Different kinds of support spacesThe table below gives examples of both central and local support spaces that are commonly foundin office buildings (based in part on definitions used by IPD Occupiers).Central support spacesReception area An area where both employees and guests are welcomed by reception staff. Usually the main entrance to the buildingWaiting area An area where guests can be seated until their host arrives, generally adjacent to or in the reception areaRestaurant A facility where people can order and consume hot/cold meals and beverages. Often designed to function as a work/meeting place as wellCafeteria A facility where people can order and consume light meals and beverages. Often designed to function as a work/meeting place as wellFitness area A facility where people can undertake physical exercise Crche A facility where employees young children are cared for during the working dayPrayer / meditation room A quiet room where people of differing religious beliefs, or none at all, are able to spend time in contemplation or prayerLactation room A private, secure room where nursing mothers can breastfeed or express their breast milk for later usage Library / reading room A library-like setting, away from the main office areas, where employees can work without being disturbed by phone calls or colleaguesConference centre A central cluster of meeting facilities (e.g. auditoria, conference suites, seminar rooms), often adjacent to main entrance to allow easy access for guestsLocal support spacesPantry area A kitchen-like space where people can get themselves a drink and/or a snackStorage space A space or cabinet for the storage of commonly used office suppliesPrint and copy area A space with print and copy facilitiesLocker area A space with storage facilities where employees can store their personal belongings in individual lockersCloakroom A space or cupboard where employees and visitors can hang their coatsFacility management spacesA special subcategory of the ancillary functions relates to back-of-house functions that support the buildings operation and facility management (fm). Think of storage spaces, kitchen areas, delivery entrances, security rooms and cleaning cabinets. These functions are generally less visible and more sober in character than the previously mentioned space types, but no less important. A building cannot be expected to function efficiently if there is no dedicated area to collect waste or store furniture, for example. It is thus important that the functional brief pays explicit attention to the required fm spaces. Relevant questions concern the extent to which front-of-house and back-of-house functions should be separated and the degree to which fm spaces require attention in terms of climate, security or technology (e.g. in case of archives or server rooms). 35