Space
In very general terms, ‘space’ is an abstract term which tends to refer to a location which has not had a specific human value or purpose attached to it. This is as opposed to a ‘place’ which has an identifiable character, or a ‘location’ which has geometrical certainty.
Designers sometimes refer to 'negative space' as the space between and around objects such as buildings.
A public space is an area that tends to be open and accessible to all people. This includes roads, pavements, town squares, parks, beaches, and to a more limited extent public buildings such as town halls and libraries. The term 'common land' is sometimes used to refer to land in public ownership or to which everyone has access. To have such status, land must be legally registered as a common.
Privately-owned 'public' spaces are also a common feature of urban developments.These are spaces that are open to the public but owned and maintained by a private company. In some cases, this has been criticised for removing space from the public realm, with owners sometimes applying more rules and restrictions than there would otherwise be. Those in favour however argue that, in many cases, it can involve the improvement and regeneration of spaces that were previously neglected or poorly-used.
Space can also refer to a specific area or volume within a building, such as; useable and un-useable space, storage space, teaching space, and so on.
There are a number of guidelines, standards and regulations for the sizes of specific spaces. For example, in 2015, the government published the Technical housing standards - nationally described space standard which replaced existing space standards used by local authorities. This standard deals with internal space within new dwellings and sets out requirements for the gross internal floor area of new dwellings at a defined level of occupancy as well as floor areas and dimensions for key parts of homes.
For more information see: Technical housing standards - nationally described space standard.
Other articles relating to space on Designing Buildings Wiki include:
- Accessibility in the built environment.
- Bedroom standard.
- Bedspace.
- Building spaces.
- Conservation areas and protecting open space.
- Local green space.
- Minimum bedroom size proposals.
- Minimum space standards.
- NHBC technical standards.
- Placemaking.
- Public space intervention.
- Office space planning.
- Open space definition.
- Space classifications for lighting controls.
- Space planning.
- Terraced houses and the public realm.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.