Ryerson University

Department of Architectural Science

ARC 41A/B Architecture: Thesis F06/W07

1
Information Bulletin Number 5: Pre-Design

Issued September 15, 2006

1. Pre-Design
The Pre-Design activities represent the first phase of work in the Thesis, and constitute the necessary
investigations and analyses that you will need to complete in order to proceed into Schematic Design.

In the context of the Thesis, Pre-Design consists of several distinct activities:

• The Problem Statement
• Case Study Analysis
• Program Development
• Preliminary Building Code Analysis
• Site Analysis and Selection
• Design Exercise

Pre-Design activities are primarily research-based in nature. All research carried out in Pre-Design must be
properly documented, including footnotes, references, and bibliography.

Students are expected to conduct research using a wide variety of sources. Internet searches are not considered
to constitute research except to act as a point of departure for more in-depth work. In addition to books and
periodicals, students are directed to seek out other reference documents, including but not limited to
newspaper articles, transcripts of interviews, maps and diagrams, letters and any other sources that may deal
with aspects of their thesis topic. In addition to Library collections, students may find relevant material in
Provincial or Municipal Archives and other sources.

Establishing and maintaining good organizational habits will help streamline the Pre-Design phase of the work.
Keep duplicate copies of critical items, set up an orderly filing system, organize material such that you can
access it later without difficulty.

1.a Problem Statement and Case Study Analysis

Problem Statement
The Problem Statement forms the basis for the Thesis. This must clearly state the terms of the project, the
basis for the selection of the topic, and background to the topic including the historical and theoretical context
informing the project. All the significant ideas pertaining to the project—historic, theoretical, formal, socio-
political, technological, etc.—are to be discussed in this section. The Problem Statement should include the
Manifesto of the student’s intentions. Images may be used to illustrate or represent ideas or themes discussed
in the Problem Statement.

Case Study Analysis

The Case Studies are intended to familiarize students with precedent related to various issues identified in the
Problem Statement, ranging from building type and programmatic studies, to theoretical issues, to building
materials and technology.

A minimum of three in-depth case studies are to be included in the analysis. Additional case studies, more
limited in scope, may also be included. The three detailed case studies shall include:
• a local example that students can visit and experience directly;
• a significant Canadian example (other than the local example
• an example of international significance.

Further, each of the three in-depth case studies shall be examined in detail in one of the following areas of
study:
• programmatic/typological relevance to the thesis project;
• urban design/context/site strategy;
• material and technical attributes and strategies.
Ryerson University
Department of Architectural Science
ARC 41A/B Architecture: Thesis F06/W07

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While the above areas of focus will permit students to isolate and focus on specific issues pertinent
to the thesis, each of the three detailed case study projects must provide, wherever possible:
• Notable examples of the thesis project building type;
• Guidance for selection of structural systems, building envelope, and other systems;
• Historic understanding of the building type;
• Inspirational stimulus to the design;
• Continuous guidance and reference throughout the thesis project.

Case study projects must be clearly identified by the following:

• Building name;
• Location;
• Name of architect(s);
• Date of construction.

Each case study must include a written description identifying the major attributes being analysed, and their
relationship to the proposed project. Formal analysis may be based on the methodology outlined in Roger
Clark and Michael Pause’s Precedents in Architecture.

Documentation of the case study analysis shall include the following components:
• Written description of each building, including materials used for structure and building envelope,
noting any unusual or innovative technology;
• Photographs;
• Architectural drawings (site plan, plans, sections, elevations);
• Sketches or diagrams summarizing structural system and building envelope;
• Analytical diagrams (see Clark and Pause).

A lecture/workshop related to this portion of the work will take place Friday, September 15, 2006 at 9:10
a.m. in the Pit.

1.b Program Development and Building Code Analysis

Program Development
Students are to develop a detailed Functional Program identifying all spaces in the proposed project. As a
minimum, for each space, the Program shall indicate:
• Room Name;
• Specific Activity to be housed;
• Area in square metres;
• User Profile;
• Equipment;
• Duration/Frequency of Use;
• Environmental Qualities (daylight, natural ventilation, acoustic requirements etc.);
• Ceiling Height;
• Proximity Requirements.
Students will thus establish a comprehensive summary of quantitative and qualitative requirements for the
project.
The Program must indicate the square footage of each space, a subtotal of the net area of all use spaces, a
percentage multiplier for circulation and other gross areas (i.e. wall thickness, vertical shafts and plenums—this
multiplier will vary with building type) and a resultant total building area.

Building Code Analysis

Analysis is to be based on the current version of the Ontario Building Code and Supplements. In the interest
of consistency, this applies to projects located outside of Ontario as well as those within the province. This is
not intended to be an exhaustive analysis, but rather a preliminary review to determine the major code issues
affecting your building type to allow you to proceed into Schematic Design. A more detailed analysis will form
Ryerson University
Department of Architectural Science
ARC 41A/B Architecture: Thesis F06/W07

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part of the Final Report submitted at the end of the Winter term. Major considerations at this time include, but
are not limited to:
• Classification of Buildings by Major Occupancy
• Multiple Occupancy requirements
• Fire Separation requirements
• Combustible vs. non-combustible construction
• Sprinklering requirements
• Allowable floor areas
• Limiting distance requirements
• Occupant load, required number of exits and travel distance to exits

A lecture/workshop related to this portion of the work will take place Friday, September 29, 2006 at 9:10
a.m. in the Pit.

