---
key: lens/schell-026
type: lens
id: schell-026
lang: en
title: Functional Space
summary: Model space through the connections and constraints on actions.
updatedAt: '2026-10-10'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/lens/schell-026/'
jsonUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/lens/schell-026.json'
markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/lens/schell-026.md'
aliases:
  - Functional Space
  - '26'
tags:
  - Rules and systems
sourceIds:
  - source-a5287443699910bb
  - source-f546a7168effffbb
sources:
  - id: source-a5287443699910bb
    title: 'Schell: 113 second-edition lenses'
    url: 'https://schellgames.com/art-of-game-design'
    verifiedAt: null
  - id: source-f546a7168effffbb
    title: Functional Space
    url: 'https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations:
  - type: reviews
    direction: incoming
    label: Apply this lens
    key: lesson/npc-pathfinding
    title: Pathfinding and following a route
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lessons/npc-pathfinding/'
    jsonUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/lesson/npc-pathfinding.json'
    markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/lesson/npc-pathfinding.md'
  - type: reviews
    direction: incoming
    label: Apply this lens
    key: path/level-design
    title: Level design
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/learn/level-design/'
    jsonUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/path/level-design.json'
    markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/path/level-design.md'
placements:
  - title: In the original collection
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lenses/#schell-026'
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  number: '26'
  theme: rules
  author: Jesse Schell
  originalTitle: Functional Space
  referenceUrl: 'https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial explanations and review questions based on the
  user-selected Schell notes and attributed primary references. External
  concepts and source material retain their rights.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
---
# Functional Space

id: schell-026
type: lens
key: lens/schell-026
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/lens/schell-026/

Model space through the connections and constraints on actions.

## Principle

Model space through the connections and constraints on actions.

## Review questions

- Which positions offer different possibilities despite looking similar?
- How do boundaries and transitions between areas change strategy?

## Attribution and limits

Jesse Schell · Schell: 113 second-edition lenses

The concise explanations and review questions are original gamemechanics.pro wording. This is an independent reference, not a translation of the cards or a substitute for the book. Names, concepts and external material remain their authors’ work.

## Connected materials

- Apply this lens: [Pathfinding and following a route](https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lessons/npc-pathfinding/) (key: lesson/npc-pathfinding)
- Apply this lens: [Level design](https://gamemechanics.pro/en/learn/level-design/) (key: path/level-design)

## Sources and provenance

Original editorial explanations and review questions based on the user-selected Schell notes and attributed primary references. External concepts and source material retain their rights.

- [Schell: 113 second-edition lenses](https://schellgames.com/art-of-game-design) (id: source-a5287443699910bb)
- [Functional Space](https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/) (id: source-f546a7168effffbb)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors