[HSM 321] (INTERIOR DECORATION AND DESIGN)

Interior decorating is the art of decorating a residential home or commercial business

according to a client's personal preferences and style. It includes selecting colour schemes,
flooring materials, furniture, artwork, and accessories. It transforms an area into an
aesthetically pleasing and budget-friendly design.
Interior Decorating vs. Interior Design
Interior decorating is often associated with Interior design. Though they go hand in hand,
interior decorators differ from interior designers. Interior designers perform the same tasks
as decorators but must receive formal education and professional certification. On the other
hand, interior decorators are not required to receive formal education or professional
experience. Both partner with service professionals to accomplish design work, but interior
designers may work with contractors to change structural elements, Interior decorators
rarely make structural changes; they focus on the visuals of a space.
DECORATING STYLES
Design styles alter and conform to the changing trends. There have been numerous design
styles through the years, however, the most popular ones are:
Coastal: is the perfect style for those who want to bring the beach and ocean into their daily
lives. It incorporates colour schemes of white, blue, green and orange. Accessories include
framed ocean reefs, seashells, wood elements and casual furniture to create a relaxing
atmosphere.
Modern design is a sleek style that highlights simplicity. Decorators utilize white, grey and
black as main colour schemes. Designs are clean and non-cluttered. Straight and bold lines
are preferred. Natural accessory elements and materials are utilized such as wood frames,
metal decor and furniture.
Contemporary: is a softer variation of modem design. It is often confused with modern
because it also features a clean appearance with straight lines. It allows for bold, soft and
neutral colours. Contemporary is different from modem design because its style is always
changing. It focuses on designs and trends of the present; what defines contemporary design
today may not define it in the future.
Modern Glam: elegantly merges contemporary and modern design. The spaces are adorned
with luxury feeling fabrics, like velvet. Metallic furniture and accessory pieces are
commonly used and paired with bright or neutral colour schemes. Soft touches are
encouraged, such as white roses in a classic vase. Other features like chandeliers, large
mirrors, ruffled materials, and jeweled objects add sophisticated and classy touches.
Country style: highlights natural materials and rustic elements to compose an outdoor farm
life environment. Red is a predominant colour with soft accent colours. Wicker baskets,
pallets and white porcelain pieces are popular accessories.

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Eclectic: If a client is a bit unsure of their style, but fond of multiple styles, then they may
favour the eclectic look. The rules of eclectic style are undefined. The saying 'anything goes'
truly works for the eclectic client! All elements, colours, textures, and materials are utilized
to create a distinctive space.
Bohemian: there is one word to describe this style: bold! Bohemian style is bright and
colourful. The primary colours, red, yellow and blue, are used with accents of pink, deep
purple, and orange. Wood furniture pieces covered with plush materials are meshed with
striped, geometric, and floral prints. Bohemian style is for individuals who may be inspired
by travel and culture.
Vintage: can be interchanged with the term, Shabby Chic. Its primary colours are neutral:
brown, white, and grey. The vintage style includes contemporary aspects with vintage
inspired looks, such as chipped furniture, exposed brick, rusted chairs, and aged wood. It
combines the designs of the past with elements of the present to create a timeless, fresh look.
Asian: the Asian design style uses elements of nature for a tranquil feeling. White, green,
blues, and neutrals are central colour schemes. Natural light is desired with limited window
coverings to allow the most sunlight into a room. Asian inspired fabrics and prints are used
as accents for chairs, pillows, and other coverings. To add natural touches, small plants are
spread throughout.
BASIC INTERIOR DESIGN DECORATING PRINCIPLES
When you know the basic interior design principles, you can transform any space to look
fabulous. You know what it feels like when you walk into a well-designed room. You can
sense how everything feels cohesive and put together. It feels just right. You can achieve
that effect in your own home with a little knowledge of basic design principles. Pair that
knowledge with practice and experimentation and you are on your way to creating a
beautiful home.
Balance: In design, balance creates a feeling of equilibrium. It is all about equalizing or
approximating the visual weight of objects. Balance is created not just through shape, but
through color, pattern and texture as well
There are three different kinds of balance:
Symmetrical or formal: Traditional or formal spaces call for symmetrical balance where
the space is evenly split into two sides that mirror each other. For example, two chairs on
either side of a coffee table can be said to be symmetrically balanced. This kind of balance
is easy to achieve as design elements are repeated on each side. If you are not careful, this
kind of balance can become monotonous and boring.
Asymmetrical of Informal: The visual weights of lines, color, forms, and textures are
balanced without exact duplication. It is not as ordered as symmetrical balance and can be

