What Is Space Planning
What Is Space Planning
Space planning is an in-depth analysis of how physical space is used in structures. It considers
the purpose of spaces and who will use them. Space planning is a process that takes several
steps, and it's an important component for the work of interior designers and architects.
Space planning helps ensure efficient use of floor space without wasting it. If done right, it also
accounts for all possible uses of a given space. When the process is completed, it can result in a
comprehensive space plan. This is a drawing that identifies the needs and required elements
of spaces, including windows, doors, and even furniture within them.
Then there's the consideration of who will use the space. Buildings and the spaces in them
are for people, after all, so the architect needs to answer some questions: how will people
spend their time in the building? Is it living space, offices, work space, or storage space? How
many people does the space have to hold? The architect needs to consider things like work
flow and circulation, or how people will move through the spaces while doing their jobs. Such
questions include exploring how offices, open work spaces, and yes, even cubicles, will be
configured.
Conducting space planning helps architects solve puzzles while they design a structure. Often,
clients have spaces with multiple needs. Prioritizing which need comes first might not be easy,
but it might be crucial to how the space is designed. So the architect needs to be aware of all
the elements to come up with the best solution. And it may involve a compromise.
Once the purpose and use of spaces is better defined, other elements come into play. Does the
space need access to the outside, perhaps by a door or large loading bay? How should the
spaces be connected? Choices like hallways, for example, create a very different traffic flow
than rooms that lead directly into other rooms.
These questions will highlight the problems that your space plan needs
to solve. Think about these points when creating your space plan and
try to find a solution that will work. You might find that you need to
compromise on some of the points. That’s ok, you as the designer
need to make the decisions that will make the space work best for the
client, whether that’s you or someone else.
The way that I like to start a space plan is by roughly drawing out a
map of the space and creating a bubble plan. A bubble plan is a
simple diagram that will show you what activities take place in the
space and the relationship between these activities.
For example, in an open plan living area, you might have 3 or more
bubbles, 1 showing the kitchen, the other showing the dining area and
another showing the living area. Using bubbles will help you to define
these spaces. When you are clear about where the activities are going
to happen in the space then you can move on to creating a scale plan.
Spend some time moving pieces around, this will help you to think
differently about the space. Come up with a plan, and then swop all the
pieces around, see what this does to the flow of the room. Keep
moving the pieces around until you ‘know’ which is right for the space.