B "SYSTEMS" THINKING (Q)

In the planning and design of buildings, a helpful, all-inclusive tool is to think in terms of overall "systems" or "flows." For each of the following checklist items, follow from the beginning or "upper end" through to the "lower end" or "outfall":

1. People Functions

   1. Follow flow of occupants from one space to another. This includes sources of vertical transportation (stairs, elevators, etc.) including pathways to service equipment.

   2. Follow flow of occupants to enter building from off site.

   3. Follow flow of occupants to exit building as required by code, in case of an emergency.

   4. Follow flow of accessible route as required by law.

   5. Follow flow of materials to supply building (including furniture and off site).

   6. Follow flow of trash to leave building (including to off site).

   7. Way finding: do graphics or other visual clues aid flow of the above six items?

2. Structural Functions

   1. Follow flow of gravity loads from roof down columns, through floors, to foundations and soils.

   2. Follow flow of lateral loads:

      1. Earthquake from ground up through foundations, columns, walls, floors, and roof.

      2. Wind from side walls to roof and floors, through columns, to foundations and the earth.

      3. Follow flow of uplift loads from wind and earthquake by imagining the roof being pulled up and that there are positive connections from roof to columns and walls (through floors) down to foundations and the earth.

3. Water. Moisture, and Drainage

   1. Drain the rain. Follow rainwater from highest point on roof to drain, through the piping system to outfall...