of which stands for different function and purpose, were described; and several guidelines for selection of appropriate sites for each type were presented. In this unit, the principles of functional planning, architectural considerations, climatic aspects of planning and fire-resistance regulations will be introduced. Did you notice the word "introduced" ? Planning of buildings is a complex task and it is usually undertaken by architects, who train themselves over several years to deal with the whole range of issues involved. This whole range includes provision of sanitary facilities, electrification, lifts/escalators, fire-fighting installations etc. and they are not included in this brief presentation. Most of the architects specialise in the design of residential buildings; a few specialise in the design of educational and institutional buildings; rarer still are the architects who undertake the planning and design of mercantile and industrial buildings, and you will have to search for architects who specialise in buildings which store hazardous materials. All that we aim to present in this unit consist of the broad guidelines which the architects utilise so that the engineers who build these buildings have a proper understanding of the expertise that has gFne into the planning and design of such buildings. Engineers usually have the tendency to modify the plans, elevations, sizes, position of openings and above all the finishes to conserve money or to suit structural design, and in the process alter the functions of the buildings and their appearance drastically. It is the primary duty of engineers to realise in practice what the architect has synthesized in his mind. The medium of communication between the architects and the engineers are the drawings and in this unit drawings will be utilised extensively.

.Maonia): of Buildings

Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to understand the principles of planning of buildings, appreciate the architectural considerations, comprehend the climatic aspects of orientation of buildings, and provision of sun shine-control devices, construct buildings that satisfy building bye-laws and fire regulations, have a comprehensive List of the various components of different types of buildings and their functional arrangements, plan the construction sequence in such a manner as to avoid costly modifications and rectifications at a later date, decipher and understand drawings of a variety of buildings, and choose building materials andmethods to suit the particular needs of the type of building m d e r consideration.

2.2 PRINCIPLES OF PLANNING

Modem buildings are planned and designed to suit a specific purpose, giving due consideration to site;climate, character and style. Planning of buildings presupposes the existence of certain laws and principles which are applicable in general to a wide variety of buildings. Within the frame work of these laws and principles a wide variety of designs can be developed depending upon the ingenuity and creativity of an architect.

Aspect, roominess,.flexibility, grouping, privacy and elegance are the major considerations which form the bed rock for the basic principles of planning as discussed below :
Aspect The natural gifts of sunshine, wind and scenery should be utilised to provide comfort, hygiene and cheerfulness to the user of the rooms in a building.

A room which receives light and air from a particular direction is said to have an aspect of that direction. A kitchen should have an eastern aspect so that the morning sun would refresh and purify the air, and it would remain cool in the later part of the day. The living room may have southern or south-eastem aspect, while bed rooms may have west or south-west aspect.

An aspect plan is presented along with the position of the sun for the city of Poona in Figure 2.1 (Sane, 1959).
NORTH

Figare 2.1 :Aspect Plan end Position of Sun

Roominess Every unit of built-up area must be utilised to the maximum. Maximum benefit must be derived froin the minjmum possible dimension of a room. For example, in a square room of 3.6 m x 3.6 m size, after leaving a minimum circulation space

around a table, there is very little useful space left for other purposes. On the other band a ractangular room of 3.2 m x 4.0 m size, (of approximately same area) has inore room for additional utilisation such as shelves etc. as shown in Figure 2.2. It is advisable to have the L : B of rooms proportioned in the ratio 1.2 to 1.5 : 1.

Basic Elements of Planning

r
E

l-

p6 -.34 .
Square room

r1
l Z

4.0 m

Rectangular room of/ / same area


\
-

Figure 2 2 :Utilitywise Comparison of Square and RectangularRooms

Flexibility Flexible use of space may have to be planned for if large gatherings are anticipated during religious functions. Separating the living and dining space with removable partitions is an example of achieving flexibility. In school buildings, several classes may have to be combined into a large hall for the.purposes of meetings. Grouping The occupants of a building constantly move from one room to another. Thus, the relationship between spaces must be considered at the planning stage. Dining room must be close to the kitchen; but the kitchen must be kept away from the living room. Bed rooms must be placed in such a way that there is independent acc ss towards the sanitary units (Figure 2.3).

UNlN6

- 1%
i
:,
d

Figure 2 3 :Grouping of Spaces in a Residential Building

In the case of administrative buildings, axial planning is a matter of proper grouping and also economy. In the case of factories, fabrication units must be carefully grouped together, whereas packaging and despatch units may have to form an independent group with administration and sales management units, constituting the central core. Privacy Privacy is of two kinds, namely internal privacy which ensures that one part of a building has the required privacy from the other part, and external privacy which

Planning of Buildings

ensures that a residential building is separated from its neighbouring buildings, public streets etc. Privacy of a residential building as a whole can be ensured by carefully planning the entrance, pathways and drives. Proper groupings of all rooms in a house around passages, corridors etc. is important (Figure 2.3). The proper disposition of doors and the way in which their shutters are hung are important factors in securing privacy. Locating the doors at the centre of a short wall of a room disturbs privacy (Figure 2.4).

PrlJCl te

Figure 2.4 :Desirable Ways of Arranging Door Openings

Elegance

Elegance is the effect produced by the elevation of a building and the general layout of the plan. A plan may be well lolit, but yet it may result in a dull elevation. Regularity and symmetry are preferred by some, while some architects inay opt for Planning in relation to the elevation for elegant irregularity and su~prise. appearance is unquestionably important. Elevation should be an external statement of the character and purpose of a building. In addition to the above considerations, circulation, sanitation, and prospect of views from windows and other openings, and furniture layout deserve due consideration by the architects. It is to be realised that planning of buildings is indeed the kind of task that is best handled by people who are well versed in the art and science of buildings, namely the architects.

