BY  RAMONA  SOLOMON  

 Lecture  Week  1  

 An  Introduc7on  to  Commercial  -­‐  Ins7tu7onal  Interiors  

 

     

What  is  Commercial  Design?    

Overview  of  Design  Process    

Research  &  Analysis      

Analysis  of  Design  Brief      

Commercial   interior   design   is   the   process   of   crea7ng   and   overseeing   the   construc7on   or  renova7on  of  a  commercial  space.  Involving  much  more  than  simply  decora7ng  the  interior  of  the  space,  commercial  design  will  address  such  issues  as  the  choice  of  building  materials,  the   layout   and   placement   of   interior   walls,   plumbing   and   power   systems,   and   even  coordina7ng  communica7ons  with  construc7on  professionals,  owners,  and  service  providers.  This  level  of  interior  design  requires  the  interior  designer  to  have  a  solid  working  knowledge  of   architecture,   as  well   as   a   sense   for   crea7ng   func7onal   and  aOrac7ve   sePngs  within   the  space.      To  begin  this  subject,  you  will  be  introduced  to  commercial  design  by  looking  at  what  it  is  and  how  commercial  design  differs   from  residen7al  design.    Commercial  design  projects  can  be  complex  as  you  must  apply  certain  legisla7ve  and  organisa7onal  requirements  and  it  usually  involves   a   number   of   key   stakeholders   therefore   it   is   important   that   you   understand   the  commercial  design  process.        

What  is  commercial  design?  

Areas  of  specialisa7on:  •    retail  spaces  •    commercial  offices  •    service  providers  •    educa7on  •    childcare  •    healthcare  •    aged  care  •    spor7ng  facili7es  •    hospitality  spaces  

 Commercial  interiors  can  range  in  scale  from  a  SME  (small  to  medium  enterprises)  through  to  a  vast  organisa7on,  such  as  an  airline  or   insurance  company  that  employs  thousands  of  people  working   from   numerous   loca7ons.   Commercial   interior   design   requires   a   thorough  understanding  of  an  organisa7on’s  workplace  culture,  branding,  work  prac7ces,  evolu7on  and  contact  with  the  public.  

 At  the  end  of  this  subject,  you  will  be  able  to:    •  Apply  design  principles  related  to  space  planning.    •  Recognise  key  elements  to  plan  and  organise  the  design  process  in  order  to  produce  adequate  interiors  for  commercial  or  ins7tu7onal  projects.    •  Apply  human  dimensions  and  ergonomics  factors  to  develop  efficient  space  planning.    •  Develop  and  design  concepts  related  to  commercial  and  ins7tu7onal  interiors.    •  Select  and  specify  the  colours,  materials  andfixtures  required  for  the  project.    •  Carry  out  the  sequence  of  work  related  to  the  project  management.    •  Present  all  drawings  and  documenta7on  for  the  interior  project.  

The  design  process  for  commercial  design    The   ini7al   research   supports   a   thorough   inves7ga7on   of   the   organisa7on   itself   to  establish  its  current  posi7on  and  planned  future  posi7on  in  terms  of  spa7al  design.    This   can   include   research   of   structure,   culture,   func7on,   heritage,   services   staff,  vision,  market  posi7on  and  scale.    Some  interior  design  commissions  are  purely  func7onal;  for  example  an  expansion  or  contrac7on  of  staffing  levels  requiring  a  new  site.  Some  however,  are  transforma7ve,  involving  a  rebranding,  new  ownership  or  a  significant  change  to  work  prac7ce.  

It’s  hard  to  imagine  having  a  bad  day  at  the  office  at  these  awesome  workplaces  …  

Google,  Sydney    More  like  an  adventure  playground  than  a  place  to  go  to  work,  Google  is  con7nuing  to  do  its  bit  for  every  nerd’s  occupa7onal  fantasies  –  even  managing   to   squeeze   two   re7red   monorail   cars   into   its   Pyrmont  building  last  year  for  use  as  office  space.    Never  the  sort  to  do  anything  yawn-­‐worthy,  Google’s  fun-­‐chasers  have  also   added   a   host   of   other   imagina7ve   features,   installing   an   ocean-­‐inspired   chill   out   room,   hammocks   and   a   company-­‐themed   electric  drum  kit  to  bash  out  those  coding  dilemmas.    Sydney  Googlers  can  also  hop  on  a  tyre  swing,  borrow  a  kayak  or  whiz  around  in  one  of  the  office’s  two  electric  cars.    With   so   much   entertainment   on   offer   –   there’s   also   a   photography  club,   a   Toastmasters   chapter,   pinball,   table   tennis   and   bootcamps   –  there’s  probably  no  need  leave  the  Google  wonderland  at  all.  

