Open spatial planning
Approved document B, Fire Safety, Volume 2, Buildings other than dwellinghouses (2019 edition), defines open spatial planning as:
'The internal arrangement of a building in which more than one storey or level is contained in one undivided volume, e.g. split-level floors. For the purposes of this document there is a distinction between open spatial planning and an atrium space.'
An atrium (plural atria) is: 'A continuous space that passes through one or more structural floors within a building, not necessarily vertically. NOTE: Enclosed lift wells, enclosed escalator wells, building services ducts and stairs are not classified as atria.'
See also: Spatial planning.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Atrium.
- Approved document b.
- Building regulations.
- Fire.
- Open space.
- Open plan and cellular.
- Spatial planning.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.