- Always show structural columns in the floor plan. Structural considerations encourages thinking of the plans as something for a real building.
- Design in section. Work back and forth between plans (horizontal cross sections) and sections (vertical cross sections), allowing each to inform the other.
- A floor plan demonstrates the organizational logic. A section embodies its emotional experience.
- Design in perspective. This allows the architect to consider the visual experience from all perspectives.
- Design with Models. This allows for fast prototyping.
- The two most important keys to effectively organizing a floor plan are:
- Managing solid-void relationships. Core spaces (solid) that serve a maintenance role are grouped together. Program spaces (void) that serve a building-specific role are larger.
- Resolving circulation. They should interconnect the program spaces with stairs and elevators while offering interesting experiences.
- Consider served and servant spaces.
- Servant spaces meet the functional needs of the building while lending quietly poetic rhythms to the whole.
- Served spaces are spaces that are actively used.
- Overdesign. Make spaces 10% larger than they need to be to account for additional design requirements. It is easier to shrink an overlarge building than to create more space.
- Place fire stairs at opposite ends of the buildings you design. Account for safety early on.
- Buildings should face the street. This makes buildings more accessible and defines the street more.
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