2.3 ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS


The word "Architecture" relatgs to a process and also the end product namely a building. From a sketch plan to the completion of a given construction, aesthetic considerations are important, and an architect is called upon to use his creative talents to organise a given space to perform the desired function(s), to choose appropriate materials and use then1 in a truthful manner (concrete block should not be made to look like brick work), to express strength and safety through the format of his structured composition, and to maintain proportion and above all ensure that the resulting structure is a thing of beauty. ' For convenience the principles of architectural composition have been traditionally grouped as under (Sane, 1959) : (a) Unity (b) Mass composition (c) Contrast (e) Scale
Unity

(d) Proportion

Unity gives coherance to the parts, integrity to the whole building and harmony between the elements. Redundancy and deficiency in our conception affects unity. Some central or local idea is required to provide an interesting accent which establishes unity. Example of ensuring unity through a dominant central feature is shown in Figure 2.5.
Mass Composition
I

The three dimensional shape is known as a mass and modem architectural composition depends more on the arrangement of the masses for their effect than on details. The composition of masses may be either symmetrical about a central axis or uniformal. Symmetrical arrangements are suited to monuments.

Basic Elements ot PI anninp

DUALITY

COMPOSITION

Figure 2.5 :Unity through a Dominant Central Feature

In asymmetrical designs, mechanical principle of equivalent momenrs is used to provide balance. Larger and heavier masses are placed nearer to the central element, while the lighter and smaller elements being disposed more horizontally. Some examples of mass composition are sketched in Figure 2.6.

Symmetrical mass composition

Asymmetrical balance of masses

Figure 2.6 :Mass Composition

Asymmetrical composition may be dictated by topography, function and materials chosen for different parts of a building.
Contrast

Our everyday perception of things is a matter of contrast betwfen light and shade, soft and rough, bright and dull etc. In architectural design also, contrast is utilised to relieve monotony, to create interest and to exhibit variety. Proper disposition of solids and voids may produce the desired proportion and contrast. Colours, tone and texture of surface finishes and projections and recesses have all been utilised by architects to create interesting structures.
Proportion

Ancient structures were proportioned on the basis of standard geometric shapes such as square, circle, equilateral triangle and the golden rectangle [4'B = V0.6181. These are the days of tall apartments, and all that can be ensured is the rythmic recurrence of certain ratios among lines, areas and masses. Door and window openings, and open arches should be proportioned carefully. Fonestrations and louvres, cornices, string courses and projections can all be utilised to advantage to accentuate proportioning. An example of a building with appealing proportions is shown in Figure 2.7. Scale In architecture the term scale means a proper relationship of several parts with one another and with the whole unit in the context of the given size of the unit. The size of the image of an object on the retina of the eye varies depending on the distance of the viewer from the structure and yet there is a relationship between the

Plauning of Buildings

image and the reality because of scale only. This is established by comparison with a known figure in the picture, say a hurnan figure. Figure 2.8 is an architect's diagram which emphasizes the intimate scale (with respect lo human figures) of the functions and utilities of a shopping centre.

Figure 2.7 :A Building with Appealing Pmpoltions

Figure 2 8 :Architects Diagram Emphasizing Human Scale

Activity 1
Choose a large building, which has been designed by an architect, and through appropriate free-hand sketches, bring out its following architectural aspects : (a) Unity (c) Contrast (e) Scale (b) Mass composition (d) Proportion

2.4 CLIMATIC ASPECTS


Influence of climate on the selection of site for buildings has been discussed in Unit 1 of this block. Effects of wind, solar radiation, humidity and rainfall were also described. In this section orientation of buildings and sun shine-control through shading devices will be discussed. Clilnatic design is importcantin India. Since, we cannot afford to aircondition or inechanically control the climate of ourpublic and private buildings, we should take maxiinwin advantage of the available natural conditions.

2.4.1 Orientation of Buildings


In Unit 1, we have given broad guidelines for the orientation of buildings based on global and site climates. These guidelines in a more elaborate form are given as follows : (a) In hot-'dry climates, the largest dimension of a building should preferably face north and south, as these elevations receive the lowest heat loads from solk radiation. (b) 11warm-humid climates natural ventilation is the predominant criterion for 1 orientation. The buildings tend to have long elongated shapes with single row ot romi1s to allow for cross-ventilation. The rooms shall preferably face the south in India.
(c) In monsoon climates the weather changes from season to season and designers face a difficult task. Experience shows that the buildings are best designed to meet the requirements of the cold season. A courtyard type, low-rise development is suitable. 11 is obvious that the orientation of buildings is based on following three major factors : (a) Sun as a source of natural light and radiant heat, (b) Natural breeze, and (c) Rainfall regime: Local site conditions sometimes override the available guidelines, and even specialised functional requirements have their due influence; for example, for schools north light has been recommended for class rooms, and north orientation is suitable for clothing shops, libraries and studios where relatively steady illumination is necessary. In factories, north-light trusses are utilised, and every room in a hospital requires admission of natural light. preferably from the south.

We have studied in Unit 1 that the solar radiation causes heat obsorbption by direct action in the day tinie. Tlie materials used in the building absorb heat during day time and slowly radiate during night, causing discomfort. Protection against this by using shading devices and providing cross-ventilation are important. In parts of India which lie within the tropics, February to June forms the summer, and the subsequent four months is the rainy season. Wind prevails from south-west. Bed rooms are oriented to west or south-west to take advantage of the prevailing wind, but protection against solar radiation must be ensured. Shady trees and bushes on the sunny side should be planted and properly designed sun-breakers should he utilised. In a hot-humid climate, it is essential to have verandahs on the east and the west faces of the building. In the next section, we shall study the design of shading devices.

