Space Interrelationship

Angelika Ortega1,
1
Eastern Visayas State University, Tacloban City, Philippines

Abstract important part in this research, which will address

spatial interrelationships.
The purpose of this study is to identify and discuss the
basic standard dimensions of spaces considering the Body
anthropometrics, ergonomics, behavioral setting, In architecture, dimension refers to the measurement of
activity setting, and spatial analysis. The fundamentals spaces and things; their size and shape as perceived by
of how a building's spaces can be related to one another people. Its ultimate goal is to facilitate the recognition
and organized into integrated forms are provided in this of spatial relationships and structural connections
paper. The main points were empirically gathered from without the need for visual perception, making building
past studies, online publications, and architectural books design a purely intellectual process. Knowing and
related to this work, all of which contributed understanding the dimensions of space will enable us to
significantly to the study being conducted. A conceptual construct more comfortable, functional, cohesive, and
type of research was used, in which the study was practical environments. Thus, the basic standard
carried out by observing and analyzing previously dimensions of different spaces considering
available material on a given topic. The results suggest anthropometrics, ergonomics, bahavioral setting,
that anthropometrics, ergonomics, behavioral setting, activity setting, and spatial analysis are discussed in the
activity analysis, and spatial analysis are essential following paragraphs.
factors to consider in meeting basic standard dimension
Garage
of spaces and satisfying the needs of individuals.
One of the architectural spaces in a building or in a
Introduction house is the garage. A garage is a space for parking a car
A building's spaces can be organized into patterns that or other vehicle and may also be used for storing
relate to each other in a specific way. Spatial items. When planning a garage, there are various
relationships amongst forms contribute to the definition elements to consider. First, evaluate the size of the car,
of their interrelationships. Space can be a shared as this determines the overall size of the garage. It is
expression of social life, where people share a common also best to see whether there is enough space for the car
space. It can also be used as an easy architectural in the garage without blocking the other cars and objects
metaphor for a means of communication. stored therein. Garage door and garage floor are also
Spaces such as garages, porches, entries, living areas, important matters to consider.
dining areas, kitchens, laundry rooms, bedrooms, and Below are some illustrations from the Architect’s Pocket
many others are subjected to basic standard dimensions Book by J. Hetreed, A. Ross, and C.B. Powell, showing
that must be maintained to allow for access, durability, the standard dimensions of domestic garages.
functionality, and overall beauty. When designing these
spaces, it is vital that all areas of the space be factored
in and taken into consideration, including
anthropometrics and ergonomics, as well as the
behavioral setting, activity setting, and spatial analysis.
For example, the goal of the design should be to
maximize accessibility and ease of movement while
trying to minimize the overall structure.
Ergonomics and anthropometry are important in
architectural spaces because they improve an
environment's safety, comfort, and performance.
Moreover, a significant amount of behavioral setting,
activity, and spatial information must be processed and
analyzed during the architectural planning and design
process.
Anthropometry, ergonomics, behavioral setting, activity
analysis, and spatial analysis were discussed in the
previous research works. These concepts have been
applied in valuable, real-life settings and were all
selected for their relevance and potential to be integrated
into this study. These concepts will now play an
Porch/ Entry
When visitors enter a building or a house, there is a
covered area adjacent to the door where they can be
entertained and take a comfortable break before entering
the house. This area is known as a porch. It is an exterior
appendage to a building, forming a covered approach or
vestibule to a doorway (A Visual Dictionary of
Architecture by Francis D. K. Ching, 2nd Edition).
Moreover, a porch can be either on the ground floor or
upper floor.
The size and shape of a porch can vary as per the
requirement of the house or building. However, the size
of a porch must always be specified as small or large,
depending on its purpose and function. The function or
type of activity to be performed on the porch is dictated
by a person's activity and behavioral setting. Because
this is where visitors will stay, furniture such as chairs
and tables will be used. As a result, the ideal dimensions
of furnishings should be considered through the use of
anthropometrics and ergonomics, which can make the
porch more comfortable to stay on. The standard
dimension of a porch is 8 feet by 10 feet. This
measurement is capable of accommodating chairs,
tables, and other furniture.
Living room, dining room, and kitchen
When entering a house, the habitable areas where a
family gathers the most are the living room, dining
room, and kitchen. Families have "family time" and they
spend a majority of their day in these areas. The living
room serves as the center for most activities. It is a room
for relaxing and doing activities like watching movies
or entertaining guests, but it is also a room for hanging
out with friends and family. While the dining area is
used a lot for eating and cooking, it is also a room for
entertaining guests. The dining room is not only a major
area serving the family, but it also serves as a highlight
for public spaces. The kitchen is used to prepare and
store food, but it is also a hot spot for entertaining
guests. Since this area is occupied by people most of
the time, comfortability, safety, and functionality are
the leading considerations in designing such
areas. Anthropometrics is used to determine the
suitability of space dimensions such as ceiling heights
and entryway and hallway widths. Ergonomics attempts
to create furniture in these places that will be used, such
as a comfortable sofa in the living room, a chair seat and
table in the dining room, and a dishwasher in the
kitchen. Ergonomics caters to people's needs based on
the activities they perform. A sofa, for example, may not
be designed for standing because it is designed to be
reclining. Children's furniture may have low heights that
are inconvenient for sitting when they are still in
highchairs. Therefore, a living room's standard
dimensions are 3.66 to 6.71 meters wide by 5.49 to 8.53
meters long. The dining area standard dimension is 68
square meters. It is, however, dependent on the number
of occupants. A 24.7 square meter eating area, for
example, is only suitable for four people. The dining
area is 32.9 square meters in size and can seat 6 persons.
While the size for 8, 10, and 12 people may be 41.45
square meters, 43.9 square meters, and 49.38 square
meters, respectively. On the other hand, the average
kitchen size ranges from 6.5 square meters (small size)
to 22.11 square meters (big size).
Lanai/ terrace
