Space Planning: My Approach and the Role of Technology
Image Credit: Amber Interiors
My Approach: Hand Sketching for Fluidity, Speed, and Creativity
Every interior designer has their own process when it comes to space planning. For me, the most effective way to explore layouts is by working with pen and trace paper over a printed scaled drawing. This hands-on approach allows for rapid iteration, encourages flexibility, and makes problem-solving feel intuitive.
Why Hand Sketching Works for Me
Engaging the Mind in Three Dimensions – The physical act of drawing by hand engages my brain in a way that feels deeply connected to the creative process. With each line and adjustment, I’m not just creating a two-dimensional plan - I’m thinking spatially, layering possibilities, and intuitively shaping the way a space will feel and function.
A Natural Sense of Scale – After years of experience, I can instinctively place elements within a space without constantly measuring. Hand sketching allows me to trust this sense of proportion and quickly work through different configurations.
Efficient Problem-Solving – Space planning is like solving a puzzle, and layering trace paper over a base drawing lets me move pieces around freely, testing ideas without the constraints of software commands.
Real-Time Client Collaboration – Sitting with a client and sketching in real time makes the process interactive. There’s an immediacy to it - adjustments can be made on the spot, and ideas can be explored without delay.
Avoiding the Premature Finality of Digital Drawings – Computer generated plans have a crisp, finished quality that can sometimes feel too rigid, too soon. A hand-drawn plan, by contrast, remains fluid. Clients see it as a work in progress, which helps them feel that the design is still open to refinement, evolution, and their personal requests.
The Process in Action
Start with a Printed Scaled Drawing – Accuracy is key, so I begin with a printed base plan to ensure correct proportions.
Determine Adjacencies – Zone out the rooms capturing important adjacencies, ensuring maximum function between spaces and a smooth overall flow.
Sketch Key Elements – Walls, furniture, and major spatial divisions are laid out using quick, loose lines.
Layer with Trace Paper – By overlaying different configurations on trace paper, I can explore multiple solutions without erasing or losing earlier ideas.
Refine Through Iteration – The layering process allows me to test, tweak, and refine layouts quickly, keeping the design process dynamic and flexible.
Client Feedback and Adjustments – Since the sketches feel approachable and non-finalized, I have personally experienced that this allows clients to feel more comfortable suggesting changes, leading to a more collaborative design experience.
Technology in Space Planning: Tools and Trends
While my initial space planning process is rooted in hand drawing, digital tools play a crucial role in refining and presenting final designs. From 2D drafting programs to AI-assisted layout generation, technology has expanded the possibilities for designers.
2D and 3D Space Planning Software
AutoCAD – A staple in architectural and interior design work, AutoCAD provides precise 2D drafting capabilities and is commonly used for detailed floor plans and technical documentation.
SketchUp – One of the most widely used 3D modeling tools, SketchUp is popular for both conceptual design and client presentations. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to create and manipulate 3D models, offering a valuable way to visualize space, explore spatial relationships, and experiment with design elements. SketchUp is particularly effective when working through the early stages of a design, helping designers quickly assess how different components of a space will interact in three dimensions.
Revit – A BIM (Building Information Modeling) tool used for larger projects where coordination with architects, engineers, and contractors is required. Revit offers integrated solutions for both 2D and 3D modeling, making it ideal for complex design and construction needs.
Chief Architect – This software is tailored to residential projects, combining both 2D and 3D modeling with a focus on creating detailed, realistic renderings and plans. It's particularly well-suited for creating detailed layouts in the home renovation and construction fields.
These programs all serve different needs in the design process. While AutoCAD and Revit excel in technical and detailed work, SketchUp provides a powerful tool for quickly visualizing ideas and refining concepts, making it an excellent choice for early-stage design development and presentations.
AI and the Future of Space Planning
Artificial intelligence is starting to make its way into the interior design industry, particularly in space planning. AI-powered tools can analyze spatial constraints, usage patterns, and efficiency factors to generate optimized layouts. Some emerging AI tools include:
TestFit – Uses AI to generate floor plans based on real-world constraints, particularly for large-scale developments.
Spacemaker AI – Helps optimize layouts for factors like daylight exposure, noise reduction, and energy efficiency.
AI Plugins for CAD and BIM Software – Many design programs are now incorporating AI-driven features to automate repetitive tasks and suggest layout optimizations.
The Human Element: Why Designers Still Matter
Despite these advancements, digital tools - including AI - still have their drawbacks:
Lack of Human Intuition – AI-generated layouts often follow programmed rules but miss the nuances of how people truly interact with a space.
Over-Reliance on Algorithms – Automated solutions can sometimes feel formulaic rather than tailored to a client’s unique needs.
Rigid Workflow – While digital plans are precise, they don’t always allow for the same quick, instinctive decision-making that hand sketching does in the early phases.
At its core, great space planning is about more than just placing objects on a floor plan - it’s about understanding how people move, interact, and experience a space. While technology is an invaluable tool, it can’t replace the creativity, intuition, and adaptability of a skilled designer.
Interior designers don’t just generate layouts; they solve problems, anticipate needs, and create environments that feel intentional and cohesive. The ability to think three-dimensionally while drawing by hand, the flexibility of real-time iteration, and the collaboration that happens in the sketching phase are things that AI and software can’t fully replicate.
Finding the Right Balance
For me, the best approach is a hybrid one:
Hand Sketching to Explore Ideas – This keeps the design process fluid, creative, and adaptable in the early stages.
Digital Tools for Refinement – CAD and 3D modeling software help fine-tune details, ensure accuracy, and create polished presentations.
Leveraging AI Where It Adds Value – AI can be useful for optimization, but it should enhance rather than replace human decision-making.
Final Thoughts
Space planning is both an art and a science. While digital tools have transformed the industry, there’s still unmatched value in the creativity, problem-solving and art form that comes from physically sketching out ideas. For me, the act of drawing by hand engages my mind in a way that fosters three-dimensional thinking, speeds up the iterative process, and allows for a level of flexibility that continues to feed my creative passion.
In my practice, the future of space planning isn’t about choosing between hand drawing and technology, but rather finding the right balance between the two.
“I believe that if you are true to expressing yourself, coupled with the right amount of discipline and routine, your space can reflect your personality, and you can turn your home into your haven.”
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