'

2.4.2 Shading Devices


There are three kinds of shading devices which are popularly used by architects. In this section, we intend to show that they are appropriately designed and these device must be integrated into the walls even as the walls are being built-up. Attempts to incorporate them at the finishing stage results in ugly cracking and even failure of the panels and louvres.
Solar Angles

The position of a celestial body (in our case, the sun) can be found from the altitude angle '+' and azimuth angle '8' (Figure 2.9). Altitude (+) It is the angular distance of sun, measured from the horizontal plane, on the great circle passing through the sun and the zenith (ZSNA).

Azimuths (0)

It is the angle measured from the north point (N),through east, between the meridian (NZSNA) and the vertical plane passing through the sun (ZSNA). These two angles can be read directly for any date of the year for any hour of the day, from Solar Charts or Sun-Path diagrams. Such charts have been made available by Koeilisberger et a1 (1975).
0 S Z
NA N

Observer's Station Sun Zenith


Nadir

Geographiel North

NP - Celestial North Pole SP - Celestial South Pole


@

Solar Altitude Augle

NESW

- Sdar Azimuth Angle - Horiz.on Plane

Figure 2.9 :Solar Aagles

AngIe of Incidence

From the solar aziniuth angle '0', and the solar altitude angle '$', the sun's position in rclatinn to the wall surface of any orientation (thus, the angle of incidence) can be establislud. The horizontal component of the angle of incidence '6' will be the difference between the solar azimuth and the wall azimuth. If in a particular case, 8 = 270'. @ = 40, we consider a wall which is facing west (2'70), 6 = 270 - 240 = 30" (Figure 2.10).
SUN

Figure 2.10 :The Angle d Incidence

The vertical component is the same as the solar altitude angle itself (41). The angle of incidence (p) is the angle between the normal to the wall and the sun's direction, which can be found from the spherical cosine equation as follows : cos p = cos s x cos $
= cos 30 x cos 40" = 0.866 x 0.766 = 0.6634

Hence, p = 48' Shadow Angles The performance of shading devices can be specified by the horizontal and vertical shadow angles (Figure 2.11). These are measured from a line perpendicular to the elevation, and indicate the limit beyond which the sun would be excluded, but within which the sun would rcach the point under consideration. The horizontal shadow angle, '6'. characterises a vertical shading device, and it is the difference between solar azimuth and the wall azimuth, and this is the same as the horizontal comwnent of angle of incidence.

The vertlcal shadow angle, 'e', characterises a horizontal shading device and it is measured on a vertical plane, normal to the elevation considered. The distinction between solar altitude angle '$', and the vertical shadow angle 'e', must be understood. The first describes the sun's positions with respect to the horizon and the second describes the performance of a shading device. Numerically, they will coincide only when the sun is exactly opposite to the wall under consideration.

Basic Elements of

Planing

6 = Horizo~~tal Shadow Angle

E = Vettical Shadow

Angle

Figure 2.11 :Shadow Angles

Shading devices can be vertical fins or louvres or horizontal canopies or louvres or egg-crate type as shown in Figure 2.12.

Figwe 212 :Design dShading Devices

Depending on the lengthiheight and projection distance of the vertical fins, horizontal canopies or combinations thereof, 'shading marks' of a given device can be established. This can be superimposed on the steographic projection of sun's apparent movement, and can be considered with respect to the times of the year and the hours bf the day in which these shading devices are effective. Shadhg devices are not effective at all times. They should be designed to be effective in the over-heated periods of the year (Koenisberger et al, 1973).

Activity 2
A1 Sketch the sikes of the shading devices utilised by an architect in a properly deslglled building, in your locality, and list the hours between whlch they luc effective during the summer monlhs,

A2 An egg-crate type of shading device has been proposed for a11 office bullding. It should be exccutcd in reinforced concrete (weld wire-fabric reinforcement). Sketch the relnl'orcement details. A3 For the same problem as above, how will you arrange a suitahle for111work and casting sequence. A4 Go to the nearest building under construction and sketch the reinforcement details for a sunshade which is integrated with the lintel beam over a window or door opening.
A5

It 1s easy to locate cracked sun-shades, louvres and canopies in any locality. Locate one of these and reason out the causcs for cracking, rusting ot reinforcement and other structural damages.

2.5 FIRE-RESISTANCE REGULATIONS


Therc is no such thing as a fire-proof material or fire-proof construction. All materials and buildings can be destroyed by fire of sufficient intensity and duration. Just as we require the services of an architect to plan a building. we need the services of fire protection cngincer at the planning stage itself (NBC, Part-IV).
111 Ule following portion of t l ~ e text. the minimum standards which a planner shoulti conlply with and the fire-safety measures which are necessary in public interest are described. Tllc fire-resistance of a building or its structural elelllents is expressed in hours against a specified test condition which is expressed in kcal/m2, and against a given l~ltensity fire. of

There are four types of construction, according to fire-resistance considerations. namely type-I. type-2, type-3 and type-4. The fire resistance ratings for various types of construction for structural and non-structural members should be as shown in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 :Fire-Resistance Hating of Structural Elements (in Hours) Types of Construction
No.

Structural Element
External load bearing walls Extcrnal non-load bearing walls Inlerior hearing walls St~ictural members supporting walls

Type-1
4 2 4

Type-2
2
1.5

Type-3

l'ype-4

I.
2.

1
(

2
1.5

1 .

5.
A.

Floor co~~struction, including beams Roof construction including heanls, trusses and framing arclles and roof-deck Fire-walls and partition walls Fire-e~lclosure exit-ways, of hall-ways, stair ways 1.5

,
)

7.

2
1 1 1

I
1

9.

1 Exil-way acccss corridors


1)wclling unit separations

1
1

1 1

10.

