Four Story Commercial Building

I. Statement of the Problem:

Two former Overseas Filipino Workers who used to work in Dubai as nurses recently
arrived in Philippines and turn out to be entrepreneurs. They have joined their hard-earned
monies from working abroad and decided to acquire a lot to have their first real estate
venture. Hence that they don't like the idea of renting an office for long term, their first
project will be a commercial space to be rented out and will also house their office. They have
the idea and strongly suggest you the selected Architect, to design and also at the same time
be the project manager of the construction of Four (4) Story Commercial Building.
Design Requirements:
1. Ground Floor
a. 140 sq.m of floor area, composed of covered maximum, rentable space and
stairs. The walkway with an exact width of 1.50m will be fronting the rentable
space and ending at the stair.
b. Stair exactly measuring 2.70m width x 3.45m length should be land out
vertically at the left front corner of this total space. It is required that a yard of
2.0m x2.0m will be provided at both rear corners that will serve as sources for
ventilations.
c. Must have a front yard measuring exactly 14.80m width x 10.50m length is
where long term and short-term parking spaces will be provided.
2. Second floor
a. Must have a bigger total floor area than ground floor and is exactly
191.80sq.m.
b. This floor will contain the front commercial balcony with a width of 1.50mx
11.65m length that ends at the stairs and hallway, rentable spaces, female toilets,
male toilets and the generator room. Stairs and hallway with its width of 3.15m is
fronting the street is of an area of 20.32sq.m. c. This floor will be on top of the GF
and extending towards the street by 3.5m
3. Typical 3rd and 4th floor
a. Will have a typical floor area of 221.40sq.m. Must have open spaces at the
rear corners.
b. The 3rd floor will be available for rental while 4th floor will be for developer's
firm.
c. Stair and the hallway will be on top of the 2nd floor stair and hallway extending
further towards the street by 2.0m, creating an area of 26.62 sq.m.
d. Must have balcony of 2.0m width will be aligned to the over most face of the
stair extending up to the firewall.
4. The Roof deck
It will contain the stairwell with storage will have 26.62 sq.m. Roof deck will have
2 sides firewalls. The minimum front and rear setback will be applied.
II. Project Site Features:
The project site is a parcel of land is rectangular and inside lot located Cebu City. It is
measured 14.80mx 20.50m depth. The lot bounded on east along 1-2 by lot 27, DN north
along 2-3 by lot 23, on west along 3-4 by lot 25, on south (shorter side) along 4-1 by RROW
and sidewalk. The highest grade is 200mm from sidewalk and the ROW is 12.0m.
Situation – The following questions pertain to ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN of Project No.5, 4-Storey
Commercial Building.
36. What is the approximate percentage of the public spaces of the total gross floor area?
A. 35%
B. 40%
C. 25%
D. 30%

TGFA of ground floor = 140 sqm

TGFA of second floor = 191.80 sqm
TGFA of 3rd and 4th floor = 442.8 sqm
TGFA of roof deck = 199.8 sqm
TGFA = 974.4 sqm

Area of public spaces = Stairs, Walkway, and roof deck.

Area of public spaces = 364.8925 sqm

% of Public spaces = 364.8925/974.4 sqm * 100

% of Public spaces = 37.45%

37.To comply with PWD requirements, what is the clear distance between front/rear ends of parked cars
in meters?
A. 1.5
B. 0.8
C. 1.2
D. 0.9

A walkway from accessible spaces of 1.20 m. clear width shall be provided between the front ends of
parked cars;
38.What is the approximate percentage of the rentable spaces of the total gross floor area?
A. 80
B. 70
C. 50
D. 60

TGFA of ground floor = 140 sqm

TGFA of second floor = 191.80 sqm
TGFA of 3rd and 4th floor = 442.8 sqm
TGFA of roof deck = 199.8 sqm
TGFA = 974.4 sqm

Rentable space of ground floor = 112.535 sqm

Rentable space of second floor = 154.0075 sqm
Rentable space of 3rd & 4th floor = 342.965 sqm
Total rentable space area = 609.5075 sqm

% of rentable space = 609.5075 sqm/974.4 sqm * 100

% of rentable space = 62.55%

39.To comply with PWD requirements, what is the minimum width of accessible parking slot?
A. 3.0
B. 2.5
C. 3.7
D. 3.5

2.50 m x 5.00 m perpendicular parking slot + 1.20 m minimum walkway for PWDs = 3.70 m

40.Parking spaces for the disabled should be properly marked and should NOT be located at ___.
A. wide area
B. flat area
 C. sloping area
D. near ramp

Parking spaces for the disabled should never be located at ramped or sloping areas,

