Rengel + Nussbaumer, Chapter 4

In Rengel's book, The Interior Plan, Chapter Four specializes on the element of the room. "A good room is funcional," Rengel states. Rengel is correct! A room that is not functional does not fufill the goal of an interior designer nor does it satisfy the needs of the user or users. Shapes and proportions, grouping of furniture, layout of furniture, windows, and circulation are all very important aspects to creating a successful room.

Fig. 1- This room is a very nice size
for the entertaining that this room will contain. A
designer might even decide to make a room
like this bigger depending on the client's
needs.

Rooms should be relatively compact and oblong, relating to successful size. Having narrow rooms does not allow an efficient layout of furniture, or an efficient way to navigate the room. A narrow room could also make a user feel claustrophobic and unsafe. Correct room size is necessary to accommodate other factors (Fig. 1).
Rooms also need windows to appeal to a certain group or activity in that space.

Fig. 2- This room contains a numerous amount of windows,
which works fine with the use of this space.
This room has a
great view of nature and not someone's home, meaning
lots of windows can be used. 

Windows must be taken into account before the placing of furniture or even before assigning a name to the room. For instance you wouldn't want to assign a bathroom to a room with multiple windows people can look into. Now, restrooms do need natural light but maybe from up higher so there are no Peepin' Toms. More windows also means more noise, so not necessarily a good idea for a bedroom. These are all ideas to keep in mind when designing. However, windows always have to be somewhere in a home or office. People that interact with the space need warmth, natural light, and views (Fig. 2).

Fig. 3- This room has a grouping of furniture that is meant to encourage social interation.
It is also placed in a way that works with circulation and hierarchy. 

Fig. 4- This diagram shows the conceptual idea
  of circulation in a space in different ways. 

Grouping and layout of furniture gives the opportunity to create sociofugal or sociopetal spaces. They  also give the opportunity to get users to feel a certain emotion. One thing to notice is that, furniture is not usually grouped into threes. This is to prevent any person left out in conversation or to prevent an uncomfortable situation. Single, pair, four, or more make the best groupings furniture wise. Where place furniture matters as well. Corners create a sense of safety and shelter. The center is formal and dignified. The center is the most powerful spot in the room, because everything else surrounds the object in the middle. This creates a dynamic sense of importance, and thus every eye is drawn to the middle. However, placing furniture in the edges of the room allows for backdrops to place furnishings.
Circulation is majorly important to contribute to the successfulness of a room because it decides how a room can be used. I would almost argue that it is the most important because if a room cannot be determined a use, what is the point of the room? Factors to keep in mind when planning circulation would be: efficiency, fluidity, discreteness, and furnish-ability. A designer wants his or her room to meet its purpose and get to the point, while being smooth and uninterrupted (logistically and socially).
Some of the biggest impressions come from great rooms!

In Nussbaumer's Chapter 4, universal design is discussed. We have discussed this topic more in depth in class and I am very glad for that. Participating in the ADA compliant exercise around campus has really opened my eyes. I even think architects here should participate in an exercise like that. This exercise showed me how important universal design really is. People of all races, sexes, and if they have disabilities, should be able to use the same building in the same way. Planning a room that meets guidelines of universal design in mind, means a designer must pay even more specific attention to the factors mentioned above. If a designer wants to meet the criteria of satisfying EVERY client's needs, he or she must think of universal design first while planning rooms and buildings.