Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is transferable to a four-year institution and is applicable towards an Associate of Applied Science degree.

 On completion of this course the student should be able to:  

1. Use basic principles of spatial layout, and furniture planning to create well designed residential floor plans using architectural drafting skills that successfully meet the needs of a client's program   
2. Use their knowledge of universal and accessible design to make others aware and incorporate these design concepts into their environment

 This course will be presented by means of lecture, discussion, demonstrations, and guest lecturers. The student’s grade will be determined by a combination of studio exercises, testing, and class participation.

 1.  Create 3 or more residential floor plans that provide design/problem-solving challenges similar or comparable to the following:

• Create a design solution for a small existing loft space that meets a client's spatial and furniture needs after interviewing that client   
• Create a design solution that demonstrates the student’s understanding of designing for spatial and furniture needs for a multi-generational family as well as the application of the American with Disabilities Act as it applies to residential design   
• Use an existing floor plan in which all interior walls have been removed that requires the student to design the interior space/furniture plan for a given client including a residential and commercial space   
• Design a moderate sized home that reflects a particular architectural style based on a specific client program when given the basic lot size and setbacks 

2.  Evaluate a given floor plan as to its design success according to the student’s understanding of spatial design, furniture placement, and the application of universal and accessible design concepts 

3.  Participate in, and contribute to, all class and team discussions and in-class work critiques 

Skills:
The student will develop the following skills through this course: 

• Analyze and apply effective spatial design and furniture placement concepts to existing floor plans and the creation of new floor plans  
• Analyze and apply a client's needs to the creation of effective, well designed floor plans  
• Analyze the success of floor plans through individual and team critiques  
• Use architectural drafting standards to create drawings of proposed plans and solutions  
• Develop skill in architectural lettering  

The following Themes, Issues, and Concepts will have increased meaning to the student as a result of this course: 

Themes

• meet client needs  create aesthetically pleasing environments

Issues

• universal and accessible design what constitutes 'good' space planning and ‘ effective’ furniture layout

Concepts

• furniture placement

• spatial layout

• ergonomics - people, activities, space

• architectural lettering

• architectural drafting

• client program

• universal, accessible, and adaptive design

• Americans with Disabilities Act

• interior space

• lot size and setbacks

• zones, adjacencies, alignments

• design process and review

• design prototypes

• building code application

• design process

• bubble diagrams