Space Needs Assessment

Appropriate space metrics are used to determine the amount of space needed by space category (classrooms, offices and research space). The total outcomes show a range of space need. Identifies types of space and the units needing space. In some cases, an overage of space is identified through an assessment.

Scheduled Use By Day & Time

The analysis demonstrates if additional scheduling capacity exists throughout a week and determines popular scheduling times on campus – such as Monday through Thursday 10:00am-2:00pm. Identifies scheduling inconsistencies which may prevent efficient scheduling. A precursor to reviewing scheduling policies at an institution.

Instructional Space Utilization

Measures weekly room hours, seat fill percentage, weekly seat hours, and square feet per student seat on a room by room basis that can be grouped, totaled, and averaged as an appropriate to the institution. Understands how well spaces are being scheduled, indicating whether spaces are needed or how growth or changes in pedagogy could be accommodated.

Classroom Demand

Illustrates classroom capacities needed to support current and proposed curriculum course enrollments. For example, an institution may perceive the need for larger classrooms but course data reveals the need for medium-sized classrooms. The result may be the need for technology within a larger classroom versus a larger classroom itself. Guides institutions to determine investment need (i.e. technology) versus building larger spaces.

Facilities Audit + Inventory Development

Collection of existing information such as floor plans and inventory databases. Touring spaces on campus to document occupants, space classification, seat counts, and square footage. Provides a snapshot in time of valuable real estate assets.

Planning Tools

Institutions need tools that allow them to change analysis outcomes by altering key inputs. These customized planning tools whether spreadsheet based or a full database management system reflect the needs of key stakeholders.

Comparative Analysis

Data collected from a hand selected group of institutions compares the number of students, faculty, square footage, characteristics and program mix allowing an institution to see where space deficiencies may exist between different space categories. Identifies space shortages that may exist after conducting a normative analysis. Reviewing aspirational institutions finds space growth areas an institution requires to transform itself into future vision and mission.

Space Metrics + Standards

Space metrics and standards create the foundation for a normative analysis. Different space categories require unique ways of determining space quantities. These are based upon:

• credit hours
• the number of students on campus
• research productivity levels
• the number of faculty and staff
• minimum dimensions of core facilities

Provides institutions with ways to calculate the amount of required space to conduct their day-to-day activities.

Space Reallocation / Migration

Campuses undergo multiple transformations – programs and functions become spatially fragmented and addition of new programs create functional misalignments. Expanding the built environment creates space vacancies providing opportunities to realign specific programs or functions. Helps develop synergies between programs and join fragmented programs. Creates a cohesive plan to best use space resources that reinforce strategic goals, vision, and mission.

Priority of Needs

Provides a ranking and scoring tool incorporating objective, quantifiable measures and subjective, qualitative measures. Objective measures include space shortages, utilization, building quality, functional quality, growth, and research productivity. Subjective measures include impacts of new construction, direct strategic initiatives, and targeted areas of growth. Illustrates academic and administrative programs with the greatest need for new or renovated space and helps prioritize needs on campus and eliminates the squeaky wheel syndrome.

Space Adequacy Assessment

A subjective assessment measures the suitability of a facility to its programs. A building may never suit its intended purpose – issues as floor to ceiling heights and access to daylight can affect various functional spaces. Provides an institution with additional qualitative views of space needs beyond the quantitative measure of space and the building condition.

Program Planning

Creates a space program based upon use expectations, delivery methods, and vision that provides efficient, functional space and helps guide decision making when budget restrictions force an alternate plan. Ensures the academic vision is realized in the physical design response.