The following discussion is intended to provide a clear process for conducting the research and decision-making that defines the scope of work for the design effort. Programming at the individual project level provides specific, detailed information to guide building design. For instance, programming at the master planning level is more strategic in nature-providing information to building owners to make decisions regarding current and projected space needs and rough budgeting for implementation.

Programming may happen for different purposes and may impact the level of detail of investigation and deliverables. Many building type consultants (laboratory, health care, theater, etc.) have expertise in programming components of facilities. Many architects perform programming as an additional service to their standard contracts. Most programming consultants are either architects or have architectural training, but others have become skilled through experience. In some cases, the owner does not have the expertise to develop the program and must use the services of a programming consultant. However, the owner's programmatic direction can vary from vague to very specific. DescriptionĪccording to standard AIA agreements, programming is the responsibility of the owner. (Source: WBDG Web site, the goal of ' Whole Building' design).

The fundamental challenge of 'whole building' design is to understand that all building systems are interdependent. The owner, building occupants, and operation and maintenance personnel should be involved to contribute their understanding of how the building and its systems will work for them once they occupy it. People involved in the building design should interact closely throughout the design process. The 'whole building' design approach is intended 'to create a successful high-performance building.' To achieve that goal, we must apply the integrated design approach to the project during the planning and programming phases.

Efficiencies gained by avoiding redesign and more redesign as requirements emerge during architectural design.

Emphasis on gathering and analyzing data early in the process so that the design is based upon sound decisions.

Involvement of interested parties in the definition of the scope of work prior to the design effort.

Now, several generations of architects have little familiarity with architectural programming and the advantages it offers: Programming and its attention to the users of buildings was not a priority.

The emphasis of the Post-Modern and Deconstruction agendas was instead on form-making. In the 1980s and 1990s, some architectural schools began to drop architectural programming from their curricula. Their work was documented in Problem Seeking, the text that guided many architects and clients who sought to identify the scope of a design problem prior to beginning the design, which is intended to solve the problem. Synonyms include 'facility programming,' 'functional and operational requirements,' and 'scoping.' In the early 1960s, William Peña, John Focke, and Bill Caudill of Caudill, Rowlett, and Scott (CRS) developed a process for organizing programming efforts. Today, we define architectural programming as the research and decision-making process that identifies the scope of work to be designed. In a way, archaeologists excavate buildings to try to determine their programs. Structures have always been based on programs: decisions were made, something was designed, built and occupied. Architectural programming began when architecture began.

Architecture program diagram site