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Republic of the Philippines

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
Professional Regulatory BOARD of ARCHITECTURE (PRBoA)
Architecture Licensure Examinations (ALE)

SUBJECT : ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND SITE PLANNING

DATE : January 20, 2008 (Sunday, 8:00 a.m. through
6:00 p.m.)

___________________________________________________________________
WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/
amount/ figure described, the stated / spelled word shall prevail. Should there
be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.

I. PROJECT TITLE (and General Description):

Proposed Exclusive/ Upscale Family Compound

Project [consisting of 135.0 Sq.M. and 150.0
Sq.M. Two and One-Half (2.5)-Storey to Three
(3.0)-Storey Single-Detached Residential
Prototypes cum Site Planning Project on a site
having a four (4.0%) slope]

II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A development company has decided that its four

thousand two hundred thirty seven point five square
meter (4,237.5 Sq.M.) property located somewhere in
the better parts of Quezon City shall be developed to
host an exclusive/ upscale family compound project
(the “Project”).

The development concept involves the construction

of several residential structures that shall house
related families i.e. families of siblings and the
like, hence the use of the term “family compound”.
The development is intended to be secure,
child/elderly/disabled-friendly and shall be
generally pedestrian-oriented.

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WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/
amount/ figure described, the stated / spelled word shall prevail. Should there
be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.
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The proposed residential buildings shall both be two

(2.0)–storey exclusive/ upscale developments, with a maximum
total Gross Floor Area (TGFA) of approximately one hundred and
thirty five (135.0) Sq.M. (the Model 1 TGFA) or of
approximately one hundred fifty square meters (150.0) Sq.M.
(the Model 2 TGFA). The TGFAs only refer to enclosed or indoor
floor areas above grade (or natural ground) level and excludes
all other floor areas, if these are to be introduced.

The 135.0 Sq.M. residence may be sited on a lot with a

minimum Total Lot Area (TLA) of approx. one hundred and
seventy (170.0) Sq.M. (Model 1 TLA) while the 150.0 Sq.M.
residence may be sited on a lot with a maximum TLA of approx.
two hundred and fifty (250.0) Sq.M. (Model 2 TLA).

The open space and minimum parking requirements for the

Project under the 2004 Revised Implementing Rules and
Regulations (R-IRR) of the 1977 National Building Code of the
Philippines (NBCP, otherwise known as P.D. No. 1096), should
be exceeded if possible.

III. DESIGN OBJECTIVES:

a. To plan and design two (2.0) prototype exclusive/

upscale, low-rise single-detached residential (R-1)
buildings; and
b. To plan and design a closely-knit residential
community that may serve as a model and landmark in
the Project area.

IV. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:

a. function and efficiency;

b. vertical and horizontal circulation patterns;
c. architectural character and form;
d. aesthetics and landmark quality;
e. solar, wind, noise, odor and view orientations;
f. amenities, facilities, services and utilities (AFSU)
introduced;
g. security and safety features;
h. compliance with prevailing laws on the planning and
design of residences i.e. including the 2004 R-IRR of
the 1977 NBCP (P.D. No. 1096), the Fire Code (P.D. No.
1185) and the Accessibility Law (B.P. 344);
i. natural and artificial ventilation where applicable;
j. a pedestrian-oriented site development plan;
k. resident and visitor open parking spaces shall be
directly accessible from the RROWs;
l. internal service road for the Project shall be a no-
parking zone;
m. driveways (for individual carport access by residents)
shall be no-parking zones;
n. property lines shall be defined by soft-scaping e.g.
greenery rather than by fences or perimeter walls;
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WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/
amount/ figure described, the stated / spelled word shall prevail. Should there
be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.
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o. the residences shall be along tropicalized American

country home architectural lines, drawing largely from
American country exterior and interior architectural
elements, combined with modern styling, Filipino
spatial solutions and tropical architectural features
that go with the humid Philippine climate.

