Linking Space and Function: Spatial Relationships within the Proposed
Living Area
A Research on the Spatial Relationships of Minor Plate No. 1 – Proposed Living Area
Submitted as a Requirement in Architectural Design 1
Amber Meika A. Cariño
Student
BS ARCH 1-C
Section
Ar. Kristine G. Ramay
Architectural Design 1 Instructor
INTRODUCTION
According to the ABAG Finance Authority for Nonprofit Corporations (2020), Living
Area refers to the square footage listed in the site permit, building plans, or original
construction permit of a Residential Unit. It may also include additional square footage added
after approved expansion or renovation. This definition shows that the living area covers both
the original construction and later modifications authorized by building permits. In
architecture and planning, this is important as it reflects construction regulations and
residents’ adaptive strategies.
Beyond its technical meaning, the living area is the center of daily life in a home. It is
where family members gather, dine, relax, and move between spaces. A well-designed living
area balances function and experience, ensuring layout and proportions meet both
construction standards and quality of living.
ANALYSIS OF SPACES
1.1 LIVING AREA
The living area is the part of a home intended for daily activities, including living
rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, but excluding garages, unfinished basements, attics, and
similar spaces. According to the National Building Code, habitable rooms must have at least
6.00 sq. m. of floor area with a 2.00 m minimum dimension, and ceiling heights of 2.70 m on
the first storey and 2.40 m on upper floors. In practice, living areas are often larger—about
15.00–20.00 sq. m.—to allow for furniture, circulation, and social interaction, serving as the
home’s main communal space for relaxation, conversation, and entertainment.
1.2 GARAGE/CARPORT
A carport is an open-sided, roofed shelter supported by posts, while a garage is a fully
enclosed structure that offers complete protection for vehicles. Under the Code, both are
classified as Group J, Division 1 – Accessory Uses (Sec. 701). Though no minimum size is
required, standard practice allocates about 2.40 m × 5.00 m per car. In residential settings,
garages or carports are usually placed at the front or side of the lot for direct street access,
serving as secure vehicle storage while ensuring safe maneuvering, ventilation, and
functional separation from main living areas.
1.3 PORCH
A porch is a covered area attached to a building’s entrance, usually with its own roof,
and is considered a projection of the structure. If extending over public property, it must
maintain a 3.00 m clearance above grade (Sec. 1003). In homes, porches are typically placed
at the main entrance, serving as a sheltered outdoor space that provides shade, weather
protection, and a social area for gathering or waiting before entering the house.
1.4 PORTE COCHERE
A porte cochere, from the French term meaning “coach gateway,” is a covered
entrance large enough for vehicles to pass through, historically seen in grand homes and
palaces. Classified as a canopy or marquee (Sec. 1005), it must provide at least 3.00 m
clearance for vehicle passage. Typically located at the front façade or side driveway, it serves
as a covered drop-off area that protects residents and guests from weather while highlighting
convenience, accessibility, and architectural elegance in larger residences.
1.5 FOYER
A foyer is the large space just inside a building’s main entrance, often used for
meeting or waiting. While not explicitly defined in the Code, it is considered a circulation
space and must meet the 2.00 m minimum dimension for habitable areas (Sec. 806).
Typically located after the main entrance, the foyer serves as a transitional buffer that ensures
privacy, prevents direct visibility into the home, and creates a welcoming point that sets the
tone of the residence.
1.6 VISITOR’S AREA
A visitor’s area is a designated space for accommodating guests, which may vary by
context—from visitor centers at tourist sites to visitation rooms in jails or designated parking
in residences. In homes, it is treated as a living or receiving space and must meet the Code’s
minimum of 6.00 sq. m. with a 2.00 m least dimension (Sec. 806). Typically located near the
foyer or combined with the living room, its purpose is to welcome visitors comfortably while
maintaining the privacy of the home’s private areas.
