What is space planning in interior design?

Space planning describes the process of determining the purpose, functional requirements, and
basic layout of specific areas in a home or commercial building, and it is an absolutely essential
part of the interior design process.

The key to a successful design job starts with determining the purpose of the space being
designed. As a professional, it is your job to ask all the right questions and gather all the
necessary information to plan out a functional space that suits your client’s needs.

Your in-depth analysis together with basic design principles will help you create a well-balanced,
easily navigable and beautiful space.

Rather than allowing stylistic preferences or personal tastes alone to dictate the layout of a
home, space planning requires interior designers to take into account other aspects of proper
design. which include at least the following considerations:

1. The types of spaces in a specific home or building, which generally fall into 4 categories:

 Social (living room or dining area)

 Private (bedroom)
 Work (home office)
 Storage (closet, shelving, etc.)

Each of these categories will have implications for the home design, layout, furniture placement,
and design of the finished room or area.

2. Intended room usage, which requires asking important questions about what kinds of
activities will be done there, what features will accommodate those needs best, and how these
needs should affect the space layout and design.

 For example, the interior designer will need to consider things for an interior space like
storage (both open and closed options), tablespace, lighting, cleaning needs, areas,
sleeping arrangements, bathing, access to other rooms, or interior and exterior
entrances, and much more.

3. Foot traffic and circulation patterns within a home or building. Understanding and mapping
where foot traffic will naturally flow should affect things like wall placements, furniture choices,
door position, and many other critical interior design decisions. There may also be safety
considerations about access that is needed depending on industry regulations (for commercial
spaces) or personal preferences with private clients.

4. Multifunctional requirements for a space. Each area within a home might serve one primary
purpose, but there could be several requirements that need to be considered to ensure that the
purpose can be realized. Think about the example of a music room that has an area for storage
(instruments and music), seating, space for large instruments like a piano, doors to close off the
space, etc. Choosing the primary purpose of the room (music storage and practice) raises
another series of key questions about how to achieve a good design and accommodate basic
functionalities.

A.2
Why is space planning important for effective interior design?

Without effective space planning, projects or entire homes and buildings can lack a cohesive
sense of form and function that makes them attractive and usable. Functional spaces can be
over-decorated, which is a common error without proper space planning.
 These mistakes might be obvious or they can be more subtle, slowly reducing a client’s joy in
their space because it’s not best suited to their needs or because it makes routine activities
more difficult. While the issues addressed by space planning might seem obvious, it can
actually be a simple misstep to overlook that part of the process.

Space planning will help interior designers make and explain decisions that might not otherwise
be intuitive – especially to clients. These decisions could include things like the following:

1. Lighting placement, fixtures, and brightness.

2. Furniture selection and orientation.
3. Material choices. Tile vs. carpet in an area with high traffic, or where shoes will be used.

If those decisions have been informed by careful and intentional space planning, you’ll be much
more confident that the end result truly meets client needs now and in the future.

A.3

STEPS

Space planning is an essential step in the interior design process. Without proper space
planning, you risk creating a design that is not optimal and that doesn’t work well for your client.

Part 1 – Collect 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 particular shapes or forms?
 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.

Part 2 – Interpret requirements – build the 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.
Part 3 – Consider spaces and 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

Organising the space

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?

Part 4 – Create 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. 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.

Part 5 – Review and revise

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?

Once you have reviewed your initial sketches and ideas the plans can be developed further by
adding more detail and refining your drawings. It is key to refer to any building regulations,
codes and standards that will have an impact on your space planning to ensure that your design
is compliant from an early stage.

A4.

The 8 most important principles

1. Plan for real life
2. Create a vision
3. Be thoughtful about materials and construction
4. Juxtapose contrasting elements
5. Layer the details deliberately
6. Be authentic
7. Strike a balance
8. Edit

REFERENCES:
https://foyr.com/learn/definitive-guide-to-space-planning-in-interior-design/#:~:text=Space
%20planning%20describes%20the%20process,of%20the%20interior%20design%20process.
https://www.2020spaces.com/blog-space-planning-101/
https://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/space-planning-basics/
https://archive.curbed.com/2016/7/21/12228858/interior-design-decorating-principles

B. SITE PLANNING AND ANALYSIS IN ARCHITECTURE

B1
The art of arranging structures on land and shaping the spaces between them – Kevin Lynch
Site planning is the organization of the total land area and air space of the site for the best use
by the people who will occupy it. - Garrett Eckbo
Site planning is a creative process requiring the manipulation of many variables. It involves the
location, placement and relationship of all site elements.
Site – can be defined as the existing conditions of the land. A place where something is or will
be located.
Planning – where to build and where not to build is understood in planning. A detailed proposal
for design and construction.
Site planning typically begins by assessing a potential site for development through thorough
site analysis. Information about slopes, soils, hydrology, vegetation, parcel ownership,
orientation, etc. are assessed and documented. Going through a thorough analysis of the
feasibility of developing a site allows the architect to determine optimal locations and design for
a structure that works within the space. While conducting the site analysis the architect also
needs to review zoning of the potential project site. These are the regulations that have been
developed by the local municipality to separate the land into different use areas such as
residential and industrial zones. This allows the town or city to not be over powered by one type
of land distinction.

