Far Eastern University

Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts

DESIGN 4

Learning Module Part 1: (2 Formative Assessment)

Space Planning
Adjacency Analysis
Vehicular and Pedestrian Circulation
Human behavior and human interrelationships as viewed in architectural design
Development Control Computation
Basic Space Planning
Introduction
Space planning is a complex process that considers many factors. It involves meeting defined criteria on a priority
basis. In principle, after considering various requirements, space planning is about compromise. Space planning
organizes the space, furniture and functions to work together, and how to most effectively accommodate the needs
of the various end users. Together with consideration of the project and client goals and requirements, oftentimes,
there would be more than one solution to planning out the space requirements of a building
Space planning in architecture
Conducting space planning helps architects resolve issues while they develop a structure. It involves research, a program, and
a space plan.

Research is necessary to find out what information are available and what else are needed to bridge the gap between the
design problem and the solution. Architects begin space planning by collecting the information they need to understand
prior to drafting a space plan. This might involve ocular inspection, client and user interviews, and desk research.

The building program identifies the function of structures and areas that have to be specified. The structures various
purposes have varying space requirements, which will help identify how they are assigned. Certain areas may accommodate
more than one function, requiring flexibility of space. How the users invest their time within the structure would also
determine how the spaces should be placed next to one another. The architect has to think about the circulation and flow,
and how the users move through the spaces as they go about their activities.

The space plan is a drawing that recognizes the requirements and required aspects of spaces, consisting of windows, doors,
and even furnishings within. When creative planning techniques are used in organizing a space – efficient, productive, and
engaging spaces will be achieved. Space planning ensures the effective usage of floor space without losing it.

Take note: Always remember the highlighted parts.

1. collecting the information they need to understand prior to drafting a space
plan

User likes plants and cats 3. Space planning

ensures the
effective usage of
floor space
without losing it.

Air Quality
User likes to cook
2 .Users invest their time within the structure it would
determine how should the spaces be placed next to one
another.

Groceries from the market

Pet friendly environment
Basics of space planning (adapted from First in Architecture)
To further be guided throughout the process, the following are questions and considerations can help assist the designer in asking him/herself
and the clients leading toward the right direction:

1. Collecting the information

The design of a building or space will have numerous requirements from the client or end user.
It is important in the very early stages of design to carry out in depth research and consider as
many aspects of the use of the spaces as possible. Some considerations can include:
• Do the spaces have specific functions or need to be of particular shape or form?
• Do the spaces need to be flexible?
• Is it possible to create a sequence of spaces (offices, museums for example)?
• Do the spaces have different requirements in terms of light, ventilation, view, accessibility?
• Do the spaces need to have access to external spaces?
• Must any of the spaces have particular security or privacy?
• Is there any hierarchical requirements of the spaces?
• What relationships must each space have with one another, and the external environment?
• How should the spaces be connected?
• Which rooms need to be adjacent to one another and which rooms need to be apart?
An example of some questions to consider if you are designing a residential unit:
What is the family size and structure
Location of site
Number of levels
Family or individual interests and activities

The more information and data that can be collected in these earlier stages, the easier it will be to make the leap from data to diagrams and
drawings as you proceed through the space planning process.
2. Interpreting the requirements / building the design brief
When we look at how to create spaces and accommodate
humans in those spaces, we can consider some universal
concepts relating to how people interact with their
environments.
• Insider vs outsider
• Individual vs community
• Invitation vs rejection
• Openness vs enclosure
• Integration vs segregation
• Combination vs dispersion

With these factors in mind we can start to develop a plan of

requirements, extract from the data we have collected the
necessary functions these spaces will be fulfilling.

In some cases it is suitable to develop a matrix/table that

demonstrates the requirements of each room, in terms of
privacy, daylight, access, equipment and so forth, along with
writing out any additional requirements or special
considerations for each room. This information will be a
useful reference as you work through the spaces of each
room and start to develop some sketch diagrams.
3. Considering the spaces and their spatial
relationships

Spatial Relationships
• How can spaces be related to one
another?
• Space within a space
• Interlocking spaces
• Spaces linked by a common space
• Adjacent spaces
Space organization
You can consider a varying
forms of spatial organisation,
some of which are more
naturally suited to particular
uses than others:
• Centralised organisation
• Linear organisation
• Radial organisation
• Clustered organisation
• Grid organisation

