BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN 05
RESEARCH WORK
CONDOMINIUM
SALAC, DON HAROLD D.
BSAR-3A
AR. CHARLES CHRISTIAN CRUZ, UAP
WHAT IS
CONDOMINIUM?
A type of residential building where individual units are privately owned, but common areas (e.g.,
elevators, pools, parking) are co-owned and managed collectively, typically by a homeowners'
association. Condominiums can range from low-rise buildings to high-rise towers.
Key Characteristics:
Ownership Structure: Residents own their units and share ownership of common areas.
Legal Framework: Governed by the Philippine Condominium Act (Republic Act No. 4726).
Association Management: Homeowners or unit owners pay monthly dues to maintain shared
facilities.
Design Considerations for a 15-Storey Condominium:
Building Layout:
Residential Units: Optimize floor plans for space efficiency. Consider unit variety (studio, 1-
bedroom, 2-bedroom) to cater to different market segments.
Amenities: Include leisure facilities like swimming pools, gyms, lounges, and function rooms.
Circulation: Adequate vertical (stairs, elevators) and horizontal (hallways) movement is
essential. High-rise buildings typically require multiple elevators, including service elevators.
Structural Integrity:
Compliance with the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096).
Ensure seismic and wind load resistance, especially since the Philippines is prone to
earthquakes and typhoons.
Sustainability: Incorporate energy-efficient systems, water conservation, and green spaces to
reduce environmental impact.
Fire Safety: Adhere to the Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514) by integrating fire exits, sprinkler
systems, and emergency lighting.
GREEN BUILDING
Green buildings are structures and processes that are designed to be environmentally friendly and
resource-efficient throughout their lifecycle. The goal of green buildings is to reduce their negative
impact on the environment and human health, while maximizing their positive impact.
Green buildings can incorporate a number of features, including:
Sustainable materials: Using recycled, reused, or renewable materials in construction
Landscaping: Using native plants that don't require extra watering
Alternative energy sources: Using solar panels or other clean energy sources to power the building
Modular construction: Using prefabricated components to reduce material waste and energy
consumption
Waste reduction: Recycling and reusing waste materials instead of virgin materials
PODIUM
A podium is the lower section or base of a high-rise building that often houses functional spaces like
parking, retail stores, building lobbies, or amenities.
PODIUMS ARE OFTEN USED TO:
PROVIDE COMMERCIAL SPACE
Podiums can be used to create shops and other commercial spaces near the street.
PROVIDE PARKING:
Podiums can be used to create multi-story parking for the rest of the building.
MAXIMIZE SPACE:
Podiums can be used to efficiently utilize space by incorporating parking below the structure. This
allows developers to maximize the number of stories above the podium.
Components and Design Considerations:
Parking Areas:
Must comply with the Building Code for minimum parking space dimensions (2.4m x 5m for cars,
3.6m x 12m for buses).
Use ramps and automated systems to optimize space.
Ensure proper ventilation, such as mechanical exhaust systems, to prevent gas buildup.
Retail Spaces:
Consider placing commercial establishments at street level to attract foot traffic.
Provide direct access to public areas without compromising security for residents.
Amenities and Landscaping:
Podium rooftops can host gardens, pools, or recreational spaces.
Green roofs can reduce heat absorption and improve building insulation.
CISTERN TANK
A cistern tank is a large, often underground, storage
container used to collect and store water, usually for non-
potable purposes like irrigation, cleaning, or backup
supply.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CISTERN
TANKS:
Capacity: Cisterns can range in capacity from 100
gallons to several thousand gallons.
Material: Cisterns can be made from concrete, steel,
wood, or fiberglass.
Installation: Cisterns can be installed in an attic, roof
space, or loft.
Plumbing: Pipe connections from the cistern allow
stored water to be distributed through plumbing
systems to points of use.
Maintenance: Cisterns should be periodically cleaned
and disinfected. You should never enter a cistern
unless you are properly trained in confined space
entry.
Applications in High-Rise Buildings:
Provides a consistent water supply, especially in areas
with unreliable water pressure or shortages.
Stores water for firefighting systems (sprinklers, fire
hydrants).
Design Guidelines:
Capacity: Calculate based on the building’s daily
water consumption and fire safety requirements. A
typical cistern tank for a high-rise may range from
100,000 to 300,000 liters.
Placement:
Usually installed underground to save space and
prevent contamination.
Properly waterproofed to avoid leaks.
Maintenance: Include access hatches, ladders, and
overflow pipes for easy inspection and cleaning.
SURGE TANK
A surge tank is a pressure-control
mechanism installed in a water supply
system to manage fluctuations caused by
pumps or flow changes.
Purpose:
Prevents "water hammer," a sudden
increase in pressure that can damage
pipes and equipment.
Balances pressure in systems with
irregular water flow, such as during
peak usage or pump failure.
Design and Placement:
Typically located near pumping
stations or at high points in the water
distribution system.
Must be sized to accommodate
pressure changes based on the
building's hydraulic system.
SURGE TANKS CAN ALSO BE USED IN OTHER WAYS, INCLUDING:
Water transmission lines: Surge tanks can absorb excess pressure when a valve is suddenly
closed, and provide water when a valve is suddenly opened.
Oil and pumping systems: Surge tanks can minimize the effects of pressure changes in
pressurized pipelines.
Hydropower plants: Surge tanks can control water hammer effects.
Fuel systems: Surge tanks can store fuel when it can't be drawn from the primary tank.
Caramel production: Surge tanks can maintain the temperature of a caramel mixture until it's
ready to be drawn out.
Gas mixing: Surge tanks can be connected to bulk gas lines with a pressure sensor to control the
temperature
L E E D
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) is the world's most widely used green
building rating system. LEED certification
provides a framework for healthy, highly
efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, which
offer environmental, social and governance
benefits.
PURPOSE:
LEED was developed by the U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC) to promote
healthier, more efficient, and cost saving
buildings that address climate change.
BENEFITS:
LEED certification is a symbol of
sustainability achievement and leadership.
LEED-certified buildings offer environmental,
social, and governance benefits.
SCOPE:
LEED applies to virtually all building types,
including new construction, interiors,
operations and maintenance, and core and
shell.
HOW IT WORKS
LEED credits are converted into points, with some credits being more valuable than others. For
example, a building could earn points for:
Having bicycle facilities within 200 feet of the main entrance
Installing electric vehicle charging stations in at least 5 percent of parking spaces
Proximity to public transit
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
LEED also considers:
Choosing sustainable sites
Minimizing the project's impact on ecosystems and water resources
Optimizing water efficiency
Developing strategies for better energy performance
Using sustainable building materials and reducing waste
Providing better indoor air quality
Designing spaces to allow access to daylight and outdoor views
Addressing environmental priorities that are specific to the project's local region
G R E E E N
(Philippine Green Building Rating System)
A locally developed certification for assessing
the environmental performance of buildings,
tailored to the Philippine context.
Focuses on climate resilience, recognizing
the Philippines’ vulnerability to typhoons
and earthquakes.
Encourages integration of local building
practices with global green building
principles.
Key Assessment Categories:
Energy Efficiency: Optimize energy
consumption through design and systems.
Water Efficiency: Rainwater harvesting,
greywater reuse, and efficient plumbing
systems.
Health and Well-being: Air quality, natural
lighting, and acoustic comfort.
Disaster Resilience: Building design that
withstands typhoons, earthquakes, and
flooding.
