Table of Contents
Principles of Architectural Planning Design
Architectural planning entails the strategic arrangement of spaces, balancing functionality, site conditions, and legal regulations. The Principles of Architectural Planning Design focus on practicality, utilizing materials like reinforced concrete and steel, while adapting to climate and human needs. Architects consider factors such as climate, construction methods, and local by-laws to create efficient, aesthetically pleasing designs. This guide delves into the Principles of Architectural Planning Design, the evolution of architecture, and key factors for designing structures that fulfill both practical and environmental demands. Understanding the Principles of Architectural Planning Design is essential for creating spaces that are both functional and sustainable.
What are the key Principles of Architectural Planning Design?
The term designing of a structure by an engineer is used to mean the organization of all the units of a building on all floors and at all levels and it not only includes the horizontal layout but also it takes into consideration the heights and levels to accommodate the space enclosed by walls, floors, and roof. Principles of Architectural Planning Design While attempting to plan a building, the main criteria to be constantly kept in mind by the architect is the general scope or purpose of the building.
Other factors such as the legality of ownership rights, finances, etc. are to be decided by the owner. But as far as an architect is concerned, he is supposed to give serious thinking on the functional or utility aspect of the building and his work starts right from the selection of the site to the completion of the project.
Principles of Architectural Planning DesignThe architect should decide the type of site required for a particular structure; alternatively, he must be able to suggest the type of structure that would be desirable on a particular site. This proposition is easy to understand because buildings are required not only for residential units but also for a variety of uses such as offices, schools, colleges, hospitals, theatres, libraries, etc. Each type of building has its requirements to suit its purpose in the best possible manner.
Principles of Architectural Planning Design The architect should consider the favorable and unfavorable circumstances existing at the site of the proposed work. The favorable conditions include:
1. availability of water, electricity, gas, and drainage;
2. development of the surrounding area concerning amenities such as schools, colleges, playgrounds, recreation centers, etc.;
3. means of transport;
4. nearness of police station, fire brigade, etc.;
5. shopping facilities; etc.
The unfavorable conditions include:
1. decayed neighborhood;
2. existence of reclaimed soils;
3. pollution of the atmosphere due to industrial activities in the surrounding area;
4. possibility of heavy floods in rivers; etc.
The natural as well as artificial surroundings of the site are studied in detail by the architect and then he proceeds to develop the plan of the entire structure with respect to sizes of rooms, their location, position of passages and other amenities, etc.
Modern Architecture
The concept of architecture was predominant in old days in public buildings like religious places such as temples, churches, etc. Principles of Architectural Planning Design The industrial revolution changed completely the concept of standard of living and it also gave birth to the modern structural system.
The idea to develop urban property in the best economic manner due to the migration of rural people to the urban area led to the thinking of abolishing the meaningless ornamentation of the various traditional styles and orders of architecture For this purpose Principles of Architectural Planning Design.
it was necessary to have suitable materials of construction and accordingly, reinforced cement suitable materials of construction and accordingly, reinforced cement concrete and steel which are suitable instruction structures were modern architecture.
Various finishing materials such as glass, plywood, different types of colors, etc. also helped the architect to design elegant and prominent modern architectural buildings to suit their requirements and environments.
Main Considerations Of Architectural Design
Following are the four main considerations that an architect should bear in mind for making his design useful, sound, and pleasing;
1. Bye-laws of the locality
2. Climate and its effects
3. Materials and methods of construction
4. People and their requirements. Each of the above considerations will now be briefly described.
Bye-Laws Of The Locality
The proposed structure is to be designed by keeping in mind the prevailing rules and regulations of the sanctioning authority. Principles of Architectural Planning Design These rules are known as bye-laws and the architect should have a thorough knowledge of the same for easily getting his plan approved by the concerned authority. If this factor is not considered and if by chance, the plan fails to satisfy the requirements of the bylaws, the labor of the architect is wasted. This is a very important topic and hence, a separate chapter is written for this purpose.
Climate and its Effects
The combined effect of the sun, the rain, and the wind is referred to as the climate of the locality. Concerning the sun, the following facts are to be noted:
1. It facilitates ventilation by heating the air and inducing cross currents.
2. It is essential for the growth of life.
3. It has a psychological effect on well-being.
4. It is powerful bactericidal agent and the germs of cholera, typhoid, diphtheria and tuberculosis can be killed within 2 to 10 minutes by direct exposure to sunlight.