Consider some of the

following as you plan out your
spaces:
How does the envelope affect
the internal spaces?
How will the contents of the
room be arranged?
Do the rooms connect?
What is the flow of the
circulation?
Are the proportions of the
spaces comfortable?
Developing circulation
• How people move around the building from room to
room is just as important as the destination.
• When developing a circulation structure we can look
at a few basic principles.
• How efficient is the circulation in getting from point
A to point B.
• Is the circulation discrete?
• What is the fluidity of the circulation? Is there a
smooth flowing route or a more direct route?
• Does the circulation route clash with furnishing
requirements?
4. Creating the solution
Once the spaces have been considered and the requirements have been studied it is time to start sketching out relationship
diagrams. The relationship diagram takes your design from data to a more visual look at physically planning out your space. It
is abstract, and rough but enables you to develop your understanding of the requirements and visualise how the spaces will
work together and how the circulation may flow between them.
At this stage the diagram does not need to represent the building size or space, more a look at how each room relates to one
another, sizes and so on.
As your sketch diagrams develop you
can begin to build a rough sketch plan
of your spaces, this is sometimes
known as bubble diagramming. The
bubble diagram helps you make the
connection between basic spatial
requirements and a fully drafted floor
plan. It is essentially a trial and error
method of exploring the configuration
options. If you are working within the
constraints of an existing building you
can print out the floor plan and work
within that.

However, if you are designing a new

building the bubble diagram can often
be connected with your concept and
site analysis to develop the design.
During this process it is important to
keep referring back to the initial data
collected and the relationship diagram
to ensure you are considering all
aspects of the design requirements.
Note: Bigyan ng madaming options.. Options.. Options.. Options.. - Teddy
This is an opportunity to try both safe and standard ideas along with more erratic options as you are carrying out fast sketchy
ideas.
At this point it is often useful to have a general idea of size requirements of certain areas. For example, in a residential house,
it is useful to know a rough size of a double bedroom, or an average living room size in order to start making sense of the
spaces. Books like The Metric Handbook Planning and Design Data by Littlefield and Neufert Architects are a great reference
and contain stacks of data that would start you off in the right direction.
You can almost build a small library of ‘rule of thumb’ plans that you can refer to in order to speed up your space planning
time. Try different options and configurations, sketch your ideas and how the spaces will connect to one another. As you work
through the different options, make notes on each one as to any pros and cons, benefits etc, so that later you can easily
disregard options that you don’t think will work at a later point.
5. Reviewing and revisions
Do you need to have a title bar? If so, consider a consistent title bar throughout your boards, giving a sense of
professionalism, and orderliness. Don’t forget to include your details – name, title of project etc. and whatever else is
applicable.

Once some solutions have been sketched

out it is then possible to review these
solutions and look for areas that require
improvement. Things to consider when
we look at a residential scheme:
• How will the occupants move from
room to room?
• Does the circulation cut up the
space?
• Does guest traffic flow through
private areas?
• Are the doors and windows in
suitable positions? Do they interfere
or add to the overall spatial plan?
• Does the plan orientate itself
correctly with the site?
• Do the rooms work well in relation to
one another?
Other space planning considerations
Throughout space planning, the architect should also think about components like lighting and ventilation. Another essential
facet is ease of access or making the space simple to use by differently-abled people, like those who use wheelchairs or have
other movement difficulties. If the space is indicated for workplaces of personnel and management, problems of privacy also
need to be thought about. Local traditions and culture, such as feng shui, may be considered properly and used accordingly.

As architects and designers, our job is to create and transform spaces to tell our client’s story and promote their vision with
innovative design solutions. Each client and their needs differ. The space created should symbolize the heart of the
organization and afford the inhabitants both comfort and convenience.
SPACE PLANNING + PROGRAMMING
The 5 Essential Categories

HUMAN SCALE +
DIMENSION
MOVEMENT

INTERRELATIONSHIP

ELEMENTS IN SPACE

STANDARDS +
CONSTRAINTS
 1
HUMAN SCALE + DIMENSION

I. Anthropometrics
1. In residential design, what will be the width and type of your kitchen door?
2. In tropical design, what will be the height of your ceiling?

