ARC 007: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 0

COMMUNITY ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNIN

PHINMA – University of Pangasinan
College of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Architecture

WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY 7:30AM –
12:00PM/7:30AM – 12:00PM

MUNICIPAL
GOVERNMENT CENTER
FERNANDEZ, ADRIAN KYLE L.
STUDENT (Block 01)

AR. CESAR AGPOON

INSTRUCTOR
Municipal Government Center

Municipal Government refers to the institution created by states to govern incorporated

localities—particularly cities. States grant powers to municipal governments so that they might
provide basic services, such as police and fire protection, as well as solve the special problems
associated with urban localities, as various as affordable housing, environmental quality, and
parking shortages. As with other levels of government, the powers granted to municipalities
have increased dramatically over time. However, the expansion of municipal power came only
as cities faced new or growing problems, and municipal officials always seemed to lack the
authority or means to solve the crises that faced American cities.

It is the center of a city down town, civic center in a city. An urban center. A large land densely
populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts.

Municipal Hall

In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or
(more rarely) a municipal building, is the chief administrative building of a city,[2] town, or
other municipality. It usually houses the city or town council, its associated departments, and
their employees. It also usually functions as the base of the mayor of a city, town, borough,
county or shire.

By convention, until the mid 19th-century, a single large open chamber (or 'hall') formed an
integral part of the building housing the council. The hall may be used for council meetings and
other significant events. This large chamber, the 'town hall', (and its later variant 'city hall') has
become synonymous with the whole building, and with the administrative body housed in it.
The terms 'council chambers', 'municipal building' or variants may be used locally in preference
to 'town hall' if no such large hall is present within the building.

The local government may endeavor to use the town hall building to promote and enhance the
quality of life of the community. In many cases, "'town halls' serve not only as buildings for
government functions, but also have facilities for various civic and cultural activities. These may
include art shows, stage performances, exhibits and festivals. Modern town halls or "civic
centres" are often designed with a great variety and flexibility of purpose in mind.

As symbols of local government, city and town halls have distinctive architecture, and the
buildings may have great historical significance - for example the Guildhall, London. City hall
buildings may also serve as cultural icons that symbolize their cities.

The Executive Building or Municipal Hall houses the LGU offices imperative for implementing
government services which are headed by the Municipal Mayor who exert leadership in local
affairs. Assisting the Municipal Mayor are multiple departments, offices, and agencies that are
tasked to implement policies for the improvement of the town and its people’s livelihood.

Government buildings-the city hall, fire station, and police stations-which were long the nucleus
of most civic centers, tend themselves to be dispersed today. The reason is obvious. Fire end
police buildings, for example, are best located at a central point in the street network, and with
the building of expressways, this point rarely intersects with the beat location for the mayor's
office or the council chamber. Service agencies (such as the water and park departments)
increasingly favor headquarters locations adjacent to their operating facilities. In Philadelphia,
where two new government office-type buildings will be erected, the city also plans to remodel
and expand the old city hall in Penn Center to

DO’S AND DON’TS IN DESIGNING MUNICIPAL HALL

DO’S:

1. Locate the city hall where it will be most convenient and if possible where land values
2. are reasonable.
3. Be prepared to provide the architect with information on departments to be housed, the
number of employees, types of furnishings and equipment, and special requirements
such as vault and storage space.
4. Provide ample off-street parking space for both employees and the public.
5. Put most or all city department head. quarters in the city hall.
6. Provide for structural expansion end flexibility in office layout.
7. Plan the city hall from the inside out with emphasis on work flow, convenience to the
public, and convenience for employees.
8. Provide for the comfort and efficiency of employees with controlled ventilation and
adequate lighting.
9. Provide for employee lounges and restrooms.
10. Use materials, construction, and furnishings which make the city hall easy to maintain.
11. Provide open, unobstructed counters for transactions with the public.

DON’T’S:

1. Don't locate in an area of declining property values except when part of a

comprehensive urban renewal program.
2. Don't try to remodel an old post office, school building, convention hall, or other building
designed for some other special use.
3. Don't forget that the city hall is an office building, not a monument or an ornament.
4. Don't underestimate space needs; the average commercial office building lasts 67 years.
5. Don't tie up valuable space with indoor pistol ranges, drive-through garages, private
exits, wide corridors, and other gadgets.
6. Don't cut up the city hall into cubbyholes for minor officials.
7. Don't build the city hall over two stories in height If at all possible.
8. Don't let the public come In contact with police or criminal activities.
9. Don't provide in the main lobby any facilities, such as a cigar and soft drink stand, which
encourage loitering.
General Building Layout Building arrangement is the next step in planning a city hall. It is
helpful as a starting point to use the following checklist of departments, offices, special-purpose
rooms, and service areas in analyzing interior building requirements :

1. Departments requiring constant contact with the general public and the collection or
payment of money-for example, the finance department and tax collector
2. Departments requiring contact with special classes of the public-for example, city owned
utilities, building permits, personnel, city planning, and city clerk
3. Other departments including public works, recreation, police, fire, etc.
4. City council chamber and office space for use by the mayor and councilmen
5. Offices for the chief administrator
6. Courtrooms
7. Storage vaults and record rooms
8. Locker rooms, rest rooms, janitor closets, public telephones, and space for heating,
ventilating, plumbing, and electrical equipment
9. "Circulating areas" for lobbies, corridors, elevators, and stairways

The relationship of one room or functional area to another is important. No room exists by
itself, and many of the problems of living in a building arise from the neglect of this fact.
Departments related in function should be located near one another and consecutive operations
planned in production-line style. Excessive lobbies and hall space add to the cost of construction
without adding usable space.

The height of the building will depend upon the amount of ground available and the amount of
office space needed. Land generally is cheaper than additional height. Taller buildings are more
difficult to maintain and require more planning of the interior to get related functions on
adjacent floors. Also any city building of more than two floors should have an elevator,
especially if the public has any great use of the top floor.

Provision for a full basement housing general offices is not often made in now city office
buildings. Most professional organizations advise against locating general offices in the
basement. The basement can be used for storage and service activities such as duplicating,
receiving and shipping rooms, heating and air-conditioning equipment, and central switchboard.

