Rengel + Nussbaumer, Chapter 6

According to Rengel's Chapter 6, a project is most helpful when a floor plan can be analyzed successfully. With a project other factors can be helpful when they are used correctly. Both basic functional and perceptual considerations of the projects must be looked at carefully. If a project is simple, cohesive, practical, and efficient, it is usually perceived as more successful.

Fig. 1 +2- The four floors of the Louvre musuem in Paris,
France, above and below. These layouts reinforce
that complex design could very well cause confusion. 

A floor plan is a way to do this. It may be deemed successful by looking at categories such as, physical, combined/ placed spaces, general function, degree of exposure, simplicity, cohesion, practicality, and efficiency. This allows for a designer to physically put together an environment as well as create successful atmosphere. A simple floor plan, that is restrained and straightforward will be more of solution. Intricate and complex designs take much more effort to become a solution to a client's problem, and create unnecessary issues. For this reason, novice designers are recommended against complex design (Fig. 1+2).
A cohesive scheme is also strived so as to also lower unnecessary issues and confusion. Being apparent and logical is key.
All of these factors might be difficult for a designer to accomplish. A designer could  inherit an already existing plan. In this case, a designer must work with the cards he or she has been dealt.
However difficult it may be to achieve all factors of simplicity, cohesion, practicality, and efficiency, the designer must still make an effort to accomplish these qualities.

Once the designer has an idea of how to create the spaces in such a way that simplicity, cohesion, practicality, and efficiency work in harmony, he or she starts to look at even more technical matters:

• Are there parts of the project that are private or what's available to the public? Would this space only be useful towards regular guests or first-time visitors? Will there be various destinations for clients? 

All of these questions have to do with project parts and layout of a floor plan. A more private space might be moved to the back with enclosed walls around it (Fig. 3). Whereas, a more public space would be more open and towards the front. An open space could also be a very good indicator of way-finding to a first-time guest. On the other hand, repetitive spaces might not be as good for first-time visitors, as they could get lost very easily. 

Fig. 3- This simple floor plan of a home is easy to navigate
and easy to group what is private and what is public in the home.

Another way to successfully lay out a floor plan, would be to create a core within the floor/building. Creating a core allows you to consolidate parts by combining them. Clustering rooms together and then having them branch out produces a much more effective solution to a problem. Scattered rooms cause confusion and takes up more materials to manufacture. When planning a core, a factor to consider that can save cost and confusion is where plumbing and mechanical need to be placed. Bathrooms and kitchens that share a wall for plumbing could be very cost effective. One must think where plumbing and mechanical go in certain rooms because it could be very detrimental to the floor layout.

Fig. 4- This home was built with the elderly in
mind because of the rail for a lift and the wide doorways.
It is also much more inviting than spaces usually deemed
fine for the elderly. 

In Nussbaumer's Chapter 6, the main focus is the elderly. The elderly have varying limitations as they age. Loss of hearing, eyesight, and the capability to walk all affect the elderly on a daily basis. Most of these things do not apply to the average young person, so in a way this is a diversity exercise. As we learned in Chapter 5 of Nussbaumer, people are subjective are always changing. Diversity in humans is very broad and calls for attention. Diverse people, ages, and cultures can all create entirely different spaces. 

Fig. 5- This picture is of a proposed idea for an
elderly village. It is meant to encourage community and
socializing. Bringing the elderly together helps for them to
find a sense of belonging, a basic human need. 

Because the elderly is seen as diverse, they need more support in their space than other humans. This means things such as everyday conversations are difficult for the elderly, and needs to be factored into a layout of a space (attention to acoustics).  The elderly are also diverse in their psychological and cultural thinking. These factors must also be considered into creating a space for the elderly (Fig. 4). 

As someone grows older, he or she have the possibility of developing dementia. Dementia opens the pathway for poor judgment, disorientation, and depression. A designer must create an environment that conveys safety and happiness, because of the conditions of the elderly (Fig. 5).