Designing a building is a complex process in which an architect generates spaces that are defined by a number of different parameters. The most important of these are space requirements, distances, furniture and fittings, and movement zones. Guide values for these reference sizes can be derived from the dimensions of the human body, making spaces comfortable to be in and use.
Birkhäuser’s new book by Professor Bert Bielefeld (University of Siegen), “Spaces in Architecture,” is conceived as an excerpt from the reference work “Planning Architecture”. Its compact format and concentrated focus on key spatial dimensions and interior typologies make it a handy reference work that students and designers can use to quickly look up detailed information on space scenarios. The book, for example, lists all important dimensions for entrance areas, doors, staircases, ramps, and lifts. In addition to the building circulation spaces, the following interiors are also presented with space requirements for furnishings and movement zones: living and sleeping spaces, kitchen and dining areas, sanitary facilities and ancillary rooms, work environments, communication and education spaces, sports and recreation facilities, storage spaces, and technical equipment rooms.
All usages, furniture, objects, fittings, and designs are vividly illustrated with black-and-white drawings or schematic diagrams. They are complemented by clearly structured tables showing detailed dimensions of many types and subcategories – from entry-level to luxury-class vehicles for parking space dimensions, from American Football to water polo for sports areas. The clean graphic design, which uses red as a highlight colour, makes finding information a quick and easy affair.