Departmental Layout
Departmental layout will depend on the activities carried on by the department and the tools or
special equipment used. For example, a finance department layout may require an open area
for accounting clerks and collectors with one or two private offices, a machine room, and a
vault. The public works department, on the other hand, may require private offices for the
director, the engineer, and individual inspectors, a drafting room, a vault, a plan or map room,
and conference rooms.

The first step in departments layout is to survey the work done by the department. Work flow
should be especially studied. A complete list should be made of all employees and equipment to
occupy the space. The possibility of future expansion should be anticipated and provision made
for additional personnel. Provision also should be-made for peak rather then average work
loads. Flow of work should, as nearly as practicable, be in a straight line. Normally, work should
come to the employees rather than their going to the work. Minor activities can be grouped
around areas of major activity.

Private Offices A major factor in the determination of space needs is the question of who
should get private offices and under what circumstances. More space is required for private
offices; space utilization is restricted through segregation of areas for private offices; and
considerable expense is involved in rearranging and reerecting partitions. Ventilation, lighting,
and heating problems are complicated by a number of small offices; supervision and
coordination of work, flow of work, and communications are made more difficult. An open, wall-
arranged office has a more orderly and businesslike appearance then a series of small offices.

SPACE REQUIREMENTS/QUANTIFICATIONS

Department

Is used broadly to include any department, agency or other autonomous group within the scope
of the study.

Departmental Space

Includes all space used exclusively by each Department. Departmental Space is composed of
Office Space, Auxiliary Space, and Circulation Space.

Office Space
Includes private and semi-private offices, and general office areas. It is determined by applying
space occupancy standards to personnel totals.

Auxiliary Space

Includes reception areas, libraries, mail areas, conference rooms to be used solely by the
Department concerned, and other special areas to which space occupancy standards are not
applicable. It is determined by separate study of each function.

Circulation Space

Is a statistical percentage (20%) added to the total Office Space and Auxiliary Space required
by each Department? Circulation represents the space required for access to private and semi-
private offices, for cross aisles in general office areas, and for access to General Spaces such as
shared conference rooms.

DEFINITIONS

Office Space is divided into Primary and Remote components.

Primary Office Space

Is that portion of a Department's Office Space in which the Department carries its principal
activity? For example, if a Department is located on an upper floor of the building but maintains
a work station on a lower floor for the purpose of issuing a license or permit, the space located
on an upper floor is considered to be the Department's Primary Office Space.

Remote Office Space

Is that portion of a Department's Office Space which is remote from the Department's Primary
Office Space? In the example cited above, the workstation on a lower floor is considered to be
the Department's Remote Office Space. In a similar fashion, Auxiliary Space is divided into
Adjacent and Remote components.

Adjacent Auxiliary Space

Is that portion of a Department's Auxiliary Space which is located adjacent to the Department's
Primary Office Space?

Remote Auxiliary Space

Is that portion of a Department's Auxiliary Space which is remote from the Department's
Primary Office Space? For example, if a Department is located on an upper floor, but maintains
an inactive file and general storage space at a remote location, the inactive file and general
storage space is considered to be Remote Auxiliary Space.

General Space

Includes facilities serving several or all Departments such as Loading Dock and Receiving Area,
Shared Conference Rooms and Public Lobby.

Department Of The Mayor

The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the City government and is authorized to direct and
coordinate municipal policy. In addition to his executive functions, the Mayor is a member of
many boards and commissions and may appoint committees or create advisory groups as
needed to carry out his functions.

In addition to the requirements of the Mayor and his staff, the summary on the facing page
includes the requirements of several other groups connected with the Mayor's office. They are:

• The Municipality/ City Record

• the Mayor's Civic Improvement Committee
• The Mayor's Committee on Industry and Labor
• The Mayor's Committee on Demolition and Restoration
• Public Celebrations, Conventions and Distinguished Guests

Licensing Division

The Licensing Division of the Department of the Mayor licenses all Sunday entertainment and
issues various other licenses for public entertainment, such as theatres, cafes, dancing,
carnivals, wrestling, hockey, basketball, ice shows, roller skating and ice skating.

City Council

The City Council is the legislative body of the City of Boston. The Council has the power to
appoint special committees to investigate any matters relating to the property and affairs of the
government of the City and Suffolk County.
 The requirements listed in the summary on the facing page include those of the following
sections:

 The City Messenger

 The Clerk of Committees
 The City Council

Administrative Services Department

The Administrative Services Department has the responsibility of the compilation of directives,
reports, surveys, and studies in connection with municipal operations. It coordinates the
activities of all departments, boards, and special committees appointed by the Mayor, and
organizes an annual Conference on Municipal Administration.

The requirements listed on the facing page include those of the following divisions:

 Administrative Division
 Personnel Division
 Budget Division
 Purchasing Division

Complaints Division

The Complaints Division, a division of the Administrative Services Department, investigates and
follows up all complaints received from citizens and taxpayers. When action has been taken by
the department or agency involved, notice is sent to the complainant.

Assessing Department

The Assessing Department is responsible for the assembly of data to make possible the
assessment of real and personal property for municipal taxation. The Department is also
responsible for the administration of betterment and unpaid water taxes, motor vehicle excise
taxes, poll taxes, and property abatements appealed from original assessment.

In addition, the Department maintains property inventory, prepares statistical reports for public
information, and is responsible for the accuracy of all valuation accounting. The requirements
listed on the facing page include those of the following organizational units:

• Administration and General Service

 • Assessment Section
• Board of Review
• Engineering Motor Vehicle Assessment and Adjustment
• Personal Property Division
• Real Property Division
• Registry Research
• Tabulating Division

Auditing Department

The Auditing Department audits all receipts, expenditures and dispersements. The Department
also publishes monthly exhibits of all City, County and School expenditures.

The requirements listed on the facing page include those of the following organizational units:

• General Administration
• Accounting Division
• Examining Division
• Payroll Audit Division
• Post Audit Division
• Tabulating Division

Building Department

The Building Department inspects buildings and structures in the City of Boston, and issues
permits to erect, enlarge, alter, substantially repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy
of any building.

The Board of Appeals as an adjunct of the Building Department accepts and renders decision on
all cases of appeal.

The Board of Examiners as an adjunct of the Building Department acts upon the qualifications
of persons desiring to be registered as construction superintendents in the City of Boston.