Lanai is defined as a veranda, especially one used as a
living room, by Francis D.K. Ching in his 2nd edition of
A Visual Dictionary of Architecture, whereas a terrace
is an open, frequently paved area connected to a house
or building and functioning as an outdoor living area.
Furthermore, in Hawaiian architecture, a lanai is a small
deck or balcony that spans the width of the upper floor
and is typically located around the back. Lanais and
terraces primarily serve as an extension of a home's
exterior.
The standard size of lanai/ terrace is 2x4 meters or 8
square meters.
Utility room/ area and Laundry
The utility room and laundry are another architectural
space. The utility room has a washer and dryer, as well
as clothing and other storage. Other than washing
clothing, it performs a variety of activities. A laundry
room, on the other hand, is where garments are washed.
Laundry rooms are also a popular location for dryers and
other washing machines. Because these areas are
susceptible to human activities, anthropometrics,
ergonomics, and activity analysis play important roles.
These parameters are taken into account while planning
utility and laundry rooms in order to discover the
relationship between body postures and anthropometric
data while loading or unloading a washing machine. A
certain dimension of the rooms has been standardized to
meet with the demands of individuals and the activity
involved, taking into account anthropometry,
ergonomics, behavioral setting, activity, and spatial
analysis. This approach will help the designers optimize
giving comfort and safety to users performing postures
from crouch, stoop or bending over.
Hence, the standard dimension of a utility room is 1.8 x
2.4 meters (4.32 square meters). These dimensions are
based on the fact that these utility rooms will be able to
accommodate every kind of appliance and activities to
be done. On the other hand, the standard size of a 3.15
square meters (1.5 x 2.1 meters).
Types of bedrooms
People will always need a private space for sleeping,
relaxing, resting, and other activities you want to do
privately like writing, studying, reading, working, etc.
And bedroom is the best space for this description. In
order to provide a very comfortable and efficient area,
the design of a bedroom necessitates profound planning
considerations. As a result, when designing and
planning how big a bedroom should be, some planning
considerations must be understood, such as
anthropometry and ergonomics for determining the size
and type of furniture, behavioral setting, activity
analysis, and spatial analysis for clearance and
movement space around the furniture.
Bedrooms are classified into various types based on
their size and function. There are three primary
categories of bedrooms which depends on the
occupants: master bedrooms, children's bedrooms, and
guest bedrooms. The sizes vary depending on the
arrangement and type of furniture used in the bedrooms.
A children's bedroom would contain smaller, less
opulent furniture than a larger bedroom. An organized
master bedroom will include all of the furniture required
for a comfortable living environment and is ideal for
individuals who want to give the impression of living
standards in their living space.
Hence, the average size of a children's bedroom is 9.24
square meters, a master bedroom is 14.80 square meters,
and a guest room is 11.10 square meters. These room
sizes have the ability to accommodate furnishings based
on the demands of the occupants.
Toilet and bath
A toilet and bathroom are used for sanitation purposes,
and might have a toilet or urinal in it, a shower, and a
wash basin.
The toilet and bath, like any other space, considers
anthropometrics and ergonomics in order to meet the
needs of the users while also providing comfort when
using the area. The height of the wash basin must be
properly calculated in order to acquire a convenient
maneuver, such as easy reach or height. The toilet is
typically built near the entryway of the room where it is
intended to be used for comfort and accessibility. When
constructing a toilet and bath, activity analysis must also
be performed to determine whether the user is truly
completing their activity, such as their skin care routine.
As a result, the size of the toilet and bath that can contain
equipment such as a shower, toilet, and sink is 3.6
square meters.
Balconies
According to Francis D.K. Ching on his 2nd edition of A
Visual Dictionary of Architecture, a balcony is a gallery
that projects over the main floor of a theater to
accommodate additional people. A balcony is an
outdoor extension of a building's top floor that is
enclosed by a railing. Although the primary role of a
balcony is to enhance one's stature, it can also be used
as an outdoor patio to enhance one's enjoyment of life.
Its primary goal is to expand the living area by providing
residents with access to fresh air and views.
Railings of the balcony must have an appropriate height
that will provide safety and comfort when leaning the
hands on it. That’s why it is important to consider the
anthropometric data of the users and conduct an activity
and spatial analysis based on the behavioral setting in an
area.
Thus, by considering such factors in designing, a
certain dimension of a balcony is standardized, which is
3.35 square meter. This size allows for a small table and
human movement throughout the space.
Walk-in Closet
A walk-in closet is a space that is mostly used for storing
clothes, shoes, accessories, and other items, but it is also
used for dressing and undressing. Having a walk-in
closet with a new look and function can include a lot of
work, but there are plenty of amazing closet shelving
units that are ideal for not just storing clothes, but a
variety of different items as well.
The standard size of a walk-in closet is 6.50 square
meters, with the anthropometric dimensions of the user
taken into account to determine the suitable dimensions
of shelves and cabinets. In order to find the required
space that corresponds to this area, activity analysis and
spatial analysis must be performed.
Family Hall
The family hall is another architectural place where
family and visitors congregate. It is a casual,
multifunctional area where residents can engage in
recreational activities such as reading books, watching
movies, conversing, and participating in other family
activities. The family hall is frequently confused with
the living room; however, they differ for a variety of
reasons. Taking into account the use of activity and
spatial analysis in its behavioral setting, as well as
anthropometrics and ergonomics, the standard size of a
family hall is 20.06 square meters.
Hallway
As defined by Francis D.K. Ching in his 2nd edition of A
Visual Dictionary of Architecture, a hallway is a
corridor or passageway in a house, hotel, or other
building. The primary purpose of a hallway is to provide
circulation and human mobility around the space. A
hallway can be used in a range of applications such as a
passageway for moving from one room to another, a
means for passing through the space or for decoration.
Thus, the standard dimension of a hallway should not be
less than 1.50 meters wide, taking into account the
utilization of activity and spatial analysis in its
behavioral setup, as well as anthropometrics and
ergonomics. A width of 1.80 meters is recommended.
This dimension allows maneuverability, passing,
circulation and security in the hallway.

