Konseptisuunnitelman

Konseptisuunnitelma, or concept plan, is an early-stage planning document used in architecture, urban planning, and related fields. It outlines the overarching concept for a project and serves as a basis for evaluating feasibility, exploring options, and guiding subsequent design work. The term is commonly used in Finnish practice, but its purpose is widely understood in planning disciplines.

A concept plan typically includes site analysis, program requirements, massing studies and layout concepts, functional arrangement, circulation and access, sustainability goals, preliminary technical solutions, regulatory constraints, and an indicative cost range and timeline. It is often accompanied by schematic drawings, diagrams, and visualizations that illustrate scale, form, and relationships between spaces. The document aims to translate user needs and constraints into a coherent approach that can be discussed with stakeholders.

Development involves the client, design team, engineers, planners, and sometimes public or stakeholder input. It is an iterative process that may explore multiple options and refine a preferred concept. The concept plan is used to secure feedback, approvals, and funding and to align expectations before moving to schematic design and more detailed development.

Relation to other stages: the concept plan sits between the initial brief and the schematic design, informing brief refinement and setting design targets for later work. In Finland, concept plans are commonly employed in public and municipal projects and can form the basis for permit applications, though they are not binding. Limitations include their non-detailed nature and indicative cost estimates, which can change as the project evolves.