The requirements listed on the facing page include those of the following organizational units:

• Administrative Division
• Construction and Safety Division
 • Electrical Inspection Division
• Mechanical Inspection Division
• Technical Services Division

In addition, the requirements of the following groups were considered:

• Beacon Hill Architectural Commission

• Board of Appeal
• Board of Examiners
• Board of Gas Fitters
• Committee on Licenses
• Public Safety Commission

City Clerk Department

The City Clerk Department performs both legislative and executive duties in compliance with
statutes or ordinances, and keeps records of all meetings of the City Council and other official
records of the City of Boston. The department also records and files various legal documents,
records all claims against the city, and issues various licenses, permits and warrants. The City
Clerk is also Clerk of the City Council.

The requirements summarized on the facing page include those of the following Divisions:

• Administrative and Legislative Division

• Recording Division
• License Division

City Planning Department

The City Planning Department, under the charge of the City Planning Board, analyzes the City's
resources and potentialities, and develops long-range plans for land use, community facilities,
schools and parks.

The requirements summarized on the facing page include those of the following organizational
units:

 Administration
 Comprehensive Planning
  Land Planning
 Projects
 Research

Civil Defense Department

The Civil Defense Department prepares plans for the protection of the people in the event of
enemy attack. The Department also functions to minimize the hazards of natural disaster.

An expansion space of 10% of 1964 requirements, or 174 square feet, has been allocated
because it was felt that, although no specific increase in personnel was anticipated, additional
space should be provided to accommodate a possible increase in services.

Election Department

The Election Department maintains a system of permanent registration of persons eligible to

vote in all elections and is responsible for the conduct of elections and the certification of
election results. The Department examines prospective juror sand is responsible for the
certification of jury lists. It is also the function of this department to make up the voting lists.

The requirements summarized on the facing page include those of the following organizational
units:

• Administrative Office
• Registrar's Office
• Jury Division Voting Machine Division
• Ballot Box Division

Health Department

The Health Department protects the public health by insuring compliance with public health
ordinances and regulations. It directs programs in health education and public health research,
and operates health centers, laboratories and clinics.

The requirements listed on the facing page are those of the Health Division, and include the
requirements of the following sections:

• Section of General Services

• Section of Medical Services
 • Section of Local Health Services
• Section of Environmental Sanitation

Registry Division

The Registry Division records all births, deaths and marriages, and issues birth and death
certificates and marriage licenses. The Division receives and records affidavits of, additions to,
and amendments and corrections to said records, and forwards copies of all records to the
office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Weights And Measures Division

The Weights and Measures Division is charged with the enforcement of the general laws of
Massachusetts relating to weights and measures and hawkers and peddlers. The work is divided
into two classes: mechanical, which consists of the annual testing, sealing or condemning all
types of weighing or measuring devices found in commercial use, and supervisional, consisting
of reweighing or remeasuring commodities put up in advance of sale. The Division also checks
deliveries of coal, oil, etc., and prosecutes violations of the Weights and Measures laws.

Law Department

Requirements for this Department are stated in two sections:

• Law Department
• Workmen's Compensation and Medical Facility

The Law Department has general charge of the legal work of the City and represents the City
and Suffolk County in all litigation to which either is a party. The Department defends
employees of the City and County against certain actions, prosecutes certain criminal
proceedings, does the conveyancing work for the various municipal departments, performs the
legal work incidental to tax title foreclosures, reviews the form of all municipal contracts and
bonds, and furnishes legal opinions to the Mayor, the City Council, the School Committee and
City and County officials on matters relating to the legislature and Federal and State
administrative agencies.

The requirements summarized on the facing page are those of the Law Department and include
the requirements of the following organizational units:
 • Administrative Division
• General Services Division
• Litigation Division
• General Trial Division
• Collections Division
• Counselling and Miscellaneous

Workmen's Compensation And Medical Facility

The Workmen's Compensation Service is a division of the Law Department established for the
purpose of filing accident reports for employees injured in the course of their employment,
conducting hearings before the Industrial Accident Board, and providing compensation where
required. The Division works closely with the Medical Facility, which is responsible for the care
of all City employees, except uniformed police, injured in the course of their employment. It is
also the responsibility of the Medical Facility to examine and x-ray new employees. Sufficient
space has been allocated to permit the Medical Facility to function as a first aid service for the
entire building.

Parks And Recreation Department

The Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the development, maintenance and
operation of the park system for the citizens of Boston and the hundreds of visitors to the City.
In addition to this, the Department administers abroad program of recreation for all age groups,
plants and replaces trees on the streets and in the parks and playgrounds, and cares for the
active and historical cemeteries in the custody of the City.

The requirements summarized on the facing page include those of the following

Divisions:

 Administrative Services Division

 Engineering Division
 Maintenance Division

Penal Institutions Department

The Penal Institutions Department is responsible for the operation and administration of Suffolk
County House of Correction at Deer Island. The Penal Institutions Commissioner is responsible
for the paroling of inmates from both the House of Correction and the Suffolk County Jail.

Public Works Department

The Public Works Department is responsible for the construction and maintenance of all streets,
sidewalks and sewers; granting of permits to open, occupy, obstruct, and use portions of the
streets and sidewalks; street lighting, both gas and electric; installation, maintenance, and
operation of all fixtures and appliances held by the City for its water supply; cleaning, flushing,
and snow removal from streets; collection and removal of ashes, garbage, and refuse;
installation and maintenance of street signs; and construction, maintenance, and operation of
City-owned bridges used as highways.

The summary on the facing page includes the requirements of the following Divisions:

• Central Office Division

• Automotive Division
• Bridge Division
• Highway Division
• Sanitary Division
• Sewer Division
• Survey Division
• Water Division

Real Property Department

The Real Property Department estimates property values and approves property sales. In
addition to this, the Department is responsible for the maintenance and repair of City-owned
buildings.

The summary on the facing page includes the requirements of the following divisions:

• Buildings Division
• Property Division

School Buildings Department

The School Buildings Department is responsible for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of all
public school buildings, including administrative and storage buildings, The Department also
coordinates the construction of new school buildings.

The requirements summarized on the facing page include those of the following divisions:

• Administrative Division
• Architectural- Engineering Division
• Electrical Division Heating and Ventilating Division
• Inspection Division
• Plumbing Division
• Roofing Division

Traffic Department

The Traffic Department has the authority to adopt, amend, alter or repeal rules and regulations
relative to vehicular street traffic under the control of the City. The Department also maintains
the city traffic control system.

