1.4 Places and Spaces

The final consideration of the program-plan pre-design phase is spatial requirements.

• What is a suitable venue or location for the program?
• What basic requirements does the program have to run? (Are multiple electrical outlets required? A sprung wood floor? An ample, obstacle-free outdoor space? A cozy room with tables and chairs? Excellent ventilation? A built-in sound-system? Access to a change-room?)

The physical environment must be suitable for the activity, program or event being held in that space. A pick-up basketball session cannot happen in a boardroom no more than a drum-making workshop can occur in the pool at the Community Center. Before starting on the next 11 STEPS in the program-planning process, the programmer needs to seek out the availability of suitable spaces for their program.