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Programming-a tool at the service of the curator, the commissioning authority and the architect 83
Rough plan of intent
This document is essentially graphic and presents the working out of the chosen
scenario, bringing out its advantages and disadvantages by means of detailed
analysis. I n the case of restructuring or re-employment of an already existing
building, it paves the way for the outline preliminary project. In the case of a
new building, it corresponds to the specifications for an ideas’-as opposed to
a ‘project’-competition, i.e. a competition for the best design.
Final programne
This document supplements and continues the basic programme and takes into
account the architect’s outline preliminary project. As well as bringing the head-
ings in the basic programme up to date, it includes the following new headings:
mode of functioning (activities), mode of functioning (functional sectors), mode
of functioning (services-post, telephone, upkeep, etc.), manning table with job
descriptions, quantitative estimate of standard equipment (furniture, office machi-
nes, etc.), with details of useful life or performance, quantitative estimate of spe-
cial museum equipment (hanging facilities, show-cases, storage grids, etc.), with
similar details, and quantitative estimate of other special equipment (security and
surveillance systems, etc.), with similar details.
User’s manual
This document may be in the form of booklets designed for the (internal) users
of the museum-curator, administrative and technical staff, security personnel,
etc.-or for its (external) users-visitors, research workers, teachers, etc. In either
case the aim is to help the reader to take full advantage of the museum’s facilities,
including any novel features. The document covers the following headings : time-
tables, directories, sketch plan, practical guide to upkeep, pratical guide to mainte-
nance, practical guide to modification of exhibition areas, practical guide to use
of equipment, lists of dos and don’ts, etc.
It is drawn up in close co-operation with the director or curator of the museum.
Factors to be taken into account

in working out a programme
The factors to be taken into account in connection with programming studies

are many and various. They form the subject of general studies in order to check
their mutual compatibility within an overall programming operation. Some may
form the subject of special studies, in cases where they are to be superimposed
on an existing museum or one in course of construction.
The main factors to be taken into account in drawing up a programme are:
At the administrative level: nature and differentiation of activities, access and
movement of persons (public and staff), access and movement of objects and
materials (exhibits, goods, documents), number of people, when they come,
timetables, nature and number of different sections of staff, modes of access,
reception of the public, facilities provided for the public, reception of the staff,
facilities provided for the staff, working conditions, information for the public,
information for the staff, organization and management, exchanges (between
the museum and the public), staff necessary for exchanges (curator, group lea-
der, etc.), kinds of exchafige (direct, recorded, etc.), principles of surveillance
and supervision, direction signs, maintenance, upkeep of buildings and equip-
ment, cleaning, storage of exhibits, production, storage, use and distribution
of materials (products and documents).
84 Claude Pecquet and Patrick O'Byrne
In regard to exhibits and products : typology, quantity, weight, nature, fragility,

volume, plan, circuit, presentation, information, security, handling, rotation,
preferred placing, aim of presentation, actual placing, major and minor works.
At the architectural and technical level: surfaces, headroom, variations in level,
unoccupied space, internal flexibility, extensions, dimensions of passages, pre-
ferred placings, overloading, watertightness, acoustics and vibration, heating,
ventilation, air-conditioning, natural and artificial lighting, telecommunications
and low-amp circuits, electricity supply and other plant, finishings, fire precau-
tions, mechanized communications between floors.
As regards equipment : furniture and accessories, tools, audio-visual equipment,
security, direction signs, supervision of visitors, transport of produits, transport
of exhibits, transport of documents, upkeep, maintenance, reserves, storage,
reproduction and distribution, exhibition and presentation, data processing,
workshops, etc.
Since each of these factors has to be taken into account in relation to the whole,
it is clear that the work involved in drawing up a programme is no light task,
and one calling for specialization, i.e. a person or group devoting most of its
energy to programming studies. In this field as in many others, amateurism, no
matter how enlightened, can only lead to disaster.
An attempt to e the organization

of space for a
Seen from the programming point of view, the functions inherent in a museum
all revolve around the notion of relationship. The relationship is between a cul-
tural object and a person: on the one hand, between the object and the curator,
and on the other, between the object and the public.
These relationships determine the essential aim of the musem, and hence the
nature of the functions to be W a e d if that aim is to be achieved. The functions
will be more or less numerous and complex according to the type, kind and size
of the museum. They may, however, be divided into four classes:
Reception activities, whish pave the way for the relationship in so far as its public
aspect is concerned.
Basic activites, which serve as a framework and make possible a direct relation
between the object and the public.
Co-ordination activities, which organize the relationship physically arad intellec-
tually.
Logistic activities, which pave the way for the relationship in so far as material
ements for taking care of the exhibits are concerned.
As their name suggests, basic activities are decisive for the general organization
of the musem. Prom their importance and aims derive the importance and aims
of the other activities. The aims of basic activities derive from the scientific pro-
gramme drawn up by the curator of the museuan.
Basic activities
The basic activities of the museum cover all the functions relating to the perma-
nent exhibition rooms, the study rooms, the temporary exhibition rooms, and
where applicable, the areas used for Presentation or exhibitions.
Reception activities
Reception activities follow on from the basic activities. They take account of fac-
tors involved in the psychological and practical conditioning of the public. They
usually cover reception areas proper, together with information, orientation, sales,
cloakrooms and toilets, issuing of tickets, meeting points, cafeteria and/or restau-
rant, reading-room, play room, rest-rooms, children's workshops, etc.

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Programming-a tool at the service of the curator, the commissioning authority and the architect 83

Rough plan of intent

Factors to be taken into account

The factors to be taken into account in connection with programming studies

In regard to exhibits and products : typology, quantity, weight, nature, fragility,

An attempt to e the organization

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