With the exception of an allocation for a new Traffic Control Panel, only those executive and
administrative functions of this Department which now occupy the second floor of the building
at 1 12 Southampton Street will be accommodated in the new City Hall.

Treasury Department

The Treasury Department has the care and custody of the current funds of the City, and of all
moneys, properties, and securities placed in its charge by any statute, ordinance, gift, or
deposit. The Department also pays all bills and demands against the City, and has full custody
of sinking fund cash and securities. The Collections Division collects and receives all taxes and
other assessments, betterments, rates, dues, and moneys payable on any account to the City of
Boston or the County of Suffolk.

The requirements summarized on the facing page include those of the following divisions:

• Treasury Division
• Collecting Division
• Sinking Fund Division
GENERAL SPACES

Unassigned Office

Two unassigned office spaces have been provided for the use of temporary committees, outside
organizations and auditors as required. These spaces, one of which is to becompartmented as
illustrated on the facing page, total 2,808 square feet.

Loading Dock and Receiving Area

A loading dock and receiving area should be provided. It should have direct access to the
freight elevator for service to all Departments, particularly the bacteriological laboratory of the
Department of Public Health . The area should also be accessible from the various centralized
facilities. An allocation of 1,500 square feet has been made for the loading dock, which is
sufficient to accommodate five panel trucks at one time. Five hundred square feet has been
allocated for the receiving area. The total allocation is 2,400 square feet, which includes
Circulation.

Public Lobby

The exact size of the public lobby depends upon the final design of the building. However, the
provision of 5,000 square feet made in this study is considered to beadequate for planning
purposes, and includes concession space.

Central Mail and Communications

For the purposes of this study, mail may be divided into four general categories.

Conference Rooms

Conference requirements, based on the number of persons attending each meeting, the
number of meetings per month, and their duration, were established during the interviews.
Conference rooms for the exclusive use of a Department (to be included in the Departmental
Space) were assigned if the total number of meetings of 1/2-day or less duration exceeded 10
during a month. Maximum utilization of a conference room was considered to be 35 half-day
meetings per month. Therefore, any excess over 35 half-days but less than 70 half-days per
month will be accommodated by conference room in the vicinity of the Department, to be
shared with one or more Departments. Departments whose requirement is for less than 10 half-
day meetings per month will also share a conference room with one or more Departments.

Parking

Parking space for six municipal service vehicles has been provided.

Typewriter Repair

It is recommended that the typewriter repair unit of the Administrative Services Department be
located in a service area of the building to facilitate service by this unit to all Departments.

Auditorium

Present plans call for accommodating the School Committee in City Hall Annex and constructing
an auditorium on the site of the old City Hall. For this reason, an auditorium has not been
considered for inclusion in the new building.
Trial Operations

Jury trials, whether civil or criminal, involve five general operations: opening preliminaries
(including impaneling of the jury), opening statements, presentation of evidence by each side,
closing statements, and deliberation and decision.
MUNICIPALITY/CITY HALL SAMPLE (BACOOR, CAVITE)

LOWER GROUND FLOOR

UPPER GROUND FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR
THIRD FLOOR

FIRE STATION
FIRE DEPARTMENT STATIONS AND BUILDINGS

A fire station supports the needs of the fire department and the community in which it is
located. It must accommodate extremely diverse functions, including housing, recreation,
administration, training, community education, equipment and vehicle storage, equipment and
vehicle maintenance, and hazardous materials storage. While it is usually only occupied by
trained personnel, the facility may also need to accommodate the general public for community
education or outreach programs.

Fire department buildings include administrative offices; "stations," "houses," or "halls" housing
the apparatus and equipment; fire alarm and communications centers; fire training facilities;
and maintenance and supply facilities, including shops and storerooms.

In some relatively small fire departments, all or several of these functions, insofar as provided,
may be housed in one facility.

Major fire station functional areas include the following:

 Apparatus bay(s): This is where the fire fighting and emergency response vehicles are
stored.
 Apparatus bay support and vehicle maintenance: These industrial spaces are
where the vehicles and other fire fighting equipment are cleaned, maintained, and
stored.
 Administrative and training areas: These include offices, dispatch facilities, and
training and conference rooms.
 Residential areas: These include the dorm rooms, day room/kitchen, and residential
support areas such as bathrooms and fitness spaces.

A. Administrative Offices

The administrative offices may be housed in a municipal office building or city hall, or et
a headquarters or central fire station. Headquarters may include offices and facilities for
the chief of department, the fire prevention division, the planning and research staff, the
budget or fiscal bureau, the personnel department, the fire investigation bureau, and
the medical officer. The exact facilities needed will very with the organization of the
 individual department. It is desirable to arrange the headquarters offices so that the
general public will not have to pass through the apparatus room or fire fighters' quarters
to reach the offices.

B. Fire Stations

General There are two types of fire houses: one is operated by a paid fire department,
the other by volunteers. Equipment for both is essentially the same. Differences occur in
facilities provided for personnel. Modern practice is to group companies and apparatus
needed to protect a given neighborhood in order to provide better teamwork and
administrative control. Most fire stations house at least one pumper company, with its
assigned first line and reserve apparatus, and other companies, including aerial ladder,
aerial platform, squad, rescue, salvage, and various auxiliary types of apparatus. Ample
space is needed for reserve apparatus, both to provide a replacement when needed and
as equipment for use by off-duty personnel recalled in an emergency.

Far too many fire stations have outgrown their usefulness because inadequate
consideration was given to the future needs of the district. The cost of providing
adequate apparatus storage space is relatively modest when compared with the total
cost of a fire station facility. A desirable policy is to provide an apparatus room large
enough to house at least six major fire department vehicles.

Even where it is intended initially to house a single first line piece of apparatus, a
prudent minimum would be a two-track station capable of housing two first line and two
reserve or special-duty pieces. Space should also be provided for additional men, who
will be needed when further apparatus is obtained.

Elements of fire house design are shown in Fig. 1. All facilities indicated are desirable
but not mandatory. In paid departments, one company generally consists of 14 men; in
a volunteer department, quarters are provided for paid drivers only.