 Is  the  process  of  defining  the  needs  of  those  who  will  use  the  space,  in  advance  of  crea7ng  the   design.  Without   adequate   programming   a   strong   design   concept  may   not  meet   the  func7on  requirements  of  the  organisa7on.    This   phase   can  be  broken  down   into   three   central   types  of   ac7vi7es:   gathering,   analysis  and  documenta7on  of   the  client’s  needs  and  goals   in  a  wriOen  document.  This  becomes  the  basis  for  evalua7ng  design  solu7ons    and  the  subsequent  phases.    Programming   is  cri7cal  to  the  design  process  because   it   is  here  that  the  clients  problems  and  goals  are  clearly  iden7fied.  

This   is   the  brainstorming  phase  of   the  design  process,  where  many  op7ons  are  considered  and   evaluated.   The   goal   is   to   gain   client   approval   for   a   single   design   concept   that  will   be  further  developed  as   the  project  progresses,  and   to  agree  on  a  direc7on   for   the  character  and  aesthe7c  intent  of  the  project.    Design   can   add   value   to   commercial   organisa7ons   via   concepts   that   support   a   more  produc7ve  work   prac7ces,   building   long-­‐term   rela7onships   with   clients,   collaborators   and  the  general  public,  suppor7ng  the  branding  of  the  organisa7on  and,  importantly,  developing  a   strong   internal   culture,   including  stronger   staff  engagement.  Effec7ve  commercial  design  concepts   oaen  originate   from   the   experience   that   the  organisa7on  wants   to   deliver   to   its  staff,  its  clients  and  the  public.  

This  is  the  most  design-­‐intensive  phase  of  the  project,  in  which  all  the  design  elements  are  developed,   including   floor   plan   layout,   furnishings,   fixtures,   colour,   finishes,   ligh7ng,  electrical  etc.  the  goal  is  to  define  and  gain  approval  of  all  design  recommenda7ons.  

Prepara7on   of   working   drawings   and   specifica7ons   that   define   the   approved  recommenda7ons   forinterior   construc7on,   materials,   finishes,   furnishings,   fixtures   and  equipment.  At  the  end  of  this  phase,  the  designer  must  communicate  the  design  intent  in  an  illustrated  and  wriOen  format  for  construc7on  purposed.    

Administra7on  of  contract  documents.  Ac7ng  as   the  client’s  agent,  the  designer  must  approve  the  drawings  and  regularly  visit  the  site  during  construc7on  to  ensure  that  the  project  is  is  being  built  according  to  the  documents.  

It   is   essen7al  when   reflec7ng  on   a   complex   commercial   project   that   each   sec7on  of   the  project   and   the   project   as   a  whole   are   evaluated   in   terms   of   desirability,   feasibility   and  viability.      Areas  of  evalua7on:  •    quality  of  the  concept  •    applica7on  of  the  concept  •    ability  to  meet  the  client/brief’s  objec7ves  •  ability  to  extend  or  enhance  the  client/brief’s  objec7ves  •    originality  

It’s  hard  to  imagine  having  a  bad  day  at  the  office  at  these  awesome  workplaces  …  

iSelect,  Melbourne    Comparison  website  iSelect  is  known  for  its  quirky  ads,  but  the  company’s  quest  for  individuality  extends  to  its  offices  in  Bay  Road,  Cheltenham.    Coffee-­‐loving   call   centre   staff   can   shoot   down  a   slide   that   leads   outside  the  building  and  back  inside  to  the  ground  floor  cafe,  via  a  soa  landing  in  a  ball  pit.    Mee7ngs  are  a  carnival-­‐like  affair,  with  aOendees  able  to  sit  atop  a  bright  orange  pony  or  dog.  It’s  all  part  of  the  young  company’s  ethos  to  be  able  to  be  yourself  at  work.    Each  level  of  iSelect’s  offices,  designed  by  V  Arc,  has  a  faux  running  track  around  its  perimeter.    But   if   the  pace  gets   too  much,   there  are  plenty  of   spaces   to   take  a   load  off.   There’s   a   sleep   pod  where   employees   can   recharge   for   15  minutes,  hammocks,  free  massage  chairs  and  an  outside  BBQ  area  where  staff  can  sizzle  all  the  sausages  they  want.  

