Modification and Space Rule Layers

Modification and Space Rule Layers

This guide explains what modification layers and space rules are, how they work, and how they fit into the spaciv layer logic. Use it alongside the video and slides as a reference you can return to.

1. Logic Layers — How spaciv Manages Change

In spaciv, you never edit your raw data directly. Instead, you stack additional layers on top of it. These are called logic layers.

Logic layers can override, adjust, or extend the data in the layers below them — without changing the original. This keeps your base data intact and makes every change traceable and reversible.

You already know one type of logic layer from Lesson 3: the object layer, which holds your base data. In this lesson, we cover the two other key types:

• Modification layers — adjust the properties of specific objects
• Space rules — apply a calculation model based on a workplace concept

Where to find them in spaciv

1. In the sidebar, navigate to your account section.
2. Under Object Layers, you will find Modification Layers listed below your object layers.
3. Further down the sidebar, you will find Space Rules in their own dedicated tab.

2. Modification Layers

A modification layer selects specific objects from an object layer and changes one or more of their properties — without touching the original data.

Because modification layers sit on top of your base data, they are isolated and easy to adjust. You can add, remove, or swap them without any risk to the data underneath.

What modification layers can do

• Adjust key variables — such as headcount growth rates or attendance percentages
• Change property values — such as area in m², cost per desk, or assigned city
• Override specific objects — affecting only the objects that match your filter criteria, leaving all others unchanged

Preset modification layers

spaciv comes with a set of predefined modification layers covering the most common use cases, such as:

• Headcount growth projections
• Attendance rate adjustments
• Cost or area overrides

These presets are available in your account and ready to use. You can also create your own modification layers to model specific scenarios for your organisation.

How to view and create modification layers

1. In the sidebar, navigate to Object Layers, then scroll to Modification Layers.
2. Browse the preset modification layers. Click any one to open it and explore its settings.
3. To create your own, click Add New and configure your selector and modifier. You will practise this in Level 2.

Note: Modification layers are what make scenario planning possible in spaciv. Instead of creating separate versions of your data file, you stack a modification layer on top and let spaciv handle the rest.

3. Space Rule Layers

Space rules are a special type of logic layer. They do not modify individual object properties — instead, they apply a calculation model to your entire dataset based on a chosen workplace concept.

spaciv specialises in workplace and real estate analysis, and the workplace concept you choose has a major impact on how much space your organisation needs and what types of spaces are required. Space rules are how you define that concept inside spaciv.

What a space rule calculates

Given your object data and a chosen workplace concept, a space rule will calculate:

• How many work desks are needed
• Which types of workspace modules are required (focus desks, collaboration areas, meeting rooms, social spaces)
• How many of each module are needed
• How much circulation space is required
• Total area requirements

The  workplace concepts

spaciv includes preset space rules for the most common workplace models:

• Classic — traditional assigned desking. Typically one desk per person, with enclosed offices and structured meeting rooms. High desk-to-person ratio.
• Open Space — open plan layout with shared desks. Fewer enclosed offices, more collaborative areas. Lower ratio of private space.
• Hybrid — designed for organisations where not everyone is in the office every day. Desk count is reduced based on attendance rates. Balance of focus and collaborative space.
• Activity Based Working (ABW) — no assigned desks. Employees choose from a variety of space types depending on the task they are doing. Highest variety of space modules, lowest desk-to-person ratio.
• and more

Each concept uses a different ratio of workspace modules. Switching the space rule in your layer stack immediately changes the calculated space output — without touching your data.

Customising space rules

If none of the presets match your organisation’s setup exactly, you can customise an existing space rule or create a new one. This allows you to define your own module ratios, circulation factors, and calculation logic.

How to view space rules in spaciv

1. In the sidebar, navigate to Space Rules under your account.
2. Browse the preset space rules. Click any one to see its configuration — the module types, ratios, and calculation logic it uses.
3. To use a space rule in your project, it needs to sit at the top of your layer stack. You will set this up in Level 2.

4. How the Three Layer Types Work Together

Now that you know all three layer types, here is how they combine to create a complete data configuration in spaciv:

• Object layer — your base data. The foundation. Always at the bottom of the stack.
• Modification layer — sits on top of the object layer and adjusts specific properties. Used to model scenarios, changes, or future states.
• Space rule layers— sits at the top of the stack and applies the calculation logic. Turns your configured data into spatial outputs.

Together, these three layers give you a powerful and flexible way to analyse your data. You can change the scenario by swapping the modification layer, or change the workplace concept by swapping the space rule — without ever editing your source data.

Note: In Lesson 5, you will see how these layers are combined into a layer stack, which is the saved configuration you use to generate insights in a project.

5. Quick Reference — Key Definitions

• Logic layer — any layer that sits on top of your base data and modifies, extends, or calculates from it
• Modification layer — selects specific objects and changes one or more of their properties
• Space rule layer — a calculation model that defines space requirements based on a workplace concept