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more complex and interesting. For instance, a sofa can be balanced by placing two chairs
on the other side.
Radial balance is achieved when there is a central focal point with other elements radiating
from it or around it. An example would be a round dining table, with chairs arranged around
it. There is a lot of repetition of form, texture and color.
Rhythm: As in music, rhythm in design is all about creating patterns of repetition and
contrast to create visual interest. You can achieve this by using the same colour or shape at
different Intervals. Its purpose is to move your eye around the room. For instance, you can
establish a rhythm by using a color in the pillows, picking it up in a painting, and echoing it
again in a rug. These repetitions will help carry your eye around the room.
Harmony: Harmony is created when the entire elements act together to create a unified
message; just as rhythm can create excitement, harmony creates a sense of restfulness. For
instance, you can create harmony by using just one color, even though your forms vary
greatly in shape, size, and texture.
Emphasis: A room where everything gets equal importance will seem either scattered or
boring. You need an anchor. Architectural spaces often have points of interest such as a
fireplace or a window with a beautiful view. You can choose to enhance the built-in focal
point by arranging furniture around it to emphasize it. In a room that lacks such a built-in
point of interest, you can create one through groupings of furniture or using an unusual or
large piece.
Proportion and Scale: Proportion is the ratio between the size of one part to another, and
scale is how the size of one object relates to another or to the space in which it is placed.
For instance, a large overstuffed section in a small room will be out of scale.
Some proportional relationships are more pleasing than others are. The ancient Greeks came
up with the Golden Sectioning formula, which sought to reduce all proportion to a simple
formula: "The ratio of the smaller section to the larger section should be the same as that of
the larger section to the whole" This proportion is present in nature, and artists and architects
have used it as well.
THE SCIENCE OF COLOUR AND COLOUR COMBINATIONS
Colour is an aspect of design that we often take for granted, yet colour affects us daily- from
the clothes we wear to the car we drive and the products we purchase. Colour invades every
aspect of our lives. Every day, we encounter colours that make us happy and colours we are
indifferent to. We are drawn to certain colours but many times, we find it difficult to "put it
all together" when trying to figure out which colour to use in our homes. There is nothing
random in the way interior designers use colours. In fact, designers use colours quite
deliberately to evoke certain moods and feelings. Knowing a little about how colours affect

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use emotionally can help you achieve the type of atmosphere you are seeking when
designing a room, home or workspace.
Warm and cool colours
The colour circle can be divided into warm and cool colours.
Warm colors are vivid and energetic, and tend to advance in space.
Cool colours give an impression of calm, and create a soothing impression.
White, black and gray are considered neutral.
Tints, Shades and Tones
These terms are often used incorrectly, although they describe simple color concepts. If a
color is made lighter by adding white, the result is called a tint. If black is added, the darker
version is called a shade. In addition, if gray is added, the result is a different tone.
Tints - adding white to a pure hue of colour
Shades-adding black to a pure hue of colour
Tones-adding gray to pure hue
Neutral Colours
When deciding what colours to use together, start with a neutral background. Then later,
you can pick accent colours. We're going to talk about four basic neutral colours: browns,
whites, grays, and black.
Brown: is not a part of the colour wheel and is generally considered s neutral colour-a colour
that goes with any other colour. Brown gives the perception of earthiness. It actually helps
us feel safe. If used in great quantity, however, brown can be dull and boring.
White is another neutral that gives the impression of cleanliness. White can make a small
room look larger, but if overused, it can create a sterile, uncomfortable atmosphere.
Grays: a versatile neutral colour, there are as many different gray as any other colour. A
gray interior can evoke a feeling of sophistication, but if too dominant can make the room
seem cold, boring, or depressing.
THE COLOUR THEORY
Colour theories create a logical structure for colour. There are three basic categories of color
theory that are logical and useful: The colour wheel, colour harmony, and the context of
how colours are used.
The colour wheel: A colour circle, based on red, yellow and blue, is traditional in the field
of art. Sir Isaac Newton developed the first circular diagram of colours in 1666. Since then,
scientists and artists have studied and designed numerous variations of this concept.
Differences of opinion about the validity of one format over another continue to provoke
debate. In reality, any colour circle or colour wheel, which presents a logically arranged
sequence of pure hues, has merit. There are three categories of colour based on the colour
wheel.

