When would a designer use a bubble diagram in lieu of a stacking plan?

A bubble diagram is a conceptual, freehand drawing used during the schematic design phase to translate written programmatic requirements into a two-dimensional plan view. Its primary purpose is to explore and visualize the required functional and spatial adjacencies between different programmed areas. This tool helps the designer and client understand how the project's requirements can be organized spatially on a floor before developing a more detailed, to-scale block or floor plan. A stacking plan, in contrast, is used to organize departments or major spaces vertically across multiple floors.

A. A stacking plan is the appropriate tool for organizing spaces on multiple floors, as it specifically illustrates vertical adjacencies.

B. Showing that a program fits into a desired space is the function of a block plan or a test fit, which are drawn to scale.

C. A block plan, which is a refinement of a bubble diagram, is used to show actual, to-scale space allocations and blocking.

1. Ballast

D. K. (2019). Interior Design Reference Manual: Everything You Need to Know to Pass the NCIDQ Exam (7th ed.). Professional Publications

Inc. In Chapter 9

"Schematic Design

" it is explained that bubble diagrams are used to "explore different ways of organizing the programmed spaces" in a plan view

while stacking diagrams are used for "projects with two or more floors to show...major spaces or departments on each floor" (p. 9-3).

2. Karlen

M.

& Benya

J. (2012). Space Planning Basics (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. Chapter 3

"The Design Process

" describes bubble diagrams as a tool for exploring "functional relationships between different areas" based on the program

representing them in a plan format before committing to scaled drawings (p. 58).

3. Piotrowski

C. M. (2011). Becoming an Interior Designer: A Guide to Careers in Design (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. Chapter 6

"The Design Process

" clarifies that bubble diagrams are part of the schematic design phase to "show adjacencies" and are "not drawn to scale

" distinguishing them from block plans which are the next step and are to scale (p. 148). This supports that their use is for understanding requirements

not fitting or blocking actual space.