Space Planning Basics

Mark Karlen, Saglinda H Roberts, Rob Fleming, Sharon B Jaffe

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2026
• Print ISBN: 9781394197545
• eBook ISBN: 9781394197552
• Edition: 5
• Topic: Architecture
• Subtopic: Architecture General

DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO SPACE PLANNING, REVISED AND UPDATED WITH THE LATEST INTERIOR DESIGN TECHNIQUES, EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS, AND SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS

Space Planning Basics approaches space planning in a way that ensures all considerations are met, from preliminary floor plans, to client programming needs, to how factors such as building codes and environmental factors affect a spatial composition, to sustainability. With step-by-step methodology based on the author team's combined decades of design experience, this foundational text is the de facto reference on the subject.

The text covers current design approaches, building evaluation processes, and basic programming skills. It presents structural guidelines that replicate the current professional process with a clear, highly practical, and comprehensive approach. Text, drawings, graphics, and practice exercises are included throughout to reinforce learning, and each chapter contains recommended resources for further reading and study.

Updates to this newly revised Fifth Edition of Space Planning Basics include:

• New content on applying comprehensive client analysis and stakeholder engagement and coverage of the latest credentialing requirements
• An explanation of evidence-based design and the importance of health and wellbeing as well as the latest developments in sustainable design and current rating systems
• Updates on spatial relationships, vertical conveyance, and building shells with new drawings, diagrams and coverage of universal design and human factors
• Updated and expanded resources for instructors on a companion website including new exercises, CAD and Revit files, and interactive graphs

Space Planning Basics delivers a complete, all-in-one introduction on the subject and is an essential principal resource for thousands of designers and students in space planning or interior design courses.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Preface
• About the Companion Website
• Introduction
• 1 Predesign and Context
• 2 Health, Wellbeing + Biophilia
• 3 Important Influencing Factors
• 4 Planning Methodology
• 5 The First Planning Steps
• 6 The Building Shell and Major Systems
• 7 Vertical Circulation: Stair Design Basics
• 8 Developing a Rough Floor Plan
• 9 Developing Skills Beyond the Basic Level
• APPENDIX A: Furniture Library
• APPENDIX B: Design Programs and Building Shells
• APPENDIX C: Design Exercises
• APPENDIX D: Stair Terminology
• APPENDIX E: Stair Design Case Studies
• Index
• End User License Agreement