Architect Foundations

Auto-activated knowledge layer. Every response involving building architecture draws from this reference base before routing to specialized skills.

1. Core Architects & Theorists Quick Reference

#	Architect / Theorist	Core Framework (Dates)	Key Concepts & Exemplar Buildings	When to Apply
1	Vitruvius	De Architectura (c. 30 BCE)	Firmitas (structural integrity), Utilitas (functional fitness), Venustas (aesthetic delight). Classical orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) as proportional systems. Site orientation per wind/sun. Aqueduct and basilica typology. Exemplar: Basilica at Fano (described, not extant).	Foundational quality check on any project. Use the triad as a minimum completeness test: does the design satisfy structural soundness, programmatic fitness, and experiential beauty?
2	Leon Battista Alberti	De Re Aedificatoria (1452)	Architecture as civic art. Concinnitas (harmony of parts). Facade as independent compositional layer (Palazzo Rucellai, Florence, 1446-1451 -- pilaster orders applied to masonry wall). Typological thinking: church, palace, villa as distinct design problems. Town planning principles.	When designing facades as autonomous compositions, when working with classical proportion, when the building must address civic/institutional expression.
3	Andrea Palladio	I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura (1570)	Proportional room ratios (1:1, 1:sqrt2, 1:2, 2:3, 3:4). Bilateral symmetry along central axis. Villa typology: central hall flanked by hierarchical rooms (Villa Rotonda, Vicenza, 1567-1592). Loggia/portico as threshold. Temple front applied to domestic architecture. Harmonic proportions derived from musical intervals.	Residential design requiring formal order. Any project where room-to-room proportional relationships matter. Classical institutional buildings. Heritage/conservation contexts requiring Palladian literacy.
4	Le Corbusier	Towards a New Architecture (1923), Modulor (1948)	Five Points: pilotis (free ground), free plan, free facade, ribbon windows, roof garden. Dom-ino frame (1914): slab-column independence enabling plan freedom. Modulor: anthropometric proportional system (red/blue series from 1.83m standing figure). Promenade architecturale (Villa Savoye, Poissy, 1929-1931). Unite d'Habitation (Marseille, 1947-1952): vertical city, brise-soleil, rue interieure, duplex section. Chandigarh Capitol Complex (1952-1965): monumental concrete, parasol roofs, brise-soleil at urban scale.	Reinforced concrete frame buildings. When separating structure from enclosure. Multi-storey housing with communal services. Sun-control facade design. Proportional system for furniture-to-building scale coherence.
5	Mies van der Rohe	Barcelona Pavilion (1929), IIT Campus (1938-1958)	Universal space: column-free spans enabling programmatic flexibility. "Less is more." Steel-and-glass construction as tectonic expression. Corner detail as architecture (Farnsworth House, Plano IL, 1945-1951: 8 wide-flange columns, 1.5m cantilever, elevated floor plane). Seagram Building (NYC, 1954-1958): bronze I-beam mullions, set-back plaza, 8.4m structural bay. Crown Hall (IIT, 1950-1956): 36.6m clear span, exposed plate girders, translucent glass below/clear glass above.	Large-span structures. Corporate/institutional buildings seeking material honesty. When structural expression IS the architecture. Office buildings, museums, galleries requiring flexible open plans.
6	Frank Lloyd Wright	Organic Architecture (1890s-1959)	Building as extension of landscape. Prairie houses (Robie House, Chicago, 1910): horizontal datum, deep eaves, cruciform plan, central hearth. Usonian houses (Herbert Jacobs House, Madison WI, 1937): concrete slab on grade with radiant heat, sandwich walls, carport, L-plan. Fallingwater (Mill Run PA, 1935): cantilevered concrete trays over waterfall, integration of natural rock. Guggenheim Museum (NYC, 1943-1959): continuous spiral ramp, top-lit atrium.	Residential design with strong site integration. When topography drives form. When interior spatial flow takes priority over discrete rooms. Radiant floor heating. Open-plan living.
7	Louis Kahn	Salk Institute (1959-1965), Dhaka Assembly (1962-1983)	Served and servant spaces: main rooms (served) vs. mechanical/circulation zones (servant). Distinction between "what a building wants to be" and program. Silence and Light as design metaphor. Monumental concrete with deliberate formwork. Salk Institute: teak-infill servant towers, travertine court, Pacific axis. Kimbell Art Museum (Fort Worth, 1966-1972): cycloid vault shells, slit skylight with perforated aluminum reflector, 30.5m span, natural light in galleries. National Assembly Dhaka: geometric cutouts in massive walls, light as spatial activator.	Museums and cultural buildings where natural light is paramount. Institutional buildings requiring clear spatial hierarchy. When mechanical systems need their own spatial identity (hospitals, labs). Projects demanding material gravitas.
8	Alvar Aalto	Humanist Modernism (1930s-1976)	Fan plan (Aalto fan): radiating geometry creating acoustic or view-optimized forms. Material warmth: brick, timber, copper against white render. Viipuri Library (1927-1935): conical skylights, undulating ceiling in lecture hall. Paimio Sanatorium (1929-1933): patient room design driven by recumbent body (ceiling colour, angled washbasin, radiant heating, view orientation). Saynatsalo Town Hall (1949-1952): raised courtyard, brick mass, intimate civic scale. Baker House MIT (1947-1949): serpentine plan giving each room a river view.	Healthcare, educational, and civic buildings. When user comfort drives geometry. Acoustic design of auditoria. Northern/cold climates where material warmth matters. When irregular geometry serves functional purpose (views, acoustics) rather than formal expression.
9	Tadao Ando	Church of the Light (1989), Naoshima projects (1988-2004)	Smooth-cast in-situ concrete with 900mm tie-hole grid as ornament. Light as primary material. Geometric purity: circles, rectangles, intersecting walls. Church of the Light (Osaka): cruciform slot in end wall, no glass originally. Water Temple (Awaji, 1991): descent through lotus pond into underground elliptical space. Chichu Art Museum (Naoshima, 2004): entirely below grade, skylit galleries, no external presence.	Gallery/museum spaces. Meditation/religious buildings. When concrete is the primary expressive material. Sites where building must defer to landscape. Projects requiring extreme precision in light control.
10	Peter Zumthor	Atmospheres (2006), Thinking Architecture (1998)	Material presence: every material selection tested at full scale. Thermal qualities of space (temperature of a room as design parameter). Temporal craft: aging, weathering, patina as design intent. Therme Vals (1996): local Valser quartzite, 15cm layered slabs, slot skylights, water as spatial medium. Bruder Klaus Chapel (Kolumba, 2007): rammed concrete over timber wigwam formwork, charred interior, oculus. Kolumba Museum (Cologne, 2007): perforated brick screen over Gothic ruin, filtered light.	Museums, baths, sacred spaces. When material sourcing is site-specific. When atmosphere and sensory experience outrank visual spectacle. Renovation/adaptive reuse requiring archaeological sensitivity. Projects where slow construction craft is viable.
