Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
Tamag, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur 2700

PROPOSED
NARVACAN
MUNICIPAL HALL
DES 131 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 5 - SPACE PLANNING 2
Major Plate No. 1
PLANNING GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA IN DESIGNING A MUNICIPAL HALL

 Wider Environment and more “Ordinary” features

The great importance of space and basic design, which combine with landmark
buildings to create a local distinctiveness, The appearance of new buildings can play a major
part in the overall character and quality of an area, and they can also do much to shape the
image of a place. Meanwhile, the character of the space around buildings is vital in defining a
development’s quality, creating an attractive setting, and relating to the wider townscape or
landscape. Well-landmarked sites can provide several benefits, including a setting for future
buildings, attractive spaces for a range of activities, the provision of accessible waste and
recycling storage facilities, a high-quality environment for employees and citizens, and a
contribution to the visual amenity of the locality.

 Community-focused Design

A municipal hall is commonly known as a hallmark of a community. It represents the

qualities of what it means to be a resident and provides an area for residents to receive quality
service. The pressure on the government to provide all adequate services with the intent of
creating an efficient experience for community members as we are immersed in the
technology age is increasing. The design must strive to minimize locations for community
interaction to ease any stress associated with multiple service locations. The designers should
also consider the need for protection if an individual were to cause harm, providing a clear
definition of staff vs. public areas, implementing ballistic-resistant counters, and establishing
multiple exit points for security. Although safety is the number one priority in urban building
designs, see to it that safety measures don't hinder citizens from feeling welcomed to enter.

 Green Building

An integrated and multidisciplinary approach to a building project, its components,

and designs is required for "green" or "sustainable" building, which evaluates the building on
a full life-cycle basis. From material extraction to product manufacture and transportation,
building design, construction, and maintenance, and building reuse or disposal, it is a the
"cradle to grave" strategy that considers a building's complete economic and environmental
effect and performance. Green buildings also offer environmental benefits, counteracting
pollution and waste management, ensuring sustainability. They use natural lighting, minimal
chemicals, and have positive health and comfort impacts. Green operations and maintenance
costs are minimal, with initial costs accounting for only 2% of total costs over a 30-year
period.
 EMERGING GLOBAL AND LOCAL TRENDS IN MUNICIPAL HALLS

i. Interior Design Ideas

Government establishments must possess designs that match the long-term goals of
the community. Modern workplace culture and office design go hand in hand. When workers
feel at home at their workspace, creativity, collaboration, and productivity flourish. Making
the conference room feel more connected to the common spaces is an exciting design trend
that is noticeable in contemporary institutions. The concept of using glass and acoustic
control to keep the conference room quiet, but also bright and exposed to the higher energy of
the public spaces nearby is highly regarded. When creating an office space for the modern
workplace, wide, open floor layouts are frequently used. Consider rearranging workstations
to provide both private and public spaces that flow together so that employees can experience
the environment that supports their job as they complete it. The conventional cubicle maze
design is disappearing as more organizations move toward remote and hybrid work, making
way for multipurpose common areas with a focus on incorporating natural elements, using
wall space and environmental graphics, investing on sound quality and sound masking,
incorporating natural light and natural elements .

ii. Facade Design Ideas

Historically, the Greeks invented the democratic system in which is widely used by
most countries nowadays like the Philippines. In relation, urban building design follows
their noticeable architectural element of Roman and Greek influence. The employment
of columns, the placement of mouldings and pilasters, and the proportionate distribution of
windows on either side of the structure are some of the characteristics. Architecturally, the
image of city halls condenses to a single image of formality but is effectively serving its
purpose to both the viewers and users. As an alternative, several locations have constructed
their halls employing modernist, minimalist, brutalist, and other regionally appropriate
architectural forms. These fashions developed to complement the architectural features of the
area or to remain resolute to its character. Municipal hall design must express a common
desire to enhance living circumstances rather than being limited to a specific identity of
formality. To do this, the physical structure of the building must be designed to reflect the
integrity and identity of the place.

iii. Innovative Amenities

As the world gets more modernized and advanced in terms of everything,

conventionalistic concepts does not equate with the standards of the present society. These
are some of the contemporary facilities that is recognized:

