1. Written by Helen Hawver Georgia CTAE Resource Network 2010
Space Planning
For use in the course Foundations of Interior Design
Written by Helen Hawver
Georgia CTAE Resource Network
2010
Reference:

2. FCS-FID-6. Students will discuss space planning and traffic patterns.
a) Describe the typical rooms in a residence and the desired characteristics of each.
b) Identify the space requirements for each basic room and the concept of “planning for people.”
c) Identify traffic patterns in a floor plan.

3. Continued…
d) Describe the advantages and disadvantages to different floor plans and arrangements of furniture, as it relates to traffic patterns.
e) Analyze the design process of a variety of rooms with existing constraints, and how to best utilize the space.

4. Typical Rooms in a Residence
Rooms can be broken into three different categories
Private
Service
Public/Social

5. Private
These rooms provide a “get away” space for family members. Guests should not venture to these personal areas unless they are identified as specific guest spaces.
examples are the bedrooms and bathrooms

6. Service
These rooms are where a task or service take place such as, cooking, laundry, shop work, etc.
examples are the kitchen, laundry, utility, and garage

7. Public and Social
These rooms are common gathering rooms where families socialize with each other and with guests. These areas should be open to all traffic patterns
examples are the dining room, living room, deck, patio, family room and entrances

8. Space Room Relationships Dictate how functional a space will be
Examples:
Dining area adjacent to the living room for convenience in entertaining
Kitchen should be adjacent to the dining room for ease in serving food.
Bathrooms should be located close to bedrooms for convenience and privacy.

9. Traffic Patterns and Circulation
Circulation is the route that people follow as they move from one place to another in the home.
3-4 feet of space should be allowed for circulation paths. Avoid excessive hall space. Persons with disabilities should be taken into consideration. Wheel chairs and walkers need more room to turn corners and maneuver.

10. Traffic Patterns and Circulation Continued…
Circulation Frequency refers to the number of times a route is repeated in any given period of time.
Routes with high circulation frequency are short and direct in a good floor plan
Related rooms should be close together, so those patterns should automatically be short in distance
Rooms should not be cut in half due to circulation paths

11. Types of Circulation Family Work
Follows each member of the household throughout home; most complex
Not every family member will need to take the same patterns
Work
The kitchen is generally the hub of work circulation
Work Triangle
Route between the sink, refrigerator, and range
Should not exceed 22 feet in length

12. Types of Circulation Continued…
Service
Relates to the movement of people in and out of the home as they make service calls, deliver goods, read meters, take garbage out, etc…
Service areas generally bypass the private spaces in a home
Guest
Involves movement from the entry to the coat closet and to the living room with access to a powder room
Overnight guests will need access to the guest bedroom and bathroom.

13. Let’s take a look at this floor plan with the traffic patterns marked
terior_design/plan/traffic.jpg

14. Evaluating a Floor Plan
Would all members of your household have enough space to satisfy their needs?
Are rooms grouped according to function?
Are quiet areas away from public view and traffic?
If a multipurpose room exists, can it be used for all intended purposes?
Are eating areas close to the kitchen?
Is space provided for entertaining as well as day-to-day living?

15. Evaluating a Floor Plan Continued…
Are the entrances conveniently located?
Are the traffic patterns safe and convenient?
Is the house free of barriers?
Is there ample storage space?
Does the plan need to be modified for people with disabilities?