11	Glenn Murcutt	"Touch the earth lightly" (1969-present)	Climate-responsive sectional design for Australian conditions. Corrugated metal, steel frame, raised floor. Sectional thinking: ventilation stack, reflective underside, operable louvers. Marika-Alderton House (Yirrkala NT, 1991-1994): timber frame, plywood panels operable as walls/shutters, cross-ventilation for tropical monsoon climate. Simpson-Lee House (Mt Wilson NSW, 1988-1994): steel pavilion, bushfire-resistant, rainwater collection, north-facing (southern hemisphere). Single architect, hand-drawn, no employees.	Hot-arid and hot-humid climates. Lightweight steel/timber construction. Passive ventilation. Bushfire-prone sites. Rural and remote sites. When section design drives environmental performance more than plan.
12	Rem Koolhaas / OMA	Delirious New York (1978), S,M,L,XL (1995)	Bigness: beyond a certain scale, buildings can no longer be controlled by a single architectural gesture. Programmatic layering: stacking unrelated programs vertically (Seattle Central Library, 2004: 5 programmatic platforms with interstitial "in-between" floors). Generic City / Junkspace as critique. CCTV Building (Beijing, 2002-2012): continuous loop structure, 234m tall, 473,000 sqm, cantilevered 75m overhang. De Rotterdam (2013): vertical city, three interconnected towers, mixed-use stacking.	Large-scale mixed-use complexes. Urban masterplanning at metropolitan scale. When program exceeds simple typological classification. Competition projects requiring narrative. Projects where diagram precedes form.
13	Renzo Piano / RPBW	Centre Pompidou (1971-1977, with Rogers), Lightness + Craft	Layered facades with environmental/structural logic. Lightness through refined steel/glass/terracotta detailing. Centre Pompidou: inside-out services, gerberette brackets, polychrome ducts. Menil Collection (Houston, 1982-1987): ferro-cement "leaf" baffles for diffused daylight. The Shard (London, 2009-2012): 309.6m, tapering glass planes, open apex. California Academy of Sciences (SF, 2000-2008): living roof, 2.5-acre canopy, net-zero energy target. Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre (Noumea, 1991-1998): iroko timber "cases" inspired by Kanak huts, passive stack ventilation.	Museum/gallery daylighting. Tall buildings requiring environmental performance. Cultural buildings in sensitive contexts. When the facade is the primary design problem. High-craft construction with large budgets.
14	Kengo Kuma	Anti-Object (2008), Material Dissolution	Material dissolution: breaking mass into particles (wood slats, stone chips, aluminum louvers). Transparency through layering. Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum (2010): cantilevered laminated timber. V&A Dundee (2018): precast concrete fins creating cliff-like facade. Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo (2019): 2000 Yoshino cedar tubes. GC Prostho Museum (2010): cidori timber joint system, no nails. Japan National Stadium (2019): timber-and-steel hybrid lattice, 5 stories of overhanging eaves, natural ventilation ring.	Timber and natural material construction. When mass needs to be dematerialized. Japanese-influenced detailing. Pavilion and museum projects. Screen/filter facade strategies.
15	Bjarke Ingels / BIG	Yes is More (2009), Hedonistic Sustainability	Worldcraft: architecture as world-building. Programmatic diagrams as generative form (8 House, Copenhagen, 2010: figure-eight loop, 476 units, ground-to-penthouse cycling path). CopenHill (2019): waste-to-energy plant with ski slope/climbing wall on facade. VIA 57 West (NYC, 2016): courtyard + skyscraper hybrid, tetrahedral form. The Spiral (NYC, 2025): cascading terraces. Sustainability as hedonism: green features that are also pleasurable.	Mixed-use housing at urban scale. Public infrastructure requiring public amenity. Competition design with strong narrative/diagram. Projects where sustainability must be experiential, not just metric-driven.
16	Francis Kere	Community-Built Architecture, Pritzker 2022	Local materials + community labor as design strategy. Primary School Gando (Burkina Faso, 2001): compressed laterite blocks, rebar-reinforced, raised roof for stack ventilation, 30cm gap between ceiling and corrugated roof. Lycee Schorge (Koudougou, 2016): eucalyptus lattice screens. Serpentine Pavilion (2017): indigo timber canopy. National Assembly of Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou, 2025): stepped pyramid, tree-shaded gathering, local stone. Tropical ventilation through double roofs and thermal chimneys.	Low-resource contexts. Hot-dry/hot-humid tropical climates. Community-participatory design processes. When local material sourcing is a design imperative. Educational buildings in developing regions. Stack ventilation strategies.
17	Lacaton & Vassal	Pritzker 2021, "Never Demolish"	Economy of means: maximum space per euro. Greenhouse/polycarbonate technology as inhabited space. Transformation of Bois-le-Pretre Tower (Paris, 2005-2011, with Druot): wrap-around winter gardens added to existing social housing, no tenant displacement. Palais de Tokyo (Paris, 2001/2012): raw industrial space, minimal intervention, maximum flexibility. FRAC Dunkirk (2013): double building -- exhibition box + translucent twin using greenhouse structure at 1/10 the cost. Generous space > expensive finishes.	Social housing renovation/extension. Tight budgets requiring spatial generosity. When existing structures must be retained. Climate-buffer (winter garden) strategies. Adaptive reuse. Projects where cost/sqm is the critical constraint.
18	Carlo Scarpa	Castelvecchio Museum (1956-1973), Detail as Architecture	Joint as architecture: every connection between materials is a design opportunity. Layered reveals, shadow gaps, material juxtapositions. Castelvecchio (Verona): Cangrande statue pivot, steel-concrete-stone layered thresholds, water channels. Brion Cemetery (San Vito d'Altivole, 1968-1978): interlocking concrete geometry, ziggurat chapel, water-filled reflecting basin. Olivetti Showroom (Venice, 1957-1958): Aurisina marble, teak, brass, mosaic -- each material precisely bounded. Fondazione Querini Stampalia (Venice, 1961-1963): controlled flooding detail, brass/stone/water thresholds.	Heritage renovation and museum design. When material junctions are the primary design expression. High-craft detailing with multiple material interfaces. Waterside/flood-prone sites. Projects with archaeological layering.
19	Robert Venturi	Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (1966), Learning from Las Vegas (1972)	Decorated Shed vs Duck: buildings that apply ornament to conventional form vs. buildings where form IS the symbol. "Less is a bore." Vanna Venturi House (Philadelphia, 1962-1964): split gable, oversized chimney void, compressed entry. Guild House (1960-1963): brick, applied ornament (gold TV antenna), contextual scale. Complexity and contradiction: both/and instead of either/or. Mannerism as valid design strategy.	When a building must communicate symbolically in a commercial/suburban context. When pure abstraction fails to engage users. Contextual infill in existing neighborhoods. Critique and alternative to minimalist dogma.
20	Aldo Rossi	The Architecture of the City (1966), A Scientific Autobiography (1981)	Urban artifacts: buildings as permanent elements giving identity to cities. Typology as collective memory (courtyard, tower, colonnade as archetypes). Analogical city: design through recombination of remembered forms. San Cataldo Cemetery (Modena, 1971-1984): cubic ossuary, colonnaded streets of the dead, exposed steel frame as ruin. Teatro del Mondo (Venice, 1979): floating timber theater, temporary monument. Bonnefanten Museum (Maastricht, 1990-1995): brick, zinc cupola, axial stair.	Urban design where collective typological memory matters. Cemetery/memorial design. When the city's existing morphology should generate the building's form. Competition narratives grounded in urban history. Housing blocks that must contribute to urban identity.