5. It is the cause of natural temperature.
6. It is the source of natural light.
Principles of Architectural Planning Design Similarly, the climate of a locality is considerably influenced by the intensity of rain and the duration of monsoon. The movement of air with any degree of velocity is known as wind and the term breeze is used to mean any movement of air usually restricted to natural horizontal movements with modest velocity. Principles of Architectural Planning Design The wind or breeze evaporates moisture, provides ventilation, and dries the surface. At the same time, it also spreads smoke and odors. Thus the architect is expected to know the following three aspects to grant comfort from the structures concerning the climate of the locality:
1. The path followed by the sun throughout the year and its relative position concerning the locality.
2. The character of the rain and its intensity.
3. The direction of prevailing wind in summer when it is desirable and in winter when it is to be avoided.
The topic of climate is a detailed subject covered under geographical literature. Principles of Architectural Planning Design However, for general knowledge, it will be enough to mention the following factors which determine the climate of a locality.
1. Cyclonic systems: The movements of masses of lighter warm air and dense cold air cause changes in the climate.
2. Latitude: The temperature at the equator is the highest and it is lowest at the poles. Thus there is a temperature gradient from the equator to the poles and depending upon the latitude of the locality, its temperature range can be decided Principles of Architectural Planning Design.
3. Mountains: There is considerable effect on the weather and climate of the locality due to the presence of mountains which serve as major barriers.
4. Nearness of water: The land which is situated near huge masses of water like a sea or lake has a different climate than the land situated away from water masses. Principles of Architectural Planning Design The former land is said to possess coastal or marine climate and the latter land is said to possess continental climate.
5. Ocean currents: There is a movement of cold and hot currents along the continental shores. The cold currents cool the atmosphere to some extent while the hot currents impart somewhat heat to the atmosphere.
6. Winds: It is evident that air when heated by the sun becomes light in weight. Thus cold air which is dense and heavy sinks towards the earth while hot air rises above the ground. Principles of Architectural Planning Design Thus winds are formed due to differential heating of air and it leads to the formation of pressure belts. The difference in air pressure is measured by the barometer.
7. Indian seasons: The area on earth which lies between the zones of cancer (23Β½Β° north latitude) and capricom (23Β½Β° south latitude) is known as the tropics and though a part of our country is in the tropics, the climate of practically whole of our country is considered to be typically tropical. The typical features of the tropical countries are:
- burning sun;
- fixed seasons; and
- rainfall which is heavy,
- moderate and with storm.
The tropical climate of our country is broadly divided into the following two categories.
1. Hot-dry: There is presence of heat waves, hot winds and low humidity. The places are cool in winter. The maximum day temperature in summer will be about 27Β°C to 42Β°C and the night temperature will be moderate say about 15Β°C to 25Β°C. Ahmedabad, Nagpur and similar other places situated away from the coastal regions are the typical examples of experiencing hot-dry climate Principles of Architectural Planning Design.
2. Hot-wet: In this type of climate, there is high humidity throughout the The temperen in dry season, there is small variations in day and night temperaturnd ranges in hot season and cold season are 10Β°C to 22Β°C respectively. Bombay which is situated near the seats a typical example of experiencing hot-wet or humid climate.
The data regarding temperature, rainfall, moisture, timings of sunset and sunrise, and direction of wind are collected and preserved by the Meteorological Department of the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India This department has recognized the following four seasons of the year:
- Cool-dry season: January and February: North-East monsoon period.
- Hot-dry season: March to Mid-June: Temperature rises appreciably and overhead sun moves towards the north; North-East monsoon ‘breaking down’.
- General rainy season: Mid-June to Mid-September; Heavy rains are wide spread and the South-West monsoon fully establishes over the whole country. There is also drop in temperature Principles of Architectural Planning Design.
- Season of the retreating South-West monsoon: Mid-September to December; South-West monsoon is ‘breaking down.
Building bye-laws and Planning Regulations
Learn aboutΒ building bye-lawsΒ planning regulations andΒ building bye-lawsΒ that ensure safety, health, and organized urban development. Explore key aspects like set-backs, floor space index (FSI), open space requirements, room sizes, structural design, and more.