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Primary Colours: Red, yellow and blue. In traditional colour theory (used in paint and
pigments), primary colours are the three pigment colours that cannot be formed by any
combination of other colours. All other colours are derived from these three hues.
Secondary Colours: Green, orange and purple. These are the colours formed by mixing
primary colours.
Tertiary colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-
green. These are the colours formed by mixing a primary and a secondary colour. That is
why the hue is a two-word name, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.
Colour Harmony: Harmony can be defined as a pleasing arrangement of parts, whether it
be music. Poetry or colour. In visual experiences, harmony is something that is pleasing to
the eye. It engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual
experience. When something is not harmonious, it's either boring or chaotic. At one extreme
is a visual experience that is so bland that the viewer is not engaged. The human brain will
reject under-stimulating information. At the other extreme is a visual experience that is so
overdone, so chaotic that the viewer can't stand to look at it. The human brain rejects what
it cannot organize, what it cannot understand. The visual task requires that we present a
logical structure.
Colour harmony delivers visual interest and a sense of order.
In summary, extreme unity leads to under-stimulation while extreme complexity leads to
overstimulation. Harmony is a dynamic equilibrium.
Some Formulas for Colour Harmony/Theory for Harmony
There are many theories for harmony. The following illustrations and descriptions present
some basic formulas.
1. A colour scheme based on analogous colours. Analogous colours are any three colours
which are side by side on a 12-part colour wheel, such as yellow-green, yellow, and yellow-
orange.Usually one of the three colours predominates.
2. A colour scheme based on complementary colors. Complementary colours are any two
colours, which are directly opposite each other, such as red, green, red-purple, and yellow-
green. These opposing colours create maximum contrast and maximum stability.
3. A colour scheme based on nature. Nature provides a perfect departure point for colour
harmony. For instance, red yellow and green create a harmonious design, regardless of
whether this combination fits into a technical formula for colour harmony.
Colour Context
How colour behaves in relation to other colours and shapes is a complex area of colour
theory. For example, compare the contrast effects of different colour backgrounds for
the6same red square. Red appears more brilliant against a black background and somewhat
duller against the white background. In contrast with orange, the red appears lifeless, in

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contrast with blue-green, it exhibits brilliance. Notice that the red square appears larger on
black than on other background colours.
Colour Combinations
Below are shown the basic colour chords based on the color wheal.
Complementary colour scheme
Colours that are opposite each other on the color wheel are considered to be complementary
colours (example: red and green).The high contrast of complementary colors creates a
vibrant look especially when used at full saturation. This combination provides a high
contrast and high impact color combination- together; these colors will appear brighter and
more prominent. This color scheme must be managed well so it is not jarring.
Complementary color schemes are tricky to use in large doses, but work well when you
want something to stand out
Analogous colour scheme
Analogous colour schemes use colors that are next to each other on the colour wheel. They
usually match well and create serene and comfortable designs. Analogous colour schemes
are often found in nature and are harmonious and pleasing to the eye. This color combination
is versatile, but can be overwhelming. To balance an analogous color scheme, make sure
you have enough contrast when choosing an analogous colour scheme. Choose one colour
to dominate; a second to supports and the third color is used (along with black, white or
gray) as an accent.
Triadic color scheme
A triadic colour scheme uses colours that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. Triadic
color schemes tend to be quite vibrant, even if you use pale or unsaturated versions of your
hues. To use a triadic harmony successfully, the colors should be carefully balanced - let
one color dominate and use the two others for accent.
Split-Complementary colour scheme
The split-complementary color scheme is a variation of the complementary color scheme.
In addition to the base color, it uses the two colours adjacent to its complement. This color
scheme has the same strong visual contrast as the complementary colour scheme, but has
less tension. The split-complimentary colour scheme is often a good choice for beginners,
because it is difficult to mess up. E. g addition of one primary and two opposite colors.
Rectangle (tetradic) colour scheme
The rectangle or tetradic colour scheme uses four colors arranged into two complementary
pairs. This rich colour scheme offers plenty of possibilities for variation. Tetradic colour
schemes works best if you let one colour be dominant. You should also pay attention to the
balance between warm and cool colors in your design. The more colors you have in your
palette, the more difficult it is to balance.

