This book aims to simplify the complex problem of planning and organising compositions of interior spaces by introducing key issues that interior designers can consider during the design process.

Chapter 1, Points of Departure, establishes how, when organising the planning strategies for interior projects, the work of the contemporary interior designer can start from a variety of different concerns that may include; the qualities of the existing site to be used for the project, the function of the proposed interior or the client’s ethos.

Chapter 2, The Use of Precedent Studies, emphasises the importance of learning from examples of previous good practice to inform future design proposals.

Chapter 3, Developing Conceptual Ideas, shows how design decisions can be determined by a clear, bold conceptual direction that may establish the form of the interior whilst also establishing a narrative that engages the user’s interest.

Chapter 4, Planning Strategies, introduces approaches to the development of interior space planning. Spatial strategies, spatial relationships and circulation strategies are identified and explained with the help of appropriate case studies.

Chapter 5, From Brief to Proposal, sets out methods of translating the client’s needs into an organisation of appropriate spaces that reconcile the functional requirements of the brief with the form of the building in which the proposed interior is to be housed.

Chapter 6, The Exisiting Building’s Impact, demonstrates how the nature of the existing building can be one of the major factors that determine the approach taken towards the establishment of the new interior. Strategies for analysing existing buildings are outlined and approaches to the introduction of new elements into existing spaces are explained.

Chapter 7, Developing Three Dimensional Spatial Compositions, demonstrates ways in which it is possible to develop a huge variety of three dimensional forms from any given planning diagram. Model making strategies are explained illustrating how the same plan can deliver many contrasting spatial compositions.

Chapter 8, Designing in Section, emphasises the importance of the section of an interior as a crucial aspect of its design. How the form of an existing building’s section can be analysed, understood and utilised is considered as well as opportunities for the development of the form of the new interior in section.

Chapter 9, Communicating Spatial Organisations, illustrates the ways in which interior designers use a variety of different methods to communicate complex spatial issues to colleagues, clients and members of the design team. Diagrammatic, orthographic and freehand drawing types as well as models are discussed.

Chapter 10, What Next?, discusses the ensuing stages of the design process once the spatial composition of a project is established. The chapter outlines the process of developing the plan in more detail to satisfy precise functional needs leading to the detailed design stage and ultimately the built reality.

Throughout the book case studies are used to further explain ideas and demonstrate how the issues being discussed are utilised in practice. Where appropriate step-by-step sequences demonstrate practical skills that develop the interior designer’s ability to explore and develop approaches introduced within chapters.