Section 3 - Design
Section 3 - Design
Section 3 tests synthesis: turning program, code, and site analysis into a coherent schematic design that survives into construction documents.
Process and constraints
- Program: users, activities, capacity, timing, budget. Test area requirements numerically before drawing.
- Schematic design fixes parti, circulation, grading concept, and massing; design development resolves materials, planting, and systems; construction documents document the work for bid and construction.
- Code: IBC occupancy and egress, ADA accessible routes and clearances, and local zoning.
- Planting design follows right plant, right place - hardiness zone, soil pH and drainage, exposure, mature size, water demand, maintenance budget, and a native or adaptive palette.
Worked example
A plaza program calls for seating for 200 people. At 15 SF per person for mixed seated and standing plaza space, the required area is 200 × 15 = 3,000 SF. The site's buildable area after setbacks is 9,000 SF. The program also needs 2,400 SF of planting beds and a 1,500 SF fountain, for a total of 6,900 SF. That fits, but only after egress width and accessible-route clearances are subtracted from usable area - subtract them first, not last.
Traps
- Designing to the client's wish list before checking zoning and egress.
- Specifying plants outside the hardiness zone or intolerant of the site's pH or drainage.
- Assuming "native" means no irrigation and no maintenance.
- Presenting design-development detail at schematic review and losing client sign-off.