JCA Phase I: Preparatory Stage

FERA Ltd
May 28, 2024
4 min read

Schedule of Accommodation
Site plan
1:500 Ground Floor Plan
1:500 First Floor plan
Massing Studies
Computer generated image

Schedule of Accommodation

A schedule of accommodation in architecture is a detailed document that outlines the specific spatial requirements and functional areas needed for a building project. This schedule includes the types and sizes of rooms, their relationships to each other, and their intended uses. It serves as a comprehensive guide for architects, designers, and planners during the design and construction phases.

Key Components of a Schedule of Accommodation

Room List: A complete list of all the rooms and spaces required in the building.
Room Sizes: The dimensions or square footage of each room or space.
Functions and Uses: The intended purpose of each room or space.
Relationships: Information on how different rooms and spaces should be connected or related to each other (e.g., adjacency requirements).
Occupancy: The number of people each room or space is designed to accommodate.
Special Requirements: Any specific features or requirements for each space, such as lighting, ventilation, acoustics, or accessibility considerations.

Importance of a Schedule of Accommodation

Planning and Design: Helps architects and designers create a layout that meets the functional needs of the users.
Budgeting: Assists in developing a more accurate project budget by detailing the specific space requirements.
Project Management: Provides a clear framework for project execution, ensuring that all necessary spaces are included and appropriately sized.
Client Communication: Serves as a tool to communicate and verify the client's requirements and expectations.

Example: Hospital Schedule of Accommodation

For a hospital, a schedule of accommodation might include:

Patient Rooms: Number, type (single, double), size.
Operating Theatres: Number, size, specialized requirements.
Emergency Department: Number of beds, triage areas, resuscitation rooms.
Outpatient Clinics: Types of clinics, number of consultation rooms.
Diagnostic Facilities: Imaging rooms, labs, their sizes, and equipment needs.
Support Areas: Storage rooms, staff lounges, administrative offices.
On-Call Accommodation: Rooms for on-call staff, with specific sizes and amenities.
Isolation Rooms: Number, size, and specifications for infectious disease control.

By providing such detailed information, a schedule of accommodation ensures that all functional and spatial needs are met, leading to a well-designed and efficient building.

Site Plan

A site plan in architecture is a detailed, scaled drawing that illustrates the arrangement, orientation, and layout of buildings and other features on a plot of land. It is a critical document in the design and planning phases of a construction project, providing a comprehensive overview of how the proposed development will interact with the surrounding environment.

Key Components of a Site Plan

Property Boundaries: Clearly marked lines showing the extent of the plot.
Existing and Proposed Structures: Locations, footprints, and dimensions of current and future buildings.
Access and Circulation: Driveways, pathways, parking areas, and any other means of access for vehicles and pedestrians.
Topography: Contour lines, slopes, and other landform details that indicate the terrain of the site.
Utilities and Services: Locations of water lines, sewage systems, electrical lines, and other utility connections.
Landscaping: Proposed green spaces, trees, gardens, and other landscaping elements.
Zoning and Setbacks: Compliance with local zoning laws, including required setbacks from property lines and other regulatory constraints.
Environmental Features: Natural features like water bodies, vegetation, and any protected areas.
North Arrow and Scale: Orientation of the site and the scale used for the drawing.

Importance of a Site Plan

Design and Planning: Helps architects and planners visualize the placement of structures and their relationships to each other and to the site.
Regulatory Approval: Necessary for obtaining permits and meeting local zoning and building code requirements.
Construction Guidance: Provides builders with a clear roadmap of the site layout, ensuring that construction aligns with the planned design.
Coordination: Facilitates communication and coordination among the project team, including architects, engineers, contractors, and clients.

Massing Studies

Massing studies in architecture are a crucial part of the design process, used to explore and analyze the basic form and volume of a building before delving into detailed design elements. These studies focus on the spatial and volumetric aspects of a building, providing a visual representation of how the structure will occupy the site and interact with its surroundings.

Key Aspects of Massing Studies

Volume and Form: Massing studies emphasize the overall shape, size, and bulk of a building, often represented through simple geometric forms.
Scale and Proportion: These studies help in understanding the scale of the building in relation to its site and context, ensuring it fits appropriately within its environment.
Spatial Organization: They explore the arrangement of different volumes and spaces within the building, examining how these elements relate to one another.
Shadow and Light: Analyzing how the building's mass will cast shadows and interact with natural light, which can influence the comfort and energy efficiency of the space.
Site Context: Understanding how the proposed massing integrates with the surrounding buildings, landscape, and infrastructure.

Importance of Massing Studies

Conceptual Design: Provides a foundational understanding of the project's potential form and structure early in the design process.
Decision Making: Assists architects and stakeholders in making informed decisions about the building's design, scale, and impact.
Client Communication: Helps in communicating the design intent to clients and stakeholders through clear, visual representations.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensures the design complies with zoning laws, building codes, and other regulatory requirements regarding building height, setbacks, and density.
Design Iteration: Facilitates the exploration of different design options and iterations, enabling the selection of the most appropriate and effective solution.

Methods and Tools

Sketches and Drawings: Initial massing concepts are often sketched by hand to quickly explore ideas.
Physical Models: Scale models made from materials like foam or cardboard provide a tangible way to study massing.
Digital Models: Software tools like SketchUp, Rhino, and Revit allow for the creation of 3D digital massing models that can be easily modified and analyzed.
3D Printing: Advanced technology that can produce detailed physical models from digital designs for further examination.

Example

For a hospital project, massing studies might explore:

The overall footprint and height of the building.
How different departments (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, emergency) are distributed within the volume.
The relationship between the main building and ancillary structures like parking facilities, green spaces, and access roads.
The impact of the building's mass on neighboring structures and the natural environment.