8.14.3 Space Planning

typical bubble diagram indicating group relationships

Space planning is the basic building block of the facilities program for administration and operational facilities.  Army Regulation (AR) 405-70, Utilization of Real Property provides numerical planning allowances and addresses the quantities for programming space for personnel and equipment.   

Space planning takes into consideration the following:  who will be using a space, how this space will be used, what activities will take place there, and the interaction of other people in the building.  Professionally trained interior designers are best at gathering the required information to formulate a space utilization plan.

Bubble diagrams show the working relationship of one group to another.  They do not represent a space plan or floor plan, but the relationship of organizations to one another. The adjacency requirements for individuals, user groups, and support functions to accomplish the product of service provided is analyzed.  Bubble diagrams assist in organizing an existing facility as well as a new facility.

Blocking diagrams are an extension of the bubble diagram.  The blocking diagram is made more regular and more closely resembles the proposed floor plan.

The next step in the process is the development of the actual space plan.  The layout of the space plan is detailed to the workstation level.

Interior Design