PLANNING:-
Building planning is a crucial step in creating a functional, comfortable, and aesthetically
pleasing space. Here are some general considerations to keep in mind:
• Functionality: The design should cater to the intended use of the building and the
needs of the occupants. Consider the number of occupants, their activities, and the
desired flow of movement within the space.
• Climate and Environment: Think about factors like sunlight, ventilation, noise
levels, and thermal comfort. The building's orientation and layout should maximize
natural benefits and minimize negative environmental impacts.
• Safety and Security: The design should prioritize safety features like fire escapes,
proper structural integrity, and secure access points.
• Aesthetics: Consider the overall visual appeal of the building, both inside and out.
The style should complement the surroundings and create a desirable atmosphere.
• Budget: Planning should be done within a realistic budget, accounting for
construction costs, materials, and ongoing maintenance.
1. Aspect
Aspect means the peculiarity of the arrangement of doors and windows in the outer
walls of a building, particularly of residential buildings, which allow the occupants to
experience the natural gifts such as sunshine, breeze, scenery, etc.
This aspect creates a pleasant and hygienic
atmosphere in the building. It is necessary that
air movement should occur in the building at the
level of occupancies and use.
As per the rule, every habitable room shall have
opening directly to the external air or into an open
verandah, excluding doors inclusive of frames shall
not be less than:
( a ) One-tenth of the floor area for dry hot climate ;
( b ) One-sixth of the floor area for wet hot climate ;
( c ) One-eighth of the floor area for intermediate climate ;
( d ) One-twelfth of the floor area for cold climate, and cross ventilation using windows shall
be effected either by means of windows in opposite walls or if this is not possible or advisable,
then at least in the adjoining walls.
Below we have given some ideas for different rooms and their aspect
i. The living room should have southern or southeast aspect.
ii. All the bedrooms should have either the west or south-west aspect, This is because the air
required in summer would blow from this direction.
iii. The kitchen should have an eastern aspect so as to allow the sun to refresh and purifies
the air in the kitchen with its first ray. The kitchen would remain cool during the later part of
the day.
iv. The storerooms should have a northern aspect as there will be no sun from the north
side.
v. The study rooms, classrooms, etc., should have north aspect as light received from both
will be diffused and evenly distributed.
2. Prospects
Prospect is the view as seen while looking through the windows and doors from a certain room
of the house.
Everyone expects that the scene around their house will be
beautiful and pleasant to look at. However, it is not always
possible that the views of every side from the house will be
beautiful and pleasant.
Thus, the doors and windows should be located in such a way
that occupants can enjoy the outside views while looking
through those doors and windows, and toward unpleasant
views, the opening should not be provided.
But doing so the quality of aspect may hamper. In such
circumstances experienced planners may minimize the
conflict between aspect and prospect i.e., an opening in
external walls shall be provided for a cheerful atmosphere in
the room but pleasant views remain concealed.
3. Roominess
Roominess is the accomplishment of the economy of space. Planning should be such that
maximum benefit can be obtained from the
minimum required for the functions expected to be
available from the space.
For utility, a rectangular room is better than a
square room of the same floor area. Accordingly, the
length and breadth ratio should be 1.2: 1 to 1.5: 1. If
the ratio is one and half (1: 0.5) then again a bad
effect is created. A room having its length twice the
width is objectionable as it creates a look like a
tunnel.
Skill is essentially required for making use of available accommodation by proper
arrangement of the rooms, by locating the doors, windows, and passages in such a way that
the utility, livability, and privacy are not adversely affected.
4. Grouping
Grouping is the arrangement of various rooms regarding their function. The relationships of
the spaces should be such that there is a feeling of invitation and transition, rather than a
feeling of abrupt change. For the residential building, planning should be grouped as (a)
Living area; (b) Sleeping area; (c) Service area; and (d) Circulation area.
(a) Living Area
The living area is the area for general use and should be next to the front Varanda and near
the entrance.
The drawing room or guest room should not
provide direct passage to the bedrooms but
should be adjacent to the dining room. At the
same time, the kitchen should be kept away from
the living room to avoid smoke and smells.
The living room should be sufficiently ventilated
and spacious in order to accommodate furniture.
It should get an attractive view of the
surroundings and garden etc.
In extreme cases, the living room may be located at the center, and accesses or approaches to
various units and apartments may radiate from it.
(b) Sleeping Area
This is the area of bedrooms and should be located so as to guard privacy. The site should be
sufficient to accommodate beds, dressing tables, etc. An attached toilet to the bedroom should
be preferred.
c) Service Area
This includes the area of the kitchen, dining rooms, bathrooms, and toilet.
The dining room should be close to the kitchen. This will make it much easier to carry food.
The kitchen room should be avoided near the living room, bedroom, and study room to avoid
smoke and smells.
d) Circulation Area
This is an area for passage, lobby, corridor, etc., It should be minimum but well-ventilated
and lighted.
e) Other Area
Other areas such as the study room, Puja room, etc., may be located near the living room or
bedroom.
5. Circulation
For movement and access to various
rooms, a certain amount of free
space is needed, which is known as
circulation or free space area. This
includes passages, corridors,
porches, halls, lobbies, staircases,
etc. The circulation should be
designed in such a way that this will
preserve every room’s privacy and
not disturb any householder.
6. Privacy
Privacy is the most important part in case of building planning. It has a very significant role,
particularly in residential buildings. Unless optimum privacy is secured, all the principles of
planning of a building are bound to fail.
The privacy of a building is two types :
i. External privacy
External privacy of the whole building
regarding the surrounding buildings
and roads can be guarded by placing window
sills, which can cut the vision of outsiders to
the bed in the bedroom. A businessman
would like to have for his office necessary
privacy and at the same time, he would like to have his concern easily spotted.
ii. Internal Privacy
In modern planning, it is often seen that a big central hall is provided to serve as drawing-
cum-dining room. Bedrooms, kitchens, water closets, and bathrooms are arranged along two
long sides of the drawing-cum-dining room. Such planning of rooms often can’t satisfy the
factor of privacy. Proper positioning of rooms, lobbies or screens can grant necessary internal
privacy.
