ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

WHAT TO DO IN THE
DESIGN EXAMS
COME PREPARED
Make sure that all of your tools and supplies are with you.

Remember that some drafting tools are needed for some

particular works such as protractors, circle guides
and other templates, and adjustable triangles.

BE RELAXED
Have a good night’s sleep prior to the exam. Remove all
cobwebs from your mind.
COME TO THE EXAM KNOWING
HOW TO SOLVE ANY PARTICULAR
DESIGN PROBLEM

List down as many building types as possible.

Know the most basic, most important and/or most unique

function of each.

Have a pre-conceived idea of its plan, form, elevations and

details.

Be logical, simple and straightforward

BE ORGANIZED

Plan or manage your moves/activities well so that you will

completely finish what is required on time

Make a list of your output and/or your activities.

Allot time for each activity/output.

Allot the last 10% of the time for corrections, wrapping-up

LET SUBJECTIVE DECISION COME
TO PLAY

Psychologize the Examiner. Foresee what he generally wants and

give him what he wants.

What could the Examiner possibly want?

In general, he wants plates that are easy to check, meaning the

Examiner’s pre-conceived solution to the problem should be
met
DESIGN APPROACH FOR THE
BOARD EXAMS
1. Recall the general plan form and shape of a similar facility
(or a facility which can fit the given problem) that you have
previously done, or have been to.

2. Do a THUMBNAIL sketch of a plan form and mass. Choose

a simple form. Use X and Y axis as much as possible. No
diagonal or circular layouts if possible. Layout and choose
appropriate grid, bay spacing and scale .

Private

Private Private
Public
3. Zone the facility functionally in the chosen plan form. Make
sure that you take care of the Zone/room which will not fit
into the bay spacing.

Administration

Operations Service
Lobby
4. Layout the SPACES in this sequence:
Main entrance lobby
Corridors and other lobbies
Stairs, ramps, elevators, escalators, fire escapes
Comfort rooms
Other public spaces like lounges
Zones, a group of rooms, or departments
Rooms within zones and/or departments

Administration

Operations Service
Lobby
 Administration

Operations Service
Lobby
5. Avoid deep masses. Zone the complex into organized,
functional masses and connect these masses with corridors.
5. Avoid deep masses. Zone the complex into organized,
functional masses and connect these masses with corridors.
5. Avoid deep masses. Zone the complex into organized,
functional masses and connect these masses with corridors.
 6. Do the general elevation form. Use simple and ordinary roof
plan/elevation. Choose between:

Hidden slope roof which will look flat (for office bldgs and the like)

Hip roof or Gable roof

7. Capture the appropriate character of the building you are
designing.
7. Capture the appropriate character of the building you are
designing.

Aloha Stadium Yokohama Stadium

8. Emphasize the entrance structures/facilities to the main
building and/or raise the roof levels of large spaces such as
convention halls, ballrooms, meeting rooms, to improve the
building mass .
8. Emphasize the entrance structures/facilities to the main
building and/or raise the roof levels of large spaces such as
convention halls, ballrooms, meeting rooms, to improve the
building mass .
9. Emphasize openings against solid areas with mouldings.
Decorate walls with patterns.