Additional Theorists for Reference

Theorist	Key Contribution	Essential Text
Christopher Alexander	Pattern Language (253 patterns from region to construction detail), Nature of Order, living structure	A Pattern Language (1977), The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
Jan Gehl	Human-scale urban design, 12 quality criteria for public space, edge effect, life between buildings	Life Between Buildings (1971), Cities for People (2010)
Kevin Lynch	Urban imageability: paths, edges, districts, nodes, landmarks	The Image of the City (1960)
Herman Hertzberger	Structuralism, polyvalent form, threshold as social space	Lessons for Students in Architecture (1991)
Fumihiko Maki	Group Form, compositional/megastructure/group form typology, collective form	Investigations in Collective Form (1964)
Christian Norberg-Schulz	Genius loci, existential space, phenomenology of architecture	Genius Loci (1979)
Kenneth Frampton	Critical Regionalism, tectonic culture, resisting universal commodification	Modern Architecture: A Critical History (1980), Studies in Tectonic Culture (1995)
Reyner Banham	Environmental controls as architecture, well-tempered environment	The Architecture of the Well-Tempered Environment (1969)
Bernard Tschumi	Event-space, disjunction, program as generator (Parc de la Villette, 1982-1998)	Architecture and Disjunction (1994)
Balkrishna Doshi	Indian modernism, low-cost housing (Aranya, Indore, 1989), stepped form, courtyards	Pritzker 2018, Sangath Studio (1980)
Anne Lacaton	See Lacaton & Vassal above; economy, generosity, never demolish	Freedom of Use (2015)
Alejandro Aravena / ELEMENTAL	Half-a-house incremental housing (Quinta Monroy, Iquique, 2004), participatory design	Pritzker 2016
Lina Bo Bardi	MASP Sao Paulo (1968): 74m clear span, civic void below. Glass House (1951). Social architecture.	Post-colonial modernism, cultural buildings as public gathering
Jorn Utzon	Additive architecture, platform and plateau, Sydney Opera House (1957-1973): spherical geometry shells	Platforms and Plateaus (1962)
Cedric Price	Fun Palace (1961, unbuilt): flexible, demountable, serviced framework. Anticipatory architecture.	Architecture as enabling infrastructure, not monument

2. Quantitative Rules of Thumb

2.1 Floor-to-Floor Heights

Building Type	Minimum	Optimal	Maximum	Clear Ceiling	Source
Single-family residential	2.6 m	2.8 m	3.2 m	2.4 m min	IRC R305.1
Multi-family residential	2.8 m	3.0 m	3.4 m	2.4 m min	IBC 1208.2
Office (standard)	3.6 m	3.9 m	4.2 m	2.7 m typ	ASHRAE + AGS
Office (premium Grade A)	3.9 m	4.2 m	4.5 m	2.85 m typ	BCO Guide 2019
Retail (ground floor)	4.5 m	5.0 m	6.0 m	3.5 m min	IBC + Neufert
Retail (upper floors)	3.6 m	4.2 m	5.0 m	3.0 m min	Neufert
Hotel guest room	2.8 m	3.2 m	3.6 m	2.55 m min	Brand standards vary
Hospital (patient floor)	4.2 m	4.5 m	4.8 m	2.7 m clear	FGI Guidelines 2022
Hospital (surgical)	4.5 m	4.8 m	5.4 m	3.0 m clear	FGI Guidelines 2022
School (classroom)	3.3 m	3.6 m	4.0 m	2.7 m min	BB103 / Neufert
Laboratory	4.2 m	4.5 m	5.0 m	3.0 m min	NIH Design Req
Parking (above-grade)	3.0 m	3.3 m	3.6 m	2.3 m clear	IBC 406.4
Parking (below-grade)	2.8 m	3.0 m	3.3 m	2.1 m clear min	IBC 406.4
Industrial / warehouse	6.0 m	8.0 m	12.0 m	5.0 m+ clear	Varies by rack ht
Data center	4.0 m	4.5 m	5.5 m	3.0 m raised floor	Uptime Institute
Auditorium / theater	6.0 m	8.0 m	15.0 m+	Fly tower: 2.5x proscenium ht	Neufert / AGS

2.2 Structural Grid Spacing

Building Type	Typical Bay (m)	Common Grid	Notes	Source
Residential (RC frame)	5.0 - 8.0 m	5.4 x 8.1 m, 6.0 x 7.5 m	Bays accommodate 2 parking below	Neufert
Residential (load-bearing)	3.6 - 6.0 m	Party wall @ 5.4-6.0 m	Limited by precast plank span	EN 1992
Office (steel frame)	7.5 - 12.0 m	9.0 x 9.0 m, 7.5 x 12.0 m	9m allows 2x open-plan + corridor	BCO Guide
Office (RC flat slab)	7.5 - 10.5 m	7.5 x 7.5 m, 9.0 x 9.0 m	Post-tensioned extends to 12m	ACI 318
Parking structure	8.1 x 5.4 m	16.2 x 5.4 m double bay	5.4m = 2 stalls + aisle; 8.1m = 3 stalls	IBC / NPA
Warehouse / logistics	12.0 - 24.0 m	12 x 24 m, 24 x 24 m	Clear height driven by racking	AISC / Neufert
Hospital	7.2 - 8.4 m	7.2 x 7.2 m, 8.4 x 8.4 m	Must accommodate patient rooms (3.6m module)	FGI / HBN
School	7.2 - 8.4 m	7.2 x 8.4 m	Classroom = 1 or 2 structural bays	BB103
Sports hall	18.0 - 40.0 m+	Long-span systems	Glulam, steel truss, space frame	Neufert