Situation – The following questions pertain to ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS of Project No.5, 4-Storey
Commercial Building.
81.What is a not a good general lighting color for office spaces?
A. Yellow
B. Warm White
C. Cool White
D. Daylight
82.What is a not a good task lighting color for reading and writing purposes?
A. Cool White
B. Yellow
C. Warm White
D. Daylight
83.What is the most economical and durable material for the office flooring?
A. Linoleum
B. Vinyl Tiles
C. Ceramic Tile
D. Granite
84.How many liter of paint are equivalent to a pail?
A. 10
B. 6
C. 16
D. 8

4 liters = 1 gallon of paint

4 gallon = 1 pail of paint

85.How many pails of 3 coats of paint are needed for a 100 square meters of ceilings if the coverage rate
is 20sqm per gallon?
A. 4
B. 6
C. 6
D. 8

# of gallon of paint = Painting area / Coverage

# of gallon of paint = (100 sqm * 3 coats) / 20 sqm
# of gallon of paint = 300 sqm / 20 sqm
# of gallon of paint = 15 gallons

# of pails of paint = 15 gallons / 4 gallons

# of pails of paint = 3.75 pails
# of pails of paint = 4 pails

Previously Repeated Questions Related to the Project

1.What is the MAXIMUM allowable total gross floor area in square meters applied for this project site?
a. 2, 248
b. 2, 548
c. 2, 730
d. 3, 003

In table VII.I of the NBCP under C-2 regulation, MaxTGFA = 12 x 85% of TLA
MaxTGFA = 12 x 85% of TLA
MaxTGFA = 12 x 257.89 sqm
MaxTGFA = 3 094.68 sqm

However, 3 094.68 sqm is not in the choices.

Using C-2 without firewall, MaxTGFA = 12 x 75% of TLA

MaxTGFA = 12 x 75% of TLA
MaxTGFA = 12 x 227.55 sqm
MaxTGFA = 2 730.6 sqm

2.What is the approximate total lot area in square meters?

a. 303.4
b. 310.4
c. 320
d. 280

The project site is a parcel of land is rectangular and inside lot located Cebu City. It is measured 14.80mx
20.50m depth.

3.Compute for minimum length of firewall allowable if the project is provided with fully operational
sprinkler system.
a. 48.42
b. 49.42
c. 50.42
d. 52.42

The provision of a fully functional sprinkler system and the installation of other fire-retardant or fire
suppression devices in the case of commercial, institutional and industrial buildings/structures may allow
firewall construction for up to 70% of the total perimeter of the property lines provided that the prescribed
setbacks, yards and courts fronting the Road Right-Of-Way (RROW) are first fully complied with; and
provided further that all the applicable stipulations of the Fire Code, particularly on the number, type and
locations of fire exits are strictly followed.

Perimeter of the property line = (14.80 m x 2) + (20.50 m x 2)

Perimeter of the property line = 70. 60 m

Max Length of firewall = 70.60 m x 70%

Max Length of firewall = 49.42 m

4.Compute for the actual length of firewall of this project.

a. 41.4
b. 42.4
c. 47.8
d. 49.8

Use 3rd or 4th floor plan for maximum length of actual firewall of the project.
Firewall length = side firewall + side firewall + rear firewall
Firewall length = (13.50 m + 0.60 m + 0.60 m) + (13.50 m + 0.60 m + 0.60 m) + ( 10.80 m + 0.60 m + 0.60
m)
Firewall length = 14.7 m + 14.7 m + 12 m
Firewall length = 41.40 m

Compiled questions related to the project

138. How much is the Allowable Maximum Building Footprint (AMBF) of the project?
a. 133.20 sqm
b. 125.12 sqm
 c. 244.35 sqm
d. 199.80 sqm

AMBF = TLA – Setback

AMBF = 303.40 sqm – ((2*14.80 rear) + (5*14.80 front))
AMBF = 303.40 sqm – (29.6 sqm + 74 sqm)
AMBF = 199.80 sqm

139.How much is the Percentage Site Occupancy (PSO) of the project?

a. 65.85 %
b. 85.00 %
c. 77.00 %
d. 68.00 %

PSO = AMBF/TLA * 100

PSO = 199.80 sqm / 303.40 sqm * 100
PSO = 65.85%

140.How much is Impervious Surface Area (ISA) project?

a. 23.62 sqm
b. 35.19 sqm
c. 57.10 sqm
d. 29.60 sqm

From the PSO table under C-2 regulations with firewall, ISA = 10% of TLA.
ISA = 303.40 sqm * 10%
ISA = 30.34 sqm

However, 30.34 sqm is not in the choices.. Therefore we need another solution for the ISA of the project.