Apparatus Rooms It is preferable that the apparatus floor be unobstructed by

columns. Future use of the space should not be circumscribed by having major rooms
protrude into the apparatus storage area. For multitrack stations, a minimum width of
20 ft per track is recommended. This should be increased to at least 24-ft width for a
single-track station. A suggested desirable unobstructed depth is 80 ft, with ceiling
height of 13 ft (minimum).

Ample space is needed to permit work around the apparatus, changing of hose, putting
on fire clothing when responding, and to permit free movement of personnel when
answering alarms. Space is needed along walls for clothing racks, slop sinks, battery
chargers, water tank fill connections, etc. Space should be provided for hose storage
racks without obstructing access to apparatus. Table 1 gives sizes of apparatus.

Floor should be of concrete, designed to carry a load of 125 Ib per aq ft. Wall surfaces
should be of an easily cleaned material, and floor should have sufficient drains to permit
flushing with hose. Hot and cold water connections are needed at center of aide walls.

If apparatus room is to be used for repairs, provide a repair pit. Also, carbon monoxide
gases have to be exhausted to outside, usually by means of under-floor piping to which
motor exhaust may be connected with flexible tubing. (Recreation room on first floor
should be raised at least 6 in. for protection against gas.)

Fire stations should have adequate office space and facilities for all officers on duty. This
includes not only the various company officers but offices and quarters for district and
deputy chiefs. Among the other facilities needed in fire stations are a watch room, e
dormitory, a locker and washroom, storerooms, study rooms, a kitchen, recreation
room, and hose drying facilities.

The watch room should be so located that the man on patrol can see the apparatus
floor, observe all persons entering the building, and preferably see the street in front of
the property. It should be the center of the station's fire alarm facilities and have
facilities for turning on house lights and alerting and dispatching fire fighters. If a watch
desk is to be used, it should be on platform raised 6 in. above apparatus room floor to
allow man on duty to remain during cleaning. Floors of closets, toilets, oil room, stair
landings, etc., should also be raised for same reason.

Volunteer fire departments frequently require other facilities at their stations including
social halls or meeting rooms, recreation facilities, and ladies' club rooms or lounges,
particularly where the volunteer fire company's quarters serve as a community center.

Apparatus Room Doors

Doors for fire apparatus should be large enough to permit quick passage without
accident. An opening at least 14 ft by 14 ft is recommended.
Designs for Stations Figure 2 shows suggested minimum space requirements for a
district fire station intended for urban or suburban service where the station is to be
mainly manned by full-paid personnel. The shape of the lot may vary with local
circumstances, but it is considered very poor practice to start with a lot of inadequate
size. A larger lot tends to have considerably more reuse or resale value at such time as
it may be desired to add to the fire department facilities or to relocate the station.
Apparatus Bays

By placing the apparatus bay between the maintenance and support functions and the
residential and administrative functions, both primary layout goals can be accomplished.
Some of the adjacencies shown above may be accommodated through a hallway rather
than a direct entrance/exit from one space to another. This is particularly true with the
apparatus bay and the day room as many facility spaces require an adjacency with these
two spaces.

This approach to the layout can also accommodate expansion of the apparatus bay on
the other side of the support and maintenance areas, although care must be taken to
ensure that internal response times can be met after any expansion.
Apparatus Bay Support And Vehicle Maintenance

Apparatus bay support functions include cleaning and maintenance areas for the
firefighter's self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), protective clothing, fire
extinguishers, and other equipment. It also includes storage areas for firefighting gear
and equipment and secure storage for medical supplies. Some of these areas are
specialized spaces for disinfecting protective equipment and for maintaining and
recharging the SCBA in a clean environment. See also Light Industrial space type.

Administrative And Training Areas

Administrative areas include standard offices and conference and training rooms. The
area will also likely include additional specialized spaces such as the chief's office with
sleeping and shower facilities and computer training/testing facilities for firefighter
continuing education. Some stations may include a highly specialized dispatch room for
receiving emergency calls from the public.

Residential Areas

The day room accommodates kitchen, dining, and living/recreation functions. It is often
separated into subspaces for those three functions, but an open design may also be
effective to encourage interaction between the spaces. The dining space may also
double as training or meeting space and might include provisions for audiovisual
equipment.
C. Fire Alarm and Communications Buildings

The communications building or fire alarm office should be of fire-resistive construction

and isolated from all hazards that might interfere with the prompt transmission of

alarms. Where the fire alarm office is part of a fire station or administration building, it
should be isolated from the rest of the structure and protected against all hazards both
internal and external. Ample emergency power should be provided so that the station
and communications equipment can continue to operate should outside power fail.

The communications office includes the operating room where all alarms are received
and transmitted to the department. It also should have the telephone switchboard for
the department, the radio control console, voice amplification controls, fire alarm circuit
panels, and test equipment. Frequently, a central console is provided containing all
communications controls and information needed by the dispatchers. There should be
an office for the fire alarm superintendent, drafting room for plans, battery room,
storerooms for fire alarm supplies, garage for fire alarm vehicles, and facilities for fire
alarm personnel.

D. Fire Training Facilities

Facilities needed for the fire department training program include study rooms and
library facilities in each fire station. A fire training center should include adequate
classrooms and training aids. The better training centers have an apparatus room where
major apparatus can be brought indoors for instruction purposes, and the operation of
various items of fire protection equipment (hydrants, fire alarm, and automatic
sprinklers) can be demonstrated. Other desirable features include an auditorium where
various fire protection conferences and training meetings can be held, facilities for
preparation and reproduction of training manuals and bulletins, and a fire protection
library.

Outdoor training facilities should include large grounds with various structures for
demonstrations and practice fires, a drill tower for hose and ladder evolutions, tanks for
practice on flammable liquids fires, electrical and gas utility installations for fire training
 purposes, hydrants and pumper suction facilities, and other equipment duplicating
situation that may be encountered at fires. When an individual fire department is too
small to provide all the necessary training facilities, the practice is to supplement the
local training program by use of regional or state fire schools which do provide more
adequate facilities and curricula. The NFPA book, Firemen's Training Centers, gives
additional suggestions for planning such facilities and contains illustrations of some
typical centers.