2.3 Core, Circulation & Daylighting Distances

Metric	Value	Notes	Source
Maximum core-to-facade distance (daylighting)	15.0 m	2.5x window head height rule of thumb	CIBSE LG10
Optimal core-to-facade distance	12.0 m	Ensures DF > 2% at deepest point	EN 17037
Maximum plan depth, naturally ventilated	12-15 m	5x floor-to-ceiling height	CIBSE AM10
Maximum plan depth, cross-ventilated	5x ceiling ht per side	e.g., 2.7m ceil = 13.5m total	CIBSE AM10
Maximum single-sided ventilation depth	2-2.5x ceiling ht	e.g., 2.7m ceil = 5.4-6.75m	CIBSE AM10
Maximum dead-end corridor length	6.0 m (unsprinklered)	15.0 m sprinklered (IBC varies by occupancy)	IBC 1020.4, NFPA 101
Maximum travel distance to exit (office, sprinklered)	76.2 m (250 ft)	Unsprinklered: 61.0 m (200 ft)	IBC Table 1017.2
Maximum travel distance to exit (residential, sprinklered)	76.2 m (250 ft)	Unsprinklered: 61.0 m (200 ft)	IBC Table 1017.2
Maximum common path of travel (sprinklered)	22.9 m (75 ft)	Business/residential occupancy	IBC 1006.2.1

2.4 Net-to-Gross Area Ratios

Building Type	Net/Gross Ratio	Circulation + Core	Walls + Structure	Source
Residential (apartment)	75-85%	12-18%	5-8%	Neufert / RICS
Office (speculative)	70-80%	15-22%	5-8%	BCO Guide 2019
Office (owner-occupied)	75-82%	13-18%	5-8%	BCO Guide 2019
Retail (shopping centre)	65-75%	20-28%	5-8%	RICS
Hotel	60-70%	25-32%	5-8%	HVS / Neufert
Hospital	55-65%	28-35%	7-10%	FGI / HBN
School (primary)	60-70%	22-30%	5-8%	BB103
School (secondary)	55-65%	25-35%	5-8%	BB103
University	55-65%	25-35%	5-8%	AUDE / HEFCE
Laboratory	50-60%	30-40%	5-10%	NIH / S-Lab
Museum / gallery	55-65%	25-35%	5-10%	AGS
Parking structure	85-90%	8-12%	2-5%	NPA
Data center	45-55%	35-45%	5-10%	Uptime Institute

2.5 Corridor and Passage Widths

Context	Minimum Width	Optimal Width	Code Basis
Residential corridor (apartment)	1.05 m (3'-6")	1.2-1.5 m	IRC R311.6
Residential common corridor	1.1 m	1.5 m	IBC 1020.2 / ADA
Office corridor	1.2 m (< 50 occ.)	1.8 m	IBC 1020.2
Hospital corridor (patient)	2.4 m (8'-0")	2.7 m	FGI 2022
Hospital corridor (service)	1.8 m	2.1 m	FGI 2022
School corridor	1.8 m	2.4 - 3.0 m	IBC / BB103
Assembly egress	1.5 m min	Calc: 7.6mm/person	IBC 1005.1
Accessible route	0.915 m (36")	1.2 m	ADA 403.5.1
Accessible passing space	1.525 m (60")	At intervals < 61 m	ADA 403.5.3

2.6 Window-to-Wall Ratio by Orientation & Climate

Climate Zone (ASHRAE)	North WWR	East WWR	South WWR	West WWR	Total Max	Source
CZ 1-2 (Hot)	20-30%	15-20%	20-30%	10-15%	30%	ASHRAE 90.1-2022
CZ 3-4 (Mixed)	25-35%	20-25%	30-40%	15-20%	40%	ASHRAE 90.1-2022
CZ 5-6 (Cold)	25-40%	20-30%	35-50%	20-25%	40%	ASHRAE 90.1-2022
CZ 7-8 (Subarctic)	20-30%	15-25%	30-45%	15-20%	35%	ASHRAE 90.1-2022
Passive House (any)	Per PHPP calc	Per PHPP calc	Maximize	Minimize	Per PHPP	PHI

Note: ASHRAE 90.1-2022 prescriptive max WWR is 30% (Table 5.5-0-5.5-8); higher ratios require trade-off (ECB/PRM) compliance path. South = equator-facing.

2.7 Thermal Transmittance (U-values) by Climate Zone

Component	CZ 1-2 (Hot)	CZ 3-4 (Mixed)	CZ 5-6 (Cold)	CZ 7-8 (Subarctic)	Passive House	Source
Wall (above grade)	0.70 W/m2K	0.45 W/m2K	0.27 W/m2K	0.18 W/m2K	<= 0.15 W/m2K	ASHRAE 90.1 / PHI
Roof	0.36 W/m2K	0.27 W/m2K	0.18 W/m2K	0.12 W/m2K	<= 0.15 W/m2K	ASHRAE 90.1 / PHI
Floor (slab-on-grade, F-factor)	1.26 W/mK	0.90 W/mK	0.73 W/mK	0.54 W/mK	<= 0.15 W/m2K	ASHRAE 90.1 / PHI
Window (U-factor)	3.69 W/m2K	2.56 W/m2K	1.98 W/m2K	1.36 W/m2K	<= 0.80 W/m2K	ASHRAE 90.1 / PHI
Window SHGC (max)	0.25	0.25-0.40	0.40	0.40	Per PHPP	ASHRAE 90.1

2.8 Stair Dimensions

Parameter	Minimum (Code)	Optimal	Maximum	Source
Riser height	100 mm (4")	170-178 mm	196 mm (7-3/4") IBC; 180mm UK	IBC 1011.5.2 / AD-K
Tread depth (going)	254 mm (10")	279-300 mm	--	IBC 1011.5.2
2R + G comfort rule	600 mm min	620-640 mm	660 mm max	Neufert / Blondel
Stair width (< 50 occ.)	914 mm (36")	1100 mm	--	IBC 1011.2
Stair width (> 50 occ.)	1118 mm (44")	1200-1500 mm	--	IBC 1011.2
Handrail height	864 mm (34")	900-1000 mm	965 mm (38")	IBC 1014.2
Landing depth	>= stair width	>= stair width	--	IBC 1011.6
Headroom	2032 mm (80")	2200 mm	--	IBC 1011.3

