PROGRAMMING

VALIDATE PROJECT PROGRAM

Confirming that the programmed spaces, relationships, circulation, square footage, occupancy requirements, and user needs are appropriate and feasible

Circulation Area

The portion of a plan used for movement that is not explicitly assigned to a programmed space

Circulation Multiplier

A factor used during programming to estimate the circulation area required in addition to programmed net area

Circulation Factor

The percentage of usable space represented by circulation area and used to evaluate layout efficiency

Circulation Area Formula

Circulation Area = NSF × (Circulation Multiplier − 1)

Usable Square Feet (USF)

The area occupied and used by the tenant, including net area and circulation but excluding building core and common shared areas

USF Formula

USF = NSF + Circulation Area

USF Multiplier Formula

USF = NSF × Circulation Multiplier

Net Square Feet (NSF)

The area required for the actual programmed functions, including individual workspaces, support spaces, and mission-critical spaces

Net Area Exclusions

Net area does not include corridors, wall thicknesses, washrooms, or mechanical rooms

Rentable Square Feet (RSF)

The area for which a tenant pays rent, generally including the tenant's usable area plus a prorated share of building common areas

Rentable vs. Usable Area

Usable area represents space the tenant occupies, while rentable area adds the tenant's allocated share of common building areas

Gross Building Area (GSF)

The total constructed floor area measured to the building's exterior boundary, including exterior wall thickness and vertical penetrations

Gross vs. Net Area

Gross area includes the total constructed building area, while net area represents the space required for programmed functions

Gross vs. Usable Area

Gross area includes building-wide construction and service areas, while usable area represents space occupied and used by the tenant

Net-to-Gross Ratio

A ratio used to evaluate the relationship between programmed net area and total gross area

Efficiency Factor

A measure used to account for circulation and nonusable or shared areas when determining the amount of gross space required

Building Efficiency

The effectiveness with which a building's total area is converted into usable or programmed space

High Building Efficiency

A condition in which less overall gross square footage is required to provide the needed usable or programmed area

Low Building Efficiency

A condition in which more gross square footage is required because a greater portion of the building is devoted to circulation, cores, walls, or other nonusable areas

Incidental Space

Space not specifically identified in the program but required to create the overall functional space plan, such as walls, columns, and closets

Building Service Area

Area containing building-wide utility, operational, access, and circulation functions such as lobbies, mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, security, fire control, and public restrooms

Floor Service Area

Area providing services required for normal operation of an individual floor, such as restrooms, janitorial closets, utility rooms, and floor mechanical spaces

Building Amenity Area

Shared tenant amenities such as conference rooms, food service, fitness, and daycare areas that can potentially be converted to tenant space

Typical Square Footage Allocations

Preliminary estimates of the area required for different functions used to test project feasibility and determine whether the client's needs can fit within the available space

Functional Needs Method

Determining required area by considering the number of users, activities, and FF&E needed for a function

Size of Objects Method

Determining space requirements based on the dimensions of objects and the arrangements needed to use them

Planned Activities Method

Determining space requirements based on the activities that will occur in the space

Code-Based Space Requirements

Minimum or maximum space requirements established by building codes based on occupancy classification, occupant load, and egress requirements

Program Feasibility

Determining whether the available or proposed space can accommodate the client's required functions, relationships, circulation, and other program requirements

Occupancy Classification

The classification assigned to a building or space based on its use and the associated risks and hazards

Occupancy Type

The specific IBC use classification assigned to a space based on its primary function

Occupancy Load

The number of people a space is designed or required to accommodate based on its area and occupancy load factor

Occupant Load Factor

The amount of floor area assigned to each occupant for a particular occupancy or use

Occupant Load Formula

Occupant Load = Floor Area ÷ Occupant Load Factor

Occupant Load Purpose

Occupant load is used to determine the number and capacity of exits and other means-of-egress requirements

Occupant Load Rounding

Occupant loads are rounded up according to the applicable calculation requirements

Multiple Occupancies

A building containing more than one occupancy classification

Accessory Occupancy

A small secondary occupancy that supports the main occupancy and is treated as part of the main occupancy when applicable code limits are met

Nonseparated Occupancies

Multiple occupancies without fire-resistance-rated separation where the building must generally comply with the most restrictive applicable requirements

Separated Occupancies

Multiple occupancies separated by required fire-resistance-rated barriers or horizontal assemblies, allowing each occupancy to be evaluated independently within applicable limits

Incidental Use

A small area with increased risk compared with the primary occupancy that does not establish a separate occupancy classification but requires specified protection or separation

Axial Spatial Organization

Spaces organized around a strong central or directional axis

Centralized Spatial Organization

Spaces organized around a central dominant space or focal point

Grid Spatial Organization

Spaces organized according to a regular intersecting framework

Clustered Spatial Organization

Spaces grouped according to functional relationships or common characteristics rather than a rigid geometric pattern

Dumbbell Circulation Pattern

A circulation pattern organized around two major nodes connected by a central path

