| **Feature** | Permanent Bedroom | Open Studio with No Permanent Walls | | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Layout** | 8 ft x 12 ft permanent bedroom with a door and egress window; 13 ft x 12 ft living space with a 4 ft x 12 ft hallway. | Entire 25 ft x 12 ft space is open with no permanent walls, using a curtain or other flexible dividers for privacy. | | **Egress Requirements** | Bedroom requires an egress window (minimum 5.7 sq ft opening, max 44-inch sill height). Living area uses the front door as egress. | The front door can act as the sole egress point for the entire structure if accessible from all areas. No additional window is required. | | **Natural Light** | Egress window in the bedroom and clerestory windows for living space must provide 8% of floor area as natural light. | Clerestory windows and/or front door must provide 8% of total floor area (24 sq ft for 300 sq ft). | | **Ventilation** | Egress window in the bedroom and clerestory windows provide 4% of floor area for ventilation. Mechanical ventilation can supplement if necessary. | Clerestory windows and/or operable front door must provide 4% of total floor area for ventilation, or use mechanical ventilation. | | **Privacy** | Bedroom provides complete privacy with a solid wall and door. Living space is open and separate from the bedroom. | Privacy is achieved with curtains, partitions, or other flexible dividers, but the space is considered a single room legally. | | **Ceiling Height** | Minimum of 7 feet throughout for all habitable spaces. | Minimum of 7 feet throughout for the entire structure. | | **Occupancy Classification** | Bedroom is classified as a separate sleeping space and must meet all legal requirements (size, egress, light, ventilation). | Entire structure is classified as a single habitable space, simplifying code compliance. | | **Space Efficiency** | Hallway (48 sq ft) slightly reduces usable space but adds functional separation and organization. | Entire space is usable, maximizing flexibility and efficiency for multi-purpose use. | | **Construction Complexity** | Requires a permanent wall, door, and installation of an egress window, increasing cost and construction time. | Simple construction without interior walls or additional egress requirements, reducing cost and complexity. | | **Adaptability** | Permanent wall makes future redesign or repurposing of space more difficult. | Open design allows for easy reconfiguration to meet changing needs. | | **Code Compliance** | Bedroom and living area meet light, ventilation, and egress requirements separately. | Entire structure meets light, ventilation, and egress requirements as a single habitable space. | | **Cost** | Higher cost due to the permanent wall, door, and egress window. | Lower cost due to the open design and reduced construction requirements. |