2.9 Elevator Sizing

Building Type	Rule of Thumb	Car Capacity	Speed	Source
Residential (< 10 stories)	1 lift per 90 units	8-person (630 kg)	1.0-1.6 m/s	BS EN 81-70 / Neufert
Residential (10-25 stories)	1 lift per 60-75 units	10-13 person (1000 kg)	1.6-2.5 m/s	CIBSE Guide D
Office (low-rise, < 10 fl)	1 lift per 2,500-3,000 m2 NLA	13-16 person (1150 kg)	1.6-2.5 m/s	BCO / CIBSE Guide D
Office (mid-rise, 10-25 fl)	1 lift per 2,000-2,500 m2 NLA	16-21 person (1600 kg)	2.5-4.0 m/s	CIBSE Guide D
Office (high-rise, 25+ fl)	Sky-lobby + shuttle	21-26 person (2000 kg)	4.0-10.0 m/s	CIBSE Guide D
Hospital (bed elevator)	Min 1 per 100 beds	26-person (2500 kg)	1.0-1.6 m/s	FGI / DH HTM 08-02
Goods / service lift	Per loading dock count	2000-5000 kg	0.5-1.0 m/s	Neufert
Interval target (office)	--	--	<= 30 sec	CIBSE Guide D
Handling capacity (5 min)	12-15% of population	--	--	BCO / CIBSE

2.10 Parking Dimensions

Parameter	Standard	Compact	Accessible	Source
Stall width	2.5 m (8'-6")	2.3 m (7'-6")	3.66 m (12'-0") + 1.52m (5') aisle	IBC / ADA 502.2
Stall depth	5.5 m (18'-0")	4.6 m (15'-0")	5.5 m (18'-0")	IBC / Neufert
Aisle width (90-deg)	7.3 m (24'-0")	6.7 m (22'-0")	7.3 m (24'-0")	IBC / Neufert
Aisle width (60-deg angle)	5.5 m (18'-0")	5.0 m (16'-6")	5.5 m (18'-0")	Neufert
Aisle width (45-deg angle)	3.7 m (12'-0")	3.4 m (11'-0")	3.7 m (12'-0")	Neufert
Van-accessible width	--	--	3.35 m (11'-0") + 2.44m (8') aisle	ADA 502.2
Accessible count (1-25 total)	--	--	1 space	ADA 208.2
Accessible count (26-50)	--	--	2 spaces	ADA 208.2
Accessible count (51-75)	--	--	3 spaces	ADA 208.2
Ramp grade (parking)	--	--	5% max (1:20)	ADA 405.2
Drive lane gradient max	15% (1:6.67)	--	--	IBC / BS 8300

2.11 Loading Dock Dimensions

Parameter	Value	Source
Loading berth width	3.66 m (12'-0")	Neufert / AGS
Loading berth depth	18.3 m (60'-0") for WB-67 truck	AASHTO / AGS
Dock door height	2.74 m (9'-0") min, 3.05 m (10'-0") preferred	AGS
Dock door width	2.74 m (9'-0") min, 3.05 m (10'-0") preferred	AGS
Dock leveler platform depth	1.83 m (6'-0")	AGS
Apron depth (for turning)	36.6 m (120'-0") for WB-67	AASHTO
Dock height above grade	1.22-1.37 m (48"-54")	AGS

2.12 Fire Resistance Ratings by Construction Type

Construction Type (IBC)	Structural Frame	Bearing Walls (ext)	Bearing Walls (int)	Floor	Roof	Source
Type IA (fireproof)	3 hr	3 hr	3 hr	2 hr	1.5 hr	IBC Table 601
Type IB	2 hr	2 hr	2 hr	2 hr	1 hr	IBC Table 601
Type IIA (protected)	1 hr	1 hr	1 hr	1 hr	1 hr	IBC Table 601
Type IIB (unprotected)	0 hr	0 hr	0 hr	0 hr	0 hr	IBC Table 601
Type IIIA	1 hr	2 hr	1 hr	1 hr	1 hr	IBC Table 601
Type IIIB	0 hr	2 hr	0 hr	0 hr	0 hr	IBC Table 601
Type IV (heavy timber)	HT	2 hr	1 hr / HT	HT	HT	IBC Table 601
Type VA (protected wood)	1 hr	1 hr	1 hr	1 hr	1 hr	IBC Table 601
Type VB (unprotected wood)	0 hr	0 hr	0 hr	0 hr	0 hr	IBC Table 601

2.13 Acoustic Performance Ratings

Adjacency	STC Minimum	STC Recommended	IIC Minimum	IIC Recommended	Source
Unit-to-unit (residential wall)	50	55-60	--	--	IBC 1207.2
Unit-to-unit (residential floor/ceiling)	50	55-60	50	55-60	IBC 1207.3
Classroom-to-classroom	50	55	--	--	ANSI S12.60
Classroom-to-corridor	45	50	--	--	ANSI S12.60
Office-to-office (closed)	45	50	--	--	ASTM E90 / GSA
Exam room-to-exam room	50	55	--	--	FGI 2022
Patient room-to-patient room	50	55	--	--	FGI 2022
OR to adjacent spaces	55	60	--	--	FGI 2022
Hotel room-to-room	50	55-60	50	55-60	Brand + IBC
Music room / practice	60	65	55	60	BB93 / ANSI S12.60
Background noise (classroom)	--	<= 35 dBA	--	--	ANSI S12.60
Background noise (office, open)	--	40-45 dBA	--	--	ASHRAE Handbook
Background noise (hospital, patient)	--	30-40 dBA	--	--	FGI / WHO
RT60 (classroom, furnished)	--	0.4-0.6 s	--	--	BB93 / ANSI S12.60
RT60 (office, open plan)	--	0.5-0.8 s	--	--	ASHRAE / WELL

