Space Planning
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Principles of Space Planning

Zoning

Traffic Patterns

Privacy

Economy

Zoning

Grouping activities within a spatial area for the purpose or goal of compatibility.

Any kind of design requires some thought on zoning.

Coffee cups, cities and rooms

To design a cup we need to know the activities related to drinking tea.

Designing a Coffee Cup

Activities

Putting liquid inside

Setting it down

Holding

Drinking

Parts

Well (cup)

Foot

Handle

Rim

Activity Zones of a Residence

Primary Zones

Traffic Patterns
Efficiency is the Goal

As short and direct as possible - no back tracking

Avoid crossing one zone to get to another

Avoid interrupting activities in progress

Zoning for Privacy

Visual privacy for bedrooms and baths

Acoustic privacy is necessary also

Buffers are often needed between areas

Closets

Doors

Transition zones - circulation

Adjacency

Economy

Having the most space for the least amount of money

Compact plumbing lines

Using spaces for many purposes

Orientation for efficient energy use

Most Common Floor Plan Deficiencies

Front door entering directly into living room

No front hall closet

No direct access from front door to kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms without passing through other rooms

Rear door not convenient to kitchen and difficult to reach from street, driveway and garage

No comfortable space for family to eat in or near kitchen

A separate dining area or dining room not easily reached from kitchen

Stairway off a room rather than a hallway or foyer

Bedrooms and bathrooms so located as to be visible from living room or foyer

Walls between bedrooms not soundproof (buffers needed)

Recreation room or family room poorly located

No access to the basement from outside the house

Outdoor living areas not accessible from kitchen

Walls cut up by doors and windows making it difficult to place furniture around room

Most Common Floor Plan Deficiencies

The previous were based on a large national survey of homeowners

If you have questions or comments about any of the material contained in this web, please e-mail Janet Schrock at janets@sfsu.edu.  

This page was last updated  Thursday, January 24, 2002.