V. PROJECT SITE FEATURES:

The 4,237.50 Sq.M. Grand Total Lot Area (GTLA) making up

the Project site (reference Lot Plan in Figure 1) is a
rectangular corner lot. It is located along the main fifteen
meter (15.0 m) wide street i.e. the road right-of-way (RROW)
of a newly opened residential community project. The minor
street is only twelve (12.0) m wide.

The Project site has an eighty five (85.0) m wide

frontage that faces the south and a depth of fifty (50.0) m.
The configuration of the property and the prescribed use may
still necessitate the introduction of an internal service road
cum turn-back space within the Project site.

The lot slopes at four percent (4.0%) evenly towards the

tree-lined main street [with two point four (2.4) m wide
paver-lined sidewalks on either side]. The surface of the
sidewalk adjoining the lot shall be considered as elevation
0.0 m.

To the left and the right of the Project site are other
upscale residences. Directly across the street is a pre-
existing private international graduate (masters) school
building whose expatriate working student population bring
with them a large number of cars in the late afternoons and at
night. These young to middle-aged students and their cars are
a constant source of noise and congestion the entire school
year. To the rear of the Project site are other two (2.0)-
storey single-detached residences.

VI. APPLICABLE DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS:

The following development controls apply to the Project

site:
a. zoning classification is R-1 (single-detached
residential land use only; absolutely no firewalls
allowed);
b. based on developer-imposed restrictions and partly
based on the 1977 NBCP and its 2004 R-IRR, the Project
site has the following development limitations:
1. a desired Building Footprint of approximately forty
percent (40.0%) of the TLA in the case of the 135.0
Sq.M. residence (Model 1) and of approximately
twenty five percent (25.0%) of the TLA in the case
of the 150.0 Sq.M. (Model 2); the desired setbacks

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WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/
amount/ figure described, the stated / spelled word shall prevail. Should there
be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.
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at ground floor shall comply with the 2004 R-IRR of

the 1977 NBCP;
2. a Building Height Limit (BHL) of ten (10.0) m,
measured from the appropriate reckoning points at
the service road (inside the Project site) or at the
nearest RROW.

VII. IDENTIFIED DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL:

Based on the developer’s self-imposed restrictions and

partly on the BHL of 10.0 m, the Project site has the
following development potential: approximately six (6.0) units
of the 135.0 Sq.M. (Model 1) residences with approximately
eight (8.0) units of the 150.0 Sq.M. (Model 2) residences.

Please note that compliance with the desired maximum

TGFAs of 135.0 Sq.M. and 150.0 Sq.M. and the BHL of 10.0 M are
major requirements to be satisfied by the Examinee.

VIII. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS:

The stated Project requirements are as follows. Should

the requirements exceed the development controls and
potentials under items VI and VII above, the necessary
adjustments have to be made to fully comply with the stated
development controls.

a. The approximately 135.0 Sq.M. (Model 1) residence must

have the following minimum spaces:

Total Enclosed Gross Floor Area (GFA) at +/- 135.0

Sq.M. broken down as follows:

1. Ground Floor indoor components (at +/- 68.0 Sq.M.)

i. Kitchen/ Living/ Dining Areas at +/- 40.0 Sq.M.;
ii. Maid’s Room at +/- 6.0 Sq.M.;
iii. Toilet and Bath (T&B) 1 at +/- 4.0 Sq.M.;
iv. Bedroom 1 at +/- 11.5 Sq.M.;
v. Storage at +/- 3.0 Sq.M.; and
vi. Stairs at +/- 3.5 Sq.M.
2. Second Floor indoor components (at +/- 38.0 Sq.M.)
i. T&B 2 at +/- 4.0 Sq.M.;
ii. T&B (Master Bedroom) at +/- 4.0 Sq.M.;
iii. Common Area at +/- 3.0 Sq.M.;
iv. Master Bedroom 1 at +/- 18.0 Sq.M.; and
v. Bedroom 2 at +/- 9.0 Sq.M.
3. Attic Level indoor components
i. T&B 3 at +/- 4.0 Sq.M. (at +/- 29.0 Sq.M.)
ii. Common Area at +/- 7.0 Sq.M.;
iii. Bedroom 3 at +/- 9.0 Sq.M; and
iv. Bedroom 4 at +/- 9.0 Sq.M.

