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The internal layout of the building is designed on simple design strategies:

1. Function First Design – The main function of the space if for facilitating learning in all its formats. The layout is designed to encourage learning.
2. Flexibility of Use – Spaces are designed to be as flexible as possible to allow for continual refreshing of the learning offering.
3. Fixed vs Free Learning – The building should provide both fixed, rigid learning spaces and spaces that provide fluidity in their learning approach.

With these principles, the building has been separated into four specific zones:

1. The Central Core Space (Green) – This space consists of the Main Entrance Hall, Cafeteria Area, WCs and Viewing Gallery. This space acts as the heart of the building, and the educational crossroads that links all of the learning spaces together, while also providing a flexible space that can be adapted for the centre’s needs. This space will include a double storey height with a viewing gallery to hang exhibits as well as opportunities for roof lights to frame the skies for dark sky viewing experiences. The space will link all of the fixed learning spaces as well as the external learning and play spaces.
2. The Exhibit Space (Orange) – This double height space offers a space for flexible use, allowing for incoming exhibits, flexible learning use and function opportunities. Easy access to the outside through a storage / workshop space allows for easy delivery of exhibits without disturbing the other areas of the building whilst offering opportunities to run learning and Build-A-Plane Projects.
3. Fixed Learning Spaces (Red) – This consists of the Classroom, Flight Simulation Zone, Conference room and Meeting room. These areas all accommodate for specific functions, acting as fixed learning spaces. The classroom benifits from bifolding doors to the external space allowing the opportunity for outdoor activities.
4. The Planetarium (Blue) – Consists of a flexible learning space that can host up to 80 people for shows and events. Storage is located nearby for easy conversion from seating to standing capacity. The above principles, along with the desire to facilitate an offering for all, help create a floor plan that is designed to be fully accessible, both physically and in terms of understanding that education comes in many different formats. By facilitating the opportunity for many types of learning methods, the Discovery Centre can fully utilise the Scottish Government Education GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child) policy and principles across the spectrum of its proposed offerings.