Hello Reader, Building designers often use bubble diagrams to plan and organize spaces, helping them create buildings and interiors that are both functional and efficient. These diagrams visually represent the program—basically, a list of all the spaces the building needs, along with their square footage and how they’ll be used. During the early stages of design, bubble diagrams focus on the functional aspects of the building. They lay out the spaces, their purposes, how they connect to each other, and how people will move through them. It’s a simple but effective way to bring the design to life! Above is an example of a bubble diagram created for the first floor of a home. Each circle is labeled with a room name, and a dashed line indicates a line of sight. In more complex layouts, the designer may use markers to add color to the "bubbles." For example, all public spaces might be one color, bedrooms another, baths a third, etc., and a legend may be included to identify the color coding. Program in Architectural DesignThe program is a list that itemizes the spaces and outlines the requirements for each space with its assigned square footage, description of the function, and use or activities. Spatial RelationshipsBubble diagrams depict a program using circles and ovals in a floor plan format. Each bubble (circle or oval) represents the space to serve its function (such as dining or sleeping) to create functional aspects of design, such as privacy, circulation, noise, and daylight. The bubble diagrams also convey which functions (circles or ovals) should be near one another for the building to function. For example, the kitchen may be closest to the dining room because food preparation and eating are compatible functions. Adjoining or intersecting circles in the kitchen and dining room would illustrate this functional relationship on a bubble diagram. Adjacency and Proximity in Spatial RelationshipsThe previous section touched on two important concepts in spatial relationships: adjacency and proximity. Both concepts are used in bubble diagrams to express the relationships between spaces in a building. Adjacency defines the common needs, working spatial relationships, and their relative importance. In bubble diagrams, adjacency is expressed graphically and written with keywords, such as "primary, mandatory, secondary, desirable, or undesirable." Proximity specifies the closeness of one space to another. In bubble diagrams, proximity relationships between spaces are arranged and communicated with keywords, such as "immediate proximity, and convenient proximity." Another concept involved in considering the relationships between spaces is circulation, which refers to the flow of movement from one space to another. It involves the entry and exit points of spaces, how they relate (directly or indirectly) to one another in this regard, and the movement patterns. Corridors, aisles, stairs, etc., are all part of circulation. In bubble diagrams, circulation is another important concept. Use of Graphical LanguageDesigners are free to use any graphical design or language since bubble diagrams do not have an accepted professional standard. Generally, in bubble diagrams, lines, arrows, circles, and ovals are used universally, and circles and ovals vary in size, shape, and color. The goal is to provide a quick expression through multiple layouts and revisions. To learn more (and earn half of a CE unit)Visit our Creating Where People Live classroom at Study.com. The entire lesson, including the five-question quiz, should take less than 15 minutes. Unless you discover that this is one lesson within a 150-lesson course. You're welcome to go down the rabbit hole. But we plan to get to them all eventually. 😀 Sign in using a Google account or email and set up your Study.com account (it's free to be a student in our classroom). You might be asked for a "Classroom Code." Use: purple-fly-1389. You don't have to be a member to experience the lesson. If you've visited our Creating Where People Live classroom before, you may have already received a notification of the assignment. Once you enter, you'll be taken to the full lesson. If you have issues registering for free, try these instructions: https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/kerFhm4P29VcAb6qBoq1nYv1 Attention CPBDs!When you complete the lesson and quiz by the due date (January 31, 2025), the A-Team will upload the "Grade Book" to the MyCEApp and award you 0.5 P3 CE credit. Have a great weekend!
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The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) is a professional association that promotes the highest standards of excellence in residential building design. AIBD offers a variety of resources to its members, including continuing education, networking opportunities, and marketing assistance. AIBD is a valuable resource for anyone interested in a career in residential building design. If you want to improve your skills, network with other professionals, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends, AIBD is the perfect organization for you.
Dear Reader, The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) invites experienced designers, engineers, and industry experts to join our “Tuesday at 2:00” webinar series as a speaker or panelist. This series convenes every Tuesday at 2:00 pm EDT for a one-hour deep dive into trending topics—CE-eligible—tailored to residential design professionals. About the Series “Tuesday at 2:00” offers AEC practitioners: Cutting-edge techniques and best practices for home and multifamily design Practical...
Dear Reader, Today is Workaholics Day, a moment to celebrate the passion and dedication that fuel your career in residential building design. Yet true excellence requires more than relentless hustle; it thrives on the balance between focused effort and well-deserved rest. At the American Institute of Building Design, we understand that your creativity and precision come from both your hard work and your ability to step back and recharge. That’s why the AIBD Job Board is designed to support...
Dear Reader, Happy Independence Day! As we celebrate freedom and fireworks, let’s ignite fresh inspiration for you and your AEC team, and plan to attend Coffee with Bernie. Join us July 11th at 10:00 AM EDT for Coffee with Bernie, our free, fun, and interactive virtual roundtable designed exclusively for design professionals. Dust off your favorite mug (or most outrageous cup), grab your morning brew, and dive into this month’s theme: “Hobbies as a Source of Creativity & Well-Being”Discover...