In this context. we define following terms :


Fire-separation is defined as the distance in metres, measured from any other building at the site, or from other site, or from the opposite side of a street or public space for the purpose of preventing the spread of fire. Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is defined as the quotient obtained by dividing the total covered areil (plinth area) on all the floors by the area of the plot,

Basic Elen~ent* of

Plru111i1l2:

FAR =

Total Covered Area of all Floors Plot Area

Thc Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for different occupancies will be restricted as per the type of coostruction as given in Table 2.2.

Table 2.2.: FAR for Different Occupancies with Types of Construction

1 ct"p~~~~n
TYW-1

r--T-

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Assembly Industrial

Residential/ Eductional

Unlimited

Unlimited

7.5

High-Rise Huildings are buildings which are more than 15 metres in height, in which fire-fighting cannot be carried out from outside with the fire extinguishing appliances available with the fire-fighting services. In such buildings non-combustible materials shall be used for construction.
The use of flammable surface finishes on walls and ceilings affects the safety of the occupjints of a building. Such finishes tend to spread the fire, even though the structural elcliielits liiay be adequately fire-resistant. Finishing materials have been classified i1ca)rding to flame-spread ratings (NBC, Part-IV) and their use should be made as specifled. The thickness of glazing shall not be less than 6.5 mrn.

Every building meant for human occupancy shall be provided with exits sufficient to permit tlie escape of occupants in case of fire or other emergency. Exits should be clearly visible and tlie routes to reach an exit should be clearly marked. Fire-sitfty requirements for residential, educational, institutional, assembly, business, mercantile, industrial storage buildings have been stipulated in great detail in the National Buildilig Code 'and they are to be i~icorporated the design of a building. in

2.6 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS


In addition to architectural, thermal comfort and fire-resistance requirements buildings will Iiavc to conform to development control rules. In this section the relevant rules (NBC, Part-111) are surnmarised. The word site (plot) is defined as a parcel (piece of land) cncloscd by definitc boundaries. Building line is defined as the line upto which the plinth ot'a building. ;~cl.joining street or an extension of a street or a street that m y come up in a fulurc, ]nay I;~wfullyextend. Open space is defined as $1 area fdrming an integral part of tlic plot. lcft opcli to the sky. For other relevant definitions from NBC, refer Amexure - I.

~I'lwning Buildings ef

(A) Open Spaces within a Plot

Front Open Space for every building fronting a street shall be a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 6 m depending upon the width of the street, fronting the plot, (for exceptions refer t6 additional provisions in NBC). Rear Open Space for every residential building shall be on an average 3 rn and at no place it shall measure less than 1.8 m. Side Open Spaces for detached buildings there shall be a minimum side open space of' 3n1 on both the sides. For semi-detached buildings, there shall be a minimunl side open space of 3 m on one side.

For row-type buildings no side open space is required. All habitable rooms shall abut on the side open space or front and rear open spaces. These open spaces arc specified tor buildings o f upto 10 m helght. For buildings varying from 10 m to 24 m in height the side and rear open spaces may vary from 3 rn to 8 m. and thc front open space shall be at least 6 In.
Area and Height Limitations

Thc arca and height Il~nitations all buildings and types of construction are achieved by of specifying the FAR, which takes into account the following factors : (i) (lccupancy class,
(ii) Type of construction, (iii) Width of the street fronting the building and its traffic load, (iv) Locality whcrc the building is proposed to be erected and the densily of buildings,
(v)

Parking facilities,

(vi) Local fire-tightlng facilities, and (vii) Water supply and drainage facilities. For rcsidential building, for occupancies facing one public street of at least 9 nl width the tollowing FARs are specified : Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Unlimited 2.0 1.4

Type 4 1.o (U) Requirements of Parts of Buildings


Plinth : It shall no1 be less than 45 cm from the surrounding ground level to ensure adcquate drainage. Hahitabie Rooms : 771e height of all roonls for human habitation shall no1 be less than 2.75 m nleasured from thc surface of the floor to the bottom of the roof slab. The arfa of ha6ilable roolns shall not be less than 9.5 m2 where there is only one room of minimum width of 2.4 In. Where there are two rooms, one of these shall not be of less than 9.5 rn2 and the other of not less than 7.5 m2 with a minimum width of 2.1 rn. Kitchen : It shall have a 11eigh1of 2.75 m and area shall not be less than 5 m2 with a rninilnu~n width of 1.8 m. A kitchen, which is intended for use as a dining area also, shall havc a floor area of not less than 7.5 m2 with a minimum width of 2.1 m (for other provisions refer to NBC, Part-111). Bathrooms and Water Closets : The height of such rooms shalI not be less than 2 In and the size of tlze hc~tlrroomshall not be less than 1.5 m x 1.2 m or 1.8 m2. The-floorarea of wafer closet shall be 1.1 m2 with a minimum width of 0.9 m. If bath and water closet are combined, its m a shall not be less than 2.8 m2 and the minimum width shall be 1.2 m. Lofts : They shall have $minimum headroom of 2.2 m. Loft in a habitabIe room shaIl not cover more than 25 percew of the floor on which it is constructed and shall not interfere with Ule ventilation of the room. Maximum height of the loft shall be 1.5 m. On bath r o o ~ iwater-closets and corridors, the loft can cover 100 percent area. ~~,

Stay Room : It shall have a minimum heighl of 2.2 m and the ana shall not be less t11an
3 m-.

Garage : It shall have a minimum height of 2.4 m and the site shall not be less than

Bvic Ekmenls o f
Planning

2.5 m x 5.0 rn.


