Appropriation of space in a design office

Data from an exploratory study of space usage in a design office are reported and discussed. The argument comprises a critique of functionalist, technically utilitarian, design theory: a theory in which different groups of building users tend to be regarded as homogeneous entities. A quantitative and a qualitative analysis of the data are presented. These point to the presence among users of divergent definitions, views, of the appropriate functional bases for office layout — a factor not adequately accounted for in orthodox functional theory. In interpreting this information, reference is made to the social relations, specifically the power relations, of the groups of office personnel who express them.