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Square color scheme
The square color scheme is similar to the rectangle, but with all four colors spaced evenly
around the color circle. Square color schemes works best if you let one color be dominant.
You should also pay attention to the balance between warm and cool colors in your design.
Maxclimatic color scheme:
This is created when tints and shades of one colour family are used in a scheme· This Colour
scheme Creates an uncluttered harmony, which makes it a favorite for minimalists and
neutral color schemes.
FABRICS AND TEXTILES IN INTERIOR DECORATION
Textiles are fabric materials usually made by interlacing threads of natural fibers like silk
and cotton or synthetic fiber like nylon and rayon. Processes for making textiles include
knitting and weaving. Textiles can be made for specific purposes, like upholstery for
furniture or fabrics treated for use in outdoor environments. Textiles are one of many
elements interior designers use in planning the look of a space.
One thing that you will always notice about interior decorating is that designers will often
play with a variety of fabrics to create the desired look. This could be a simple tablecloth on
a large, impressive looking dining table or it could be a throw draped across the couch.
Fabrics are generally used to provide a splash of color or texture to the room and you can
use fabrics to pull out the decor you are going for or simply to accent it.
When it comes to fabric, there are many selections to choose from and it may be hard to
figure out which one works best for your home. Not only should you think of the fabrics
that are covering pillows and windows, to name a few places, but you should also think.
The type of fabric that you purchase is very important and it can be the difference of having
beautiful lines and a crumpled mess that is filled with holes. Before you choose your fabric,
ask yourself some simple questions about the use of the space. Things like:
 ·What will the space be used for?
 ·Will it be a high traffic area?
 ·Will it be used regularly or just when guests come over?
 ·What type of light does the room have?
 ·Do you have any pets?
 ·Do you have any children?
Believe it or not. your answers will deeply affect your fabric choice since you won't want to
use a lot of silk if you have children eating snacks in the room. You also won't want to place
a leather chair in a sunroom. Once you know all the answers, then you can move on to
selecting your fabrics.

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When it comes to fabrics, there are many different types out there and the combinations are
endless but for the purpose of practicality, we are going to look at a 100% fabric and none
of the combination fabrics.
Rayon: Also known to many designers as "art silk," rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric that is
a great alternative to silk. It has a bright shiny texture to it and is a great choice for many
homes that is looking for something that is more durable than silk is. The one major
drawback of rayon is that it will wrinkle so it is better to use it on a surface that won't have
a lot of people lounging on it
Silk: Well, we all know what silk is and in can provide a rich element to any room when
you use it for window covering, pillows or even as an upholstery covering, it has a soft lustre
to it and the fibers themselves are actually prism like, which is why the material shines; it
reflects light at various angles. The main drawback of silk is that it is not very durable. It is
prone to wrinkling and it will stain very easily. I would avoid using silk in high traffic areas
such as family rooms where people may be munching on popcorn during a movie.
Olefin: If you want to find a material that is comfortable and functional, then you should
choose this synthetic fabric. Olefin is a very common material that is used in furniture since
the fabric is durable, holds color and stain resistant. This is the perfect fabric for those high
traffic areas and for smaller fabric areas; you can find olefins combined with other fabrics
to create beauty and function.
Polyester: Usually seen in drapes and bed sheets, most people do not use a straight polyester
fabric to decorate with, or really at any time. What they do use instead is a polyester blend
with a variety of other fabrics. Polyester is a synthetic fibre that is used in a variety of ways
and can be found in a large number of textures. It, or a polyester blend, is a good choice for
sitting areas since polyester is resistant to wrinkles.
Cotton: Cotton is a natural fiber that is found in a lot of different blends and fabrics. It is
comfortable and breathable, which makes it an excellent fabric to work with. It also has the
wonderful traits of being resistant to fading and other signs of wear and tear. The main
problem with cotton is that it tends to stain and become soiled very easily. That is why, if
you choose to use cotton in your home, you should use a cotton blend instead of a pure
cotton.
Acrylic: Acrylic, also known as Acrylic fiber, is a synthetic fabric that was created as an
alternative to wool and it has begun seeing use as an alternative to cashmere. The fabric is
surprisingly soft and comfortable and its durability makes it an excellent choice for home
decor. Generally, acrylic fabrics hold color extremely well and resist shrinkage, which is
excellent when you have to clean some of your fabrics. Acrylic fabric also resists stains and
wear and tear. It is also resistant to wrinkles.