Panpets : Parapets and hand-rails provided on the edges of roof terraces, balconies,

verandahs etc.. sliall not be less than 1.05 m and not more than 1.20 m in height from the finished floor level.
Boundary Wall : It shall have a maximum height of 1.5 m above the crown of the surface of the front street. Compound walls pf 2.4 m height may be permitted if the top 0.9 nl is of open type construction. In the case of corner plots, the bbundary wall shall be restricted to 0.75 m for a length of 10 rn on the front and side of the intersections and the hala~cc height of 0.75 m may be made of open-type consuuction (railings etc.).
Staircases : These shall have

a minimum width of 1.0 m, minimum tread without nosing shall he 25 cnl. and the maximum rise shall be 19 cm. The minimum clear headroonl in ally staircase shall he 2.2 m.

SAQ 2
(;I)

,
I
a.4

A residential building is sketched in Figure 2.17. In this figure, the dinwnsioas of the open-spkes and the sizes and heights of the various rocrms are not rnarkcd. Providc the required dinlerrsions as p r clevelopnier~l control rules (NBC. Part 111. 1984).

(hl Draw s cross-section o tho building shown in Figure 2.13 across XX. and mark f ' l ~ r , ~ ~ ~ n iheights as per development control rules. Show the haserllerlt and ~ rnu~n p;lritlWI walls and their heights.

Plot size 16m Y 16m

S T R E F T

Figure 2.13 :PlPn of a RcnidenCiPl Building

2.6.1 Houses and Flats


We have seen that the development control i l e s ge~exhaustive in these days of high and cost of construction, it is perhaps feasiMe to-.Wxsatisfy the minimum requirements. Houses are so varied in type that one needs to .be abreast with the developments in this arca of the subject. The problem with flats is one of vertical circulation - that is the provision of staircases and lifts: however, for buildings less than' 15 m in height, lifts are not required.

W ; I ~ I B ~ of ~ : I I Buildings

Figure 2.14 gives diagrams of staircase arrangements for corridor-type housing flats of 3 t o 4 storeys.
'

Figure 2 1 4 :Corridor-typeAccess Elatv

A feature of a corridor-type plan is the provision of cross ventilation and most favourable orientation of its flats. The advantage is that they provide cross ventilation of all llats and at the same time require fewer staircases. Another advantage of corridor-type houses is the continuous open verandahs on both exposures which serve not only as access but also as sun-shading installations.

Figure Z.~S>A

Multi-stomyed Building with Lifts and a Single Eaty

Alloilier Lypc of dwelling for tamilies. each composed of three persons or more. is a nlulb-storeyed huildiog wilh lifts and a single entry (Figure 2.15). Note the variable size of flats that can be built.
Example 2.1 A plot of land adincasures 9.84 m x 22.96 m. 11ie front road is 9.84 in widc Ihcing sou~li. Service lanc is 011 the rear, measuring 4.92 m. Prepare a suitable plan of a res~dential building whose details are as given below :
la) ~liree bed rooins including one for guest (miyimum size should he 10.22 111') (h) Uirct' toilets (miniinun~ should be 2.8 ni') size (c) onc drawing-cum-dining room ((1) a kitchen (nlini~num size should be 4.5 m2) (e) utility space (f) little storage space (if possible) (g) a staircase

Basic Eleltirlltb (,I'

I'liu~l~i~~g

R:,A/~-ic .tioar
As per local municipality bye-laws. tollowing restrictions arc maiidatory

(a) Total covered area cannot exceed 60% of the plot area (h) A scl-back of 4.92 m on the front (c) A set-back ol' 3.048 m on the rear (a) A canopy of width about 2.2 m is pernlissible at roof level throughout thc breadth of tlie building. (h) A balcoliy on the rear side, not exceeding 0.991 ni in width is permissible.
Sghlutitm
A suitablc plan as per the given requirements is shown in Figure 2.16.

Dimemions of Various Components of the Plan of the Residentid Ruilding VERAN1)AI 1 3.3smx l . l J m

CXIEST BEI) ROOM 2.89 rn x 4.42 m LIVING AREA 3.35 rn x 3.50 rn DINNING AREA 4.42 m ~ 2 . 4 4 rn KITCHEN 1.83 rn x 2.44 rn COURT YARD 2.74 rn x 2.44 rn IJTILITY SPACE 3.27 rn x 2.44 rn BED ROOM 3.27 m x 3.88 m BED ROOM 3.35 m x 3.27 m TOILET 1.83 m x 2.44 m FRONT OPEN SPACE = IS Feet REAR OPEN SPACE = I 0 Feet

Figure 2.16 :Plan of a ~esidential Btrilding

Activity 3
A1 Locate a three- or four-storeyed housing board flat or private apartment building and sketch its plan view, and front and side elevations. Comment on the arrangement of staircases. A2 Locate a multi-storeyed huilding of more than 15 m height and obtain copies of its plan, elevation and all relevant details. Study the provision of lift(s), staircases and fire escapes. Write your critical comments. Also, comment on the parking arrangements made for cars.

2.7 OTHER TYPES OF BUILDINGS


In the manner listed for residential buildings. The National Building Code provides detailed control regulations for other types of buildings. You are supposed to study these. In this section, the principal components of other types of buildings and their fuiictions are stated.

2.7.1 Educational Buildings


These have following principal components : (i) Place to read or study - Class Rooms (ii) Place to work - Library, Workshop, Liboratory (iii) PIace for in-depth study - Tutorial Room, Library (iv) Place for spending leisure time - Common Room, Canteen, Gaines Room, Gymnasium (v) Place for faculty members - Teachers' Room, Principal's Room (vi) Place for overall control - Administrative Office, Store (vii) Games fields - Essential cocurricular activities (viii)Toilets and first aid centre - Health care Since the principal or major function of this type of building is to impart education, the class rooms, laboratories etc. should be given greater importance in planning for the purpose of ensuring natural light, natural landscape, intluence and view, venlillation etc. The subsidiary or secondary elements of the building can be grouped together if feasible, thus, giving a proper focus to the class rooms.

