730
Example Building Schematic Design: Program Analysis
732
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
732.1
EVALUATION
732.1.1
Ratio of Beds to Support
The updated program from Wood, Wisconsin is rather unusual in that the
ratio of bed area to support is 1:1 whereas, typically, the ratio is more in
the order of 1:2. There are 640 General Medical beds, 320 General
Surgical beds, 102 Psychiatric beds, 56 Spinal Cord Injury beds, 26
Neurological beds, 8 Hemodialysis beds and 7 Medical and 6 Surgical
Intensive Care beds giving a total of 1,165 beds to be accommodated.
Given the general trend towards fewer inpatient beds, there is the
possibility that some of the programmed nursing units may in the future be
converted to other, possibly support, functions.
732.1.2
Ratio of Gross to Net
Net area requirements are converted to gross area requirements by a
conversion factor which makes certain provision for mechanical services,
circulation and other factors such as partition thicknesses, etc. In the
Prototype Design, the planning modules represent gross space. However,
in interpreting the net program in terms of the planning modules a larger
than typical conversion factor should be applied, for two reasons:
1. In the interests of adaptability, the planning modules are generalized
units of space which can only be approximately tailored to particular
program requirements. This implies that net area requirements are
generally rounded upwards.
2. The decentralized air-handling concept requires that a larger
percentage of the overall gross is taken up by mechanical
requirements.
In plan, the service module consists of the service bay and the functional
zone (structural bays). From experience, a net to gross conversion factor
can be applied to net area requirements in order to establish gross area
requirements exclusive of any provision for mechanical services. This
establishes a relationship between gross area requirements and the
service module functional zone. The total gross area requirement is that
figure against which the aggregate of service module functional zones
must be tested.
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