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Architectural Interior
The Four Areas
of Architectural Interior Design
By Margaret Winfrey
There are four elements which architectural interior
design needs to take into consideration when reviewing
the refurbishment, redevelopment or relocation of a
business office area. These four areas are all equally
important in terms of success and productivity, yet to
be able to get all four elements working together in
harmony can sometimes be a very real challenge.
Failing to give any one of these four areas enough
attention can wreak disaster further down the line, not
to mention considerable expense. One of the biggest
challenges in creating a new office space or reception
area is to try to ensure that whilst plenty of people
may be involved in the design and development, this
doesn't result in different ideas conflicting or
contrasting with each other in the final result. Having
said that, if too few people are involved then it can
easily become the case that the entire design is
approached from one particular angle and this may not
take into account other implications, needs or views.
Quite clearly the office as designed by an employee who
has to sit at a desk all day would look quite different
to that designed by the busy administrator or manager
who has to deal with the people in the office, and
different again to the corporate executives who would
like to make sure that the office gives an excellent
impression of the business to visiting customers and
suppliers. Therefore, what are these particular factors
that have to be considered and how is each one important
in the overall architectural interior design process?
The four design aspects to consider are appearance,
comfort, economy and efficiency. Let's take a look at
what each of these means and implies.
The first factor of successful interior design is
appearance: an office space must look attractive and
inspire those who enter it, in addition to giving an
appearance of efficiency without ostentation. However,
too many people assume that appearance is primarily for
the benefit of visitors, clients and customers, ignoring
the fact that employees have to work within the office,
and that to create an attractive and pleasant
environment in which employees can work is as important
as the aesthetic appeal, if not more so.
With the right choice of colors, plenty of natural
light, space in which to move yet leaving no space
wasted, it can be possible to create an office or
reception environment which ensures employees work to
the best of their ability. It's also worth accepting the
fact that in terms of recruitment and retention an
unappealing or unattractive office space can result in a
lack of moral and make employees feel undervalued,
thereby reducing their work efficiency and a possible
high employee turnover. A good architectural design will
also maximize on the available natural light, using it
to best advantage, but will also take into account the
three other aspects of successful design.
The second factor to consider is the comfort of those
working within the environment. This covers a multitude
of elements, and must take on board not merely the
physical comfort of employees, but also the peripheral
issues that can be overlooked such as noise and heat,
not to mention statutory obligations under the various
health and safety regulations governing workstations and
ergonomics. Physical comfort is predominantly governed
by the choice of furniture, and whilst this will form a
part of the remit given to the architect, in many cases
the management have a large say in this.
Image need not always be sacrificed for comfort, since
there are plenty of excellent designs which manage to
combine both. However, far and away the most crucial
aspect will be the ergonomic comfort of those who will
work in the office space in future. But there are other
issues relating to comfort which can be massively
influenced by the architectural interior design. This
can involve the use of light, with poor designs
resulting in either very sharp, bright points of light,
strong and distracting reflections in many of the
screens or monitors, or dim, highly diffused lighting
which makes it hard to see clearly. Ambience is one
thing, but working in the dark is quite another.
Similarly, natural light is excellent, but trying to
stare into a monitor in which the sun is blossoming
brightly from nine to five is not good for the eyesight
or for headaches. Heat can also be considered as part of
the design, with effective use of space maximizing the
comfort of employees whilst keeping lighting and heating
bills low.
This forms part of the third major factor - economy. A
good office design will help to minimize fuel costs,
including heating and lighting, without sacrificing on
comfort or appearance. Finally, there is the issue of
efficiency. A good architectural interior design should
aim to create layouts which maximize efficiency, such as
ensuring that key service areas are easily accessible,
that the overall shape of the space isn't so dynamic as
to result in a labyrinth of desks and objects.
A Degree For Interior Design Can Propel Your Career
In Art
By Natasha Bright
Many people are interested in art from an early age and
would like to be able to make a living at it. However,
pursuing a career as a professional artist isn't for the
faint of heart as it very competitive. Stories of
starving artists exist because there is some truth to
the adage.
Nevertheless, there is a way to make a very good living
while following your artistic dreams. By getting a
degree in interior design, people who are interested in
art can pursue their artistic interests while being
involved in an exciting and lucrative career. Designers
often work closely with art galleries and other
architectural and peer firms to create stunning visions
in design and décor.
This is a technical degree. There is a good deal of
technical skill and knowledge required to become a
professional in this field. As a general rule, a
bachelor of fine arts in interior design is required for
employment in entry-level positions in the architecture
and design world.
However, you may also gain entry into the field with an
associate degree in interior design. An associate degree
in this can help you get a job as an assistant to an
interior designer. Additional training on the job and
further education can help you move up into an
apprenticeship program with either an architectural firm
or a design firm.
Once you have completed your degree, you will need to
have three years of work experience in the field before
you may take the National Council for Interior Design
Qualification exam. One year of your experience may be
at an internship level while you are in school. Once the
NCIDQ exam is successfully completed, the designer may
apply for their state's licensure or certification. Each
state's requirements vary, so you will need to check
with your state's licensing board for details.
There are many types of jobs for people who are
interested in the field. For people who are interested
in architectural design, architectural interior
designers create and plan the furnishing and equipage of
various interior spaces in conjunction with
architectural firms, as they are being designed and
built. This may encompass creating for commercial, as
well as residential spaces.
In addition to designing spaces, many professionals
create furniture and other interior equipment. There is
even an interior design designation for people who work
with lighting, because the way a room or space feel can
be greatly changed or enhanced simply with the element
of light. Pros who go on to complete a master's or other
graduate degree in this study will be qualified to teach
at the university level and will also be in great demand
because of their superior knowledge.
