Design Objectives

WBDG design objectives are all significantly important: accessible, aesthetics, cost-
effective, functional/operational, historic preservation, productive, secure/safe,
and sustainable. Their interrelationships must be understood, evaluated, and
appropriately applied to a project to create a high-performance building. Yet each is just
one aspect of a truly successful project, in which project goals are identified early in the
process and the interdependencies of all building systems and materials are
coordinated, from the planning and programming phase through operations and
maintenance. Each design objective is presented in the context of the others throughout
the WBDG website.

ACCESSIBLE
Pertains to building elements, heights and clearances implemented to address the
specific needs of disabled people.
Related topics:

 Provide Equal Access and Flexibility

 Best Practices for Accessibility Compliance
 Accessibility Standards and Guidelines
 History of Accessible Facility Design
 Beyond Accessibility to Universal Design
 Universal Design and Health

AESTHETICS
Pertains to the physical appearance and image of building elements and spaces as well
as the integrated design process.
Related topics:

 Understanding the Language and Elements of Design

 Engage the Integrated Design Process
 Design Awards

COST-EFFECTIVE
Pertains to selecting building elements on the basis of life-cycle costs (weighing options
during concepts, design development, and value engineering) as well as basic cost
estimating and budget control.
Related topics:

 Utilize Cost and Value Engineering Throughout the Project Life Cycle
 Use Economic Analysis to Evaluate Design Alternatives
  Consider Non-Monetary Benefits such as Aesthetics, Historic Preservation,
Security, Safety, Resiliency, and Sustainability

FUNCTIONAL / OPERATIONAL
Pertains to functional programming—spatial needs and requirements, system
performance as well as durability and efficient maintenance of building elements.
Related topics:

 Account for Functional Needs

 Ensure Appropriate Product/Systems Integration
 Meet Performance Objectives

HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Pertains to specific actions within a historic district or affecting a historic building
whereby building elements and strategies are classifiable into one of the four
approaches: preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, or reconstruction.
Related topics:

 Apply the Preservation Process Successfully

 Update Building Systems Appropriately
 Accommodate Life Safety and Security Needs
 Provide Accessibility for Historic Buildings
 Sustainable Historic Preservation

PRODUCTIVE
Pertains to occupants' well-being—physical and psychological comfort—including
building elements such as air distribution, lighting, workspaces, systems, and
technology.
Related topics:

 Integrate Technological Tools

 Assure Reliable Systems and Spaces
 Design for the Changing Workplace
 Promote Health and Well-Being
 Provide Comfortable Environments

SECURE / SAFE
Pertains to the physical protection of occupants and assets from man-made and natural
hazards.
Related topics:
  Fire Protection
 Occupant Safety and Health
 Natural Hazards Mitigation
 Security for Building Occupants and Assets

SUSTAINABLE
Pertains to environmental performance of building elements and strategies.
Related topics:

 Optimize Site Potential

 Optimize Energy Use
 Protect and Conserve Water
 Optimize Building Space and Material Use
 Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
 Optimize Operational and Maintenance Practices