1.c Site Analysis and Selection

Site Analysis and Selection
This section will include a detailed discussion of three sites, leading to the selection of a preferred site deemed
to be the most appropriate for the Thesis project as defined by the previous Pre-Design exercises.

Detailed analysis of the issues impacting on the site, includes, but is not limited to:
• General Site Context
• Geographic location
• Political jurisdictions/bylaws (Official Plan, Zoning, Guidelines etc.)
• Natural environment (regional/local)
• Built environment
• Physical Data
• Geology and soil
• Water availability and runoff
• Topography
• Climate
• Dimensions and physical features of site
• Natural environment—major trees and features
• Built environment—buildings, infrastructure
• Sensory aspects—views, noise, odour etc.
• Cultural Data
• Demographics
• Uses of site, compatibility with community
• Rights, restraints and values of site
• History and future of site
• Meaning and image of site
• Correlation of Data
• Interpretation of data
• Integration of data
• Priorization of data for design
Ryerson University
Department of Architectural Science
ARC 41A/B Architecture: Thesis F06/W07

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Documentation of the site analysis shall include the following components:
• Written description of the site
• Photographs
• Drawings and maps documenting:
• physical characteristics
• cultural characteristics
• legal/political characteristics
• Analytical diagrams (eg. sun/shadow studies, traffic and pedestrian flow, etc.)

A lecture/workshop related to this portion of the work will take place Monday, September 19, 2005 at 3:00
p.m. in the Pit.

Format of the Pre-Design Analysis Submission

• 8.5 ” x 11” paper size (larger size foldouts may be included)
• Front and back cardstock covers
• Typewritten text
• Cerlox or wire binding
• Portrait or Landscape orientation are both acceptable
• Number all pages
• Prepare three copies (one colour “original”; two may be black + white photocopies); the original for
your section co-ordinator, one copy for your advisor, and one copy for your Mentor.

In addition to the submission described above, students will present and discuss their work within their section
groupings. Larger format material may be prepared for presentation.

Evaluation of the Pre-Design Analysis

The Pre-Design Analysis will be assessed for:
• Completeness
• Logical consistency
• Appropriateness/fit of case studies with the thesis topic
• Accuracy/usefulness/coherence of analysis
• Accuracy/usefulness/coherence of Program data
• Evidence of relationship to precedent (case studies)
• Accuracy of Building Code interpretation
• Graphic presentation
• selection/quality of images
• conformance to drawing conventions
• clarity of relationship between form and content
• Clarity of written text
• accuracy/proper use of terminology, grammar, spelling
• Quality, breadth and depth of analysis and research

A lecture/workshop related to this portion of the work will take place Friday, September 29, 2006 at 9:10
a.m. in the Pit.

1.d Design Exercise

The purpose of the Design Exercise is to facilitate the transition from the analytical nature of the Pre-Design
work to the more synthetic nature of the Schematic Design phase of the thesis.

On their chosen site, students are to design a small exhibition/presentation centre, similar, for example, to
those constructed for condominium sales, or small pavilions for fairs and Expos. Programmatically, these
consist of a larger space or a series of smaller spaces suitable for exhibiting drawings, models and other
materials, along with one or two offices/kiosks/stations accommodating three or four people. The pavilions
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Department of Architectural Science
ARC 41A/B Architecture: Thesis F06/W07

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should not exceed 200 square metres in area, and are to be single storey structures, but with no height
restriction. For students working with very large sites, the area of the site not covered by the pavilion must be
considered from the perspective of landscape and urban design.

The exercise is based on a minimal program so that students may explore other dimensions of the thesis,
namely materiality, conceptual clarity, expression, composition, response to context etc. The expected
outcome is a preliminary exploration of the conceptual basis of your project, in relation to site context,
typology, materiality and other issues emerging from the Pre-Design analyses.

Format of the Design Exercise Submission

• Site plan, plan, sections and three-dimensional representation(s), to scale (as appropriate).
• All material is to be included on a single panel of dimensions no larger than 24” x 36”.
• Students may choose to work with media of their choice for this exercise; drawings may be free-hand
sketches, or students may work with digital media, at their discretion; selection of media and the
nature of each presentation should be appropriate to the conceptual and/or thematic basis of the
thesis project.
• Material must be presented in hard copy form.

A lecture/workshop related to this portion of the work will take place Friday, September 29, 2006 at 9:10
a.m. in the Pit.

The Pre-Design components of the thesis (analysis and design exercise) are due on Friday, October 27, 2006.

In addition to the hard copy versions resulting from the Pre-Design and Design Exercise stages of the work, all
material shall be submitted digitally in pdf format on a single CD-ROM.