ION MINCU UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM, BUCHAREST

INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN DEPARTMENT

1 s t year of study, 2 n d semester, 2016 - 2017

EXERCISE 4: STRUCTURE / SPACE (free plan)

A DETACHED HOUSE

Exercises 4 and 5 deal with the free plan defined through its independence (though not
indifference) between structural order and space form. Exercise 4, as the first phase, will
approach the free plan as organization of an architectural space following the horizontal
plane.
1. Teaching objectives

1.1 understanding the free plan and the relation between constructive structure and
spatial form.
1.2 understanding the house space as function (filter / distribution / concentration),
use (served spaces / servant spaces), zoning (day / night); dimensional elements.
1.3 understanding the spatial definition (strong limits / weak limits, real / virtual
transparency); spatial qualities (closed / open, light / shade); architectural form
(geometry, materiality).

2. Programme
On a 33.00 x 23.00 m flat rectangular terrain, the short side facing the street, the students
will design a detached house for 2-3 persons. The terrain, located in a green area with no
buildings nearby, could be partially or totally delimited by a precinct wall or can remain as
it is, with no boundaries whatsoever. No matter what, the terrain limits should be taken
into consideration as being part of the general design.
The element that sets the plan in order is a 19.20 x 9.60 m structural grid composed of 8
squares, 4.80 x 4.80 m inter-axis.
The vertical load-bearing structure consist of:
- rectangular reinforced concrete pillars (0.30 x 0.30 m)or
- circular reinforced concrete pillars ( 0.30 m)or
- steel concrete-filled columns ( 0.25 m)
located at the intersection of the axes. No pillar/column should be eliminated yet, if
necessary, some could become part of the exterior walls.
The horizontal structure is a 0.20 m thick reinforced concrete slab (with no trusses) that
can be cantilevered as to the post line with a maximum of 3.00 m. The total roof thickness
(slab, insulations, and attic) is not fixed; it may vary according to the intention of each
design.
The exterior envelope of the house will be done with walls (non-load bearing) and/or
glazed areas. The exterior enclosing walls will be 0.30 m thick, while the interior ones will
be 0.15 m thick. Both the interior and the exterior walls will be following the perpendicular
grid axes, along or parallel to them; the walls may be extended beyond the 19.20 x 9.60 m
perimeter.
ION MINCU UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM, BUCHAREST
INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN DEPARTMENT
1 s t year of study, 2 n d semester, 2016 - 2017

The closing elements (walls and glazed screens) may be extended with a maximum of 1.00
m beyond the post axes (measured between the axis and the exterior side of the element).
The project refers to a one story house; the level of the interior flooring is 0.50m above the
terrain. The free interior height will be of a maximum of 3.50 m and a minimum of 2.50m.
The upper roofing is horizontal, unbroken or uneven according to height; in the latter case,
the unevenness of various zones should be geometrically related with the 4.80 x 4.80 m
structural grid.

Students should take into consideration the following necessary spaces:

1 the entrance space (hall) and additional connecting/distribution spaces;
2 a relaxation space (living room) for family and guests;
3 a dining space connected to the living room and the kitchen;
4 a space for preparing dinner the kitchen;
5 two bedrooms; it is compulsory that one should be for two people (with a king
size bed), while the other will be suited for 1 or 2 persons (separate beds);
6 two bathrooms; a master bathroom (bathtub, basin, WC), while the other will be
located close to the second bedroom (WC, basin, shower);
7 storage spaces: wardrobes and/or a dressing room for the master bedroom;
8 interior-exterior connecting spaces: roofed/unroofed terrace(s);
9 a car shed (roofed or unroofed but not closed) integrated within the general
volume.
The interior spaces will cover a maximum of 150 sqm; the total floor area, containing both
interior and exterior spaces is not limited; it results from the logic of the whole ensemble.

3. Content
The following will be submitted:
3.1 Drawings
- plan, including the plot and the exterior planning, scale 1:50;
- 4 elevations, scale 1:50
- 2 sections, scale 1:50

Students are free to choose how to group the drawn pieces and, also, the number layouts to
present.
Students will use ink, black and white or other colored drawing techniques on 50x7o cm or
A2 (42 x 59.4 cm) white paper, landscape orientation.
Collages will not be accepted; computer generated images are accepted only as additional
pieces.
3.2 The scale model
ION MINCU UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM, BUCHAREST
INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN DEPARTMENT
1 s t year of study, 2 n d semester, 2016 - 2017

The model is the principal piece, both as an instrument of study and as a final presentation
tool. It will include both the plot and the exterior planning, respecting the 1:50 scale.
An architectural scale model does not imitate reality; it is not a naturalistic representation
of the designed object. Materials that imitate or have a direct reference to natural
colors/textures, such as fixed carpet, photo wallpaper, stone, etc., will not be accepted. The
model will be made exclusively of two materials (wood, cardboard, plaster). For each
material, two colors are accepted. Additionally, for the glazed surfaces, transparent
plexiglass sheets will be used.

4. Evaluation criteria
- respecting the structural grid and the principle of the free plan;
- respecting the programme requirements (living area, total floor area etc.);
- the simplicity and logic of the functional and spatial solution;
- the correct sizing and furnishing of the spaces according to their function;
- the quality of the interior spaces, the general coherence of the proposed
architectural expression;
- the accuracy and the quality of the graphic representation and of the architectural
model.

5. Exercise schedule
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 - exercise briefing.

Friday, March 31, 2017

- project submission;
- presentation and commentaries;
- project evaluation by mixt jury.

6. Bibliography
1. von MEISS, P. De la cave au toit, PPUR, Lausanne, 1991, capitolul 2 Trois
approches spatiales.
2. COHEN, J.-L. Mies van der Rohe, Hazan, 1994, capitolul 4 Les fondations
d un nouvel espace domestique (1925-1930).
3. NORBERG SCHULZ, C. Systeme logique de l architecture, Mardaga, Liege,
1998, capitolul 3 La forme.
4. ZEVI B. Cum s nelegem arhitectura, Editura tehnic, Bucureti, 1969,
capitolul 4 Planul liber i spaiul organic al epocii moderne.

Prof. PhD arch. Dan Marin