'

Some suggested guidelines for such types of buildings are as follows : (a) Adlmlistrative office ,and Principal's or Head's rooms should be near the elltrance to the building. (b) Class room3 and other study rooms like tutorial rooms, library, laboratory etc. should be in the relatively silent zone away from noisy roads, play grounds and the like.

Basic E ~ ~ I I Io I I ~ C f Aauriur~

roomslcanteenlcafetariasshould be away f o the rm (c) Recreation roomsla)mn~on study areas.


(d) Toilets and drinking water fountains should be placed at prominently visiblc aid easily accessible are,?s/zones and distributed throughout the complex so as to be conveniently accessible.

2.7.2 Institutional Buildings


Buildi~igs this category compnse Nursing Hoines,Jlospitals. Research Stations. Public o C Libraries, Assembly Buildings etc. The development control rules for these buildings as given in National Buildings Code be studied. The functional elements of these buildings are as follows :
(A) Nursing Homes, Hospitals (small size)
(i)

Spaces for doctors to exami~ie patients

(ii) Waiting space for visiting patients and their attendants, reception, billing uld cash counters (iii) Dispensing room$ with an attached store for medicines etc. (iv) Toilet facilities for visiting patients and separately for doctors (v) Emergency rooms (vi) Annexure for disposals, etc.

(B) Specialised Nursing Homes o r Large Hospitals (i) Several rooms or wards to accoinmodate in-patients
(ii) O.P.D. hall to examine extenial and day-care patients (lii) Pathological laboratories (iv) Operation theatres along with preparation room, recovery room etc.
(v)

Special wards for certain specific diseases

(vi) Adlninistrative wing (vii) General store for medicines, surgical materials with arrangement for day-to-day dispensing (viii) Kitchen with store for preparation of diet (ix) Toilet facilities for different types of patients, for wards, staff and doctors etc.
(x)

Canteen/cafetaria

(C) Teaching Hospital

A teaching hospital may have the following spaces, in addition,

(i)

Offices for faculty members

(ii) Class roomllecture theatres (111) Teaching and clinical laboratories (iv) Students' coinmo~~ room (v) Toilet facilities (vi) Cruiteei~/cafetaria While piamling these buildings, the following points be kept in mind :
(a)

Wards in a hospital are of prinle importance.

(b) Rtn~~~~s/spaces/cubicles for doctors and nurses should be provided within or adjacent to each ward.

(c) There may be provision for separate cabins along with a ward. In such cases, attached toilets to the cabins are also to be provided. In certain types of specialised hospitals, cabins are also provided with extra room for attendantslvisitors.
(d) O.P.D. in a hospital is equally important like the wards. It should be near the entrance to the hospital. O.P.D. may or may not be adjacent to the wards.

(e) Emergency ward should have a quick accessibility from the outside as well as from an operation theatre.

(f) There should be some doctors' rooms in or near the O.P.D. (D) Assembly Bulldings (i) Congregation space or main entrance foyer
(ii) Aasemblylauditorium proper, with or without a balcony
(jii) Activity areas, namely stage, greeddressing rooms, back stage

(iv) Property storage for new or old furniture, locker room (v) Snack bar or canteen (vi) Ticket counter facility, if the building is put to commercial use (vii) Toilet facilities for visitors and for stagelback-stage persons The importance of relative positioning of the elements is outlined as follows (a) That foyer and auditorium should he adjacent to each other so that access to them from either place is direct. (b) Secondary functional spaces like ticket counters, snack bars, restaurants, toilers, wailing spaces may form part of the foyer or be attached to it. (c) The entry of audience should be separate from that of performnerslartistes.

(d) Likewise wtisteslperformers should have independent entrylexit to green rminsldressing rooms, and their toilet facilities etc. (E) Library (i) Stack rrwm for boaks, magazines etc.
(ii) Reading hall with facilities like lending colmter, catalogue space, space for reading joumalsl~azineslnewspapers, exhibition space for new books etc. (iii) Space for repairing, binding etc. of todold books (iv) Space for the librarian to sit and a general office (v) Toilets Following considerations are imponant in the planning of these spaces : (a) Reading room is the most important area in a library. (b) Stack rooms are generally combined with the r e a d i i hall unless the library itself is very large.

(c) Book binding and book repairing room should be clos'e to the stack room.
(d) Librarian9s/Asstt.Librarian's room or his cubicle should be located prominently

within or close to the reading hall. (F) Research Laboratory or Institution~est House (i) Work rooms, laboratories (ii) Storage for chemicals and general equipmenVinstnunents (iii) Staff room (iv) Administrative office (v) Toilets (vi) Disposal storage The relatively important considerations in this regard art, given as below : (a) Laboratories are the most important functional elements. Therefore, these should be close to chemical stores, if appropriate in a given situation.

(b) Administrative office and publiclclient dealing should be near the entrance. (c) Staff rooms and utility rooms need not be near the entrance and may be placed such that these are near the laboratories.

Basic Elements o f Planning


,

2.7.3 Business Buildings


Buildings in this group would be banks, computerised officeslcomputer halls, offices of professionals, government offices and the like. Functional requirements of these categories of buildings would be :
(A) Hank

(i) Public space for movement, waiting and transactions, (ii) Work space for bank staff (iii) Strong room for valuables and cash (iv) Individual office rooms for the manager and other senior personnel (v) ~ockerlvaul~ room (vi) Toilets The important points to be considered while planning the layout of a bank are listed as below : (a) Public-space and the work-space should be as near the entrance as possible to facilitate smooth contact between bank staff and the customers. (b) Strong room, vaultAocker room and record room should be kept inside in a delineated security zone. These could be in the basement, if there is one, meant for the purpose. (c) However, toilets are not to be provided in basement floor as per the bye-laws of various municipalities and local bodies. (d) Manager's room should he easily accessible from the publiclwork space.