Architectural Documents
a. Architectural Plans/ Drawings
i. Vicinity Map/ Location Plan within a two kilometer (2.0 km) radius for commercial,
industrial, and institutional complex and within a 0.5 km radius for residential buildings, at
any convenient scale showing prominent landmarks or major thoroughfares for easy
reference.
ii. Site Development Plan (SDP) showing technical description, boundaries, orientation and
position of proposed building/structure in relation to the lot, existing or proposed access road
and driveways and existing public utilities/ services. Existing buildings within and adjoining
the lot shall be hatched and distances between the proposed and existing buildings shall be
indicated.
iii. Perspective drawn at a convenient scale and taken from a vantage point (bird’s eye view or
eye level).
iv. Architectural Program (including Space Program), with Space Plans cum Stacking Diagrams
(only for multi-storey buildings) drawn to scale of not less than 1:100 meters (m).
v. Floor Plans drawn to scale of not less than 1:100 meters (m) showing: gridlines, complete
identification of rooms or functional spaces.
vi. Elevations, at least four (4), same scale as floor plans showing: gridlines; natural ground to
finish grade elevations; floor to floor heights; door and window marks, type of material and
exterior finishes; adjoining existing structure/s, if any, shown in single hatched lines.
vii. Sections, at least two (2), showing: gridlines; natural ground and finish levels; outline of cut
and visible structural parts; doors and windows properly labeled reflecting the direction of
opening; partitions; built-in cabinets, etc.; identification of rooms and functional spaces cut by
section lines.
viii. Reflected ceiling plan (RCP) showing: design, location, finishes and specifications of
materials, lighting fixtures, diffusers, decorations, air conditioning exhaust and return grills,
sprinkler nozzles, if any, at scale of at least 1:100 m.
ix. Details, in the form of plans, elevations/sections:
(a) Accessible ramps
(b) Accessible stairs
(c) Accessible lifts/ elevators
(d) Accessible entrances, corridors and walkways
(e) Accessible functional areas/ comfort rooms
(f) Accessible switches, controls
(g) Accessible drinking fountains
(h) Accessible public telephone booths
(i) Accessible audio visual and automatic alarm system
(j) Accessible access symbols and directional signs
(k) Reserved parking for persons with disabilities (PWDs)
(l) Typical wall/ bay sections from ground to roof
(m) Stairs, interior and exterior
(n) Fire escapes/ exits
(o) Built-in cabinets, counters and fixed furniture
(p) All types of partitions
(q) Provisions for PWDs, the elderly, gender and development (GAD), and the like;
(r) Provisions to address concerns of climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk
reduction (DRR)
x. Schedule of Doors and Windows showing their types, designations/ marks, dimensions,
materials, hardware provisions, and number of sets.
xi. Schedules of Finishes, showing in graphic form: surface finishes specified for floors, ceilings,
walls and baseboard trims for all building spaces per floor level.
xii. Details of other major Architectural Elements; and
xiii. Technical Specifications (including operation/ use and maintenance) for all architectural
works.
Architectural Interiors (AI)
i. General Space Plan/s or general layout/s of architectural interiors.
ii. Architectural interior perspective/s.
iii. Furniture/ furnishing/ equipment (FFE) layouts and process layout/s.
iv. Access plan/s, parking plan/s and the like
v. Detailed design of major architectural interior elements i.e. floors, walls, ceiling, doors and
related fenestrations, fixed counters and cabinetry, hardware, etc.
vi. General plan, layout and design of the architectural interiors, including walls/ partitions,
furnishing/ furniture/ equipment (FFE)/ appliances at a scale of at least 1:100 m, including
ceiling cavity and roof cavity plans, as needed.
vii. Interior wall elevations showing: finishes, switches, doors and convenience outlets, cross
window sections with architectural interior perspective as viewed from the main entrance at
scale of at least 1:100 m.
viii. General floor/ ceiling/ wall patterns and general finishing details.
ix. Technical Specifications (including operation/ use and maintenance), Schedules and related
list/s of materials to be used for architectural interior finishing works.
x. Cost Estimates.
c. Plans and specific locations of all accessibility facilities of scale of at least 1:100 m., including the
detailed design of all such accessibility facilities outside and around buildings/structures including
parking areas, and their safety requirements all at scale of 1:50 m or any convenient scale.
d. Fire Safety Documents
i. Layout plan of each floor indicating the fire evacuation route to safe dispersal areas,
standpipes with fire hose, fire extinguishers, first aid kits/ cabinets, fire alarm, fire operations
room, emergency lights, signs, etc.s
ii. Details of windows, fire exits with grilled windows and ladders.
iii. Details of fire-resistive construction of enclosures for vertical openings.
iv. Details of fire-resistive construction materials and interior decorative materials with fireresistive/ fire-
retardant/ fire-spread ratings
v. Other Related Documents
f. Physical Planning documents (for Project Sites at less than 5.0 hectares in Total Land Area/ TLA)
i. Vicinity Map/ Location Plan at a scale of at least 1:10,000 m.
ii. Framework Plan at a scale of at least 1:2,500 m showing existing and proposed access
systems, connectivities, identified hazards, orientations (wind, sun, odor, noise, etc.), view
corridors, and like information.
iii. Master Development Plan (MDP) at a scale of at least 1:1,250 m showing all setbacks and
mandated legal easements (as applicable), proposed road rights-of-way (RROW, clearly
delineating the carriageway and sidewalks), proposed building footprints at grade level,
proposed outermost faces of buildings (OFB) at the second levels/ floors, floor to lot area
(FLAR) used, gross floor area (GFA) to be generated, total GFA (TGFA) to be generated,
building heights, and like information, to fully comply with Rules VII and VIII of the 2004
Revised IRR of P.D. No. 1096, the 1977 NBCP.
iv. Proposed Land Use Distribution (breakdown).
g. Other related documents
5. Interior Design
i. Detailed space plan/ layout and design of all interior design elements, including furniture and
furnishings at all fully enclosed areas/ spaces, at a scale of at least 1:50 m.
ii. Interior design perspective/s showing details of special finishing and furnishing items.
iii. Special floor/ ceiling/ wall patterns and finishing details.
iv. Technical Specifications (including operation/ use and maintenance), Schedules and related
list/s of materials to be used for interior design finishing works.
v. Cost Estimates.
6. Civil/ Structural Documents
a. Site Development Plan (SDP)

