PRELIM TERM Duration: Week 1 – February 1 – 6, 2021

LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING CONTENT OUTCOMES
Space Planning  Develop their interest in architectural design.
 Develop information into space planning diagrams.
 Research and consider as many aspects of the use of the
spaces as possible.
 Make the leap from data to diagrams and drawings as they
proceed through the space planning process.
 Create spaces and accommodate humans in spaces and
consider some universal concepts relating to how people
interact with their environments.
 Develop a plan of requirements, extracted from the data
collected the necessary functions the spaces will be
fulfilling.
 Develop a matrix/table that demonstrates the
requirements of each room and develop some sketch
diagrams.
 Develop understanding of the requirements and visualise
how the spaces will work together and how the circulation
may flow between them.
 Review the solutions and look for areas that require
improvement.
 Review initial sketches and ideas the plans can be
developed further by adding more detail and refining
drawings.

LEARNING TASK  Develop their interest in architectural design.

Plate Making  Develop information into space planning diagrams.
“A CLUBHOUSE”  Research and consider as many aspects of the use of the
spaces as possible.
 Develop a matrix/table that demonstrates the
requirements of each room and develop some sketch
diagrams.
 Build a small library of ‘rule of thumb’ plans that can refer
to in order to speed up space planning time.
 Make the connection between basic spatial requirements
and a fully drafted floor plan.

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 LEARNING CONTENT

INTRODUCTION
Space planning is a complex process with many factors to consider. The principles of space
planning involve satisfying a defined criteria on a priority basis – as a result, space planning is
frequently about compromise. That being said, there is often more than one solution to planning
out the space requirements of a building.

Key processes to space planning

The questions you need to ask your client, and yourself, and how to develop this information into
space planning diagrams.

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.

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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.

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.

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Part 3 – Consider spaces and spatial relationships
Spatial Relationships
How can spaces be related to one another?

Organising the space

You can consider a varying forms of spatial organisation, some of which are more naturally suited
to particular uses than others:

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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?

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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. Let’s look at some examples:

As your sketch diagrams develop you can begin to build a rough sketch plan of your spaces, this
is sometimes known as bubble diagramming. 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. If you are working within the constraints of an
existing building you can print out the floor plan and work within that. However, if you are
designing a new building the bubble diagram can often be connected with your concept and site
analysis to develop the design. During this process it is important to keep referring back to the
initial data collected and the relationship diagram to ensure you are considering all aspects of
the design requirements.

This is an opportunity to try both safe and standard ideas along with more erratic options as you
are carrying out fast sketchy ideas.

At this point it is often useful to have a general idea of size requirements of certain areas. For
example, in a residential house, it is useful to know a rough size of a double bedroom, or an
average living room size in order to start making sense of the spaces.

You can almost build a small library of ‘rule of thumb’ plans that you can refer to in order to
speed up your space planning time.
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Try different options and configurations, sketch your ideas and how the spaces will connect to
one another. As you work through the different options, make notes on each one as to any pros
and cons, benefits etc., so that later you can easily disregard options that you don’t think will
work at a later point.

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.

REFERENCES:
Karlen, Mark. 2009. Space planning basics. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Space_planning
https://interiorstylehunter.com/what-is-space-planning-and-how-to-create-a-space-plan/
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-space-planning-basics-architecture.html
https://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/space-planning-basics/

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 LEARNING TASK
A CLUBHOUSE
Statement of the problem:
A group and enterprising professionals desires to contract a clubhouse in a suburban area about
15 minute automobile ride from Tuguegarao City. The proposed Clubhouse although to be
initially financed by the group shall be self-liquidating enterprise. It was therefore suggested that
aside from the various games and entertainment devices it was also proposed to have private
lodging quarters for visiting members and their guests for weekend excursion. The clubhouse is
source of relaxation of the club members, and their families and other respectable outsiders.

Design Objectives:
To provide a building that can drive the interest and objectives of people who seeks fun and
relaxation.

The Site:
The site selected for their purpose is a lot located mountainous area; it measures 80 x 120 m.
Bounded by a road on the longer side facing north and three sides by private properties of
wooded areas. The clubhouse a two storey building or split-level structure shall be located on an
area in the lot for the building with limiting dimensions of 18 x 25 m. More or less, the rest of the
lot area shall be for outdoor games such as mini golf course, a small swimming pool, outdoor play
equipment for children, a tennis court, archery range, basketball court landscaping and parking
area spaces.

Space Requirements:
A. First Floor
1. Lobby and Lounge
2. Administrative offices
a. Chairman Board of Directors
b. Executive secretary and his staff of two
c. Treasurer and his assistant
d. Conference room
3. Reception hall
It may be covered into a dining salon with a dance hall area adjoining dining area.
Noted that, the reception hall may be converted into an exhibition hall and salon, it
must be good for at least 60-80 people and the dance area must be good for 20
couples during dancing at a time.
4. Kitchen with storage room
5. Utility room

B. Second Floor
1. Stairs, hallway, and toilet
2. Billiard room with dart boards
3. Bedroom for couples with T&B
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 4. Bedroom for Bachelor with T&B

Required Drawings:
1. Floor plans - 1:100
2. Elevations - 1:100
3. Site Development Plan - 1:500
4. Perspective
a. Bird’s Eye View
b. Interior

A3 size White paper with standard margin and Title Block.

Full-color presentation

Rubric for Evaluation:

SPACE PLANNING INDICATORS PR LS SY VS EX PTS
Collection of Information 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
Interpreting Requirements 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
Spaces and Spatial Relationships 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
Relationship Diagrams 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
Visual Technique Presentation/Drawings 1 2 3 4 5
TOTAL 45

DESIGN CONSIDERATION INDICATORS PR LS SY VS EX PTS

Use of Building Materials as Design Consideration 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
Relation of Form to Structure 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
Use of Utilities Systems as Design Consideration 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
Visual Technique Presentation/Drawings 1 2 3 4 5
TOTAL 35

PRESENTATION INDICATORS PR LS SY VS EX PTS

Compliance to Regulations, Codes and Standards 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
Visual Techniques 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
TOTAL 20

GRAND TOTAL (70%) 100

Submissions:
Collection of Information February 6 11:59pm
Interpreting Requirements February 13 11:59pm
Spaces and Spatial Relationships February 20 11:59pm
Relationship Diagrams February 27 11:59pm

Fajardo, Max V. Planners and Designers Handbook

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