Stacking Plan and Macro-Zoning: What Are the Differences?

In the world of space planning and corporate real estate projects, two visual tools frequently appear: the stacking plan and macro-zoning. Although they are often confused, these two supports fulfill different and complementary functions. Understanding them well is essential for effectively managing a relocation project, space reorganization, or corporate real estate optimization.

So, how does the stacking plan differ from macro-zoning? When to use one rather than the other? And how do they articulate in a real estate project? This is what we'll see in detail in this article.

Definition: what is a stacking plan?

The stacking plan is a vertical visualization tool. It represents the distribution of teams, functions, or entities across the different floors of one or several buildings. It is generally used upstream of a real estate project, during the strategy or feasibility phase.

What does a stacking plan look like?

A stacking plan is presented as a diagram with vertical columns where each building floor is represented by a rectangle. These rectangles are stacked on top of each other (hence the term stacking), and each floor is colored or labeled according to the unit that occupies it.

For example:

The 6th floor is occupied by the Financial Department (30 people)

The 5th floor by IT and Digital teams (50 people)

The 4th floor by the sales service (40 people), etc.

This plan is often accompanied by key indicators such as:

occupied surface area (m²) per entity or per floor;

density (m²/person);

available or vacant surfaces;

flows or potential interactions between floors.

Definition: what is macro-zoning?

Macro-zoning is a horizontal distribution tool. It serves to plan the arrangement of major functions or space types on an office floor, that is, on a single floor or building level.

What does macro-zoning look like?

Macro-zoning is a sort of "floor map". It can resemble a simplified architectural plan, where blocks or zones indicate:

individual office or open-space zones;

meeting zones;

collaborative or informal spaces;

quiet or confidential spaces;

common areas (kitchen, reception, restrooms, etc.).

It allows answering the question: How to organize functions and uses within a floor?

Comparative table: stacking plan vs macro-zoning

Complementarity between stacking plan and macro-zoning

These two tools don't oppose each other: they succeed each other and articulate in a well-structured project.

Example of sequence in a project:

Stacking plan: a company must consolidate 500 employees on a single site. The stacking plan allows visualizing which floors are assigned to which departments, considering headcount, proximity needs, security or confidentiality constraints.

Macro-zoning: once the floor distribution is validated, macro-zoning allows structuring the floor: where to place meeting rooms? What share for open-space? How to manage flows? etc.

Detailed space planning: then, we move to precise arrangement of workstations, furniture, circulation, with dimensioned plans.

The stacking plan gives a strategic answer, macro-zoning a functional answer, and space planning an operational answer.

Practical case: headquarters relocation

Let's imagine a multi-site company that wants to bring all its teams together (about 600 employees) in a new headquarters of 8,000 m² distributed over 6 floors.

Step 1: the stacking plan

Floors 6 and 5: General management + support functions (finance, legal, HR)

Floors 4 and 3: sales teams

Floor 2: R&D and IT

Floor 1: reception, showroom, common spaces

This plan is built in connection with departments to understand necessary interactions, surface needs, technical constraints (air conditioning, security, confidentiality...).

Step 2: macro-zoning

For each floor, a macro-zoning is carried out. Example for floor 3 (sales team):

60% in open-space

20% meeting rooms

10% informal spaces

10% quiet zones

We add a reprography zone, a kitchenette, and a phone room.

Step 3: space planning

Once macro-zoning is validated, the architect or space planner transforms it into a detailed plan: workstation positioning, furniture choices, acoustic treatment, signage, etc.

Data used in each tool

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Best practices for using stacking plan and macro-zoning

✔️ Mobilize the right stakeholders

For stacking plan: general management, HR, real estate, IT

For macro-zoning: managers, users, ergonomists, architects

✔️ Work with visual and collaborative tools

Platforms like Stackfit now allow creating interactive stacking plans and macro-zonings, directly usable in workshops with stakeholders.

✔️ Maintain an evolutionary logic

These tools must be able to evolve according to usage feedback, organizational changes, or budget adjustments.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to use only macro-zoning without a stacking plan?

Theoretically yes, for a small project or single floor. But for multi-floor, multi-site, or complex projects, the stacking plan is essential to establish the global framework.

Is the stacking plan useful in flex office?

Absolutely. Even without assigned workstations, the stacking plan allows distributing functions, services, or activities by floor, thus optimizing flows and usage.

Can these plans be automated?

SaaS tools allow automating part of the process, by directly integrating HR data, occupancy data, or internal zoning rules.

Summary

Stacking plan and macro-zoning are two key but distinct tools in managing a real estate project:

The stacking plan answers the question "Who goes where?" at the building scale.

The macro-zoning answers the question "What functions in which zones?" at the floor scale.

Used together, they allow structuring the project, involving stakeholders, and ensuring a coherent, efficient, and sustainable implantation.