1. 92
Have you ever checked into
a seemingly nice hotel, and
when you got to your room you
found the electrical sockets all
located in inconvenient places?
Or have you ever been in a house, or
worse, bought a house, and wondered
why the glass shower door only opens
one way, and on opening it either hits the
lovely rain shower head, or it hits the towel
rail on the wall?
Quite often, these niggling little
annoyances are the result of rushed or not
very well thought-through interior design.
As well as creating something that
looks fabulous, great design is about
optimising the layout and functionality
of spaces. Giving careful thought and
planning to the functionality of all fixtures
and fittings within the space. Yet, this a
part of the whole design process that
is often overlooked - by developers, by
owners, and by the Architects themselves
- who, after all, may be more focused
on the building envelope, the façade,
and the technicalities of the building’s
construction.
As an industry, Interior Design often gets a
bad rap! For many reasons. For instance,
unlike an Architect, being an Interior
Designer rarely requires a license or
qualification to be able to go about one’s
business. Many people looking to engage
an Interior Designer may not understand
that formal study and qualification in
interior design does exist.
A combination of unqualified
‘practitioners’, together with views held
by large numbers of the public, often
based on past experiences, that anyone
holding the title “Interior Designer” will
be able to give input on no more than
wall colours; sofas; other loose furniture;
cushion fabrics; lighting; and drapery, have
unfortunately reinforced this bad rap.
A properly qualified Interior Designer
may help you overcome the design
shortcomings described in the first
paragraph. And several hundred others
that are also common. Provided, of
course, that such a professional is
engaged in the building’s design process
from the beginning, working in tandem
with the Architect and other design
disciplines.
MSQUARED INTERIOR DESIGN
A good Interior Designer will take an
architectural as well as an artistic design
approach to the creation of great interior
spaces. Blurring the lines in terms of
what’s normally perceived as ‘external’
and what is perceived as ‘internal’.
However this is a challenge to do
effectively if the ID team is engaged as
the project is nearing completion. Or even
worse, after it has been built!
Of course, some people simply need help
with furnishings and finishings for their
interior space. If that’s the only need, then
the ‘Interior Designer’ may not need to be
professionally qualified. What may suffice
is simply an interior decorator, and there
are many imminently capable people and
companies out there who can do this.
However, if you’re aiming to create
something complete, something very
personal and very special, from scratch,
you’d probably want as much care and
attention invested in the interior spaces as
you’d expect will be given to the design
and construction of the building itself. To
achieve this, it’s worth engaging qualified
and experienced professional help.
It should never be forgotten that the
interior spaces within every building are
the spaces where people will spend most
time. They won’t be standing around
looking at the building’s exterior for too
long! And building exteriors, no matter
how beautiful, are seldom useable space.
Great interior design begins with the
creation of an over-arching concept for
the look and feel of the building interiors.
This first step along the design process is
where creative design ideas are formed
between Designer and client. A blueprint
for how the final look of the interiors will
create visual and aesthetic impact.
The second step in the process Designers
call “Schematic Design”. Taking the initial
concept to greater depth and establishing
solid ideas on how spaces will function
individually, and together, how they will
look and feel, and what materials options
may be used, in both construction and
finishing.
The third step – “Design Development”
– provides the client with more detailed
drawings and often rendered images of
all spaces being designed. Through this
stage of the process, the short-list of
items such as lighting, fittings, and loose
furniture are specified.
The final step involves the creation of
the required construction drawings – the
design work that ensures that the initial
ideas becoming a completed reality.
Through this stage the Designer also
finalises all materials to be used in the
completion of the build, as well as all
furniture, fittings, and electrical equipment.
This would include conclusion on the
sources and costs of all materials and
products.
Great interior architecture and design is
about finding ways to make the ordinary
extraordinary. Make sure that you select
an interior design partner that can work
with you through the whole process, to
help make your design dreams for your
building come true!
MSquared Interior Design
20/112, 114 Park Plaza E, Moo 2, Boat
Lagoon Soi 4, Thepkrasattri Road, Phuket
Tel. +66 (0) 76238289
Web: www.msquared-design.asia
Pakamard (Mary) MacDonald
BD (Interior Design); BA (Fine Art)
MSquared – Director & Principal Designer