Archive for category Design Guide
Station Design Guide | Architectural Design Considerations
Posted by BenzuJK in Architecture, Design Guide on February 25, 2012
Design of Rail Stations | Architecture and Design
In our previous article, “HSR Station design Guide“, we listed out some of the core station areas and discussed the design considerations to be taken while designing “Station Crossings” and “Platform design”.
Important Station areas to be designed:
- Crossing safety of passengers on the station
- Design of Platforms
- Design of Platforms doors and screens
- Design of Station entrances and Exits
- Direction of the opening of doors
- Design of Train describers or Passengers Information Display
- Design of Toilets for the station
- Design of concessions
Now we will move on with our discussion on the design considerations to be taken for the following station areas (elements):
- Platforms doors and screens
- Entrances and Exits
- Direction of the opening of doors
Design of Platforms doors and screens
Modern metro systems have incorporated glazed screens along the edges of the platform.
This system of designing screen doors was incorporated in cold countries in order to maintain the temperature of the station.
These kind of screen door systems have been used in Europe and America. The underground station in London is pretty popular. The extension of the underground station has been worked on with a point to introduce the platform screen doors. See the picture of the Canary Wharf station in London.
Design of Station entrances and Exits
The width of the entrances and exits should be large enough to allow efficient circulation of a large number of passengers in and out. They must be designed keeping the emergency conditions in mind.
Every country has its own safety codes for the design of entrances and exits.
Apart from concentrating on the width of the entrances, it is necessary to remember that we are architectural designers and making the entrances aesthetically appealing is also our aim.
The number of entrances have to be carefully designed so as to cater for the different sides of the railway route and at the same time, the design should be economical. It should not exceed the calculated budget.
Read the rest of this Article » » »
HSR Stations design guide | Architectural Design
Posted by BenzuJK in Architecture, Design Guide on February 22, 2012
Design of High Speed Rail Stations
India has a huge railway network. The length and spread of railway networks is amazingly vast. India ranks first in the length of railway network in Asia and second largest in the world.
Development of High Speed rail Networks is catching up a lot of speed in Europe. USA government is taking initiatives in order to develop HSR stations and enhance their public transport system.
HSR Station design by Santiago Calatrava
United States of America is now realizing the importance of the nature of railroads and the power and speed of trains. It was seen that the number of road accidents had considerably increased. It was found that the increase in the number of road accidents was directly proportional to the decreased use of railways.
Indian Railway Ministry has ambitious plans for the development of railways for the year 2020.
Being able to design Railway Station keeping in mind today’s needs is very important. This article is dedicated to the basics of design of High Speed Rail Station. This will give the readers an insight on the design of HSR/Metro Stations.
Let us first understand the importance and function of a Station.
Stations are places where passengers check in and check out of the train. Station is the first point of contact between the passengers and the railway. It is to be understood that stations should be well designed, comfortable, aesthetically appealing, functionally efficient (efficient layout and planning of station will ensure efficient circulation).
My entire purpose for writing an article on the Design of HSR Stations is to help you understand all the design considerations that are to be importantly incorporated.
We would be discussing the design considerations for the important station areas so that designing could get handy.
Important Station Areas:
- Crossing safety of passengers on the station
- Design of Platforms
- Design of Platforms doors and screens
- Design of Station entrances and Exits
- Direction of the opening of doors
- Design of Train describers or Passengers Information Display
- Design of Toilets for the station
- Design of concessions
Designing a Holiday Resort | Architecture and Design
Posted by BenzuJK in Design Guide on December 21, 2011
Design Considerations for a Holiday Resort | Architectural Planning
‘Holiday Resort’ is an essential part of tourist places. Everybody prefers a good resort and expects good services.
A good ‘Holiday resort’ is one which satisfies all the requirements of the customers and for this purpose the first essential thing is the design and planning of it. The most important person responsible for creating and designing that space is an “Architect”.
People visiting the holiday resort are generally the tourists and they can be from any part of the world. It is therefore the responsibility of an Architect to design it considering various requirements of various classes of people suiting different habits.
Holiday Resort
The success of every resort is influenced by the following seven factors:
- Good Location
- Attractive appearance (Aesthetic appeal of the structure)
- Good landscape
- Quick and pleasant services
- Cleanliness
- Maintenance
- Food quality
Let us move on with the discussion on some of the most important factors that are necessary to be considered while designing a “Holiday Resort”.