(e) Other officers' rooms may or may not be adjacent to the publiclwork space, depending on the site-lay out, size etc. (B) Offices of Professionals (i) Working space for staff
(ii) Cubicles or rooms for managerial staff (iii) Record room (iv) Conference room (v) Storage room (vi) Library, if not a part of the conference room (vii) Toilets (viii)Utility room (tea/rniscellaneousstorage) Important points to be kept in mind, in the planning of space, are as follows : (a) Cubicles or rooms of managerial staff should be near the entrance to facilitate contact with the clients. (b) Work space of staff should be adjacent to managerial staff for ready consultation and access to records. (c) Library, if provided separately, may or may not be close to where the managerslworkers sit and function.
(d) Conference room should preferably have access both from inside (for staff and managers) as well as from outside (for the visitors and clients).

(e) Conference room should have separate toilet facilities. (C) Computerised Offices/Halls (i) Computer hall for terminals/PCs

(ii) U.P.S/battery room (iii) Magnetic tape storage

Planning of Buildings

(iv) Room for main frame computer-networking


(v)

Air-conditioning plant room

(vi) Programmer's room (vii) Conference room (viii)Visitors' room (ix) General office (x) Individual office rooms for managers and others (xi) Toilets The important aspects to be considered with regard to computer installations are as given below : (a) Computer halls/rooms normally need air-conditioning. (b) Generally, the main frame computer is placed adjacent to programmer's hall for convenience in dealing with electrical installations.. (c) Battery room should also be placed adjacent to the computer hall for uninterrupted power supply (UPS). (d) Central A/C plant room is also placed adjacent to the rooms wherein computers are installed. (e) An air-lock enclosure should be provided at the entry of the computer hall for removing dust from men and materials entering into the hall.
(f)

Usually, the manager's room is also placed adjacent to the computer the hall to enable the manager to oversee the operations inside the hall.

(g) Other functional elements like office, workers' rooms, toilets, conference room etc. should be as per considerations mentioned for other types of buildings.

2.7.4 Mercantile Buildings


Buildings in this group are shops, stores, marketslcooperative stores, canteens, restaurants etc. Functional requirements of each of these are as given under : (A) Shop (i) Storage and display spaces (ii) Sales counters (iii) Public space in front of cash counters (iv) Toilet facilities for staff and customers (v) Utility rooms including packaginglrepackaging areas

(B)Stores
(i) Rooms for storing different types of articles (ii) Loading and unloading space (iii) Office rooms (iv) Staff rooms (v) Toilets (vi) Weighing and packaging rooms (C) Marketslcooperative Stores (i) Rooms for individual shops with accompanying storage facility for each room (ii) Display counters (iii) Movement space for customers (iv) Walk-in and pick-up facility for purchasers (v) Office room (vi) Toilet (vii) Weighing and packaging rooms

(D) Canteens/Restaurants

(i) Dining tables and seating facility for customers with adequate circulation space (ii) Cooking area with accompanying storage space including cold storage (iii) Display space (food counters) specially for self-service cafetarias (iv) Washing area for customers (v) Washing space within or adjacent to kitchen for soiled utensils (vi) Toilets for staff and customers (vii) Staff rest room The additional points to be noted with regard to mercantile buildings are given below
Shops

Basic Elements of Planning

(a) Display space should obviously be near the entrance. It may at times be required to be visible from outside to attract customers. (b) Cash counter may or may not be with the sales counter.
Stores

(a) Loading and unloading space may or may not be at the main entry (b) Loading and unloading may be carried out from the same locations, or they may be separated as per requirement. (c) Office room should be near the entry point
MarkeVCooperative Stores

(a) Rooms for similar articles should preferably be continuous/adjacent to each other, within the same cluster. (b) Pick-up facility is provided only where self-service system is in vogue.
Canteenmestaurant

(a) Customers' sitting place should be of prime importance. It should be oearer to the entrancelexit.
.(b) Food counters should obviously be near the seating area specially where there is

a system of self-service. (c) Cooking area as well as washing place of utensils should not be visible from the customers' area. (d) Toilet facilities for customers and workers should be separated, preferably not adjacent to each other.

2.7.5 Industrial Buildings


The spaces required to carry out the activities may vary from industry to industry. But, in general; such buildings contain the following units : (i) Large production halls, as many as necessary (ii) Storage of raw materials, including chemicals (if needed) (iii) Storage forfinished goods and packaging area (iv) Areas for checlung and testing arrangements within the production line (v) Offices for management, cash and acco*ts (vi) First aid centre and medical offiker's room (vii) Toilet facilities for staff and management (viii) Spaces for receiving and despatching of goods For these type of buildings the following may be noted : (a) Storage of raw material should preferably be' near the production area for quick movement. (b) Checking and testing (quality control) area may have to be provided near both the raw material stores as well as finished goods stores, specially for export oriented products where customs checking is also required.

(c) Finished goods storage (which is generally kept under greater security) should preferably be closer to the production hall for reduced carriagellraisport costs. (d) Cash office is generally provided in a closed and secured enclosure adjacent to the room of the officer in charge of cash.