2.14 Daylighting Metrics

Metric	Space Type	Minimum	Target	Source
Daylight Factor (DF)	Residential living room	1.0%	2.0%	BS EN 17037
Daylight Factor (DF)	Office workspace	2.0%	3.0-5.0%	CIBSE LG10 / EN 17037
Daylight Factor (DF)	Classroom	2.0%	3.0-5.0%	BB90 / EN 17037
Daylight Factor (DF)	Hospital ward	1.0%	2.0-3.0%	HBN / EN 17037
Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA)	Office (LEED v4.1)	55% area >= 300 lux for 50% hours	75% area (2 pts)	LEED BD+C v4.1 EQ c7
Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE)	Office (LEED v4.1)	<= 10% area > 1000 lux for 250 hrs	--	LEED BD+C v4.1 EQ c7
Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI)	Office	100-3000 lux for 50%+ hours	--	Nabil & Mardaljevic
Illuminance (electric + day)	Office task area	300 lux min	500 lux	EN 12464-1
Illuminance	Classroom	300 lux min	500 lux	EN 12464-1
Illuminance	Hospital ward	100 lux general	300 lux reading	EN 12464-1
Illuminance	Corridor / circulation	100 lux	150 lux	EN 12464-1

3. Building Typology Taxonomy

3.1 Residential

Sub-type	Key Design Drivers	Critical Metrics
Single-family detached	Orientation, privacy, outdoor space, garage/parking, local zoning setbacks	Lot coverage 30-50%, FAR 0.3-0.8, min lot area per unit
Multi-family apartment	Unit mix, dual aspect, core efficiency, daylight access, acoustic separation, bike/bin stores	Net-to-gross 78-85%, units/core 6-10, min unit sizes per local code
Mixed-use residential	Ground-floor activation, servicing separation, structural transfer, acoustic isolation between uses	Residential lobby separate from commercial, STC 55+ floor assembly
Student housing	Cluster flats (5-8 beds sharing kitchen), en-suite ratio, social/study space, laundry	10-14 m2/bed-space, 1 washing machine per 20 students
Senior living / care	Accessibility throughout, assisted living vs. independent, dementia wayfinding, nurse call	Min 28 m2 single room, 1:8 staff ratio (care), 100% visitable units
Co-living	Shared kitchens/living, private bedrooms, community programming, flexible lease	12-16 m2 private, 4-6 m2 shared/person, high common area ratio

3.2 Commercial

Sub-type	Key Design Drivers	Critical Metrics
Office (speculative)	Floor plate efficiency, daylight penetration, flexible fit-out, HVAC zoning, raised floor/ceiling void	12-20 m2/person, 1:8-1:10 desk ratio (hybrid), <= 15m core-to-facade
Office (owner-occupied)	Bespoke program, long-term adaptability, identity/brand	Similar metrics, higher fit-out spec
Retail (high street)	Frontage, visibility, servicing rear, floor loading 5 kN/m2, grease traps for food	Min 4.5m ground floor-to-floor, 6m frontage min
Retail (shopping centre)	Anchor tenants, footfall routing, service corridors, food court ventilation	15-25 m2 GLA per 1000 catchment population
Hospitality (hotel)	Room count, F&B, back-of-house ratio, brand compliance, views	28-42 m2/key (midscale-upscale), BOH 15-20% GFA
Hospitality (restaurant)	Kitchen:dining ratio 1:2.5-1:3, ventilation 15-30 ACH kitchen, grease duct	1.5-2.0 m2/seat, 100-150 covers per service

3.3 Institutional

Sub-type	Key Design Drivers	Critical Metrics
Primary/elementary school	Classroom cluster, secure entry, outdoor play 10 m2/pupil, safeguarding sightlines	2.0-2.5 m2/pupil (classroom), BB103 area guidelines
Secondary school	Subject departments, assembly hall, sports hall, science labs with fume hoods	2.5-3.0 m2/pupil (classroom), 594+ m2 sports hall
University	Lecture theatres (0.65 m2/seat), labs, library, flexible learning, research	AUDE space norms: 8-12 m2/FTE
Hospital (acute)	Clinical adjacencies, infection control, sterile corridors, logistics, helipad	50-80 m2 GIA per bed (varies by acuity)
Clinic / primary care	Exam rooms 11-13 m2, waiting 1.4 m2/person, reception sightlines	6-8 exam rooms per GP
Museum / gallery	Daylight control, UV filtration, RH 45-55%, temp 20-22C, floor loading 5 kN/m2	25-40 m2 per visitor at peak, 5 lux (sensitive) to 300 lux
Library	Stack area 5-6 shelves/m2, reading 2.5 m2/seat, acoustic zones, RFID	30 books/linear m shelving, 2.3-4.6 m2/1000 pop
Religious (church)	Liturgical axis, acoustics RT60 1.5-3.0 s, assembly seating, bell tower	0.6-0.8 m2/seat (pew), 0.9 m2/seat (chairs)
Civic (courthouse, city hall)	Security screening, public/restricted separation, council chamber acoustics	Courtroom min 85 m2, holding cells, judge chambers

3.4 Industrial

Sub-type	Key Design Drivers	Critical Metrics
Manufacturing (light)	Column-free span, overhead crane, floor loading 10-50 kN/m2, goods access	6-12 m clear height, 10% office ratio
Manufacturing (heavy)	Crane rail at 12-20 m height, vibration isolation, heavy floor loading	50-200 kN/m2 floor, crane capacity 5-50 tonne
Warehouse / distribution	Racking height, truck court depth 40 m, cross-dock, dock-to-floor ratio	10-15 m clear height, 1 dock per 1000-1500 m2
Logistics / e-commerce	Sortation systems, mezzanine, EV charging, last-mile dispatch	12-18 m clear, floor flatness FM2/DM2, 50+ docks
Cold storage	Vapor barrier, insulation R-40+, ante-chambers, condensation control	-25C to +4C, 300mm+ insulated panel, air-lock entries

3.5 Special Purpose

Sub-type	Key Design Drivers	Critical Metrics
Transportation hub	Wayfinding, crowd flow 1.3 m/s, platform edge safety, intermodal transfer	LOS C-D: 2.0-3.5 m2/person (Fruin)
Sports / arena	Sightlines (C-value), spectator flow 66 persons/m/min, structural clear span, retractable roof	0.45-0.5 m2/seat, 8 min full evacuation
Data center	Power density 5-20 kW/rack, cooling, UPS, redundancy (N+1 to 2N), raised floor 600mm	PUE target <= 1.2, Tier III: 99.982% uptime
Performing arts	Acoustics RT60 1.4-2.2 s (symphonic), fly tower 2.5x proscenium, orchestra pit	0.6 m2/seat, NC-20 to NC-25 background noise
Laboratory	Fume hood density, ACH 6-12, vibration class VC-A to VC-E, chemical storage	10-14 m2/researcher, 100% outside air

4. Design Quality Framework

4.1 Composite Quality Checklist

Drawing from RIBA Plan of Work 2020 (Stages 0-7), AIA Framework for Design Excellence, CABE/Design Council Building for Life 12, and the Vitruvian triad.

