Space Zoning

The designer-clientele demographic of today are inkling towards more open floor plans for their habitable/commercial spaces. This approach to spatial planning kindles a sense of freedom and enhances the visual & physical familiarity of the space.

We see some big positives with this approach towards better management of space:

  1. It’s a big cost-saver as the need for secondary solid construction is minimised drastically.
  2. It is a space saver, granting you additional sq footage that in normal circumstances would have been eaten up just for partitioning.
  3. It’s a very versatile method to bring in variations in design style and depth

If you like this image above, do visit our feature on Veranda on a Roof 

The key to zoning spaces in open floor layouts is to still maintain the visual connection but with varying and playful levels of visual intensities. What’s most exciting is that through materiality and pattern, space can be zoned with refreshing renders as well.

In this article, we share with you a few easy ways in which you could apply zoning practices to plan out your spaces.

Zoning in physical form

Furniture

A singular piece of furniture is apt for this function and can include easy to move cabinetry, sideboard, countertop, or even a picnic bench.

view of a kitchen

Photo by Rene Asmussen from Pexels

Choose a piece that is unique in finish and design, and treat it as a highlight decor element in your space. This way it participates in the decor and does not become a redundant addition.

Level differences

If you like this image above, do visit our feature on T House

Space and its function can be highlighted with a simple increase or decrease in elevation. 

If this is an afterthought post-construction of your floor slab, an easy to assemble hardwood platform is the forward. 

This zoning practice works well to highlight the seating arrangement of your living space or to create a vantage platform beside a bedroom window imitating a bay window.

Plants

rack of plants behind two sofas

Photo by Valeria Boltneva from Pexels

Movable vertical green scapes always adds a hint of freshness into any space. Mount a standing vertical metal grid/rack with an assortment of dense foliage creepers and planters and you are good to go!

Screens and sliding shutters

Some of our favourites include oils on canvas room dividers, a series of antique door/window/mirror shutters, sheer raw natural fabrics, framed straw and rattan, framed crushed paper/fabrics, carved wood jaali screens, laser-cut brass/copper screens, mandala screens, stained glass mosaics, ribbed glass.

If you like the image above, do visit our feature on  Bombay Canteen for more on screens and shutters

Since these screens possess their own aesthetic sense, we suggest treating them as a decorative element and include them in the design language of your space.

Shelves or cabinetry

rack partition in a room

Photo by Valeria Boltneva from Pexels

A two-way open shelf system that spans floor to ceiling decorates spaces on either side of it. It can be used to showcase an assortment of objects like books, planters, memorabilia and statuettes. Using storage elements like this for zoning purposes comes in handy in small spaces.

Virtual zoning

These are the latest practices in town where the term ‘minimalism’ finds its way into more and more spaces. Their approach is territorial and brings the circumambient space to the fore, reducing physical forms of obstruction of any kind.

Material transitions

If you like this image above, do visit our feature on the Blue House for more on Material transitions

The best material juxtapositions come to light when they are greatly contrasting in palette and texture. For e.g, Kota tile to hardwood flooring, exposed walls to plastered, polished cement floors to tile etc.

Colour transitions

If you like the image above, do visit our feature on Hello Yellow for more on Color transitions

Assigning a colour scheme for each space can zone spaces very distinctly on a visual level. The more the contrast in tone, the more apparent becomes the space separation. The juxtaposition however makes for very striking compositions.

Pattern and print transitions

If you like the image above, do visit our feature on Frangipani 14 for more on Pattern transitions

Using one detailed dominant pattern with two or more simpler ones of a similar style calibre, works great to define a single space. A transition best comes into effect when there is a change in pattern/print language from space to space, for example, chintz & stripes to geometric & grunge etc.

With all the possibilities and options listed above, bring out that creative side in you and discover design through this unique method of space making.


Hope this feature was helpful
If you have a unique style of zoning your spaces, we would love to hear about it

Written by Architect Rohini GB

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