Functional Zones, Traffic Patterns, and Floor Plan Scales

Identifying the 3 main zones of the home…

There are 3 main zones in every home: living, sleeping, and service.

When laying out the floor plan, consider these zones and the activities that take

place in those zones. Quiet and private zones

should be separated from noisy and public

zones.

• When designing a home the designer must consider occupants and how use space:

• Activities• Habits•  Lifestyle

•  Life SituationsThe designer then divides the interior into areas according to

the intended use of each

Living ZonesPrimary conversation area: 8-12 foot diameter is ideal; seating for at least 4-6 people

chairs seat 1, loveseats seat 2, and sofas seat 3

Secondary furniture grouping: seating for just 1-3 people (piano, desk, etc.)

The living area of the home includes the living, dining, family room, foyers, and specialty rooms such as those for music, study, hobby, etc.

Traffic: the traffic pattern should flow TO the conversation area, but not

THROUGH it Dining area: allow 3 feet from the

table edge for the person to be seated at the table and room behind them for

traffic; each person is allowed a minimum of 24 inches of seating

room at the table Due to more casual living style in the

US, formal areas are starting to disappear in the home

Sleeping ZonesThe sleeping area of the home includes the bedrooms, bathrooms, and dressing areas.

Never place the side of a bed against a wall; you always allow room to walk on both sides

Storage is a key factor in these rooms: personal items, clothing, accessories, bed and bath linens,

medicationsAllow one nightstand per person sleeping in the

roomA chest of drawers is usually taller and has no

mirror; a dresser is usually shorter and sometimes has a mirror

Twin/single beds are for 1 person; double, queen, and king can accommodate 2

Service ZonesThe service areas of the home include the kitchen, utility rooms, garage, and basements.

Storage is a key factor in these areas, for consumable supplies (food, laundry soap, motor oil, furnace filters) and equipment

Traffic should flow to the area, but not through it

Utilities such as furnaces and hot water heaters need clearances for ventilation and

maintenance/repair

Efficiency must be considered: efficiency is a desirable degree of energy expended to achieve effective or useful outputSafety must be considered: environmental (ice, lightening, storms), mechanical (cars, furnaces, electrical, plumbing, tools) chemical (cleaners, windshield wiper fluid, bug spray) sanitation (garbage, insect control)

Kitchen Work Zone•  Main function- place for food prep/cooking, eating, but also serves as an area for

entertaining and conversation •  Today more of a gathering place for a wide and varied number of activities•  Kitchen designs are not for everyone- important to see what client wants•  Today many are open and visible to other rooms •  Islands- additional seating and prep space and pantry storage•  All household members and guests circulate around the kitchen and in it •  May also be a place where people complete homework (may have a desk), pay bills, and

watch TV- Most diverse space in residence •  Kitchen has subdivision activity zones in kitchen: Food prep, cooking, serving, and

cleaning zones – each has a worktop, appliances, and storage for its particular activity •  Need enough clearance around kitchen – try not to interrupt work triangle- careful on

circulation moving through area – not ideal to have •  Sufficient counter space and cabinet storage is also important to people in kitchens

Kitchen Work Zone•  Work Function Zones (Work Triangle In A Kitchen- has become work

rectangle) •  Food Prep & Storage Center (Associated with Refrigerator) •  Clean Up Center (Sink & Dishwasher) •  Cooking & Serving Center (Range(stove)/Oven) •  As Rectangle Cooking & Serving Center Added- Microwave added

6 Layouts•  Peninsula Layout- Open Incorporates kitchen & dining area •  Corridor OR Galley-Highly efficient. but less desired work triangle-as

serve as traffic path. Counters & storage is limited•  L Shape-Less efficient then Other layouts, but work triangle is

uninterrupted by traffic 2 adjacent walls•  U Shape- more efficient work triangle. If U is big can add an island in the

center•  Island- most popular today. Double island new trend •  Wall-Traffic flow interruptions

•  U or L shape is the best for easy movement with unobstructed work and traffic flow

3 Basic Types of Circulation Patterns in the Home: Family, Service, and Guest

Factors To Consider With Each of the 3 circulation patterns: •  Family

•  Primarily all family members use these circulation patterns •  Include travel between: kitchen, laundry, mudroom, bedrooms,

and bathrooms. •  Bedrooms- Privacy and seclusion offers. 2 basic functions:

sleep and storage for private items. Privacy from sight and sound are important here. Often clustered together with other bedrooms although not always the master bedroom.

•  Bathrooms- Should be near bedrooms. Also necessary for a guest bath separate location typically. Types- Half bath, Three-quarter bath, full bath. Also Jack & Jill Bathroom- 2 or more entries- often connections 2 rooms by bathroom.

•  Laundry Room- Good to be near kitchen- Multitask, Ideal to have room for clothes and laundry (door for sound or separate room), good to be by kitchen and garage

3 Basic Types of Circulation Patterns in the Home: Family, Service, and Guest

Factors To Consider With Each of the 3 circulation patterns: • Service

• Key individuals in the residence use the service circulation patterns

• Spaces may include- Kitchen, laundry, garage, and mudroom

• Questions to ask may include: Is the garage near the service entrance (in and out of house)? Is the service entrance (in and out of home) near the kitchen? Can the user remove kitchen trash without crossing another room? Is the circulation between the cooking and eating area unbroken?

3 Basic Types of Circulation Patterns in the Home: Family, Service, and Guest

Factors To Consider With Each of the 3 circulation patterns: Guests‘•  The primary circulation patterns that guest use may include: entry, guest bathroom,

family room, great room, living room, dining room, and outdoor living area. •  Entries- need ample space for 2-3 people to stand comfortably. Should have coat

area•  Living Rooms- Should be a minimum of 10 by 14 ft. Often located in the front of

the house off the main entry. Can be small and intimate or large depending on the number of people who use it, how and when it is used and furniture intended

•  Family/Great Room- Specifically a great room is an area that combines 3 areas: Kitchen, dining room, and family room. It is typically off the mudroom or laundry room. Larger then a formal living room. the floor space, sue large scaled artwork, create multiple furniture groupings

•  Dining Room- Low to mid priced housing- beginning to disappear. Trend- Open connection between the kitchen, dining, and living/family room.

•  Guest Bathroom- Is it accessible from the entry. Should offer privacy•  Outdoor Living Space- Should be accessible to kitchen, family room or living room