II. Ergonometric
1. In kitchen design, how can an average Filipina reach the upper cabinets?
2. In office design, how can an employee work for an average of eight hours without any discomfort , hazards
and inefficiency of his work in terms of its personal space requirements?
 2
MOVEMENT
I. Circulation
1. In stadium design, how the spectators will do their ingress and egress effectively and efficiently?
2. In government building design, how will you manage the movement of the people in various agencies within
the building floors and spaces.

II. Operational Flow

1. In airport design, how the luggage or even freight & cargos moves from one place to the another?
2. In restaurant design, how the back of house and kitchen works from delivery, storage, preparation, cooking,
serving ,washing & disposal?
 3
INTERRELATIONSHIP

I. Zoning and Adjacency of Spaces

1. In hospital design, what are the 3 basic zones, or even clusters or groupings per medical category?
2. In theater design, what are the spaces adjacent to the main entry door of a theater hall?

II. Organization Blocks

1. In office design, how they organize their spaces and areas in accordance to their company purpose, positions
and operations?
2. In government design, how they organize their spaces and areas in accordance to their significance in
function , ranking, security, privacy or confidentiality .
 4
ELEMENTS IN SPACE

I. Furniture, Fixture & Equipment (FFE)

1. In hospital design, what are the important things you will see and need in that space?
2. In bank design, what are the items and elements that are necessary for them to serve the clients?

II. Building Utilities Consideration

1. In hospitality design, what are the mechanical and plumbing considerations that can affect your spaces?
2. In cinema design, what are the lighting and acoustic design considerations that can translate spaces?
 5
STANDARDS + CONSTRAINTS

I. Codes + Laws
1. In school design, if you have a number of occupants in the room, how many exits?
2. In office design, what is the minimum area in square meter can an employee have?

II. Design Standards

1. In bank design, what is the first and foremost important space they need?
2. In cold storage design, what is the crucial and essential space it needs?
 Coffee Shop Design
Kindly enumerate the design considerations for the 5
essential categories? after translate it into a
floor plan

1. Human Scale + Dimension

A. Anthropometrics

SAMPLE 2. Movement
B. Ergonometric

PROBLEM A. Circulation
B. Operational Flow
3. Interrelationship
A. Zoning and Adjacency of Spaces
B. Organization Blocks
4. Elements in Space
A. Furniture, Fixture & Equipment (FFE)
B. Building Utilities Consideration
5. Standards and Constraints
A. Codes + Laws
B. Design Standards
 Coffee Shop Design
Kindly enumerate the design considerations for the 5
essential categories?(short pointers)*
1. Human Scale + Dimension 4. Elements in Space
A. Anthropometrics A. Furniture, Fixture & Equipment (FFE)
• Getting the average height of the crew • The type of furniture and equipments to be
B. Ergonometric used.
• Understanding how the crew work in the B. Building Utilities Consideration
kitchen and on the other working area
• Location for electrical panels, water pumps,
2. Movement floor type a/c and etc.
A. Circulation
5. Standards and Constraints
• Understanding how the customers move in
terms of their needs and preference. A. Codes + Laws
B. Operational Flow • Toilet requirements for PWD
• Understanding how the crew work in the B. Design Standards
kitchen specially in relation to the kitchen • The location and operation of the expresso
equipments. machine.
3. Interrelationship
A. Zoning and Adjacency of Spaces
*These are just example of short pointers of design
• The relationship between the main areas of
consideration that will be needed further research and
kitchen, bar and dining area
proper translation of design drawings.
B. Organization Blocks
• The distinction of private and public spaces,
security on managers desk and vault.
References:
Ching, F. D. (2015). Architecture form, space, order. New York: Wiley.
First in architecture. Space planning. Accessed from
https://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/space-planning-basics/
Karlen, M. and Fleming, R. (2016). Space planning basics. 4th ed. New Jersey: Wiley.
Przybylek, S. What is space planning. Accessed from
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-space-planning-basics-architecture.html
Schroeder, L. Space Planning – What Is It And Why Is It Important? Accessed from
https://wdmarchitects.com/2017/04/space-planning-important/
A Visual Dictionary of Architecture
2nd Edition, 2011 , Francis DK Ching
The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book
2nd Edition, 2018 , Cris Grimley & Mimi Love
The Architecture Reference & Specification Book
2nd Edition, 2018 , Julia McMorrough
Architectural Graphic Standards
12th Edition, 2016 , Charles Ramsey & Harold Sleeper
Neufert Architect’s Data
4th Edition, 2012 , Peter Neufert