 Public art museum/ exhibition hall

  Concert Hall/ Theatre

 Memorial Garden with Chapel

 Recreational Center

 Restaurant/ Coffee Shop

BUILDING CODE STANDARDS FOR MUNICIPAL HALL FACILITIES AND

AMENITIES

i. Parking Requirements

For office buildings, one slot per 125sqm of gross floor area is required. Whereas,
accessible parking slots should have a minimum width of 3.70 m.; 3.7m by 5.0m for disabled
lane and truck or bus parking shall have a minimum of 3.6m by 12m.

ii. Circulation standards

Standard Corridors shall have minimum clear width of 1.20 meters and waiting areas and
other facilities or spaces shall not obstruct the minimum clearance requirement. Recesses or
turnabout spaces should be provided for wheelchairs to turn around or to enable another
wheelchair to pass. These spaces shall be spaced at a maximum of 12.0 meters. Turnabout
spaces should also be provided at or within 3.50 meters of every dead end. As in walkways,
corridors should be maintained level and provided with a slip resistant surface;

iii. Other standards from the Fire Code, etc.

Fire Code states that informative signs shall be placed in such a manner that no part of
its surface will interfere in any way with the free use of a doorway, a fire escape, standpipe
or other required means of exit and fire-protective devices. Fire exits shall also be provided
at every change in direction with sufficient power provided in accordance with the
provisions for emergency lighting under Section 3.410 of P.D. NO. 1185.
 LOCAL CASE STUDY

Tagum City Hall

Location: Tagum City, Davao del Norte

Architect: Sol Flores

Description:
The building’s modern
aesthetic of mainly of glass
and steel stirred away any
conventional elements. The
new and modern Tagum hall
effectively encapsulates
their identity as the city is
known for hosting various
international and national
affairs. In contrast to most
of the country’s town and
city halls are greco-roman
inspired, the building has a post modernist approach and is notable for its design bravura.
This city hall combines a multiplicity of disc-like geometries, prominent volumes, and bold,
even surprising elements like the suspension cable system that seems to hold up the roof.

Danao City Hall

Location: Danao City, Cebu
Architect: Unknown
Description:
The boldness and simplicity of the design
are referencing fusion of architectural
styles. The elevation sets up a series of
columns reminiscent of a classical temple
façade without the pediment by cleverly
incorporating wall panels within the
windows. The Greek trabeated
construction method is referenced by the
robustly portrayed columns that are joined
to a simple lintel. The use of metal cladding emphasizes the seamless coexistence of
traditional and modern elements.
INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDY

Boston City Hall

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Year Constructed: 1968
Architect: Kallmann, McKinnell, Knowles

Description:

A notable example
of brutalist
architecture in
America is the
Boston City Hall.
Concrete is used
both inside and out
of its sophisticated
structure, which
also includes an
atrium, elevated
walkways, and ticket gates that look down over the area below. The concrete armature
became both symbolic of the building's simple transparency and its civic monumentality. The
articulated framework conveyed the internal functions of the buildings in tough, cantilevered
concrete forms. Many of the design's components, such the coffers and the architrave above
the concrete columns, have been viewed as abstractions of traditional design components.
 DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGIES

a. Municipal Hall - type of governmental building that houses a system that manages the
local people’s need. It houses different departments that cater the different requirements
to ensure constant progression and development.

b. Green Architecture - Green architecture, or green design, is an approach to building

that minimizes the harmful effects of construction projects on human health and the
environment. The "green" architect or designer attempts to safeguard air, water, and earth
by choosing eco-friendly building materials and construction practices.

c. Amenities - This includes the necessary facilities in better accommodating a certain

population for their comfort, safety and happiness.

d. Utilities - These facilities are organized to give functional services to the building.

e. Circulation - Pathways for the foot traffic of the building.

f. Engineering and Architecture Department - This department is primarily responsible

in the administration and implementation of infrastructure development and public works
project of the Local Government Unit.

g. Legal Department - This office strategizes, plans, drafts and study ordinances that are
made to be imposed for the city. They also give proper legal assistance and services to
residents and gives legal advice to the administration about employees under misconduct
to their governmental duties.

h. Accounting Department - This department handles the finance and economic matters of
the city by ensuring the proper collection of tax and other monetary concerns. They work
on a systematized management of all the resources being used by the administration sent
into the city improvement.

i. Public Affairs Department- The offices included here are the ones who manages public
concerns depending on particular services provided. They directly interact with the
residents either to give, assign or receive services.

j. Administrative Department - This department will act as the point of contact for all
employees and residents, providing administrative support and managing their queries.
Main functions include having legislative power, executive power, and administrative
responsibilities overseeing the city’s condition.