630
Recommendations: Further Development of the Data Base
4. A clear relationship between activity requirements and building
performance would be established. Space criteria could be used to
review subsystem performance requirements.
A similar program has been initiated by the Ministry of Health in England
with apparent benefit.
632.3.2
Subsystem Performance Requirements
The design criteria for the integrated subsystem (Section 300) provide the
format and initial content for a current statement of VA building subsystem
performance requirements. These should be periodically expanded and
refined to eventually describe a complete hospital building system in
performance terms. VA Construction Standards should be converted to
this format, translated into performance requirements and incorporated
into the data base. (See Section 632.2 above.) Construction Standard
CD-31 for curtain walls is already in the appropriate language.
632.4
SPACE MODULE CATALOG
The planning module and configuration concepts contained in this report
form the framework for a continuing program of plan development and
evaluation. It is proposed that the VA undertake the development of a
catalog of space module capabilities to provide a data base for the initial
selection of space modules and for service module organization.
This Report identifies a limited range of plan capabilities for eleven space
modules plus a number of configuration options for each. It is suggested
that these space modules be tested with additional arrangements for
various functional units. Further study will allow dimensional "tuning" of
the modules and may lead to the development of additional modules
and/or the discarding of some of the eleven. New modules, for example,
would be required if the VA were to adopt a 30-bed G.M. & S. unit as a
standard.
Evaluation is an essential element of the program outlined. The space
module catalog must represent current VA thinking. A continuous process
of field evaluation of functional layouts, feedback and modification must be
maintained.
3 - 36
Previous Page