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Nylon: Another synthetic fabric, nylon is a resilient fabric that has a silky texture to it. It is
usually resistant to stains and it holds color extremely well. Although it is a strong fabric, it
tends to only be used in blends and not on it's on. Since it is a strong and resilient fabric, the
uses for nylon, or nylon blends, is practically endless when it comes to your home decor.
Leather: Leather is a natural fabric that is produced by tanning various hides, usually cow
but not always. Leather can add a rich element to a home and many people love it but this
is not the easiest fabric to have in your home. Leather requires a lot of work and the color
can fade if it is placed in direct sunlight. Another problem with leather is that it can become
scratched and stained quite easily. Still, it does make a statement wherever you use it and
can be an excellent choice for many rooms.
The main thing to remember about fabrics is that you need to pick something that you are
comfortable with and ones that fit your lifestyle. You won't want to use a lot of silks if you
have dogs and cats scrambling over then on a daily basis. If you are ever in doubt about a
fabric, simply look for an alternative in a fabric blend instead of working with 100% pure
fabric.
While choosing the fabric for any element, one should keep functionality in mind.
Hospitality sector i.e. hotels, restaurants, hospitals. etc. require fabric that is reusable yet
sturdy. Silk can't be used as covers for furniture such as sofa, chairs, etc. Similarly, one can't
use acrylic curtains. While at this, one should also keep in mind the possibility of damage
the fabric might have to endure, such as tearing and wearing out due to excessive use, etc.
Things like presence of children, pets and things that may ruin the fabric should also be
thought of.
SPACE PLANNING IN INTERIOR DESIGN
What Is Space Planning?
Space planning is an in-depth analysis of how physical space is used in structures. It
considers the purpose of spaces and who will use them. Space planning is a process that
takes several steps, and it's an important component for the work of interior designers.
Space planning helps ensure efficient use of floor space without wasting it. If done right, it
also accounts for all possible uses of a given space. When the process is completed, it can
result in a comprehensive space plan- This is a drawing that identifies the needs and required
elements of spaces, including windows, doors, and even furniture within them.
Space planning is fundamental to interior design. Imagine that your company is growing
and finally moving into a larger office. You know the role and importance of efficient use
of space in workplace productivity, but you need help with it. Whom do you go to?
Interior designers assist in enhancing functionality and many other qualities in interior
spaces. They provide building design services to create comprehensive solutions for specific
intended purposes or uses called 'programmed interiors.'

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Space planning is one of the services of interior design. Actually, it's the most important
aspect of the profession; because space planning makes new buildings or existing ones,
perform at their best for the special needs and requirements of clients or users.
Space planning is to plan a space with its allocation, divisions, arrangement, and
organization to accommodate the functional, spatial, and occupancy requirements in the
form of space layout and final planning. This involves creating a space plan, a drawing that
shows the arrangement of functional elements within a space.
A space plan is developed by solving many design problems. However, space planning is
not like mathematics or physics, there is no single correct answer to the problems.
Nonetheless, interior designers seek the best working and practical solutions in meeting the
required criteria.
As no single answer is correct, there is no single stop solution in space planning: It is a
process of many phases. This means the planning of your new office space will go through
a systematic series of actions, iterations, and decision-making between the phases of pro-
design, preliminary design, and design development.
Programming and Pre-Design
At the Pre-Design phase, the intended purpose for a project is presented to the interior
designer. Typically, this presentation includes the program and the site, such as the floor
plan of the existing building. The program defines the clients or user's needs and spaces with
the square footage required for each function. For example, if you encourage your
employees to pedal to work, the program designates bicycle storage, as a space need.
The analysis of the program and project requirements is called programming. Programming
involves research, data gathering and qualitative and quantitative analysis of user needs and
spaces including the site. In programming, the criteria matrix shows program requirement
and spaces in a grid system.
Programming serves as the primary guide for space planning because programming
determines the range of functions, use, and activities and standards for space allocation,
configuration, and layout (such as ergonomics and codes) to be used in planning. Thus, it's
the analysis phase of design where the parameters of design are established.
Diagramming and Space Planning
Space planning begins when programming is completed and the site or the existing building
is analyzed. This is marked with diagramming, which also takes place at the pre-design
phase. Diagramming involves diagram as analytical tools and techniques for space planning.
A bubble diagram is one of the graphic abstractions of the program information. Here,
functions and spaces of your office are illustrated in form of freehand placement of circles
on paper. With bubble diagrams, functions are analyzed, interpreted, and arranged through
their space needs and relationships. For instance, the break room and office yoga at your

