Space Planning Course

Lesson 1 • Core Spatial Concepts

Covers positive and negative space, scale, proportion, and spatial hierarchy. These concepts underpin every layout decision made in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Types of Spaces and Their Functions

Categorizes residential, commercial, institutional, and mixed-use spaces by function. Connects space type to planning priorities and user needs.

Lesson 3 • Defining Space Planning

Introduces the discipline, its scope, and how it differs from interior design and architecture. Provides the conceptual framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Drawing Conventions and Standards

Explains line weights, symbols, notation, and scale conventions used in space planning drawings. Establishes a shared visual language for all subsequent drawing work.

Lesson 2 • Sketching and Drafting Layouts

Develops freehand sketching and manual drafting skills for rapid ideation and precise documentation. Prepares students for digital drafting tools introduced later.

Lesson 3 • Reading Floor Plans

Teaches systematic interpretation of existing floor plans, including walls, openings, and fixed elements. Directly enables accurate site analysis in the next chapter.

Lesson 4 • Introduction to Digital Drawing Tools

Introduces CAD and vector-based software environments for producing professional floor plans. Bridges manual skills to digital workflows used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Preparing for a Site Visit

Covers pre-visit research, equipment selection, and safety protocols for field measurement. Efficient preparation reduces errors and repeat visits.

Lesson 2 • Producing As-Built Drawings

Converts field notes into accurate scaled as-built floor plans using digital tools. These drawings become the base for all design overlays.

Lesson 3 • Field Measurement Techniques

Teaches systematic room-by-room measurement strategies for walls, openings, and fixed elements. Accuracy here directly determines layout feasibility in later phases.

Lesson 1 • Conducting Client Interviews

Develops structured questioning techniques to uncover functional, aesthetic, and operational needs. Strong interviews prevent costly scope changes later.

Lesson 2 • User and Occupancy Analysis

Analyzes how many people use a space, how they move, and what activities they perform. Occupancy data directly informs area calculations and adjacency requirements.

Lesson 3 • Developing the Spatial Program

Translates interview and occupancy data into a room-by-room area schedule with adjacency requirements. The program document becomes the measurable brief for design.

Lesson 1 • Stacking and Blocking for Multi-Floor Projects

Extends zoning principles to vertical organization across multiple floors. Students learn to align structural, mechanical, and functional zones vertically.

Lesson 2 • Bubble Diagrams and Block Plans

Develops skills to generate and evaluate multiple spatial arrangements quickly using bubble and block diagrams. Rapid iteration at this stage reduces costly revisions later.

Lesson 3 • Functional Zoning Strategies

Covers public-to-private zoning, wet-to-dry zoning, and activity-based clustering. Zoning decisions establish the organizational logic of the final layout.

Lesson 4 • Adjacency Matrices and Relationship Diagrams

Teaches construction and interpretation of adjacency matrices to quantify spatial relationships. Matrices translate program requirements into visual planning tools.

Lesson 1 • Accessible Restroom and Amenity Planning

Details fixture layout, clearance zones, and grab bar placement for accessible restrooms and amenities. Correct detailing prevents costly post-construction corrections.

Lesson 2 • Accessible Design Fundamentals

Introduces universal design principles and minimum dimensional standards for accessible routes and spaces. Accessibility is integrated from the earliest layout stage.

Lesson 3 • Integrating Circulation into the Floor Plan

Synthesizes circulation, egress, and accessibility requirements into a coherent floor plan overlay. Students test layouts against all three criteria simultaneously.

Lesson 4 • Egress Planning and Life Safety

Applies occupancy-based egress requirements including travel distance, exit quantity, and exit width. Life safety compliance is non-negotiable in every layout.

Lesson 1 • Furniture Specifications and Schedules

Develops skills to produce furniture schedules that link plan symbols to product specifications. Schedules bridge design intent and procurement.

Lesson 2 • Evaluating Furnished Floor Plans

Applies a structured review process to assess furnished layouts against program, circulation, and accessibility criteria. Systematic evaluation ensures no requirement is overlooked.

Lesson 3 • Furniture Dimensions and Clearances

Establishes standard furniture dimensions and the clearance zones required for safe and comfortable use. Dimensional accuracy prevents furniture from blocking circulation or egress.

Lesson 4 • Space Efficiency and Density Planning

Teaches methods to maximize usable area without compromising comfort or code compliance. Efficiency metrics help clients compare layout options objectively.

Lesson 1 • Mixed-Use and Multi-Tenant Planning

Addresses shared core elements, tenant separation, and independent egress in mixed-use buildings. Students balance competing tenant needs within a single building envelope.

Lesson 2 • Planning for Flexibility and Adaptability

Covers modular grids, demountable partitions, and loose-fit planning for spaces that must evolve over time. Adaptable layouts extend building lifespan and reduce renovation costs.

Lesson 3 • Phased Occupancy and Renovation Planning

Develops strategies for planning spaces that must remain operational during construction. Phasing plans minimize disruption while achieving the full design intent.

Lesson 4 • Coordinating with Engineering Disciplines

Integrates mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural constraints into the space plan. Coordination prevents costly conflicts discovered during construction.