Design Rule #1 Why Circulation matters in your home – Retouch Design-Build

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Design Rule #1 Why Circulation matters in your home

Last week we discussed how there are powerful unspoken rules that influence how spaces feel and function. Break these rules and things will happen. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but things will happen. Over the next few weeks we will explore some of these Hidden Design Rules and figure out how they can impact the home.

This week’s Rule-du-jour is Circulation, which I call the Goldilocks Rule. My other (and I believe cooler name) for it is the Fruit Ninja of the Floor Plan.

I sat down with Joel, my favorite Architect, to find out more about this mysterious rule.

Me: Why is this rule called “Circulation”? It makes me think of blood.

Joel: That’s actually pretty close. Circulation refers to movement through space. In the body, the thing that is moving is blood. In a house, the movement is about people.

Me: So people move around a house like blood moves around a body? I feel like we should watch Dexter.

Joel: I’ve not seen that show, but yes. It is important to pay attention to how people circulate through a house. Not only in hallways, but also through rooms, or even within rooms. A house with well planned circulation will feel and function much better than one without.

Me: Why is that? Does this have to do with cholesterol

Joel: Movement should be efficient and free of obstacles. An obvious illustration would be putting a chair in the middle of a hallway. Not a great move unless you are trying to trip up someone’s late night milk and cookies run.

Me: Who would want to prevent milk and cookies?

Joel: (ignoring my important question) There are two important elements to consider when laying out your circulation…

First, whenever possible you should avoid creating space that is dedicated solely to circulation. Long hallways back to bedrooms is one example. This is likely adding expensive square footage where it may not be required. Some circulation is necessary of course but with smart planning it can be minimized.

Second, poorly planned circulation through rooms can have a devastating effect on the function of the space. Careless circulation from multiple directions through a space can render even a large room virtually useless. Everyone has had an experience of struggling to

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