During schematic planning, the project division is typically organized around which basic units?

• A. Floors
• B. Footprints
• C. Zones
• D. Modules

Answer: (B)

In schematic planning, dividing the project around footprints is most useful because a footprint defines the horizontal extent of each space on a floor. This unit shows where rooms sit, how they relate to one another, and how circulation and services will pass through the plan. By outlining the footprint of each space, you can quickly size areas, establish adjacencies, and estimate total floor area early in the design, making the schematic diagram flexible and scalable. Floors refer to different building levels, which doesn’t capture on‑floor spatial relationships. Zones are broader functional groupings, and modules are repeating units used in some approaches, but the footprint provides the precise, space-by-space basis needed at this stage.