E. Maintenance Facilities and Shops

Facilities for maintenance and repair work on fire apparatus should be provided. A repair
shop includes an area where major apparatus, including ladder trucks, can be serviced
and repaired.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Key design goals and considerations for fire stations include the following:

PROMOTE OCCUPANT QUALITY OF LIFE

Fire stations are occupied 24 hours a day, seven days a week by personnel in continuous 24-
hour shifts. Therefore, ensuring a comfortable living environment for the firefighters is
paramount:

 Provide ample natural light.

 Provide individual dorm rooms, if budget allows.
 Provide ample recreation areas and separate noisy areas (such as a game room) from
quieter areas (such as a television room).
 Avoid institutional and unnatural finishes, textures, and colors.

MAINTAIN A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

As above, due to the continuous occupation of the facility by firefighters and the presence of
hazardous materials, special attention must be given to designing the facility to accommodate
equipment and operational strategies to both protect the occupants and maintain a healthy
environment. Consider the following critical elements:

 Provide a secure facility for both personnel and materials such as controlled medical
supplies and hazardous fire suppression agents.
 Use non-toxic building materials and improved maintenance practices.
 Ensure good indoor air quality and abundant natural light in the residential and
administrative areas.
 Ensure good ventilation of industrial areas such as the apparatus bay and prevent
contamination of clean spaces such as the SCBA maintenance areas.
 Ensure that equipment, furnishings, and finishes do not contain asbestos or lead.

ENSURE FLEXIBILITY

As fire fighting technology evolves, fire stations need to evolve as well. Consider the following
areas:

 Plan for potential expansion, both in the apparatus bay area and the residential areas.
 Ensure appropriate product/systems integration.
 Design for the changing nature of work.
POLICE STATION

DESIGN OF A POLICE BUILDING

In designing modifications of an existing structure, or when plans are drawn for a new police
facility, many factors should be considered. These involve functional relationships, economy of
space, public convenience, security, etc.

Functional Relationships Offices and work areas of elements performing essentially the same
tasks should be grouped so as to achieve maximum use of physical facilities, thereby avoiding
duplication of equipment or furnishings. For example, the work of records and communication
units are so interrelated and mutually supportive that space arrangements should assure direct
access from one to the other. Further, temporary reassignments of personnel could easily be
made between the integrated elements as work loads vary between the two. Administrative line
officers should be grouped closely. Booking, identification, and detention operations must be so
related that time and travel distance are shortened to conserve personnel resources and to
avoid security problems.
Public Considerations

Public access should not conflict with prisoner passageways or areas; this will avoid exposure of
prisoners to the public and will eliminate the possiblity of harm to either.

The public, of course, must be restricted in its movement within designated areas of the
building. Avoidance of prisoners' public contact eliminates the possibility of embarrassment,
particularly to women and children, and criticism of the agency and its procedures. Also
eliminated is the possibility of passing weapons to prisoners and escape efforts.

Public counters or business windows should be within reasonable distance of the building
entrance to avoid public confusion and to limit the public's need to move about the police
buildings. The public information and complaint desk should be adjacent to the communications
or dispatch area. This is particularly important in the smaller departments. Equally important is
provision of a single complaint counter or center; this avoids

General Design Considerations

Building design should make possible the use of only one floor, or a section of one floor, during
those hours when the administrative offices are closed. This concept has full applicability to
both small and large agencies. Such design tends to keep operating costs low and improve
general security. Whenever possible, walls for offices, rooms, and assembly areas should be of
modular construction which permits expansion and flexibility of operation. Metal and glass
partitions, and even file cabinet dividers should be used for functional allocation of space
whenever privacy is not a major consideration; open space should predominate. Lighting,
decor, and acoustical treatment should be planned carefully to increase comfort and efficiency
of personnel.

Communications, Records, and Evidence

The communications operation, including radio consoles, monitoring units, teletype machines,
alarm systems, and telephones, should be housed in an air-conditioned, acoustically treated
room. Teletype machines may require separate and acoustically treated cubicles to minimize the
effect of their noise. The room should be designed to assure privacy and security ; only police
personnel on duty in communications and records and certain other authorized personnel
should have access to it. In addition, the communications center should be on a raised, paneled
floor to allow for adequate conduits and wiring and to provide flexibility when rearrangement is
necessary.

Detention and Related Facilities All prisoner facilities should be located near the services
element to enable personnel to perform booking and turnkey duties whenever possible, thus
minimizing the need for joilkeeping staff. Provisions should be established whereby prisoners
may be held in separate security areas prior to being booked . This will prevent prisoners not
yet booked from disposing of possible evidence in their possession or from passing dangerous
weapons through cells to prisoners already in custody.

The outside entrance to the jail and detention facilities should open to a drive-in garage . Police
vehicles should be able to drive into the interior of the police building, with the outer garage
door opened and closed remotely from within the area, and still remain outside the main
detention and booking area. A second door which separates the unloading area from passage
to the jail, also electrically controlled from within, should be provided.

Means of providing security for the transportation of prisoners or material witnesses to court
from the detention areas should be planned carefully, and conflicts with routes of nonpolice
traffic within the building avoided. Visitors' and attorneys' rooms must maintain all but audible
and visual separation between prisoner and visitor.