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office have similar needs as private employee spaces but also different requirements because
one is a loud space, the other quiet.
Another technique in diagramming is the adjacency diagram, or relationship diagram, which
represents adjacency and proximity relationships between spaces with graphical elements
such as arrows. Adjacency diagrams describe the common needs of functions, working
spatial relationships, and arrangement of access and circulation between spaces. For
instance, when adjacency is considered, the meeting room at your office la planned and
diagrammed close to workspaces and distant to the break room.
Let us move on to plan a living room.
The first thing to consider is to understand what a living room is and the purpose of the
space. The Living room is a space where guests are ant entertained and where one makes
the first impression. In many houses, it's also a kind of family room where family members
sit together to watch TV and have discussions.
What are the planning considerations for a living room?
 ·Number of persons to be seated or entertained
 ·Sitting arrangement
 ·Size of furniture
 ·Space allowance for furniture
 ·Space around the furniture for passage and accessing
 ·Traffic passage between main door and doors leading to other rooms
The above-mentioned considerations are needed for an interior designer to design the living
room effectively.
SPACE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIP
The emptiness inside the building is called SPACE. Various materials are used to enclose a
space to accommodate some activities. FUNCTION is the activity accommodated by a
space. In a building, function represents content, while space represents form. There is a
certain relationship between them: content decides form; form affects content. In interior
design, the function of a space is key in determining the space planning and the overall
design of the space. It is important to optimize the function of a space as much as possible
at every given time.
Function has certain relation with three factors of a space, which are size, shape and quality.
Size: To contain certain function, a space requires a certain size. And to contain various
functions, the size of a space should be proper for all of the functions. Versatile space
contains functions requiring similar size. A proper size and the guidance of versatile space-
design could be found out by listing the size each function requires. Take an ordinary
apartment for example, a room with the size of 15-200 is not only proper to be a living room
but also a master bedroom. So, this room has the character of a versatile space. The size of

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a space in a residential area facilitating activities of both old people and children for playing
also makes the space versatile. The spaces mentioned above don't require size changes to
contain different functions. Sometimes the size of a space might need to be changed to do
so. Smaller office rooms could be shaped by adding some partitions to an open office. And
in an apartment, two smaller bedrooms could be formed by adding a wall in the middle of a
specially designed bigger one.
Shape: A space also needs to have some certain shape to contain certain function. Ancient
Greek theatres are fan-shaped, ancient Roman arenas are elliptic, and the rooms for
practicing musical instruments in a school are trapeziform. Versatile space could satisfy
functions requiring similar shapes without changing itself. The ball in a cinema or a theatre
requires similar shape. However, it's still different because of their visual and auditory
characters; cinema hall is longer while theatre hall wider. If a hall in a community center is
expected to be both a cinema and a theater rnezzo long-and-wide proportion should be
chosen to make the space versatile. Versatile space also could change its shape to contain
different functions. The request for shape both before and after change should be considered
in the design process.
Quality: Quality is another important factor of space-function relation. The quality of a
space concerns lighting, ventilation, sunshine, temperature and so on. Versatile space
contains functions requiring similar space qualities. For functions of office business,
dwelling, dining and so on, if the quality of a space is proper for one of them, it’s suitable
for the others. Versatile space could also change some of its qualities to contain different
functions. A bedroom and a living room may have different request for natural light. To
make a room versatile, the outer wall could be designed to be able to adjust natural light
Versatile Space: Versatile space, which is multi-functional, is the opposite of unitary space.
Versatile space accommodates diverse functions, while unitary space is only suitable for
particular one. Some function occurs in a single space, while some needs a series of spaces.
Different function may require different linkage of the spaces. Versatile space could
accommodate different functions by changing the linkage of a series of spaces. There are
different ways to partition a big building plan: partitioning the plan into closed rooms
connecting by a corridor for office business, or partitioning the plan into a series of rooms
connecting one by one for exhibition. As the linkage is different, the function is different.
To provide the possibility of linkage change is the way to make a space versatile.
Space Planning: Explore Further
In this lesson, you learned about the importance of space planning in interior design and
architecture. The following prompts will give you the opportunity to explore this concept
further. You are an architect and interior designer and you have been given the opportunity
to design a new building. Choose one of the options below and draw a floor plan for at least

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one floor of the building. Write out your mission statement: how will you address the
challenges of building such a space? How will you plan the space to make it maximally
effective for the people who use it? What accessibility measures will you include? What
will the aesthetic of the space be? You can focus primarily on interior design or architecture
depending on your interests, or you can do both.
•A new office building is being built. It needs to accommodate roughly 70 employees. There
is no set limit to how many floors it can be. Workers will each need space for a computer
and a personalized desk, as well as shared areas and meeting rooms.
•A rec centre needs to be built to support a city's growing population. It needs at least three
dedicated sporting areas as well as community space. It needs to be bright and welcoming
while still allowing for privacy in areas like changing rooms.

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