Individual Spaces

The devil, in any project, is usually in the detail. Sometimes the most architecturally stunning buildings can suffer from a lack of understanding about how the space is actually to be used. As one colleague from the sector put it, 'Architects see it as their building. They want to win awards but you have to live in it.' Having said that, a stimulating space will itself generate ideas about new ways of learning and working so we need to be wary of focusing too heavily on the way we do things now. The following prompts may hopefully alert you to some potential problems without stifling your desire to be creative and innovate. You may also want to look at the section giving Guidance on Using Space Data Sheets to ensure you have captured all requirements fully and in a way that can be accurately costed.

• Have you considered the location of any specialist, heavy, bulky equipment and ensured that it can be installed at the appropriate time?
• Are the lifts large enough to permit the movement of bulky items in future?
• Have you considered seasonal variations in relation to the processes carried out in the space? Will the space be used for occasional high volume activities such as enrolment or examinations and what are the implications of this?
• Will a space ideal for summer usage have suitable places to hang heavy coats and store wet umbrellas?
• Is there adequate secure storage for staff and student personal belongings?
• Have you looked at open access areas in relation to Data Protection considerations? This may be a particular issue where staff and students are using the same space.
• Have you looked at flexible spaces in relation to health and safety considerations particularly where users may rearrange furniture? You need to think about the risks involved in physically moving furniture, the possibility that new configurations could block access to exits or essential services and the risks of trailing power cables etc.
• Atrium areas, mezzanine floors and open walkways all help create a sense of height and space - have you looked at these spaces in relation to health and safety considerations particularly in relation to objects falling from one level to another? You could perhaps ensure that rails on balconies are shaped to prevent people placing objects on the edge.
• New spaces frequently attract usage levels in excess of those anticipated - can cleaning and related services cope with peaks in usage?
• Can cafeteria areas cope with peaks in usage without queuing and congestion?
• Have you considered circulation around the space at peak times such as when large numbers of students are moving from one class to another to identify potential bottlenecks?
• Have you considered the relationship of fixed seating to heating and ventilation outlets to ensure users are not seated in draughts or too close to heat sources?
• Assuming a no smoking policy in the building where will smokers congregate and will this result in issues relating to access and litter?
• How will you manage noise levels where open access and flexible areas are sited in close proximity to areas where formal teaching is going on?
• Have you thought about signage particularly in large, open plan spaces or zoned spaces to help users use the space and locate services effectively?
• Have you thought about the costs and potential difficulty of changing signs as the building use develops?
• Where staffed 'help points' are available in student areas will the staff have access to all of the equipment they need to deal with queries effectively?
• Have you though about how you can ensure that staffing levels can respond to demand?
• Finally have you thought enough about future changes or have you concentrated too much on how things are at present?