Space Planning is a Designer’s Best Kept Secret in Creating a Healthy, Beautiful, Livable Environment.
Now don’t get me wrong, space planning is far from a new concept. In China, for the past 5,000 years, the study of Feng Shui has been harmonizing people with their surrounding environment, and even older than that is the ancient Indian science of architecture, Vastu Shastrab (which some say is the grandfather of Feng Shui).
So what could possibly be a secret for an art, science, and philosophy that has been developed for thousands of years? PLENTY! And I’m sharing it all with you!
For me it’s not about whether or not you buy the sofa — that’s a decorators job (more on that at another time). As a designer it’s about whether or not your space is working for you. When you decide to start a refurbishment, renovation, or even a new build the first questions needs to start with why rather than how. So why “why?” Let’s play this out, you could spend $500, $5,000, or $50,000 and yes you could end up with a beautiful kitchen that looks just like a magazine but it could fail to function for your needs. Maybe it didn’t increase storage that you so badly needed or didn’t improve the work space to function for 2 people. There can be a number of things that go awry when you don’t focus on the “why.” The pages of Better Homes & Gardens are just as photo-shopped as models in fashion magazines. It’s like when you go on a fad diet and lose 30 pounds in 30 days — yea it worked but if you didn’t change your lifestyle that weight will come right back. Your space is the same; it requires the dedication in the beginning to transform the end result. Dust and pet hair are just as real as cellulite and wrinkles!
Understanding your why has value in determining what outcomes you seek and knowing if your project is successful once it is complete. For example, let’s say you have a trip planned but you don’t know the destination. Do you pack your winter coat or your favorite shorts? The same is true in design, knowing your end goals (or destination) before you start ensures motivation is not lost throughout the process, you know you’ve successfully achieved the desired result and there is purpose behind your choices.
Space planning also provides an opportunity to purge what you don’t need, evaluate what you’re keeping, and plan for what’s to come. We believe your home should leave you with 3 reactions:
Carefree — knowing everything has it’s place. Also, as a rule of thumb have 10% available for new elements and pieces
Confident — wanting to bring people in and show off your space. Rather than saying things like “pardon my mess” or thinking “it’s been a crazy week and my home shows it”
Cared for — you’re home becomes a sanctuary and a place to rejuvenate. A place to take on the world!
Here are a few potential design dilemmas we encounter:
LEFT: Bowling Alley. Are you the Bowling Alley? Consider moving your furniture away from the walls or adding an angle.
MIDDLE: Pack Rat. Are you the Pack Rat? Think about why you need all of these items and how often you actually use them.
RIGHT: Healthy Energy Flow. Are you the Healthy Energy Flow? Congrats! We assume your space is working but you may still have needs for storage, decor, or style.
These same concepts also work in a corporate, educational, or healthcare setting. One example of this is Cornell University. They have developed an Active Learning Classroom where education, team work, and discovery can expand what’s possible for students, professors, and the university itself. Take a few moments to see how they took on the future of learning — we think their concept transcends the classroom.
Don’t underestimate the power of a space plan!