Doughnut Circulation Pattern

A circulation pattern organized around a central area with circulation forming a loop around it

Radial Circulation Pattern

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

Mental Map

A person's internal understanding of the organization and location of spaces, paths, landmarks, and destinations within a building

Wayfinding Relationship to Programming

Circulation should be clear and coherent enough for users to understand where they are and how to reach destinations

Landmark

A recognizable feature that helps users orient themselves and strengthen their mental map of a building

Program Validation

The process of confirming that required spaces, sizes, adjacencies, circulation, codes, budget, and schedule remain aligned with project requirements

Program Validation Criteria

Required spaces, appropriate sizes, functional relationships, circulation, efficiency, code requirements, budget, schedule, and operational needs

Programming Bubble Diagram vs. Schematic Bubble Diagram

Programming bubbles primarily analyze functional relationships, while schematic bubbles begin exploring actual spatial arrangement and design intent

Visualizing Program Information

Graphic diagrams help translate complex program data into relationships that clients and design teams can understand

Benchmarking

Comparing similar products, projects, or practices to establish a baseline or reference for performance and design decisions

Human-Centered Design

Designing environments around the physical, psychological, cultural, sensory, and functional needs of users

Ergonomics

The study of the relationship between people, their physical environment, objects, and tasks

Anthropometrics

The study of human body dimensions, proportions, movement, and physical variation used to inform design

Ergonomics vs. Anthropometrics

Anthropometrics provides human body measurements, while ergonomics applies those measurements to the interaction between people, objects, tasks, and environments

Percentile Data

Anthropometric data organized according to the percentage of a population represented by a particular body measurement

Proxemics

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

Intimate Distance

The closest interpersonal distance associated with close personal interaction

Personal Distance

The interpersonal distance commonly associated with interaction between individuals who know one another

Social Distance

The interpersonal distance commonly associated with impersonal or formal interactions

Public Distance

The interpersonal distance associated with public communication and interaction

Cultural Context

Cultural beliefs, values, practices, and expectations that influence how people use and perceive space

Cultural Differences in Personal Space

Different cultures may have different expectations for interpersonal distance and spatial behavior

Territoriality

The nonverbal claiming or control of a physical space as one's own

Personalization

Modifying a space with personal items or choices to communicate identity, ownership, or familiarity

Sociopetal Arrangement

A spatial or furniture arrangement that encourages people to interact with one another

Sociofugal Arrangement

A spatial or furniture arrangement that discourages or minimizes social interaction

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A model that organizes human needs from basic physiological needs through safety, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization

Physiological Needs

Basic physical needs such as shelter, food, and bodily comfort

Safety Needs

Needs involving security, protection, and freedom from danger

Belonging Needs

Needs involving companionship, social connection, and relationships

Esteem Needs

Needs involving self-worth, recognition, and respect

Self-Actualization

The pursuit of personal fulfillment and realization of one's potential

Sensory Considerations

Design considerations addressing how users experience acoustics, lighting, visual stimuli, scent, color, tactile qualities, and thermal conditions

Acoustic Considerations

Designing sound conditions to support communication, concentration, privacy, comfort, and the intended activities of a space

Noise

Unwanted sound that interferes with comfort, communication, concentration, or performance

Acoustic Control

Using space planning, walls, ceilings, openings, and finishes to influence the acoustic environment

Lighting as a Sensory Factor

Lighting affects visual performance, comfort, mood, perception, attention, and the experience of a space

Glare

Discomfort or reduced visual performance caused when a light source or surface is excessively bright relative to the surrounding visual field

Circadian Rhythm

An approximately 24-hour biological cycle influenced by patterns of light and darkness

Circadian Lighting

Lighting designed to support healthy circadian rhythms by considering changes in light intensity and color over the day

Visual Stimuli

Visual information in the environment that can either support orientation and focus or create distraction and sensory overload

Visual Clutter

Excessive visual information that increases cognitive processing and can interfere with focus and performance

Visual Contrast

Difference between visual elements that helps users perceive objects, surfaces, changes in level, and wayfinding information

Scent as a Design Factor

Odors can influence memory, emotion, behavior, atmosphere, and perception of environmental quality

Tactile Considerations

Using texture and touch-related qualities to influence perception, navigation, comfort, material experience, and safety

Thermal Comfort

A condition in which occupants experience the thermal environment as comfortable and the body requires minimal effort to regulate temperature

Factors Affecting Thermal Comfort

Air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, air movement, clothing, activity, and surrounding surfaces

Static Load

The maximum non-moving load that a component or piece of equipment can safely support

Dynamic Load

The load a component must safely withstand when weight is moving or falling

Functional Load

The load associated with the normal intended use of a product or component

Neuroinclusive Design

Design that accommodates differences in sensory processing, cognition, attention, and behavior rather than assuming a single typical user

Universal Design

Designing environments and products to be usable by the widest range of people without requiring separate or specialized solutions

Accessible Design

Design focused on meeting accessibility requirements and removing barriers for people with disabilities