Essence and History of Architectural Programming

• What is programming? What is architecture? What is architectural programming?
• History and transformation of AP
• Comparison of AP process with other disciplines and fields
• Internal and external experiences of AP
• Differences and similarities of AP with "theoretic fundamentals of architecture" and "architectural studies"
• Approach of AP to "style", "creativity" and "design method"

Importance and Necessity of AP

• Huge amount of construction; absence of AP and huge losses
• Waste of energy and resources in many projects due to lack of feasibility studies
• Lack of success in majority of projects in phase of usage
• AP as a basis for a rational approach to architecture
• Necessity of AP to obtain credit for architecture profession in society
• Maximum efficiency and minimum design errors

AP: Challenges and Hopes

• Challenges and obstacles

× Lack of problem-oriented approach in Iranian contemporary architecture
× Lack of social, historical, and political infrastructure required for development of programming
× Avoiding team-working
× Charismatic approach to the term "architect" and unrealistic expectations as a forward player
× Lack of info-based society and documentation

• Hopes

× Existence of minimum legal requirements and some AP experiences (although not organized and sufficient) in recent decades
× Iran’s relatively better position in AP compare to those of neighboring countries
× Current corrections of AP’s legal requirements and educational procedures

AP and considerations of world today

• Necessity of correcting relationship methods with clients
• Management of science and science of management
• codification of sufficient standards
• Attention to correction, completion and complying with Iranian national building code
• Content criticism and studying services illustration (called Type 3)
• Value engineering in architectural projects
• Sustainable development
• Moving toward a vernacular and humanistic architecture


Minimum requirements of a good programming

• Existing samples of AP
• Suggesting a national pattern


Work procedures of AP

• Basic skills of an AP department
• Information management system
• Structure of AP reports