2.7.6 Storage Buildings


This group includes grain godowns, silos, cargo complexes, bulk storages for consumcr durables. medicine godowns and others. Their requirements would be as given under : (i) Large storage roornslhalls for the different materials including cold-storage rooms for perishables, chemical etc. (ii) Air-conditioning plant room (iii) Loading and unloading spaces (iv) Bays for inventory check-up and weightinglinspection facilities (v) Receipt and despatch rooms (vi) Offices (vii) Toilets (viii) Foyerslfront room/staff rest rooms For these type of buildings, the following points may be noted (a) As already indicated for stores, loading and unloading areas may be at the same location or may be kept at separate locations as needed. (b) Office should as usual be near the entry. (c) Receipt and inventory check-up should be near to each other or in the same enclosure. (d) Air-conditioning plant room should be given similar consideration as mentioned for computer installations.

2.7.7 Hazardous Buildings


In this group, the general requirements are as given under : (i) Storage rooms for different types of toxic/obnoxious/dangerousmaterials (ii) Testing laboratories and disposal plantslareas (iii) Air-conditioning plant room (iv) Administrative offices (v) Toilets (vi) Staff rest rooms including canteen facilities The important points to be considered in the planning of this category of buildings are as given below : (a) Storage of toxic material should be given careful protection as provided in the relevant Acts and Laws concerning the same. (b) Such store should preferably be kept in a separate building. (c) Adequate moving space around for fire engines should be provided, besides fire . fighting systems for this group of buildings.

SAQ 3
:..:st out hr!!;]d fu;l~;i!;l~-!;rt ;::cii:~c.nls of fsol!i,wi6~g b i i i l i i l y i : b

Basic Element$ of

.Activity 4
Sketch the plan of an educational building where you have studied. Indicate the sizes of its various units. Comment on (a) ventilation and day lighting aspects, and (b) conformity to NBC regulations.

Planning

2.8 RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS


You have by this time been able to identify the different functional elements required for the planning of various types of buildings. You have also learnt that the actual aim of planning is to organise or syntllesise the different functional elements of a building in order to achieve a comprehensive whole. There may be difficulties in organizing the different elements until you are able to appreciate the relative importance of different functional requirements and focus upon those which are the principal functions of a particular building: and commence first with locating these in the planning of a spatial synthesis. A proper analysis will show that the following functions are relatively of greater importance rather than various other subsidiary functions.

2.9 ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA


Once you have identified the functional elements, and the relative importance of such elements, it should be your endeavour to fix the sizes for such elements so that the different geometric figures which have been worked out for different elements can be juxtaposed appropriately. For fixing the sizks of such elements you have to take the help of anthropometric data which gives the sizes of or standard measurements of postures of human movements. For example, Annexure - IIA gives body measurements in different postures of human movement, whereas Annexure - IIB presents the table sizes for good standard of a restaurant. Likewise, you will have to study or find out the sizes of different items of furniture that you may like to put in the functional spaces. With the help of anthropometric data for various space requirements and sizes and shapes of furniture, you will be able to find out the minimum sizes that are required for the functional elements and evolve a difinite geometric shape (preferable square or rectangle) for such elements.

2.9.1 Broad Classification of Components of Buildings


The space within a building can be broadly divided into three parts : (a) Functional space : bed room in a residential building, dining hall in a restaurant or class room in an educational building. (b) Circulation space :corridor in an educational building, hospital or hotel; lobby in a school. (c) Service space : toilets and kitchen in a habitable building, pump room, air-conditioning plant room or laundry in hotels and hospitals etc.

In order to achieve a tnost cost efJective planning, your endeavour should be to evolve a tnost co~tlpact form of a Guilding in which the circulation space is minimum. Once the dqferent functional aspects of the building are known, the utilitarian planning will be to arrange the different functional spaces in a compact, neat and least costly form in which superfluous corridors etc. have been avoided, and a pleasing form obtained.

l'1anning of Buildings

2.9.2 Pre-conception
Pre-conceived forms for any building should be avoided. It is always better to adjust Lhe requirements (geometric shapes that have already been evolved) to obtain a suitable form of the building. To summarise, we may say that form follows function.

2.10 DETERMINANTS FOR DESIGN OF A BUILDING


Following parameters are relevant for a functionally appropriate design of a given building project : (a) Nature and magnitude of activities intended to be carried out in it, (b) Social and cultural needs of users, e.g. based on religious, provincial or other allied factors, (c) General climatic consideration, e.g. extremes of climate and catering to a rainy climate, (d) Cost factor or affordability, (e) On-site factors, e.g. geological conditions, existing facilities, undulating lands etc.,
(f)

Off-site factors e.g. proximity to a beautiful garden, sea- shore, highway, railway station, market etc., and

(g) Technology available for construction,etc.

2.10.1 Steps in the Planning Process of a Building


It is just appropriate, in order to save on effort and cost, to follow a time-tested schedule of steps while planning a building, such as : (a) Identify activities to be performed in the building;
(b)

Determine as to how many persons will be engaged at a time;

(c) Estimate the space requirement for each activity; (d) Identify the relationship among the activities; (e) Identify the constraints (cost, climate, site condition, regulations of local bodies etc.);
(f)

Prepare a diagrammatic design of the building;

(g) Translate this diagram into actual plan by computing the prescribed dimensions and areas; (h) Prepare from this building design, the plan, elevation, section etc.; and (i) Test the design against requirements and constraints till a satisfactory solution is found.

2.11 SUMMARY
This unit has dwelt upon the fundamental principles on which the planning of a building depends, covering considerations for getting good sun shine, and achieving privacy and elegance. Further, basic architectural aspects like unity, scale etc. have also been discussed. Due stress has also been given on climatic aspects, fire-resistance regulations, and other functional requirements of various types of buildings. Man is the end user of a building and hence, anthropometric factors, other parameters thal influence its design, and important steps in the process of planning too have briefly been explained.

2.12 ANSWERS TO SAQs


Refer the relevant preceding text in the unit or other useful books on the topic listed in the section "Further Reading" to get the answers of the SAQs.

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