Facilities

1. Windows
Windows adjacent to jail quarters should have steel bars or steel detention sash with
screening devices end be inaccessible to prisoners. All parts of detention quarters should
be separated from exterior walls by a mesh partition, parallel to outside walls and 3 ft
inside them, to prevent passing of contraband, exhibitionism, and to give passage for
supervising personnel.
2. Storage
A safe storage place should be provided for cash end valuable articles.
3. Firearms
Firearms, weapons, and medicines should be stored in strong, securely locked cabinets
inaccessible to prisoners; i.e. they should be kept in locations removed from jail quarters
and corridors.
4. Firefighting Apparatus
All fire hazards should be guarded against. Avoid exposed electrical installations, wood
partitions, straw ticks, paper, raga, and other combustible materials. Fire hose in locked
cabinets should be easily accessible for inspection, for jail personnel to have for drilling,
and for use in event of fire or emergency.
5. Telephone, Radio
The telephone and radio service should include equipment for fire calls and auxiliary fire
alarm as well as provision for right-of-way calls, conference calls, watch calls from
stations of duty, and supervisory calls.
6. Detective Division
The location of a detective division will depend upon the workload involved end the
number of detectives employed. There should be a main detective office large enough
to permit all detectives to get together for briefing and instructions . In addition, there
should be small rooms located adjacent to the main detective office, which can be used
for interrogation purposes. These need not be elaborate and require only a desk and
two or three chairs.
7. Show-up Room
In case a show-up room is desired, it should be located in such e manner as to permit
the shuttling back and forth of prisoners from the confinement quarters to the show-up
room without coming into contact with the public.
8. Visitors' Room
A visiting room should be provided so as to promote informal interviews under adequate
supervision. This visitors' room can serve for visitors for the prisoners or as a conference
room between an attorney and a prisoner. It should be so located that the prisoners'
entrance is on the jail side and the visitors' and attorneys' entrance is from the public
side. A separation between prisoner's end visitors inside the room should be provided at
least a fine meshed double screening or heavy plate glass windows. Another type of
separation is the use of a table at least 3 ft wide with a partition extending to the floor
and the partition above the table running to the ceiling so that it is impossible to pass
even the smallest item of contraband.
9. Interview Room
 A separate interviewing room should be provided for the use of attorneys, probation
officers, and social welfare workers.
10. Examining Room
This some room, if properly located, can also serve as an examination room for the
medical officer. For medical facilities, a locked steel cabinet for the medical equipment
can be placed on the wall in one of the examination rooms.
11. Kitchen
When the jail averages more than 15 prisoners a day, a properly equipped kitchen has
been found advisable. There should be a refrigerator room and locked storage closet.
The kitchen should be equipped with a stove for top and oven cooking. If it is a two-
story building, one kitchen only on the first floor is recommended and dumbwaiters may
be used, with a pantry on the second floor. In cases where the food is brought from the
outside and not cooked on the premises, the kitchen or pantry should at least have
modern sterilizing dishwashing equipment.
12. Laundry
A laundry should be included in the jail, with modern-type equipment and a sterilizer for
clothing and bedding.
13. Janitor's Slop Sink
A janitor's slop sink should be placed in an open space large enough so that mops and
cleaning gear can be hung on racks exposed to sun and air. This janitor's room should
be well ventilated and inaccessible to prisoners.
14. Segregation
Male and female prisoners must be kept entirely separate. Other segregations are
necessary, such as separations of juveniles, sentenced from unsentenced prisoners,
those with crime records and disciplinary cases separated from drunkards, vagrants,
traffic violators, and witnesses. Prisoners of unsound mind, contagious disease carriers,
and known sex perverts must be isolated. Plans should provide close and readily
maintained supervision of the jail sections housing drunks, the insane, or the mentally
disturbed.
15. Cells
The cells should be arranged so that maximum security is provided for prisoners serving
time, and these cells must be separated from those housing material witnesses. The
 maximum number of individual cells makes possible segregation of prisoners. Individual
cells are advised for small jails where accommodations are limited. Cells for women
prisoners, where women prisoners are rarely housed, can be used for juveniles. One cell
should be capable of heavy padding for violent prisoners and should be unfurnished.
16. Cell Furniture
Cells should be equipped with toilet, washbowl, a locker or cabinet (preferably an under-
bed type), a table, and a chair or stool. The cell beds should be metal, equipped with a
clean mattress, clean sheets, mattress cover, blankets, pillow, and pillowcase. The bed
should have a rigid bedspring frame bracketed to the wall. The washbowl and toilet
should be prison type.
17. Dormitories
Dormitories should have at least 75 sq ft of floor space per prisoner, have 10 ft ceiling
height, and there should be at least one toilet and one washbowl for each eight
inmates or fraction thereof.
18. Tanks
Tanks can be equipped with a fastened bench and open toilet and urinal for prisoners.
Tanks should be limited to accommodate not more than 15 men each.
19. Floor Drains
All the various portions of the building should contain floor drains to make it possible to
flush out the floors to avoid odors.
20. Lighting
It is desirable, where possible, that the prisoners' living quarters be accessible to the
entrance of sunlight, and the walls should be painted in light colors. Where light is
dependent upon electrical fixtures, the fixtures should be the built-in, tamperproof type
with tempered plate glass front for protection of the lamp.
21. Plumbing
Adequate water and sewage systems should be provided. Provision for prisoners to
obtain drinking water should be provided by the installation of recessed sanitary drinking
fountains installed throughout the jail. Bathing facilities (showers) should be available
for daily use. In the larger police stations, some tub baths for women are
recommended. Thermostatically controlled, concealed mixing valves should be provided
for all showers and hot water supply to lavatories. For flushing devices, the control
 should be vandal-proof, pushbutton-operated, and flushing type valve adjustable for
flushing time.

22. Receiving Garage

A receiving garage should be built immediately adjacent to the building or made a part
of it, so that cars could drive in off the street or alley directly into the garage. This
garage should not be used for parking purposes but merely for the discharge of
prisoners when they are brought to the police station. The jail elevator should be in such
a position as to be easily available directly from this garage.
AUDITORIUM

An auditorium is a room built where people come to hear and watch performances i.e. a
theatre, lecture hall, conference centre, or religious building. Design plays a crucial role in the
overall effectiveness of auditorium venues. The space should be designed to allow the audience
to have the best viewing experience possible and to maximise the capacity of the venue. With
this in mind, here are the key things to
consider when designing an auditorium.

Lobby

While the lobby is not usually an active

part of a performance, it is the first
entry point into the auditorium and
should be looked at just as carefully as
any other theatrical space.
Design and Safety Considerations:

 Traffic flow is critical in the lobby, as it needs to accommodate a large crowd going in
and out of the house. Consider how many people your auditorium will seat. Most of
them will be moving through the lobby at one point, many at the same time.
 Designated spots for gathering can also be helpful in the lobby, allowing actors or other
performance members to come out and greet the audience without blocking exits or
access to other spaces.
 Adequate signage and wayfinding to help people find their seats, exits, and restrooms
will make for safer and more efficient movement of the crowd.
 Your may also see a coat room or a ticket booth connected to the lobby. A ticket booth
often serves as a gateway to enter the lobby. Some schools are eliminating physical
ticket booths with the increasing use of pre-sold and digital tickets.

House

The house is the auditorium’s

main seating area. There are
many components to the house
that make for an enjoyable,
accessible, and safe viewing
experience for performances
and events of all types.