Stairways
According to the 2nd edition of Francis D.K. Ching's A
Visual Dictionary of Architecture, a stairway is a
pathway from one level of a building to another by a
flight of stairs. To maintain the user's safety, health, and
comfort when walking up and down the stairs, the riser,
tread, nosing, handrail, and other stair parts must be
suitably proportioned according to human
anthropometric dimensions. For example, the risers
must be at an appropriate height to prevent a person
from falling and injuring themselves. With essential
design factors such as anthropometrics, ergonomics,
behavioral setting, activity analysis, and spatial analysis,
a stairway size of at least 0.75 meters wide, a rise of 0.20
meters, and a minimum run of 0.20 meters has been
standardized.
in order to meet the needs of comfort, efficiency, safety,
and health; (3) problems in spaces should be addressed
to reduce ergonomic risk factors; (4) design should be
flexible and adjustable from personal to professional
requirements; (5) there should be a relationship between
anthropometric dimensions and the space so that
accurate information about the environment can be
attained; and (6) basic standard dimension of spaces
should be met by considering anthropometrics,
ergonomics, behavioral setting, activity setting, and
spatial analysis.
References
Baden-Powell, C., Hetreed, J., & Ross, A. (2017).
Architect's pocket book (fifth edition).
Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Ching, F. D. K. (2012). A Visual Dictionary of
Architecture (2nd Edition). Wiley.
Mahajan, B., & About The Author Bhushan Mahajan
Welcome to civiconcepts.com. (2022, January
22). The standard room size & location in a
house: Standard size of bedroom: Standard
room dimensions: Standard room sizes in a
house. Civiconcepts. Retrieved March 23, 2022,
from https://civiconcepts.com/blog/standard-
room-size

Vicente B. Foz Publisher-Editor. (2005). The National

Building Code of the Philippines; and, its
revised implementing rules and regulations
approved by the Department of Public Works
and Highways on October 29, 2004 and took
effect on April 30, 2005 after official
publication.

Conclusion
The goal of this research is to define and discuss the
basic standard dimensions of spaces while taking
anthropometrics, ergonomics, behavioral setting,
activity setting, and spatial analysis into account. This
paper explains how the areas in a building can be related
to one another and ordered into integrated structures.
The findings imply that anthropometrics, ergonomics,
behavioral setting, activity analysis, and spatial analysis
are important aspects to consider when achieving basic
standard dimensions of spaces and satisfying individual
demands.
Recommendation
Based on the discussion about the space
interrelationship, the following recommendations were
made: (1) furniture should be designed according to
ergonomic and anthropometric data of the user; (2) a
product should be designed based on human dimensions