Firmitas (Structural Soundness & Durability)

Structural system matched to span, loading, and building height requirements
Foundation type appropriate to ground conditions (geotechnical report reviewed)
Design life defined: 50 yr (standard), 100 yr (monumental/infrastructure), per EN 1990 Table 2.1
Material durability class specified (timber: EN 350; steel: corrosion protection; concrete: exposure class EN 206)
Movement joints located at max 40-60 m intervals (concrete) or as per thermal analysis
Robustness / progressive collapse resistance verified (EN 1991-1-7, GSA guidelines for federal)
Waterproofing strategy defined for below-grade and wet areas (BS 8102 grade)
Roof drainage: primary + secondary overflow, max 150 m2 per outlet

Utilitas (Functional Fitness)

Brief / program validated against area benchmarks (see Section 2.4 net-to-gross)
All rooms meet minimum dimensions for intended furniture/equipment
Circulation is intuitive: max 2 direction changes from entry to any primary space
Core location optimizes travel distances to all floor areas (centroid analysis)
Servicing strategy: risers, plant rooms, maintenance access all confirmed
Storage provision: residential min 3-6 m2/unit (varies by bed count), office 5-8% NIA
Waste strategy: bin store sized at 0.01 m3/unit/week minimum
Loading/delivery: vehicle tracking verified, turning circles confirmed
IT/comms: riser positions, containment routes, equipment room cooling confirmed

Venustas (Experiential Quality & Delight)

Arrival sequence designed: approach, threshold, reception, orientation
Natural light reaches all primary occupied spaces (DF > 2% or sDA > 55%)
External views from all workstations/desks (WELL v2 Feature L01: >= 75% of area)
Material palette limited (3-5 primary materials) with intentional juxtaposition
Color and texture vary by spatial hierarchy (public > semi-public > private)
Acoustic comfort: background noise within target range for each space type
Biophilic elements: planting, water, natural materials, prospect/refuge, fractal patterns
Proportional coherence: key rooms tested against golden ratio, Modulor, or grid geometry

Context & Place (CABE / Building for Life 12)

Building relates to surrounding urban grain (street pattern, block morphology, density)
Height and massing respect context: shadow studies confirm no adverse overshadowing (BRE 209 criteria: > 2 hrs sun on March 21)
Ground floor activates street edge: transparent, accessible, programmed
Public realm contribution: setbacks, planting, seating, lighting specified
Local material/typological language referenced or consciously departed from
Parking concealed or de-emphasized from primary streetscape

Sustainability & Performance (AIA / LEED / BREEAM / Passive House)

Energy target defined: EUI (kBtu/ft2/yr or kWh/m2/yr) benchmarked against type
Operational carbon: annual CO2 per m2 target set (RIBA 2030 Challenge targets)
Embodied carbon: kgCO2e/m2 target set (LETI 2020: < 500 kgCO2e/m2 residential, < 600 office)
Passive strategies exhausted before active: orientation, massing, shading, insulation, thermal mass, ventilation
Renewable energy: roof area reserved for PV, target >= 20% on-site generation
Water: rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, low-flow fixtures (< 6 L/flush, < 1.9 L/min lavatory)
Biodiversity net gain: green/brown roofs, bird/bat boxes, native planting (UK: 10% BNG min)
Circular economy: design for disassembly, material passport, 80%+ diversion from landfill

Accessibility & Inclusion (ADA 2010 / BS 8300 / EN 17210)

Level access at all primary entrances (max 6mm threshold)
Accessible route connects all levels: lift or ramp (1:20 max gradient, 1:12 max with 760mm rise)
Accessible WC provision: min 1 per floor, 1500mm turning circle, grab rails per ADA 604
Signage: tactile, high-contrast (70% min LRV difference), Braille at 1200-1500mm AFL
Hearing enhancement: induction loops in assembly spaces > 50 m2 (BS 8300-2)
Refuge areas at each stairway on floors above/below exit discharge (IBC 1009.3)
Colour/texture change at level transitions, stair nosings, glass manifestation bands

5. Anti-Pattern Catalog

5.1 Planning & Massing Failures

Anti-Pattern	Failure Mode	Fix
Deep plan without daylight	Plan depth > 15 m from facade with no atrium or courtyard. Interior zones permanently artificially lit. Energy waste, poor wellbeing (WELL L01 failure).	Max 12-15 m occupied depth. Introduce lightwells, atria, or courtyards. Use borrowed light through glazed partitions.
Single-aspect apartments	All rooms face one direction. No cross-ventilation. Overheating if west-facing. Poor daylight in rooms far from facade.	Require dual-aspect for >= 50% of units (London Plan Policy D6). Single-aspect max depth 8 m, never north-facing.
Corridor-only circulation	Long double-loaded corridors (> 20 m) with no daylight, no widening, no social function. Dead space consuming 18-22% of GFA.	Introduce gallery access (daylit), skip-stop sections (Corbusier Unite type), widen at nodes for seating/post.
Structural grid misaligned with program	9 m office grid producing 4.5 m half-bays that are too small for hotel rooms (need 3.6-4.2 m) in conversion or mixed-use.	Establish grid from most constrained use first. Parking (5.4 m module) often governs. Test grid against all programs during concept.
Tower-on-podium without wind mitigation	Tall building creates ground-level wind acceleration (Venturi effect) making podium spaces unusable. Lawson LDDC comfort criteria fail.	Chamfer/setback lower floors, add canopies, porous podium edges, wind baffles. CFD testing at concept stage.

5.2 Envelope & Environmental Failures

Anti-Pattern	Failure Mode	Fix
Over-glazed facades	WWR > 60% causing overheating (> 28C for > 1% occupied hours, CIBSE TM52), glare, high cooling loads, condensation risk in cold climates.	Limit WWR per Section 2.6. Use external shading (brise-soleil, overhangs). Specify high-performance glass (SHGC < 0.25 south/west).
Thermal bridging at balconies	Concrete balcony slab continuous with floor slab creates cold bridge. Surface condensation, mould risk, heat loss 15-30% increase.	Thermal break connectors (Schock Isokorb or equivalent). Or structurally independent balconies.
Flat roof without redundancy	Single waterproofing layer, no secondary drainage. Single point of failure leads to catastrophic leaks.	Dual membrane or inverted roof. Secondary drainage (scupper overflow) at 50mm above primary. Min 1:60 fall (1:40 preferred).
Curtain wall without maintenance strategy	No BMU provision, no cradle track, no accessible cleaning positions. Facade degrades.	Design BMU/cradle system from concept. Max 1.5m reach from cradle. Track loads into structure from Stage 2.

