Silliman University

College of Engineering and Design

Department of Architecture

PLATE NO. 3:

COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL & ENTERTAINMENT

COMPLEX

Submitted by:

Alyanna Marie L. Palencia

Julius Cesar R. Recto

BS Architecture – IV

Instructor:
Architect Alexander D. Udjaji
 Table of Contents

Chapter 1: OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1. Project Background ............................................................................................................................ 3
1.2. Design Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 4
Chapter 2: DESIGN BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................... 5
2.1. Design Philosophies ........................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 3: DESIGN CONCEPTS ..................................................................................................................... 7
3.1. Urban Layout...................................................................................................................................... 7
3.2. Form ................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.3. Landscape .......................................................................................................................................... 9
3.4. Material ............................................................................................................................................ 11

2
 OVERVIEW

Project Background

A progressive and successful corporate developer conglomerate in the country’s capital

city wants to expand their business all over the nation. Dumaguete City is eyed as one of the

potential cities outside Metro Manila for their commercial and financial development. Having

acquired a prime lot bounded by two major roads along its two sides, made it very accessible to

public transport. The lot is moderately leveled with a 15% slope to the north eastern side. The lot

area of 34, 664 sq. m. can be quite small for the vision of a large scale development. But with the

concept of economy of space that possesses a ton of potential, the area is quite good enough for

such development nevertheless.

In this regard, the proponent tries to squeeze in the different requirements of the

proposed development. The project is aiming to create first-rate property values at the same

time create opportunities for the resident communities. The purpose of bringing in businesses in

commercial and financial districts is a very challenging move, with the primary objectives of

creating sustainable business activities. The place mist be designed with great sophistication of

comfort and accessibility. It should create an enjoyable and wholesome relaxed atmosphere for

people to come without boredom. To attain this is to fuse work, entertainment and other

enjoyable activities in the place and make it as relaxing, comfortable and stress free as it can be.

3
 Design Objectives

 The designers must be able to accommodate all three commercial, financial and

entertainment districts into the site.

 It is crucial that accessibility is considered and the interrelationships among the different

functions of the various structures is prevalent.

 The buildings must have some form of elegance and sophistication in its design.

 Built structures should be interrelated with its environment.

 Transforming the space into first-rate properties, with remote parts reserved for high real-

estate values.

 Site development and planning must be relevant.

 Additionally, aspects of comfortability, urban form and economy of space should also be

regarded.

 Modernism and innovation is taken into account, as well as that of green building design.

 Building footprints must also be arranged around pedestrian desired lines.

4
 DESIGN BACKGROUND

Design impacts all our lives in ways subtle and overt. From buildings to everyday objects,

every form of matter is a function of design. Great design is more than just good aesthetics. It is

the way we use objects.It’s only then that you experience all the subtle touches, all the things

visible and invisible that make great design.

Design Philosophies

“Form and function are one.”

Frank Lloyd Wright coined the phrase “form and function are one” and spent his life

creating organic designs. In order for the designers of this project to have a post-modern

approach, creating an integrated design that would flow easily to its surrounding environment

would be ideal. Instead of focusing on form, it is intended for us to take into consideration the

value of function as a cohesive element in order to have the overall design of the structures and

the planning of the urban layout be as effortless and convenient as it can be. To take into context,

Wright did say that form following function is a misunderstanding. Instead, both elements should

be one, joined in a spiritaual union.

5
 “Empathy and focus”

Additionally, the designers also incorporated the philosophy of empathy with the user

and focus in all endeavors. By truly understanding the needs of individuals, it would progress the

idea of creating an urban layout that would cater to each and every single one of the residents’

satisfaction and essentiality. Thus, for future development, it would create plausible

opportunities for these group of districts to foster based on the user’s intended functionality

within the site.

6
 DESIGN CONCEPTS

Urban Layout

The core concept of the urban plan of our design derives from the idea of the concentric

zone model by Ernest Burgess. Based on human ecology theory, this model was the first to give

the explanation of distribution of social groups within urban areas. This concentric ring model

depicts urban land usage in concentric rings: from the central business district, to the transition

zone, the working class residents, middle class and finally the commuter zone. In our design, we

had integrated the idea of utilizing concentric rings but instead of having the zones go out in

circles, we had formulated a linear arrangement in the design of the corresponding districts

similar to that of the sector model. Why did we do this? Well, it comes from the fact that the

concentric zone model itself does have its disadvantages in certain aspects of its layout. For one,

it creates a divide between individuals present in such premises. While development is organized

and coherent, the positioning of concentring rings could encourage social divide between classes,

which could conflict with our philosophy of user empathy and focus. Therefore, creating the

layout in a linear manner from a point of focus, would eliminate such potential setback if ever

the opportunity to develop the area would come.

7
 Form

Now, the form of both urban layout and building footprints have a symbiotic relationship

in our design. Both correspond with each other in response to the space requirements and the

comfortability of the user. The shape and configuration of the building is set based on its

surrounding terrain whilst the terrain itself is also formulated based on the availability of spaces

and accessibility that are required in the site.

8
 Landscape

Integrating green outdoors areas as much as possible is of value to us since we would like

to create some form of contrast to the façades that are present, as well as make sure that the

users would feel not as isolated as they are within such a given space. A green space would be a

perfect match to the prevalent edges that are derived from the form of our buildings based on

their designated location.

9
10
 Material

Dominantly, the use of concrete and glass are highly utilized in our structures. The main

reason for this especially when it comes to that of glass comes from our concept of creating as

much green spaces as there can be in a limited space in response to the user’s needs and

satisfaction. Although the climate could prove to be a problem with the use of such material,

having a reflective surface to mirror the surrounding terrain could create an illusion of having a

wide amount of green spaces made available fpr the users to enjoy. To mend this potential

problem, the buildings are not entirely made out of glass per se, as the concrete and other

materials such as that of brick and wood, are positioned strategically to counter the tropical heat

that could enter the building.

11