Oct. 07. Onesimus Bekuma Architectural Design Studio II 4th year.
SCOPE
a design project that integrates commercial design a 13-week project emphasizing on design with
as a main design project and civic building design.. in urban context, social and cultural as determi
nants of the project.
Commercial Design.
This design studio focuses on the research and design of architectural projects
within their urban, social, and cultural contexts. Students will explore design
challenges at multiple scales, including a major project centered on a commer-
cial building and a smaller civic building project as a quick design exercise.
Through these projects, students will deepen their understanding of building
components, as well as the relationships between architectural form and urban
space. They will be required to develop both physical and digital models, along
with drawings, models, and reports for each project. The studio emphasizes
conceptual and analytical thinking while strengthening students’ representa-
tional and communication skills.
work flow.
week 1 .
COURSE INTRO.
This is the introduction section of the course where we discuss about the projects to be worked on, work flow and weekly tasks for the semes-
ter, expectations from both instructors and students, rules and regulations we should follow and project selection.
Deliverables: None.
Due dates: Oct. 10 (literature review consultation)
week 2.
LITERATURE REVIEW AND CASE STUDY SELECTION.
During the literature review and case study selection phase, you will dive into key theoretical and practical aspects of commercial architecture
to build a solid, informed foundation for your main project. Your goal is to actively research relevant precedents, critically analyzing their
functional organization, spatial sequences, materiality, and their specific role within the urban fabric. You should then select a specific precedent
that directly aligns with your chosen project typology and conduct a detailed analysis of its core design strategies, material palette, and the
resulting user experience.
Deliverables: Finalized literature review on the selected project
1 Interational and 1 Local case study selection (for both main and quick design projects)
Due dates: Oct. 14 (literature review consultation)
Oct. 17 (literature review submission and case study consultation)
week 3.
CASE STUDY ANALYSIS AND SITE ALLOCATION.
During this phase, you will perform a detailed analysis of your chosen case study, focusing on its spatial organization, structural systems,
environmental response, and user interaction to draw actionable design lessons. Concurrently, you will be assigned your specific project site and
should immediately begin documenting its physical conditions, urban context, and surrounding landscape to inform your initial design thinking.
Deliverables: Finalized International case study (for both projects) and on going local case study
Selected site
Due dates: Oct. 21 (case study consultation)
Oct. 24 (international case study submission, local case study consultation and site selection criteria consultation)
week 4.
SITE ANALYSIS AND DATA COLLECTION.
During the site analysis phase, you will thoroughly investigate your assigned site to understand the environmental, social, and physical context
that will directly shape your design. You will actively document and synthesize data on topography, solar orientation, access points, existing
vegetation, and the rhythms of human activity through a combination of field observation and desk research. This process is essential for you
to clearly define the site's specific opportunities and constraints, forming a logical foundation for your architectural response.
Deliverables: Finalized selected site with site selection criteria
Finalized local case study
Data collection
Due dates: Oct. 28 (local case study consultation and site selection criteria consultation)
Oct. 31 (local case study submission and site analysis consultation)
week 5.
CONCEPT & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT.
In the concept development phase, you’ll translate insights from their research, case studies, and site analysis into clear architectural ideas that
define the direction of their commercial building design. You’ll explore multiple conceptual approaches, testing spatial, formal, and functional
strategies through sketches, diagrams, and rough models. The focus is on establishing a strong design narrative that integrates programmatic
needs, context, and user experience into a coherent architectural vision.
Deliverables: Site analysis
Program development and Conceptual sketches and diagrams
Due dates: Nov. 04 (site analysis consultation)
Nov. 07 (program and concept development consultation)
week 6.
SCHEMATIC DEVELOPMENT.
In the schematic development phase, you will refine your chosen concept into a defined architectural proposal, translating your core idea into
practical spatial layouts and structural approaches. You will organize the programmatic elements, develop circulation routes, and advance your
massing and façade strategies through iterative drawings and 3D studies. The focus remains on ensuring a coherent and responsive design
where the initial concept is logically developed into a functional, environmental, and structurally considered scheme.
Deliverables: Finalized program and selected concept
Schematic development ideas
Due dates: Nov. 11 (program and concept development consultation)
Nov. 14 (schematic development consultation)
week 7.
MID-TERM EXAM.
week 8.
INTERMEDIATE PRESENTATION.
Deliverables: Finalized site analysis
Finalized program and selected concept
Finalized schematic design
Due dates: Nov. 25 (schematic development consultation)
Nov. 28 (Intermediate presentation)
week 9.
QUICK DESIGN SPRINT.
In the first part of the quick design sprint, you’s introduced to a small-scale civic building project that challenges them to apply rapid conceptual
thinking and efficient design decision-making. You’ll begin by analyzing the brief, identifying the core functional and social objectives of the
project, and quickly generating initial ideas through sketches and diagrams. The emphasis is on creativity, clarity of purpose, and the ability to
translate conceptual thinking into spatial organization within a short timeframe.
Deliverables: Finalized conceptual site
Finalized concept development
Schematic development
Due dates: Dec. 02 (schematic development consultation)
Dec. 05 (schematic development consultation)
week 10.
QUICK DESIGN SPRINT.
In the second part of the quick design sprint, you’ll refine spatial layouts, explore material and structural ideas, and produce key drawings such
as plans, elevations, and perspectives that clearly communicate your design intent. The focus is on clarity, feasibility, and architectural expres-
sion achieved through a concise and efficient process.
Deliverables: Finalized schematic development
plans, elevations and 3D renders
Due dates: Dec. 09 (floor plan consultation)
Dec. 12 (floor plan consultation)
week 11 .
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT.
In the design development phase of your main project, you will advance your schematic design into a comprehensive architectural proposal
with greater technical and spatial resolution. You will develop and refine your building systems, structural logic, material selections, and environ-
mental strategies, ensuring all components maintain a cohesive alignment with your core functional requirements and design intent.
Deliverables: Finalized quick design project
Floor plans and sections of the main project
Due dates: Dec. 16 (floor plans and sections consultation)
Dec. 19 (floor plans and sections consultation and quick design project submission)
week 12.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT.
In the second week of the design development phase, you’ll focus on refining the spatial organization and architectural detailing of your
commercial building projects. Building upon feedback from previous reviews, you’ll enhance the clarity of plans, sections, and elevations,
ensuring a consistent and logical translation of your overall concept into technical design. This stage emphasizes the integration of structural
systems, vertical circulation, and environmental strategies, alongside refining the building’s form and façade expression.
Deliverables: Floor plans and sections
Floor plans and sections of the main project
structural systems, circulations, environmental strategies and other details
Due dates: Dec. 23 (final consulation)
Dec. 26 (final consultation)
week 13.
PREP WEEK.
Deliverables: Site analysis Concept development Site plan Floor plans Section plans
Elevations 3D Images Structural details Other necessary details
Due dates: Jan. 02 (Final project submission)
Evaluation.
Intermediate presentation 15% Quick design 20% Final jury 35%
Research phase 15% Documentation 5% Digital & Physical model 10%