5.3 Services & Systems Failures

Anti-Pattern	Failure Mode	Fix
Service risers as afterthought	Risers sized for current load only, in awkward locations, no future capacity. Renovation requires destructive work.	Size risers at 130% current requirement. Locate adjacent to cores. Stack vertically through all floors. Access panels on every floor.
Acoustic separation ignored between uses	Residential above restaurant/bar: airborne noise (bass/music) and impact noise (kitchen equipment) transmit through structure.	STC 60+ floor assembly. Structural break (floating slab or resilient mount). Vibration-isolated kitchen equipment. Separate structure ideal.
Fire compartmentation compromising spatial flow	Fire doors on closers bisecting open-plan spaces. Users prop doors open, defeating purpose.	Use hold-open devices connected to fire alarm (release on alarm). Designate clear compartment lines at natural spatial transitions. Smoke curtains for atria.
HVAC zoning mismatch	Single zone serves both perimeter (solar gain variable) and interior (constant internal gains). Temperature complaints, energy waste.	Min 4 perimeter zones (N/E/S/W) + interior zone per floor. Max 50 m2 per zone in cellular office. VAV with individual zone control.
Inadequate ceiling void	150mm void expected to contain HVAC ducts (200-400mm), sprinkler mains (100mm), cable trays (75mm), lighting (50mm), and structure. Physical clash.	Min 400mm distribution void for residential, 600mm for office (BCO), 900mm+ for hospital. Coordinate BIM clash detection at Stage 3.

5.4 Accessibility & Inclusion Failures

Anti-Pattern	Failure Mode	Fix
Accessibility retrofitted	Ramps added post-completion to entrances with steps. Clumsy, stigmatizing, expensive. "Accessible" route through loading dock.	Level access designed from concept. Principal entrance IS the accessible entrance. No separate "accessible entrance."
Wheelchair refuge blocks stairway	Refuge area encroaches on stair landing, reducing effective width below code minimum during evacuation.	Refuge area: min 760 x 1300 mm (ADA) clear of required stair width. Locate in widened landing or adjacent corridor.
Inaccessible upper floors in < 3-storey building	No lift provided because code exempts buildings under certain size. Entire floors inaccessible to wheelchair users.	Install lift regardless of exemption. An accessible building is a better building. Cost: 2-4% of construction budget.

5.5 Sustainability Failures

Anti-Pattern	Failure Mode	Fix
All-glass tower in hot climate	SHGC not controlled, no external shading. Cooling load dominates energy. LEED/BREEAM energy credits impossible.	Max 40% WWR. External shading. High-performance low-e glass. Consider double-skin facade with ventilated cavity.
Demolish-and-rebuild vs. retrofit	Embodied carbon of new building (400-800 kgCO2e/m2) exceeds operational savings for 30+ years.	Lacaton & Vassal principle: never demolish. Assess retrofit first. Whole-life carbon assessment per EN 15978.
Greenwashing with certification	Pursuing LEED points in documentation/innovation while ignoring energy performance. Certified Gold building performing worse than code baseline.	Prioritize energy (EAc2 Optimize) and water (WEc2) credits. Set absolute EUI target, not just relative improvement. Monitor post-occupancy.

6. Skill Router

When the architect-foundations layer activates, route the user's query to the appropriate specialized skill based on the following decision logic.

START
|
+-- Is the query about design theory, philosophy, or architect references?
|   YES --> [design-theory]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about building program, area scheduling, or brief development?
|   YES --> [building-programming]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about early massing, parti, or schematic design?
|   YES --> [concept-design]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about a specific building type, typological analysis, or precedent?
|   YES --> [building-typology]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about room layouts, adjacencies, furniture, or space planning?
|   YES --> [spatial-planning]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about facade, wall assembly, insulation, roofing, or thermal performance?
|   YES --> [building-envelope]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about structural systems, spans, columns, foundations, or lateral systems?
|   YES --> [structural-systems]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or MEP coordination?
|   YES --> [building-services]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about natural light, sun studies, or daylight metrics?
|   YES --> [daylighting-design]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about material properties, selection, finishes, or specifications?
|   YES --> [material-selection]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about IBC, local codes, zoning, FAR, or regulatory compliance?
|   YES --> [building-codes]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about ADA, accessibility routes, inclusive design, or universal design?
|   YES --> [accessibility-design]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about fire egress, compartmentation, sprinklers, or NFPA?
|   YES --> [fire-life-safety]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about STC, IIC, reverberation, noise control, or room acoustics?
|   YES --> [acoustic-design]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about LEED, BREEAM, Passive House, WELL, embodied carbon, or energy?
|   YES --> [building-sustainability]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query about drawings, details, specifications, BIM, or construction docs?
|   YES --> [construction-documentation]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Is the query a calculation (area, U-value, daylight factor, structural, cost)?
|   YES --> [architect-calculator]
|   NO  --> continue
|
+-- Default: answer from [architect-foundations] knowledge base directly.
    Multiple topics? Route to primary skill, cross-reference secondary.

Multi-Skill Queries

When a query spans multiple domains, apply this priority:

Safety-critical skills take precedence: fire-life-safety > building-codes > accessibility-design > structural-systems
Performance skills next: building-envelope > building-services > daylighting-design > acoustic-design > building-sustainability
Design skills follow: concept-design > spatial-planning > building-typology > design-theory > material-selection
Documentation skills last: construction-documentation > building-programming > architect-calculator

Always provide the foundational context from this skill, then defer to the specialized skill for depth.

Sources: IBC 2021, IRC 2021, NFPA 101 2021, ADA 2010 Standards, ASHRAE 90.1-2022, ASHRAE 62.1-2022, EN 1990-1999 (Eurocodes), EN 17037, EN 12464-1, BS 8300:2018, BS 9999:2017, BB93, BB103, CIBSE Guides A/B/D/LG10/AM10, BCO Guide to Specification 2019, Neufert Architects' Data 5th Ed, Architectural Graphic Standards 12th Ed, FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals 2022, RIBA Plan of Work 2020, LEED BD+C v4.1, BREEAM New Construction SD5078 2024, Passive House Institute criteria, WELL v2 Q3 2023, AUDE/HEFCE Space Management Guide, BRE 209 Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight, LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide 2020.

architect-foundations