Mastering the Art of Space Planning in Architecture

Architects are in demand right across the world. In the USA they make around $93,000 per year. Architects have to consider a lot when it comes to designing a property and one of these considerations is space planning. 
Space planning is a key fundamental factor when it comes to architectural design. Proper space planning helps in creating an aesthetically pleasing, functional and efficient environment for many building projects.

Whether it’s a commercial office, public building, or a residential home, architects need to map out and organize a property’s space well in advance in order to make the build a successful one. In this article,  we’ll cover how you can master the art of space planning when it comes to architecture projects. Let’s take a look. 

Understanding the Basics of Space Planning

Space planning involves the arrangement and allocation of spaces within a newly planned structure. It’s about understanding how to utilize interior components of a building to enhance its functionality. 
When planning spaces on the design it’s important to consider spatial relationships, movement flow, and the purpose of each area. This is why many people visit a professional architecture studio to get proper advice when they’re looking to build a new building or home. Space planning requires a good analysis of the space’s overall needs and what the user will do with it when the property is built. Here’s some things to consider: 

Key Principles of Space Planning

1. Functionality and purpose: The overall primary goal is to make sure the space you create serves its purpose. This means connecting the functionality of the space with the surrounding spaces it’ll be connected to. For example, placing a kitchen near the dining room vs placing a kitchen next to a toilet. 
2. Flow and circulation: When space planning it’s also important to consider the flow and circulation of the area. This not only means air flow, but also the flow of corridors and paths leading to and from the room. Air flow is also important, especially if you have adjoining bathrooms or toilets in the building. Many people also look towards green architecture to help with promoting more outdoor and indoor harmony along with proper air flow. 
3. Zoning: Zoning refers to the division of the space based on what functions it will be used for. For example a home may have a separate living space which could be used as an office. In commercial areas it could mean creating a calm zone for relaxation which can turn into an area where meetings can occur if required. 
4. Scale and proportion: The size of the room is also important to create a balanced and harmonious environment. As an architect, you have to consider if the room is the right size for what it’s going to be assigned as. For example, a small room designated for large corporate meetings or events may not be suitable to fit everyone, while a large room for two to three office workers may be a waste of space. 
5. Flexibility and Adaptability: Architects also need to consider future plans and changes to the building. As new owners take over, they need to consider planning spaces which offer flexibility and adaptability. This may include the ability to add modular furniture, movable partitions and other semi-permanent additions to a room. 

Tools and Techniques for Effective Space Planning

Architects, before building, need to be able to see what the building and spaces look like based on their plans. Some of the tools and techniques they may use include: 

• 3D modeling software: This software is designed to create a virtual representation of the design so architects can see what the project would look like at a smaller scale when built. 3D modeling has become popular across the years with more and more architects using it. 
• Drawing: Some architects will draw a detailed diagram of the building or space to gauge how big it is against other rooms. This method can be useful for specific projects like home builds where there’s a smaller number of rooms. 
• VR: Virtual reality devices are also being used to help showcase what buildings would look like before they’re built. Some of these may allow you to view each room to get a gauge of what the interior looks like before it’s built so any corrections can be made to the design prior to building. 

Endnote

With some of the largest companies employing over 3,000 architects, it shows the market is set to continue its growth in the future. When it comes to mastering the art of space planning, architects need to consider functionality, creativity, flow, size and flexibility, especially when it comes to more elaborate projects. As technology and design practices continue to change and evolve, the possibilities for innovative space planning are endless. The future will offer architects the opportunity to push the boundaries of what is possible in architectural design.