100 Zones
The separation of areas of a space according to their function.
A part of the programming phase of a project, the development of zones helps indicate the main areas of a design to begin space planning, indicate their relative area and adjacency, and begin the process of determining levels of privacy, environmental quality, and technical need.
The placement of zones is also influenced by their location in a building, the orientation to sun paths, adjacency requirements, and path of travel. A careful zoning study will reveal the placement and range between enclosed and open spaces. Zones can be expanded by the use of overlapping of function; for instance, open-office planning can have spaces that provide for multiple functions.
In a residential project, zones are prescribed by the level of activity and interaction. These are typically formed around social needs, private space, work needs, and storage. In addition, space should be reserved for circulation.
In commercial spaces, space planning is used as a complement to zoning. It examines the needs of an organization that has to budget for both human resources and furniture, fixture, and equipment (FF&E) requirements.
Knoll’s “Immersive Planning” study (2016) illustrates how the floor-plan of an office demonstrates the fluid overlap of zones in a workspace.
The Grid, a system by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Established & Sons, is playfully used to establish residential areas.
The different zones of The Ace Hotel lobby in Kyoto by Kengo Kuma & Associates with interiors by Commune Design are indicated through the use of texture, furniture, and light.