Attaining a college degree for interior design is the
best way to gain entry into this extremely competitive
field. Most architectural, design, or other related
firms would decline to hire individuals without a high
level of training and technical skill. Online college
also prepares interior designers to focus their energy
and attention on emerging fields in design such as green
or eco-friendly design, features that will make them
more competitive in the field.
Get the Latest Interior Design Trends, Ideas and
Architecture With Professional Interior Designers
By Rahulthink Sharma
Today, most of the people design their home in a manner
so that it reflects their personality. Various kinds of
interior design companies provide a huge variety of
style, moldings and other decorative design details to
make your home a dream place. Most of the elements
suggested by these companies are interesting and very
useful such as the carpets, the cupboards, floor
designs, wall coverings, furniture, light fixtures and
many more. Small decorative items cheer up the place and
provide an effect of originality. The presence of wood
in some interiors gives a rustic feel without
interfering with the style of the room.
Interested in some indoor redecoration? The interior
architect designer that designs your room makes it look
beautiful for you. Modern furniture and arrangements are
the basis of some amazing interiors. Stylish, but not
too serious or grave, some of the dining-rooms let out a
genuine feeling of warmth. The color palette should be
not too flashy, nor too dull, creating a perfect
balance. These facilities and more should be carefully
planned by your house architect and residential
designer.
Most of the architecture interior designers and
residential designers believe that an attentive,
fashionable custom home design looks more attractive
than a causally designed home. These interior designer
companies know very well that the interior of the house
should be as carefully designed as the exterior.
Architecture is very important, whether interior or
exterior a house should maintain a stylistic integrity.
In addition, an interior architectural product is placed
within the business of architectural practice. This is
more than designing the outside condition along with
interior workings; it involves the contractual agreement
of design services encompassing interior elements
equally with site conditions related in building design.
Most of the companies have modern house interior
architect designers who lead their creative staff of
residential architects to craft a custom home design.
These kinds of companies specialize in creating unique
and beautiful house, architectural designed custom
homes, architectural remodeling, renovations and modern
residential interiors to provide full satisfaction to
the home owners. Our architecturally designed custom
homes range from high-tech designs to modern house
designs to various custom designs. The architectural
style of each custom home is unique because each house
is different. The architects know how to respond to
different climate, views, site context, functional
program and the sensibilities of the clients infused
with their own architectural vision.
Creative Projects For Interior Design - Architectural
Salvage Can Add Interest to Any Home Decor
By Inez Calender
Architectural salvage refers to antique materials
removed from old buildings and homes that are facing
demolition. With the interest in recycled products, many
fine old pieces of hardware, tin ceiling panels, wood
decorative elements, and ceramic tile can be found at
salvage yards and junk stores.
Salvaged materials can enhance many types of interior
decoration:
A country style decorating scheme is enhanced with the
use of salvaged objects for a rustic appeal.
Minimalist styles, with their clean lines and neutral
colors benefit from the addition of unique pieces of
architectural salvage. The current trend, influenced by
an environmental theme, is underscored by the use of
recycled items.
An eclectic, Old World, or Bohemian look just screams
for a piece of framed tin ceiling panel, antique
woodwork, or old fixtures.
You do not have to be an artist to produce an
interesting wall hanging, sculpture, or decorative
accessory made with salvaged objects. There are many
projects that you can put together yourself using the
tools you have on hands and a little creativity.
Tin ceiling panels are easily cut with tin snips and
easily bent into new shapes. Fold tin around a frame for
a distinctive piece of wall art. Make a box for a plant
or pens. Tin ceiling tiles made a quaint roof for a
rustic bird house.
Old wooden spindles - mount a bird house or feeder on
old wood spindles. Use one as a lamp base or towel rack.
Salvaged ceramic tile make a beautiful back splash for a
kitchen or bathroom sink. Lovely old tiles look great in
a mosaic piece or mixed with modern tiles for a
distinctive look.
Antique metal hardware can be used in sculpture, 3D
collages, or mounted on old wood as coat hooks. Replace
drawer pulls with old, salvaged drawer pulls to turn a
plain dresser into a charming piece of furniture.
An antique sink can be used as a sink or set outside as
a bird bath or whimsical plant container.
Once you get the hang of using architectural salvage,
new ideas just keep popping up - enhancing your creative
spirit and having a bit of fun with environmentally
sustainable practices.
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But the
building's identity resided in the ornament.
Louis Sullivan
Cities are the greatest creations of humanity.
Daniel Libeskind
Color in certain places has the great value of
making the outlines and structural planes seem
more energetic.
Antonio Gaudi
Designed by architects with honorable intentions
but hands of palsy.
Jimmy Breslin
Don't clap too hard - it's a very old building.
John Osborne
Even at the United Nations, where legend has it
that the building was designed so that there
could be no corner offices, the expanse of glass
in individual offices is said to be a dead
giveaway as to rank. Five windows are excellent,
one window not so great.
Enid Nemy
Every building is a prototype. No two are alike.
Helmut Jahn
Every great architect is - necessarily - a great
poet. He must be a great original interpreter of
his time, his day, his age.
Frank Lloyd Wright
For many years, I have lived uncomfortably with
the belief that most planning and architectural
design suffers for lack of real and basic
purpose. The ultimate purpose, it seems to me,
must be the improvement of mankind.
James Rouse
Form follows function.
Louis Sullivan
Form follows profit is the aesthetic principle
of our times.
Richard Rogers
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