Site Development Plan showing technical description, boundaries, orientation and position of
proposed non-architectural horizontal structure such as: sewerage treatment plan (STP), silos,
elevated tanks, towers, fences, etc. building/ structure in relation to the lot, existing or proposed
access road and driveways and existing public utilities/ services. Existing buildings within and
adjoining the lot shall be hatched and distances between the proposed and existing buildings shall
be indicated.
b. Structural Plans
i. Foundation Plans and Details at scale of not less than 1:100 m.
ii. Floor/ Roof Framing Plans and Details at scale of not less than 1:100 m.
iii. Details and Schedules of structural and civil works elements including those for deep wells,
water reservoir, pipe lines and sewer system.
c. Structural Analysis and Design for all buildings/structures except for one storey and single
detached building/structure with a total floor area of 20.0 square meters (sqm) or less.
 d. Boring and Load Tests
Buildings or structures of three (3) storeys and higher, boring tests and, if necessary, load tests
shall be required in accordance with the applicable latest approved provisions of the National
Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP). However, adequate soil exploration (including boring
and load tests) shall also be required for lower buildings/ structures at areas with potential
geological/geotechnical hazards. The written report of the civil/ geo-technical engineer including
but not limited to the design bearing capacity as well as the result of tests shall be submitted
together with the other requirements in the application for a building permit. Boring test or load test
shall also be done according to the applicable provisions of the NSCP which set forth requirements
governing excavation, grading and earthwork construction, including fills and embankments for any
building/structure and for foundation and retaining structures.
e. Seismic and Wind Load Analyses
a. Other related documents

