TOOLS FOR SPACE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

Mark S. C. Nelson, Design Studies Department

ComETS. May 2, 2011

TOOLS FOR SPACE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Introduction

Overview
Identifying the diversion functions and user needs of a space Using tools designed to visualize and organize the relationships between those functions Working with a designer to bring that visualization to reality

TOOLS FOR SPACE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Programming: Identifying the diverse functions and user needs of a space

Elements of a program Includes physical requirements Includes experiential requirements Includes aspirational requirements Includes conceptual, budgetary, and diverse requirements Begins with data collection Research into other spaces with similar functions Interviews with users and owners/managers Visits to existing spaces Measuring and recording Drawing and sketching to help take a closer look Participant observation Continues with organizing data Usually results in a written document that is used for designing

TOOLS FOR SPACE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Space Planning Tools: Used to visualize and organize the relationships between functions
Data collection results in large amounts of information Data must be prioritized Need way to turn relationships into physical reality Tools often best used without addressing actual floor plans to start Relationships most evident when viewed abstractly Different tools optimized to isolate different types of relationships Best to draw map to find best routes before starting on a trip Quite often, the final location of a space is not known right away Programming can help make choices between considered spaces Three common and straightforward analytical tools Adjacency matrices Square footage chart Bubble diagrams Additional tools Programming matrix, figure/ground, parti and other diagrams

TOOLS FOR SPACE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Space Planning Tools: Adjacency Matrix

Shows which spaces need to be close to each other Not tied to any floor plan Can become too complex for large projects Most useful when strong, medium and weak adjacencies are noted On large projects, use on matrix for the whole project, grouping functions together, and then do additional matrices for smaller elements

TOOLS FOR SPACE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Space Planning Tools: Square Footage Chart

Especially useful when comparing relative percentages Can be tied back to budgeting Pay special attention to circulation as a percentage this is often the most common problematic area Can be used to develop plans, but not tied to plans during programming
Square Footages2
1 2 3 4 19 5 6

18 17 16 15 14 13 11

8 9 10

12

TOOLS FOR SPACE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Space Planning Tools: Bubble Diagrams

Draws info from the adjacency matrix In simplest form, looks only at relationships All bubbles are the same size One type of line connects related spaces More sophisticated form shows relative sizes and relationship strengths Large bubbles show larger spaces, etc. Can be color coded Different types of lines show strengths of relationships Crossed lines mean the diagram is not working Group spaces together at first that have similar functions: four classrooms might show up as one bubble

TOOLS FOR SPACE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Adjacency Matrix Exercise

Divide into teams Develop an adjacency matrix for a media educational center, for group learning and presentation as well as individual work. For purposes of the exercise, interview each other to determine what you think are proper adjacencies Show high, low and none as relationship strengths Address the following functions: Space for five groups of four students to meet and make noise Two media classrooms, flexible configurations, 16 students each Help desk and check-in space Printer area Storage Space for 100 students to work at computers Space to display student work on an ongoing basis Three private offices

TOOLS FOR SPACE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Bubble Diagram Exercise Part 1

Use the same teams as for the Adjacency Matrix exercise Use information from the adjacency matrix exercise Show high, low and none as relationship strengths Show relative sized of areas. You will have to guess at this. Address the following functions: Space for five groups of four students to meet and make noise Two media classrooms, flexible configurations, 16 students each Help desk and check-in space Printer area Storage Space for 100 students to work at computers Space to display student work on an ongoing basis Three private offices

TOOLS FOR SPACE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Bubble Diagram Exercise Part 2

Rework your bubble diagram from Part 1 Squeeze the functions so that they proportionally fit into a long narrow space

TOOLS FOR SPACE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

Mark S. C. Nelson, Design Studies Department

mnelson2@wisc.edu
ComETS. May 2, 2011