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Design considerations for Commercial Kitchen design
Posted by BenzuJK in Design Guide on October 29, 2011
How to design a Restaurant/Commercial Kitchen?
Commercial Kitchen design is completely different from the residential Kitchen design. The design considerations in terms of functionality and circulation of space play a great role. The design of services such as water supply, drainage, fire fighting, Heating and Ventilation systems, Exhausts etc play a major role in the successful working of a Kitchen.
Restaurant/Hotel Kitchen Design
In this article, we will discuss various design considerations for Restaurant/Hotel(Commercial) Kitchen design.
Menu
Before, we get onto designing, it is very important that we discuss the menu of the Restaurant. The type of food menu will decide the design parameters to be considered. The space has to be designed in a harmonic flow so as to serve to the increasing public without any hassle.
- Timings
- The area
- Peak hours – cater to peak hour timings
- Selection of fuels (for different items… Chinese, Indian, Continental etc) (Fuels that are generally preferred are Propane, LPG, Coal)
Departmentalization (to achieve division of labour)
The study of different departments in a Commercial kitchen is to be carried out. After the analysis of your survey, you can figure out the list of various departments that you incorporate into your Kitchen design. Ofcourse, it also depends on the wish of the client as to what all departments he would prefer in his Restaurant/Hotel.
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Issues in Housing Design | Suburbia or Highrise
Posted by BenzuJK in Design Guide on October 29, 2011
Housing Design
Housing is a fundamental need. Designing a housing complex on a sound architectural basis – blending various concepts such as environmentally friendly apartments, suburbia, medium rise and solar efficient apartments on a modular grid system of planning – while accommodating different family budgets is a gigantic task.
Housing in Brazil
Infrastructure required for Multi-stories Units
Rapid increase in Urban population all over the world due to migration of people from rural areas, growth in information Technology, job opportunities, location of important Government offices, establishment of Multi National Companies, entertainment centres, Corporate Hospitals, etc have made Housing an ever-increasing demand. The potential to shun seemingly monotonous large spaces and to suggest alternative, best use of compact space has become the need of the day. The goal is to challenge space limits in order to allow for a more transformative Architecture in which to dwell.
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Design requirements to be incorporated in a Dog Powerhouse
Posted by BenzuJK in Design Guide on October 29, 2011
Design of a Dog Powerhouse
The question being raised of towards the fate of stray dogs is in terms of their life and death. A case of dog bite, infant being mauled by a gang of dogs rises every few weeks from some corner of the country. The municipalities and authorities are in a debate about deciding on the fate of these stray dogs. The municipalities have concluded that the only solution to eliminate the problems of stray dogs is to kill them all. The government and animal rights authorities are of the opinion that a proper vaccination program should work. The agreement continues and so does the dog menace.
The Dog Powerhouse aims towards rehabilitation of their great population of dogs. At the same time, a new alternative source of energy is created from the power of these dogs.
Earlier we discussed “What a Dog Powerhouse is and the Need for such a Venture“.
We will also be discussing;
Design Requirements in a Dog Powerhouse
The space will be designed giving 40% consideration for dogs and the remaining 60% for humans (care takers) and machinery (treadmills, dynamos).
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Design of Luxury Apartments | India’s New Urban Address
Posted by BenzuJK in Design Guide on October 29, 2011
Growing New Concept of Townships
Indians are better placed monetarily now and are demanding world class amenities with value added services. Builders are willing to comply to the demands of customers who are willing to spend handsomely for better facilities.
Common value additions such as planned landscaping, huge large scale layouts, facilities like central air conditioning, electronic access controls, swimming pools with Jacuzzis, recreational spaces are some in the list of Luxury Apartments.
Luxury Apartments
Concept of Townships
The concept of townships has arrived with a bang due to ever increasing housing demand. It is in huge demand by the elite rich. High end Amenities within the apartments is a part of package. The concept of a township embraces all the basics, the highly essential schools, hospitals and the much needed recreational facilities.
The location is very important factor as it should signify pride and dignity for the customer.
Premium and exclusive condominiums, villas, penthouses and row houses with beautiful landscapes is the new address of the rich who seek a sumptuous lifestyle.
The amenities in the apartment should enhance the locational experience and make the apartment a part of natural surroundings.
Read the rest of this Article » » »