WAINAINA PATRICK NJENGA

* The floor plan: is a view looking down a horizontal plane that is cut through a building from above about 1.5m, illustrating it’s the horizontal dimensions of a building spaces, the thickness & construction of vertical walls & columns that define these spaces. * The importance of plans: * Define the spaces & its functional relationship.

* Illustrates places of openings (doors- windows). * Finishing. * Entrance (main- Utilities (stairs- elevators- mechanical room- baths- stores….) * Structural system: * R.C, steel, bearing walls… * Columns, beams,… * Thickness of walls (exterior & interior) * Measurement and cost (quantity survey)

* Successful housing evidences well-designed interior space planning and room arrangement * A well planned interior contributes to the quality of life of the inhabitants of the space.

* 5 basic types of activities that each require certain types of spaces * Social—involve people from outside the family * Family—involve family members * Individual—involve only one person * Private—require visual & audio privacy * Work—accomplish a specific task

* Activities are used to divide the home into 3 zones * Public zone(social area)—where social & family activities occur (LR, DR, Entrance & Porch); non-family members are allowed * Work zone—where work activities that support the household’s lifestyle occur (Kitchen, Laundry & Home Office) * Private zone—where individual & private activities occur (Bedrooms & Bathrooms)

* Living and Social Area * Living room, dining room, family room, game room, great rooms, entry ways, porches, dining etc.

* Kitchen, Garage, Office, Basement, Utility/Laundry room.

* Bedroom, Bathroom, Closets and Dressing rooms.

* T he zones in plans are colored for ease in reading the zones. * living/social areas - yellow * sleeping/private areas – red * work/service areas - blue

* The route that people follow as they move from one place to another. * 9 to 12 ft should be allowed for circulation paths. * Types – Family, Work & Service, Guest

* Bathrooms should be close to bedrooms. * Indoor living next to outdoor living area’s * Other related rooms close to each other. * High use routes should be short and simple. * Closed floor plans separate rooms * Open floor plans have less walls, save on cost of building materials, and home feels more spacious

* Is the route from the center of the sink, to the center of the stove to the center of the refrigerator and back to the sink. * Smaller work triangles will save steps. * For safety reasons there should be no cross traffic. Cross traffic can cause spills and other accidents.

With thanks……………….