Space Planning

Written by Helen HawverGeorgia CTAE Resource Network

2010

For use in the course Foundations of Interior

Design

Reference: http://www.cam.k12.il.us/hs/teachers/lawtonj/interior_design/plan/plans.htm

a) Describe the typical rooms in a residence and the desired characteristics of each.b) Identify the space requirements for each basic room and the concept of “planning for people.”c) Identify traffic patterns in a floor plan.

FCS-FID-6. Students will discuss space planning and traffic patterns.

Continued…

d) Describe the advantages and disadvantages to different floor plans and arrangements of furniture, as it relates to traffic patterns.e) Analyze the design process of a variety of rooms with existing constraints, and how to best utilize the space.

Typical Rooms in a Residence

•Rooms can be broken into three different categories▫Private▫Service▫Public/Social

Private

These rooms provide a “get away” space for family members. Guests should not venture to these personal areas unless they are identified as specific guest spaces.

examples are the bedrooms and bathrooms

Service

These rooms are where a task or service take place such as, cooking, laundry, shop work, etc.

examples are the kitchen, laundry, utility, and garage

Public and Social

These rooms are common gathering rooms where families socialize with each other and with guests. These areas should be open to all traffic patterns

examples are the dining room, living room, deck, patio, family room and entrances

Space Evaluation guidelines: •Room Relationships

▫Dictate how functional a space will be

▫ Examples: Dining area adjacent to the living room for convenience in

entertaining Kitchen should be adjacent to the dining room for ease in

serving food. Bathrooms should be located close to bedrooms for

convenience and privacy.

Traffic Patterns and Circulation

• Circulation is the route that people follow as they move from one place to another in the home.▫ 3-4 feet of space should be allowed for circulation paths.

Avoid excessive hall space. Persons with disabilities should be taken into consideration. Wheel chairs and walkers need more room to turn corners and maneuver.

 

Traffic Patterns and Circulation Continued…• Circulation Frequency refers to the number

of times a route is repeated in any given period of time.▫ Routes with high circulation frequency are short

and direct in a good floor plan▫ Related rooms should be close together, so those

patterns should automatically be short in distance

• Rooms should not be cut in half due to circulation paths

Types of Circulation• Family

▫ Follows each member of the household throughout home; most complex

▫ Not every family member will need to take the same patterns

• Work▫ The kitchen is generally the hub of work circulation

Work Triangle Route between the sink, refrigerator, and range

▫ Should not exceed 22 feet in length

Types of Circulation Continued…• Service

▫ Relates to the movement of people in and out of the home as they make service calls, deliver goods, read meters, take garbage out, etc…

▫ Service areas generally bypass the private spaces in a home

• Guest▫ Involves movement from the entry to the coat

closet and to the living room with access to a powder room

▫ Overnight guests will need access to the guest bedroom and bathroom.

How would you evaluate this plan?

• Would all members of your household have enough space to satisfy their needs?

• Are rooms grouped according to function?

• Are quiet areas away from public view and traffic?

• If a multipurpose room exists, can it be used for all intended purposes?

• Are eating areas close to the kitchen?

• Is space provided for entertaining as well as day-to-day living?

Evaluating a Floor Plan

Evaluating a Floor Plan Continued…• Are the entrances conveniently located?

• Are the traffic patterns safe and convenient?

• Is the house free of barriers?

• Is there ample storage space?

• Does the plan need to be modified for people with disabilities?