Design and Safety

Considerations:

 Adequate space should be planned for the maximum audience size you need your
auditorium to accommodate. We typically design for approximately 18 sq. ft. of space
per person. This square footage accounts for aisle ways, sound and light control areas,
and entryways.
 Viewing angles are of utmost importance for the audience. Most houses are designed
with a slope to ensure every seat has visibility to the stage. However, the degree of
slope must meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Some older
auditorium houses have a steeper slope than is permitted by today’s standards.
  In addition to proper slope grade, other features for safe egress and accessibility include
clear access to emergency exits, handrails, wheelchair accessible ramps where needed,
and proper aisle lighting. It’s also important to consider maintenance of items like seats
that automatically raise up to ensure clear paths for people to move.
 Hearing what’s happening on stage is just as important as seeing it! Acoustics are an
integral part of house design—to amplify what you want to hear, and quiet what you
don’t. We always utilize an acoustician to optimize sound travel throughout this space.
Placement of things like acoustical panels so that audience members don’t hit or
damage them is also important.

Stage

The stage is where the action

happens. There are many
components that work
together on the stage—many
not visible from the house—
to create a great production
for the audience and a safe
performance for participants.

Design and Safety

Considerations:

 Stages can vary in size, depending on their anticipated uses. When determining stage
size, consider the largest production you intend to have. A typical stage is 30-35 ft. deep
with an opening (called the proscenium) of approximately 40-45 ft. wide and 30 ft. tall.
Stages should be handicap accessible, and the edges of the stage should be lit to
prevent falls when the house lights are lowered.
 There are additional components to a stage. Some stages have what is called a “thrust”
that protrudes beyond the proscenium out into the audience. There are also side stages,
or wings. These should be about half the size of the proscenium width to allow actors
and scenery to safely move on and off the stage. The vertical space above the stage is
called the “fly.” This is where the curtains are pulled straight up, making this space
 about as tall as the proscenium. This is why, from the exterior, you will often see a
section of an auditorium that is taller than the rest.
 Some stages have an orchestra pit in front. Pits are set lower than the stage so as not
to obstruct the view. Some pits have lifts to raise and lower them, allowing them to be
used as part of the stage if desired. Pit lifts require special safety and maintenance
considerations. Pit fillers can be used if a pit lift is not in the budget. Fillers are large
sections of stage floor that are manually moved on and off the pit to create more
performance space. Adequate structural support below the fillers is critical for safety.
 Curtains and rigging are very technical aspects of a performance and require close
attention and maintenance. We always work with a theater and rigging specialist to
design these components according to a school’s performance needs.
CIVIC/ CULTURAL CENTER

A civic center is a network of spaces or buildings that provide essential services to a city or
town. It can include everything from government offices and public meeting spaces to free
classes and memorials honoring important members of the community. Civic centers are
tailored to support the often very specific needs of communities. As a result, civic center
architecture design varies dramatically across the country in size, scope, and overall
appearance.

A cultural center or cultural centre is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture
and arts. Cultural centers can be neighborhood community arts organizations, private facilities,
government-sponsored, or activist-run.

Cultural centers enrich our society by promoting the arts, history, religion, and heritage of
diverse cultures. Communities, municipalities and universities invest in this enrichment by
building performing arts centers, museums, worship centers, heritage centers and libraries. Our
goal with any cultural center is to work with the client to find aesthetic, functional solutions that
lead to an unforgettable experience for visitors of the center.
SAMPLE FLOOR PLANS

10 Things To Remember While Designing Cultural Centers

1. Resonating with the people | Cultural Centers

The project’s current cultural context is a more direct parameter needed to design it. The
impression of the structure should attract a young demographic that will use the center to its
fullest. The keen insight into the current trends is pivotal in defining spaces and influencing
people in the right way.

2. Historical references

A cultural center plays a vital role in retaining values and beliefs for the community. The
integration of architectural features, forms, materials, and artwork help imbibe the past as an
active part of the future. Moreover, a fundamental feeling of oneness is established, creating a
brotherhood that caters to the community.

3. Multidisciplinary Spaces

Recognizing spaces and their utility before construction is important. Though a community’s likes and
dislikes can be studied, designing an individual space for every whim and fancy of the people is not
always possible.

Multidisciplinary spaces are conceptually open-ended as they look to cater to multiple functions. Whether
the space is a closed room or an open plaza, they have a massive footprint with minimal obstructions.

4. Finding the function | Cultural Centers

Identifying the cultural center’s use is the first step in defining it. The function is more often
than not derived from the passions or needs of the community.

The Sanyang Brewery in South Korea was abandoned over 30 years ago. Designed in the
traditional Japanese colonial architectural style, the structure itself had sentimental value to the
locals.

Though the functional aspect of the structure no longer existed, Studio Heech took the initiative
of reinventing the use of the building.

Retaining the structure was of paramount importance. The structural intervention of the
building was at a bare minimum to avoid any loss of character.

5. Integrating Nature

Nature is a timeless part of any culture and demands the respect and attention of architects
that choose to build on it. Aside from determining the energy efficiency of a building, the
integration of nature into a structure connects people to the land.

6. Contributing to the Future

Sculpting the community for the years to come is another intricate part of any cultural center. A
vision for the society in the coming years is just as important as retaining the values of old.

7. Material and Form

The built form surrounding people for every second of every day influences them and, in turn,
the community. As a direct result of this influence, culture is established. Hence, retaining the
structural context is vital to the success of any cultural center looking to harness the
community’s spirit.

8. A Reason

Designing a public cultural center usually has deep-seated reasoning behind it. Cultural centers
and their concepts are always at the forefront of designs. However, the funding and reasoning
behind the timely construction always revolve around a particular motive.

9. Religion | Cultural Centers

Nothing brings a community together like religion. Identifying the people and their faiths while
devising a project is another way of translating culture into design.

10. Intuitive Design

An engaging facade and an abundance of versatile spaces are pivotal in the assimilation of a
cultural center.

REFERENCES
https://www.binalonan.gov.ph/project/the-legislative-building/

https://www.wbdg.org/building-types/community-services/fire-station

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_center

https://www.archdaily.com/901626/cultural-centers-50-examples-in-plan-and-section/
5b8ec109f197cc711d00023b-cultural-centers-50-examples-in-plan-and-section-?next_project=no

https://structurestx.com/about-us/cultural-centers/

https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a1644-10-things-to-remember-while-
designing-cultural-centers/