floorplanning

Floorplanning is the process of organizing spaces within a built environment or the layout of functional units on a microelectronic component to optimize space use, movement, and performance. In architecture and interior design, floor planning translates a program into a workable spatial arrangement, determining the size and position of rooms, corridors, and service areas. It focuses on adjacency, circulation, daylight access, accessibility, and flexibility, while also considering site constraints, building codes, structural grids, and MEP services. The process typically progresses from programming to schematic design and design development, producing floor plans and related drawings used for construction documents. Digital tools such as CAD and BIM support parameterized layouts, clash detection, and 3D visualization.

In electronics and manufacturing, floorplanning refers to the early arrangement of functional blocks within a chip, printed circuit board, or other integrated system. The objective is to minimize area, interconnect length and delay, and power consumption, while meeting performance, routing, and thermal constraints. Techniques include partitioning, macro placement, and iterative refinement, guided by metrics like bounding-box area, wirelength, density, and timing considerations.

Common to both domains is the goal of setting an efficient footprint that enables subsequent detailing and fabrication. Floorplanning balances program requirements, budget, performance targets, and constraints to produce a layout that supports effective circulation, constructability, cost control, and future scalability.