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WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/
amount/ figure described, the stated / spelled word shall prevail. Should there
be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.
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Total Semi-Enclosed Floor Areas at +/- 95.0 Sq.M.

broken down as follows:

1. Ground Floor outdoor components (at +/- 102.0 Sq.M.)

i. Laundry/ Service Area at +/- 33.0 Sq.M.;
ii. Carport at +/- 17.0 Sq.M.;
iii. Green Area at +/- 37.0 Sq.M.; and
iv. Driveway at +/- 15.0 Sq.M.
2. Second Floor outdoor components
i. Balcony/ Deck at +/- 15.0 Sq.M.

b. The approximately 150.0 Sq.M. (Model 2) residence must

have the following minimum spaces:

Total Enclosed Gross Floor Area (GFA) at +/- 150.0

Sq.M. broken down as follows:

1. Ground Floor indoor components (at +/- 62.0 Sq.M.)

i. Kitchen/ Living/ Dining Areas at +/- 40.0 Sq.M.;
ii. Maid’s Room at +/- 7.0 Sq.M.;
iii. Toilet and Bath (T&B) 1 at +/- 3.5 Sq.M.;
iv. Bedroom 1 at +/- 9.0 Sq.M.; and
v. Stairs at +/- 2.5 Sq.M.
2. Second Floor indoor components (at +/- 50.0 Sq.M.)
i. T&B 2 at +/- 5.0 Sq.M.;
ii. T&B (Master Bedroom) at +/- 4.0 Sq.M.;
iii. Walk-in Closet at +/- 6.0 Sq.M.;
iv. Hallway at +/- 5.0 Sq.M.;
v. Master Bedroom 1 at +/- 16.0 Sq.M.; and
vi. Bedroom 2 at +/- 14.0 Sq.M.
3. Third Floor indoor components (at +/- 38.0 Sq.M.)
i. T&B 2 at +/- 4.0 Sq.M.;
iv. Hallway & Common Area at +/- 8.0 Sq.M.;
vi. Bedroom 3 at +/- 13.0 Sq.M.
vi. Bedroom 4 at +/- 13.0 Sq.M.

Total Semi-Enclosed Floor Areas at +/- 203.0 Sq.M.

broken down as follows:

1. Ground Floor outdoor components (at +/- 188.0 Sq.M.)

i. Laundry/ Service Area at +/- 40.0 Sq.M.;
ii. Carport at +/- 32.5 Sq.M.;
iii. Green Area at +/- 6.0 Sq.M.;
iv. Patio at +/- 17.0 Sq.M.;
v. Garden/ Front Yard at +/- 88.5 Sq.M.; and
vi. Pathway at +/- 4.0 Sq.M.
2. Second Floor outdoor components
i. Balcony/ Deck at +/- 15.0 Sq.M.

___________________________________________________________________
WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/
amount/ figure described, the stated / spelled word shall prevail. Should there
be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.
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IX. DRAWING REQUIREMENTS:

