Boreal Ledger
Small-space studies

Working method / Small-space studies

A small space can be studied through movement, daylight and the arrangement of everyday objects.

Illustrative diagram; not a measured or manufacturing drawing.

Small details become visible when the reference stays consistent.
  1. Define
    State the reference and the purpose of the comparison.
  2. Observe
    Storage can be considered alongside the activities of a room.
  3. Record
    Keep the conditions and observations together.
  4. Review
    Separate the result from the assumptions used to interpret it.

01. Establishing a reference

A small space can be studied through movement, daylight and the arrangement of everyday objects. Storage can be considered alongside the activities of a room. A useful working note records the context and the purpose of the study. Keep the details that explain what was noticed, and distinguish them from ideas that emerged later.

Storage can be considered alongside the activities of a room. This point should be read together with the stated reference and the conditions of the record.

02. Describing the setup

A plan and a view describe different aspects of a space. When revisiting a series of observations, begin with the original context. Record the order of the work and keep the first descriptions alongside any later interpretation.

A plan and a view describe different aspects of a space. This point should be read together with the stated reference and the conditions of the record.

03. Reading the first observation

The next pass through small-space studies focuses on comparison. Clear circulation makes a layout easier to use. Look for the relationships between the details and retain enough context for another reader to understand the study.

Clear circulation makes a layout easier to use. This point should be read together with the stated reference and the conditions of the record.

Reference note

Clear circulation makes a layout easier to use.