SPACE PLANNING Addi & Lytle Archts Handbook of Prof Practice PDF
SPACE PLANNING Addi & Lytle Archts Handbook of Prof Practice PDF
SPACE PLANNING Addi & Lytle Archts Handbook of Prof Practice PDF
CLIENT NEEDS
Clients who want to use existing space more efficiently or tenants required to do their
own interior build-outs often require space planning services. In particular, the interiors of older
facilities may need reorganization to accommodate new equipment or new work processes.
Organizations that have grown, downsized, or simply reorganized may need space
planning services. Because organizational change is occurring faster than in the past, many
organizations want to maximize the flexibility of interior spaces so they can accommodate
change efficiently. Some space planning consultants play an ongoing support role to facility
managers who must respond to churn rates. In these cases, the consultant may be assigned
responsibility for interior design and space planning, while the facility manager covers pro-
gramming, operations and business planning, and day-to-day adjacency and equipment needs.
As already noted, the need for space planning may spring from a change in organi-
zational philosophy. In corporate environments, many organizations are moving away from
hierarchical structures toward a more team-based approach that favors more egalitarian, col-
laborative work space to replace executive offices and cubicles.
Government agencies often have predetermined programs or space allocations for
each department or group of offices that are derived from budget cost centers (x dollars
equates to x square feet or meters). These restrictions may guide space planning options.
GRETCHEN ADDI is with the San Francisco office of IDEO, an international design consultancy.
Addi chaired the AIA Interiors PIA in 1997. JACQUELINE LYTLE is with Babey Moulton Jue &
Booth in San Francisco and was vice chair of the AIA Interiors PIA in 1999.
The adjacency diagram identifies the proximity requirements between major groups and
departments.
SKILLS
First and foremost, space planning requires the ability to visualize space in three dimen-
sions and a keen sense of composition, scale, and proportion. Technical knowledge and familiarity
with furniture and equipment are required to make dimensional calculations, propose appropri-
ate furniture options (custom, ready-made, modular, systems, etc.), specify ergonomically appro-
priate furniture and equipment, and comply with applicable building and fire
Preliminary space planning and analysis at
codes, including the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and
a macro level (before the design is set) can help
other accessibility mandates.
determine structural and building modules that
Architects are generally qualified as space planners by virtue of
their education and experience. However, additional knowledge of anthro- may be more accommodating to furniture and
equipment placement. Otherwise, space plan-
pometric and interior spatial issues is essential for firms that offer space
ning occurs within constraints set by a “frozen”
planning services. Such knowledge is generally possessed by individuals
building design.
who have fulfilled the education, examination, and experience require-
ments for National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification and who
are professional members of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) or the
American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
Related disciplines. Space planning often requires close coordination with other dis-
ciplines. For example, medical planners and retail facility planners are extremely valuable team
members for health care and retail projects. Communications and audiovisual consultants
often are needed. If a project requires furniture acquisition and installation, the designers may
need to team with furniture installers.
Tools and resources. Databases for cataloging furniture and equipment, and soft-
ware to support them, are important tools for space planners who need to analyze these
data. Although space planning documentation can be done manually, computer-aided design
and drafting programs are useful for diagramming and for preparing layouts and three-
dimensional visualizations.
For space planning in existing facilities, a camera is useful for recording existing
conditions, and measuring devices are needed to generate critical dimensions.
PROCESS
A space plan shows fixed elements such as walls, partitions, and columns and movable elements such as
furniture and equipment.
Harris Design Group, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
AIA Document B102–2007 replaces and serves the same purpose as AIA
Document B141–1997 Part 1.