The Office of Facilities Planning & Construction publishes reference documents for use in the design of its facilities. 

• Master Plans - for planning principles and frameworks to guide campus development. 
• Design Guidelines - for design principles, performance requirements, materials and other standards to assist the design professional in understanding the University's goals for its buildings and public spaces.
• Master Specifications - for technical standards to include in design and construction documents for new, expanded, or renovated facilities and public spaces.
• Signage Standards - for graphic design standards and materials to use in exterior and interior signage. 

Supplementing these resources are:

• BIM Protocol (Standard Protocol for use in projects using Building Information Models)
• CAD Standards
• Facilities Space Reporting Manual
• Space Standards
• University IT Network Infrastructure Standards (maintained by UH Information Technology)

Design professionals are responsible for including the proper Master Specification sections in the contract documents and for verifying that codes, references, and other standards in the specifications are up-to-date and accurate. The legal responsibility for contract document preparation shall reside with the design professional. 

These reference documents are updated periodically. The Design Guidelines and Master Specifications available on the date of a project’s 100% Design Development submittal shall be the basis for the final contract documents, unless the University and project team agree to incorporate subsequent, updated University design standards in the project. Project teams shall use the latest University signage standards available during construction for signage shop drawing submittals and fabrication.

Facilities Planning & Construction welcomes comments, suggestions, or questions on the Owner's Design Criteria. Please send your questions or comments to:

Christa Rieck
Executive Director of Planning
(713) 743-5822