1.7 POWDER ROOM
A powder room is a small half-bath containing only a sink and toilet, typically located
on a home’s main level for guest convenience. The Code requires bathrooms to have at least
1.20 sq. m. of floor area with a 0.90 m minimum dimension (Sec. 806). Usually placed near
the foyer or living area, the powder room offers practical and hygienic benefits by providing
easy access for visitors while preserving the privacy of the home’s private quarters.
1.8 TERRACE/PATIO/COURTYARD
A courtyard is an open, unroofed space enclosed by building walls, while a terrace is
a paved platform or patio adjacent to a building. Both serve as transitional zones between
indoors and outdoors, improving light, ventilation, and leisure opportunities. Under the Code,
courts must have a minimum horizontal dimension of 2.00 m (Sec. 804). Usually located at
the rear, side, or center of a residence and adjoining dining or living areas, these spaces
extend living areas outdoors, support recreation, and enhance environmental quality through
airflow and openness.
1.9 HALLWAY/CORRIDORS
A hallway is a transitional space near the main entrance that connects directly to areas
like the living room or visitor’s area, while a corridor is a longer, narrower passage within the
interior that links private rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms to shared spaces. Both
function as circulation elements, but the hallway emphasizes reception and entry transition,
whereas the corridor organizes deeper interior movement. The Code sets a minimum
clearance of 750 mm for circulation spaces (Sec. 708), though residential corridors are best
designed at 1.00–1.20 m for comfort. Typically located in the interior core, hallways and
corridors ensure safe, efficient circulation and maintain spatial order within the home.
1.10 OFFICE
An office or study room in a residence is a dedicated workspace designed for
productivity, privacy, and focus, typically equipped with desks, storage, and good lighting. It
is usually placed in quiet zones—at the side or rear of the house—to reduce distractions and
support tasks such as studying or working from home. Under the National Building Code
(Sec. 806), it is classified as a habitable room requiring at least 6.00 sq. m. with a 2.00 m
minimum dimension and ceiling heights of 2.70 m on the first storey and 2.40 m on upper
floors (Sec. 805). Beyond compliance, the home office reflects modern needs for flexible
spaces that bridge professional and domestic life.
RELATIONSHIP OF EACH SPACES IN THE LIVING AREA
CATEGORIES OF SPACES
Public Spaces
Porch – first outdoor reception area, welcoming space before entering.
Porte Cochere – vehicle drop-off, covered entry linked to the porch.
Foyer – entry threshold, transition from outside to inside.
Visitor’s Area – designated for receiving guests.
Semi-Public / Common Spaces
Living Area (Main Design Focus) – central gathering and activity zone.
Terrace / Patio / Courtyard – extension of living, indoor–outdoor connection.
Powder Room – accessible restroom for guests and family, positioned near public
areas.
Private Spaces
Office – quiet, focused work zone; can be semi-public if intended for client use.
Service / Support Spaces
Garage / Carport – vehicle storage, functional service access.
Hallway / Corridors – connectors that organize circulation between zones.
