SPACE PLANNING

COMPLETE SPACE PLANNING

Developing the programmed spaces into a workable floor plan that addresses function, circulation, adjacencies, safety, and user needs

TEST-FIT FLOOR PLAN

A scaled preliminary plan used to determine whether programmed spaces can physically fit within the proposed building or space

PRELIMINARY SPACE PLAN

An early plan used to refine and present the design concept before further design development

FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP

The way spaces must relate to one another to support activities and operations

PROGRAMMED SPACE

Space specifically identified in the program as necessary for a required function

CIRCULATION AREA

Area of a plan that is not explicitly assigned to a programmed space and is used for movement through the building

CIRCULATION HIERARCHY

The organization of circulation into primary and secondary paths to make movement clear and understandable

CIRCULATION MULTIPLIER

A factor used to estimate the amount of circulation space needed in addition to programmed net area

CIRCULATION FACTOR

The relationship between circulation area and usable square footage used to evaluate the efficiency of a layout

CIRCULATION EFFICIENCY

How effectively circulation provides necessary movement while minimizing unnecessary space

NET AREA

Programmed floor area assigned to specific functions before circulation is added

USABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE

Area available for tenant or occupant use, including programmed space and circulation but excluding certain shared building areas

NET-TO-GROSS RATIO

The relationship between usable or net area and the total gross building area used to evaluate planning efficiency

BUILDING EFFICIENCY

The effectiveness of a building layout in providing usable programmed space relative to total area

INCIDENTAL SPACE

Unprogrammed space required to make the overall plan work, such as space for walls, columns, or closets

LINEAR CIRCULATION

A circulation pattern organized primarily along a straight or sequential path

SINGLE-LOADED CORRIDOR

A corridor with programmed spaces primarily on one side

DOUBLE-LOADED CORRIDOR

A corridor with programmed spaces on both sides

RADIAL CIRCULATION

A circulation pattern in which paths extend outward from a central point

AXIAL CIRCULATION

A circulation pattern organized around one or more strong organizing axes

GRID CIRCULATION

A circulation system organized along intersecting paths that create a regular network

DUMBBELL CIRCULATION

A circulation pattern organized around two primary destinations connected by a central path

DOUGHNUT CIRCULATION

A circulation pattern organized around a central space or zone

EXIT CAPACITY

The number of occupants an exit is designed to safely accommodate

EXIT LOCATION

The placement of exits so occupants can safely and efficiently reach them

SYMMETRICAL CIRCULATION

A circulation organization that can make paths easier for users to understand and remember

COHERENT CIRCULATION

A logical and understandable circulation system that supports easy navigation

ERGONOMICS

The study of how people physically interact with spaces, furniture, equipment, and tasks

ANTHROPOMETRICS

Measurements and characteristics of the human body used to inform spatial and furniture dimensions

PROXEMICS

The study of how people use and perceive interpersonal distance and personal space

TERRITORIALITY

The use of space to communicate ownership, control, or belonging

SOCIOPETAL ARRANGEMENT

A spatial arrangement that encourages interaction and social engagement

SOCIOFUGAL ARRANGEMENT

A spatial arrangement that discourages or minimizes social interaction

SPATIAL AWARENESS

Understanding how spaces, furniture, circulation, scale, and relationships affect the experience and function of an environment

SCALE

The relationship of an object or space to the human body or to other elements

PROPORTION

The relationship of the dimensions of one element to another

ZONING

Organizing spaces into functional areas based on activities, users, privacy, or other relationships

OPEN SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

A layout with relatively few physical divisions that provides flexibility and visual connection

LINEAR SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

A layout organized along a linear sequence

AXIAL SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

A layout organized around a strong central or directional axis

CENTRALIZED SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

A layout organized around a central dominant space

GRID SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

A layout organized around a regular system of intersecting lines

CLUSTERED SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

A layout in which related spaces are grouped together based on functional or visual relationships

DESIGN INTENT

The underlying concept, purpose, and goals that guide design decisions

SPACE PLANNING AND DESIGN INTENT

Space planning should reinforce the design concept while continuing to satisfy functional, safety, and user requirements

NATURAL DAYLIGHT

Daylight from the sun used to illuminate interior spaces

DAYLIGHTING

The intentional use and control of natural light within an interior environment

NATURAL VIEWS

Visual connections from interior spaces to desirable exterior views

DAYLIGHT AND VIEWS IN SPACE PLANNING

Window placement and room locations should be evaluated to maximize beneficial daylight and views while considering glare, privacy, and function

GLARE

Excessive brightness or contrast that causes visual discomfort or reduces visual performance

PRIVACY

The degree to which a space protects users from unwanted visual, physical, or auditory access

ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRAINT

An existing building condition that limits or influences the placement of spaces, furniture, circulation, or other design elements

STRUCTURAL CONSTRAINT

A structural element or condition, such as columns or structural walls, that affects space planning

COLUMN GRID

The structural organization of columns that can influence the arrangement of rooms, furniture, and circulation

VERTICAL CIRCULATION

Movement between floors through elements such as stairs, ramps, or elevators

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Movement between spaces on the same floor

PROGRAM VALIDATION DURING SPACE PLANNING

Confirm that required spaces, relationships, circulation, efficiency, accessibility, and safety requirements are accommodated

SPACE PLANNING EFFICIENCY

The effective use of available space while providing required functions, circulation, access, and amenities

PRELIMINARY CODE REVIEW

An early review of applicable code and life-safety requirements before finalizing the space plan

BUDGET VALIDATION

Checking that the developing space plan remains consistent with project budget requirements

SCHEDULE VALIDATION

Checking that the developing space plan remains consistent with project schedule requirements

FUNCTIONAL AREA

An area organized around a particular activity, user group, or purpose

COGNITIVE LOAD

The mental effort required to process information or navigate an environment

INITIAL DRAWINGS

Preliminary drawings used to communicate and develop design intent before detailed construction documentation

SCHEMATIC DRAWING

A preliminary conceptual drawing that establishes basic layout, spatial relationships, and design intent without detailed construction information

REQUISITE DRAWING

A drawing necessary to clearly communicate the information required to understand and develop the design

INITIAL FLOOR PLAN

A preliminary plan used to communicate design intent, spatial relationships, adjacencies, circulation, and functional requirements

FLOOR PLAN DESIGN INTENT

The intended organization, relationships, circulation, and functional arrangement communicated by the floor plan

FLOW

The movement of people through and between spaces

FURNITURE TEST-FIT

Placement of appropriately sized furniture in a plan to verify fit, function, circulation, and clearances

PURPOSE OF AN INITIAL ELEVATION

To communicate general height, form, material, and design intent rather than detailed construction information

ORTHOGRAPHIC PROJECTION

A method of drawing objects or spaces without perspective distortion so dimensions and relationships can be represented accurately

CROSS-REFERENCE

A reference from one drawing or document to another drawing or document containing related information

INITIAL DRAWING PURPOSE

To explore design options, communicate design intent, establish spatial relationships, and support further design development

INITIAL DRAWING FUNCTIONAL REVIEW

Review drawings to verify that spaces, furniture, circulation, clearances, and functional relationships work together

PRELIMINARY DRAWING REVIEW

Review drawings for functional fit, circulation, spatial relationships, design intent, and basic safety requirements before progressing the design