a. Statement of the Design Philosophy (in one paragraph

of 250.0 words or less) and Statements of the General
and Specific Plan and Design Concepts (at one
paragraph of 250.0 words or less for each); graphics
to help understand the philosophy and concepts are
encouraged; the required text (and/or graphics) are to
be written on one-half (1/2) of the surface area of
the tracing paper to be provided; the other half shall
contain the site development plan;
b. Site Development Plan at minimum scale 1 : 200 Meters
(M) and showing the following key information:
1. outline of the building footprint;
2. accessibility features (provisions for the disabled
to comply with B.P. No. 344);
3. site perimeter security features e.g. pedestrian/
vehicular barriers, guard outpost (as necessary),
etc.;
4. pedestrian access systems;
5. open parking, service road/ driveway;
6. ground-mounted signage locations (if any);
7. call out/indicate areas to be landscaped (hard-scape
and soft-scape);
8. the area of the building footprint and its
percentage with respect to the 4,237.5 Sq.M. TLA;
9. the street (RROW), particularly the sidewalks and
street furniture;
10.the adjoining land uses; and
11.indicate the northing and the directions of the
sun-path, the major winds (habagat and amihan),
sources of noise and odors and available views (if
any).
d. Ground-level (man’s eye view) Exterior Perspective for
both Models 1 and 2 at any convenient scale (2
drawings total);
e. Floor Plans (Ground, Second and Third Floors or Attic
level and Balcony/ Deck Levels, if introduced) for
both Models 1 and 2 at scale 1 : 100 M – 6 drawings
total; highlight all introduced accessibility features
and fire exits;
f. Furniture layouts for all rooms/ areas for both Models
1 and 2 at scale 1 : 100 M (to be combined with floor
plans);
g. Longitudinal and Cross Sections (at long and short
axes for both Models 1 and 2) at scale 1 : 100 M
(referencing the appropriate reckoning points along
RROWs) - 4 drawings total; and
h. Finished floor-level (worm’s eye view) Architectural
Interior Perspective for both Models 1 and 2 at any
convenient scale for both Ground and 2nd floors (4
drawings total).

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WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/
amount/ figure described, the stated / spelled word shall prevail. Should there
be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.
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X. BASES OF GRADING (IN ORDER OF PRIORITY):

a. Functionality (including full satisfaction of the

prescribed building use/s per floor or area, the provision
of vertical and horizontal access systems, proximities,
TGFA compliance and the like), space planning (including
furniture or equipment layouts if/ where required, TGFA and
parking locations and the like) and inter-relationships of
exterior and interior activity areas (including
orientations, relationship/s between the road right-of-way
(RROW), yards and the residences, treatment of transition
spaces such as sidewalks and yards, general environmental
design solutions and the like);
b. Full conformity to examination instructions (where non-
compliance/s by the Examinee can result in point
deduction/s), completeness of the plan and design
solution/s (showing all of the prescribed/ required
architectural and/ or engineering and allied design
elements) and completeness of drawing requirements (with no
extra drawings which shall not be awarded points);
c. General compliance with accepted architectural plan and
design standards (including height clearances, door and
window sizes, parking slot sizes, hallway and ramp widths,
toilet and kitchen layouts and the like), site development
planning standards (including building foot-printing as
prescribed/ roof-printing as applicable, setbacks and
yards, sidewalk and carriageway elements/dimensions,
turning radii, ramp inclines, use and placement of trees
and greenery, use of slopes, street furniture where
applicable, drainage/ waste management features, security/
safety features and the like) and building construction
standards (includes material selection, modular material
sizes and the like);
d. Architectural character (includes matching the required
architectural character with the intended use/ function)
and aesthetics (includes the good use of form/ scale/
proportion/ balance, the general satisfaction of basic
architectural design principles and the like);
e. Structural concept (including bay sizes, framing and
alignment of columns, beams or other structural members,
creative and workable use of non-conventional structural
forms/ solutions and the like); and
f. Compliances with national building laws that are in full
effect, including:
1. the 2004 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (R-
IRR) of the 1977 National Building Code of the
Philippines or NBCP (otherwise known as P.D. No. 1096);
2. the Law to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons
(otherwise known as B.P. No. 344) and its IRR; and
3. The Fire Code (otherwise known as P.D. No. 1185) and its
IRR.

Figure 1. Lot Plan

(refer to page 8)
Scratch Papers on pages 9 through 10 follow
(to be returned together with pages 1 through 8).
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WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/
amount/ figure described, the stated / spelled word shall prevail. Should there
be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.
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___________________________________________________________________
WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/
amount/ figure described, the stated / spelled word shall prevail. Should there
be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.