Using Figure VIII.1. of rule 8 of NBCP, ISA = side & rear setback.
ISA = Rear setback
ISA = 2 m * 14.80 m
ISA = 29.60 sqm

141.How much is the Unpaved Surface Area (USA) of the project?

a. 74.00 sqm
b. 89.12 sqm
c. 75.10 sqm
d. 88.00 sqm

USA = TLA – ISA – AMBF

USA = 303.4 sqm – 29.6 sqm – 199.8 sqm
USA = 74 sqm
142.What is the Total Open Space with a Lot (TOSL) of the project?
a. 103.60 sqm
b. 209.77 sqm
c. 135.10 sqm
d. 148.00 sqm

TOSL = ISA + USA

TOSL = 29.6 sqm + 74 sqm
TOSL = 103.6 sqm

143.What is the Maximum Allowable Construction Area (MACA) of the project?

a. 342.50 sqm
b. 229.40 sqm
c. 275.10 sqm
d. 368.00 sqm

MACA = AMBF + ISA

MACA = 199.8 sqm + 29.6 sqm
MACA = 229.4 sqm

144.What is the Building Height Limit (BHL) of the project?

a. 5
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
145.How much is the Floor Area Ratio (FLAR) of the project?
a. 3.6
b. 7.4
c. 5.3
d. 4.1
146.How much is the Gross Floor Area (GFA) of the Project?
a. 1382.50 sqm
b. 1092.24 sqm
c. 2395.10 sqm
d. 1188.00 sqm

GFA = FLAR * Lot area

GFA = 3.6 * 303.40 sqm
GFA = 1 092.24 sqm
147.How much is the Total Gross Floor Area (TGFA) of the project?
a. 1452.68 sqm
b. 2298.54 sqm
c. 1131.10 sqm
d.1123.18 sqm
TGFA = GFA * Multiplier in table VII.G.2.
TGFA = 1092.24 sqm * 1.33
TGFA = 1452.68 sqm

148.For R-2 and Basic R-3 uses or occupancies (for single family dwelling units only), only up to how many
percent of the front yard abutting the RROW may be paved or hardscaped, i.e., converted into a courtyard
for carport use is allowed? Such use shall not be permitted in all other uses or occupancies.
a. 60%
b. 50%
c. 90%
d. 40%

For Basic R-2 and Basic R-3 uses or occupancies (for single family dwelling units only), up to 50% of the
front yard abutting the RROW may be paved/hardscaped, i.e., converted into a courtyard for carport use.
Such use shall not be permitted in all other uses or occupancies.

149.For a 2-storey house with a maximum height of 3 meters for the first floor, what is the maximum total
height in meters of its wooden posts or suportales?
a. 4.00 m
b. 9.00 m
c. 6.00 m
d. 3.00 m

150.For this project, the wind load for its roof shall be at least ____ per square meter for vertical
projection.
a. 121 kg
b. 123 kg
c. 130 kg
d. 120 kg
The wind load for roofs shall be at least 120 kilograms per sq. meter for vertical projection.

151.Generally on this project, it is the required open space left between the outermost face of the
building/structure and the property lines.
a. Yard
b. Setback
c. Abutment
d. Court

YARD - The vacant space left between the outermost face of the building/structure and the property lines,
e.g., front, rear, right and left side yards. As a yard performs a vital environmental function because of its
exposed soil and/or plant cover (surface water percolation, light/heat absorption, etc.), it shall preferably
not be paved/hardscaped. A yard may be considered part of the Total Open Space within Lot (TOSL),
provided that it abuts a permanent public open space without any separation between them which
obstructs the free flow of light and ventilation.

152.If the client wishes to have a customized design of a twin bed, what is the best dimension for it?
a. 90 cm x 200 cm
b. 135 x 230 cm
c. 96 x 210 cm
d. 125 x 230 cm
153.What should be the desired height of the lavatory?
a. 90-95 cm
b. 75-85 cm
c. 65-75 cm
d. 80-85 cm

154.If the client asks you to buy a 90 x 230 cm bed, what kind of bed is it?
a. Single bed
b. Roll away bed
c. Twin bed
d. Double bed
155.Generally, national electrical code provides that: “100 watts shall be the maximum load for each
house hold lighting outlet”.
a. False, it should be 800 watts
b. True, it should be 100 watts per outlet
c. It depends on the project
d. False, the architect must specify the lights and the engineer must compute it accordingly.
156. For this project, a small appliance load under section 3.3.1.2 of the Philippine electrical code specify
180 watts load limit per convenience outlet.
a. True
b. False
c. It is possible
d. No, it must be computed accordingly