B2
It is important to understand the characteristics of a site before deciding on a design. Physical
constraints like site area, boundary configuration, slope, site access for both pedestrian and
vehicle, significant landscape features particular to the site, issues relating to possible flooding
and storm water overland flow, favourable and not so favourable views and the buildings and
vegetation surrounding the site all need to be properly recorded and properly assessed. In
addition, the direction of north, and climatic factors such as the potential for solar access,
prevailing breezes, temperature range and humidity all need to be identified and analysed.
Other legislative factors governing site development such as the location of services and
easements as well as specific regulations regarding the type of development that is permissible,
building site cover, building setbacks from the site boundaries, building height and fencing all
need to be understood. Only when this data has been collated and properly considered then it is
possible to determine the most appropriate site location and optimal orientation and
configuration for a building.

B3
1.Programming
-Problem statement
-Goals and objectives
-Program analysis

2. Site
-Site inventory
-Site Analysis
-Site planning
3. Site and Building Design
-Conceptual plan
-Building design
-Master Plan

RESEARCH
THE FIRST STEP IS DESIGNING THE PROBLEM AND ITS DEFINITION
-SURVEY
-DATA COLLECTION

ANALYSIS
THE NEXT STEP INVOLVES PROGRAMMING THE SITE AS WELL AS SITE AND USER
ANALYSIS
-OPPURTUNITIES
-CONSTRAINTS
-PROGRAM ANALYSIS

SYNTHESIS
FROM THE ANALYSIS , A PROGRAM IS DEVELOPED, WHICH IS PART OF SYNTHESIS
PHASE. THE THIRD STEPS DEALS WITH SCHEMATIC DESIGN OF A SITE PLAN.
-CONCEPT ALTERNATIVES
-REVIEW
-DESIGN REFINEMENT
-ACCEPTANCE

B4

Basic Principles on Site Development Planning

Principle 1:
Mission and Goals
THE STRUCTURE ACKNOWLEDGES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THEENVIRONMENT AND THE STRUCTURE'S MISSION, AS WELL AS THE
RELATIONSHIP TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

Principle 2:Civic Structure

The civic structure of the building consists of their primary public spaces.

Principle 3:Green Reserve

The structure will seek to protect its existing open spaces by adopting a permanentgreen reserve.
The green reserve is intended to remain free of major buildings andparking lots.
Principle 4:Development Densities
The structure will seek to conserve building's open space by maintainingappropriate density in built-
up areas.

Principle 5:Circulation, Transportation, ParKing

 The structure supports the concept of pedestrian-oriented building. The structure will develop a
long-term transportation strategy that shifts from a reliance on individual automobiles to alternative
modes of transportation and from surface parking lots to parking garages

Principle 6:CommunitY InterFace

The structure cooperates with the city and with private developers in the areas around the
building to promote high-quality, pedestrian-friendly urban development that contributes to a sense
of a larger community and promotes the structure's setting.

B5

Residential site plan. A residential site plan is a critical first step before diving head first into a
new build or remodeling project.

These plans bridge the gap between what already exists and what you’re planning for the future.
They’re essential for getting the go-ahead from state and local building authorities and winning
new business.

A residential site plan is a scale drawing that maps out all of the major components that exist
within a property’s boundaries. This includes residence itself, utility hookups, site topography,
plus any pools, patios, or pathways.

Residential site plans also communicate proposed changes to a property.

If you’re improving an existing residence, the site plan can serve as a step-by-step improvement
plan. This could, for example, include a building addition on a specific property, such as a
garage.

Landscape site plan. A landscape design is like a floor plan for an outdoor area. Like a floor plan, a
landscape design creates a visual representation of a site using scaled dimensions. Landscape
plans include natural elements like flowers, trees, and grass as well as man-made elements such
as lawn furniture, fountains, and sheds. Landscape designs may also include overlays for
irrigation and lighting.

Construction site plan. a design tool used to determine an appropriate development

outcome, based on an analysis of the development site’s constraints. The opportunities
and constraints inherent to a site and the response to a program/design brief are analysed
and documented in an overall site planning document that should accompany a
development application.

https://www.bc-architecture.com/site-planning/
https://orangearchitects.com.au/the-importance-of-site-analysis-and-planning/
https://sist.sathyabama.ac.in/sist_coursematerial/uploads/SAR1203.pdf
https://www.slideshare.net/ameedinam1/site-planning-principles-and-considerations
https://www.scribd.com/document/320421711/Basic-Principles-on-Site-Development-Planning
https://cedreo.com/blog/residential-site-plan/
https://theconstructor.org/construction/construction-site-planning/5993/
https://www.smartdraw.com/landscape-design/