1.1 Living Area (Main design focus)
Relationship to other spaces
● Porch / Porte Cochere / Foyer → Nearby (Indirect adjacency)
● Visitor’s Area → Adjacent (Strong functional overlap)
● Powder Room → Nearby (Buffered)
● Terrace / Patio / Courtyard → Adjacent (Direct, high-value link)
● Hallway / Corridors → Adjacent (Connective role)
● Garage / Carport → Nearby (Buffered path)
● Living Area (Main design focus) → Variable
- If client-facing → Nearby (short path)
- If private → Not adjacent (prefer separation)
1.2 Garage / Carport
Relationship to other spaces
● Foyer → Nearby (Service ingress via vestibule/mudroom)
● Hallway / Corridors → Adjacent (Primary connector to service areas)
Living Area / Visitor’s Area / Foyer → Not adjacent (separated with doors/barriers)
● Powder Room → Nearby (optional placement along path)
● Porch / Porte Cochere → Nearby (functional complement for guest vs. resident
parking
● Terrace / Patio / Courtyard → Not related (keep away to preserve amenity)
● Office → Not adjacent (weak relationship, keep separate)
1.3 Porch
Relationship to other spaces
● Porte Cochere → Adjacent (sequential entry: porte cochere → porch)
Foyer → Adjacent (porch directly precedes foyer)
● Visitor’s Area / Living Area → Nearby (porch buffers interior, can act as
overflow)
● Powder Room / Hallway → Nearby (indirect access through foyer/visitor’s
area)
● Garage / Carport → Not adjacent (separated, but may align on tight sites)
● Terrace / Patio / Courtyard → Not related (serve different outdoor zones)
● Office → Not related (weak connection, separate functional zone)
1.4 Porte Cochere
Relationship to other spaces
● Porch / Foyer / Visitor’s Area → Adjacent (arrival sequence: porte cochere
→porch → foyer/visitor’s area)
● Garage / Carport → Nearby (complementary roles, avoid circulation
conflicts)
Living Area → Not adjacent (indirect, shield views with design elements)
● Powder Room → Nearby (accessible along arrival sequence)
● Office → Variable
- Adjacent if client-facing (direct access)
- Not adjacent if private (separate circulation preferred)
1.5 Foyer
Relationship to other spaces
● Porch / Porte Cochere → Adjacent (direct ingress, transitional entry)
Visitor’s Area / Living Area → Adjacent (primary distributor to public zones)
● Powder Room → Nearby (close but offset for privacy)
● Garage / Hallway → Nearby (separates guest and service flows)
● Office → Variable
- Adjacent if client-facing (direct route)
- Not adjacent if private (separate corridor preferred)
● Terrace / Patio / Courtyard → Optional adjacency (can provide framed view
through living)
1.6 Visitor’s Area
Relationship to other spaces
● Foyer → Adjacent (directly accessible for guests)
● Living Area → Variable (integrated open-plan or separated for formality)
● Powder Room → Nearby (easily reached, but not through private zones)
● Hallway / Corridors → Not adjacent (shouldn’t lead directly into private
bedroom corridors)
● Office → Not related / conditional (close only if informal meetings are
expected)
● Terrace / Patio / Courtyard → Nearby (optional connection for gatherings
and outdoor flow)
1.7 Powder Room
Relationship to other spaces
● Foyer / Visitor’s Area / Living Area → Nearby (must be accessible but
visually screened)
● Garage / Hallway → Adjacent (service-side convenience for family/guests)
● Office → Nearby (convenient if office hosts visitors
● Terrace / Patio / Courtyard → Nearby (accessible for outdoor gatherings)
1.8 Terrace / Patio / Courtyard
Relationship to other spaces
● Living Area → Adjacent (direct link for indoor–outdoor flow, ventilation,
daylight)
● Office → Nearby (beneficial for light and wellbeing)
Foyer / Visitor’s Area → Nearby (sometimes framed view or secondary
access)
● Powder Room → Nearby (essential for outdoor entertaining)
● Garage / Porte Cochere → Not adjacent (shielded to maintain privacy and
amenity)
● Hallway / Corridors → Adjacent (connector access while maintaining
privacy)
1.9 Hallway / Corridors
Relationship to other spaces
● Foyer / Living Area / Visitor’s Area → Nearby (separates and connects household
flows from guest zones)
● Garage / Carport → Adjacent (main service route, often with mudroom/storage)
● Office → Nearby (short vestibule or controlled entry for privacy)
● Powder Room / Terrace → Adjacent (corridor provides access without passing
through living)
● Porch / Porte Cochere → Not adjacent (foyer intervenes to preserve entry sequence)
1.10 Office
Relationship to other spaces
● Foyer → Variable
- Adjacent if client-facing (direct visitor route)
- Not adjacent if private (separation preferred)
● Living Area / Visitor’s Area → Not adjacent (prefer separation for
concentration)
● Terrace / Patio / Courtyard → Nearby (positive link for daylight and
comfort)
● Hallway / Corridors → Adjacent (controlled access, clear circulation)
● Powder Room → Nearby (convenient for meetings/guests)
● Garage / Porte Cochere → Not related / weak (occasional use for deliveries
or client entry)