Electrical Documents
Electrical plans and technical specifications containing the following:
a. Location and Site Plans
b. Legend or Symbols
c. General Notes and/or Specifications
d. Electrical Layout
e. Schedule of Loads, Transformers, Generating/ UPS Units (Total kVA for each of the preceding
items shall be indicated in the schedule)
f. Design Analysis
g. One Line Diagram
8. Mechanical Documents
a. Location Plan and Key Plan
b. General Layout Plan for each floor, drawn to a scale of not less than 1:100 m, indicating the
equipment in heavier lines than the building outline with names of machinery and corresponding
brake horsepower shall be indicated.
c. Longitudinal and Transverse Sections of building and equipment base on the section lines drawn to
scale of at least 1:100 m showing inter-floor relations and defining the manner of support of
machines/equipment. Sections shall run longitudinally and transversely through the building length
or width other than particularly detailed section for each machinery/equipment (fired and unfired
pressure vessel, elevator, escalator, dumbwaiter, etc.).
d. Isometric drawing of gas, fuel, oil system showing: Assembly of pipes on racks and supports,
Legend and General Notes, capacity per outlet and complete individual piping system.
e. Plans drawn to scale of 1:100 m indicating location of store rooms, fuel tanks, fire extinguishing
systems, fire doors, fire escape ladders and other protective facilities.
f. Detailed drawings of all duct work installations, indicating dampers, controls, filters, fireproofing,
acoustical and thermal insulation.
g. Detailed Plans of machinery foundations and supports drawn to scale of at least 1:50 m.
h. Detailed Plans of boilers and pressure vessels with a working pressure of above 70 kPa regardless
of kilowatt rating.
i. Design Computations and Detailed Plans of elevators, escalators, and the like drawn to scale of
1:50 m.
j. For all installations, additions or alterations involving machinery of at most 14.9 kW, the signature
of a duly licensed Mechanical Engineer shall be sufficient except fired and unfired pressure
vessels, elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, central/split/packaged type air conditioners and piping
systems of steam, gas or fuels.
k. Detailed plans of fire suppression systems, location of automatic and smoke detectors and alarm
and initiating devices use to monitor the conditions that are essential for the proper operation
including switches for the position of gate valves as well as alert and evacuation signals; the
detailed layout of the entire safe area to be protected and the heat/smoke ventilation system.
9. Sanitary Documents
a. For deep well, water purification plants, water collection and distribution systems, reservoirs,
drainage and sewer systems, sewage treatment plants, malaria control structures, and sewage
disposal systems:
i. Location Plan and Site Plan
ii. Detailed Plan and layout drawings of minimum scale 1:100 m.
iii. Design Analysis and Technical Specifications
iv. Cost Estimates
b. For pest and vermin control, sanitation and pollution control facilities:
i. Detailed plan, layout & drawing of abatement and control device of minimum scale 1:100 m.
ii. Design analysis and technical specification
iii. Cost Estimates
10. Plumbing Documents
For all plumbing installations, additions and/or alterations involving hot and cold water supply, fixtures,
sewage drainage and vent system, storm drainage and sewerage system within or adjacent to the
building:
a. Location Plan and Site Plan of minimum scale 1: 2000 m
b. Plumbing Plans, Layouts and Details, of minimum scale 1: 50 m
c. Legend and General Notes
d. Isometric drawings of the systems
e. Design analysis and technical specifications
f. Cost Estimates
11. Electronics Documents
Electronic plans and technical specifications for wired or wireless telecommunications systems,
broadcasting systems, including radio and TV broadcast equipment for commercial and training
purposes, cable or wireless television systems, information technology (IT) systems, security and alarm
systems, electronic fire alarm systems, sound-reinforcement systems, navigational aids and controls,
indoor and outdoor signages, electronically-controlled conveyance systems, electronic/computerized
process controls and automation systems, building automation, management and control systems,
including, but not limited to the following:
a. General layout plans with legends
b. b. Single line diagram
c. c. Riser diagram
d. d. Isometry of the system
e. e. Equipment specifications
f. f. Design analysis, as applicable
g. g. Cost estimates
h. b. Geodetic Documents
i. Lot Survey Plans, including but not limited to:
j. a. Vicinity Map/ Location Plan
k. b. Lot Plan
l. c. Relocation Survey Plan and Report
m. d. Line and Grade
 n. e. Detailed Topographic Plan of the site and immediate vicinity
o. c. Environmental Planning documents (for Project Sites at 5.0 hectares or larger in Total Land
Area/ TLA)
p. a. Vicinity Map/ Location Plan at a scale of at least 1:10,000 m.
q. b. Framework Plan at a scale of at least 1:2,500 m showing existing and proposed access
systems,
r. connectivities, identified hazards, orientations (wind, sun, odor, noise, etc.), view corridors, and
like
s. information.
t. c. Master Development Plan (MDP) at a scale of at least 1:1,250 m showing all setbacks and
u. mandated legal easements (as applicable), proposed road rights-of-way (RROW, clearly
v. delineating the carriageway and sidewalks), proposed building footprints at grade level,
proposed
w. outermost faces of buildings (OFB) at the second levels/ floors, floor to lot area (FLAR) used,
gross
x. floor area (GFA) to be generated, total GFA (TGFA) to be generated, building heights, and like
y. information, to fully comply with Rules VII and VIII of the 2004 Revised IRR of P.D. No. 1096, the
z. 1977 NBCP.
aa. d. Land Use Distribution (breakdown)

Our undefined, unofficial "process" for a drawing from creation to sign-off is as follows
Engineering provides Design a list of drawings/revisions to be created/updated. This list can be provided
before or during the drawing creation/update. This list can be modified at any time during the drawing
creation/update process.
Design creates/updates drawings to the best of their abilities and submits printed drawings to the
checker.
Checker checks drawings and returns marked up print to designer
Designer makes corrections to drawing per mark up and returns corrected print to checker. Repeat until
checker is happy.
Checker gives drawing to engineer to review
Engineer reviews and marks up drawing and gives to designer
Designer makes corrections and gives to checker.
Checker reviews/mark up drawing. If drawing is good, it goes to engineer. Otherwise, it is returned to
the designer for corrections.
When engineer is happy, drawing is submitted to engineering manager. Drawing is corrected until
engineering manager is happy.
Drawing is stamped/released
To me this seems insanely inefficient. The drawings can just...swirl until all parties are happy and our due
dates just sail on by.

Could someone please tell me how this is done in the rest of the world? Or, could you point me to an
online resource about this?