Area breakdown and grid control
From the earlier analysis, the structural grid is 8×8, which makes it fairly easy to estimate room sizes by counting how many bays each space occupies. The first thing to pin down is the total floor area on each level. Because part of the building includes a double-height space, the second floor is 200 square meters smaller than the first.
The problem statement, however, does not give a precise area for that double-height portion. It only says that the sign-in hall is partially open to the floor above. The sign-in hall itself is 312 square meters, so when developing the scheme there is no need to force the double-height portion to be exactly 200 square meters. It can be adjusted flexibly in response to the grid, especially since the floor area on each level is allowed a ±5% tolerance.
If 3550 square meters is divided by 64, the result is 55.46. In practical terms, that means the total required number of grid units can be treated as either 55 or 56, depending on how the overall site plan is resolved.
Because this is a new building connecting to an existing one, the old building has to be accommodated first. So the calculation starts from the west side. Across the whole site, it is possible to arrange 60 grid units, which is well above what is actually needed.
The southwest side can hold 6 grid units, and that portion cannot really be sacrificed because it needs to connect to the corridor of the existing building. That means 4 to 5 grid units have to be removed elsewhere. There are a couple of ways to do that: one option is to carve out an atrium, and another is to make the east entrance C-shaped. There is no need to decide that too early. The final move should follow the actual scheme as it develops. The main principles are still the same: keep the plan regular, symmetrical, and complete.
A first scheme attempt
After some practice, I put together a draft plan, but I was not especially satisfied with it. Since the first and second floors are essentially the same, I only drew the first-floor plan. The next step is to find a reference solution I really like and then practice it again by hand.
Hand-drawing notes
While looking through the official sample answers, it also helps to pay attention to the logic behind them. I started with the Electric Power edition. If that one had been convincing enough, there would have been no need to keep looking, but the reference answer I had on hand did not fully match my preferences, so I decided to compare a few more.
Official answer: Electric Power edition
Problem-solving approach
When reading this kind of exam brief, the key is to identify the decisive information. The program states that the large and small examination rooms should be relatively independent, that circulation should allow rapid dispersal, and that the exit halls may be arranged separately. That suggests the exit halls correspond directly to the examination rooms and should be laid out in separate groups. Under a principle of symmetry and balance, the most natural place for the exit halls is on both sides of the sign-in hall.
Once the site requirements are read carefully, it becomes possible to determine the major zoning: the paper storage area belongs on the northwest side, the grading area on the southwest side, and the exam area on the east side.
Another important clue is that the second floor above the sign-in hall is partially open, and that the elevator hall area is 128 square meters. Taken together, those two pieces of information help fix the general room layout and spatial form.
The problem also gives specific dimensions for the column-free space and for some individual rooms. That means the column arrangement in those parts does not simply follow the standard 8×8 grid. The grid and the actual column positions are not always in a one-to-one relationship, so where adjustments are needed, they need to be made. It cannot be approached mechanically or too rigidly. Changes in the column pattern in these areas will also affect how the rooms can be organized.
At the same time, the brief indicates that the paper storage and grading zones are closely connected, which implies there should be a direct corridor linking the two.
After reviewing the sample answer, I actually found this one fairly satisfying. I also looked up the Construction Industry edition for comparison. Personally, I was not very fond of the 2025 version of that answer, nor the 2023 and 2024 ones, because parts of the building outline project outward, making the overall form feel too irregular.
