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Programme
PRACTICE & STANDARDSbeginner
Definition
The list of spaces, activities, and functional requirements that a building must accommodate — compiled through client consultation and briefing. The programme (or 'brief' in UK usage) defines the scope of a project: how many rooms, what sizes, what adjacencies, what performance standards. Good architecture begins with a clear and well-understood programme.
Example
The programme for a primary school typically includes: classrooms (25–30 students each), a hall, toilets, staff room, offices, outdoor play, and car parking — each with specific area, acoustic, and daylight requirements.