Research  and  analysis      Research  and  analysis  is  essen7al  in  all  phases  of  the  design  process  for  complex  commercial  designs.      Ini7al  research  should  inform  the  designer  about  the  client’s  industry  and  approaches  to  design  within  that   industry.     This   ini7al   research   supports   a   thorough   inves7ga7on   of   the   organisa7on   itself   to  establish  its  current  posi7on  and  planned  future  posi7on  in  terms  of  spa7al  design.    The  following  is  a  list  of  the  organisa7on  requirements  that  should  be  addressed  to  formulate  a  design  program.    Organisa7onal  •    organisa7on  history/heritage  •    organisa7on  func7on  •    market  posi7on  •    culture  •    work  philosophy  e.g.  ac7vity-­‐based  work,  crea7ve,  ra7onalist    Departmental    •    department  func7ons  •    departmental  adjacencies  •    special  requirements  (for  example,  archiving)      

Research  informaAon  to  inform  the  design  process    CompeAAve  review  As  part  of  the  research  process,  it  is  good  prac7ce  to  undertake  a  thorough  review  of  direct  compe7tors.  A  review  enables  you  to  develop  an  understanding  of  what   is  working  well   in  the  marketplace  and  what  is  not  succeeding,  helping  guide  your  design  approach.    A   good  example   is   the  Bank  of  Melbourne  and  NAB   lead   to   ‘open  plan’  bank   chambers   in  response   to   changing   security   systems   and   reduced   transac7ons,   with   Wespac   and   CBA  following  their  lead  soon  aaer.  This  highlights  also  that  changes  oaen  start  with  the  smaller  players,  who  are  more  able  to  adapt  quickly  to  changes  in  design  trends.      Best-­‐in-­‐class  comparaAve  review  It  is  also  important  to  look  at  the  best-­‐in-­‐class  design  across  a  broad  range  of  business  types,  not  exclusively  the  organisa7on’s  industry,  to  understand  new  trends  in  spa7al  design,  work  ac7vity,  as  well  as  colours  and  textures.    Anthropometric  and  ergonomic  data  All   commercial   spaces   have   guidelines   regarding   anthropometric   and   ergonomic  requirements.  Rather  than  being  seen  as  restric7ons  these  can  inspire  new  ways  of  designing  for  human  scale  ac7vity  and  comfort.    

It’s  hard  to  imagine  having  a  bad  day  at  the  office  at  these  awesome  workplaces  …  

Atlassian,  Sydney    Forget  Google  just  for  a  moment  –  and  check  out  the  Sydney  offices  of  soaware   success   story   Atlassian,   founded   by   Aussie   rich-­‐listers   ScoO  Farquhar  and  Mike  Cannon-­‐Brookes.    No,   it’s   not   a   brewery,   but   there   is   beer   on   tap.   There’s   also   a   fully-­‐stocked  kitchen  with  free  breakfast,  snacks,  espresso  and  energy  drinks  to  keep  those  sharp  minds  at  their  peak.    If   you’re   lucky  enough   to  work   in   the  company’s  Mar7n  Place  offices,  you  can   let  out  your  frustra7ons  out  with  a  nerf  gun  shoot-­‐out  across  your  desktop,  or  hold  a  mee7ng  over  the  pool  table.    Long   days   at   the   technology   coalface   are  made  more   comfortable   in  Aeron  chairs  (an  Aeron  chair   features   in  the  Museum  of  Modern  Art’s  permanent   collec7on).   There’s   also   Xbox,   lunch7me   sports   and  poker  nights.    If   that   all   gets   too   same-­‐same,   you   could   always   relocate   to   the  company’s   remodelled   warehouse   in   San   Francisco,   or   its   offices   in  Amsterdam,  located  in  a  converted  home  on  a  canal.  

Planning  a  brief  analysis….    Client  informaAon:      The  brief  should  provide  a  clear  summary  of  the  organisa7on  and  its  key  rela7onships.  This  may   include,   for   example   its   func7ons,   scale   of   the   business,  market   posi7on,  principle  form  of  interac7on  and  its  loca7on(s).    Site  informaAon:      Commercial  organisa7ons  may  have  more  than  one  site  or  the  organisa7on  may  range  over  many  floors  of   a   single  building.   They  may  own   their   space  outright   or   have   a  tenancy   agreement.   The   designer   will   need   access   to   the   leasing   agreement   to  confirm  the  scope  of  project.    

Planning  a  brief  analysis….    Scope  of  the  brief:      The   scope   is   determined   by   a   combina7on   of   the   client’s   goals,   budget   and   the  program.  It  will  s7pulate  inclusions  and  exclusions  from  the  design  program.    Scope  of  budget:      The   first   budget   is   an   es7mate   based   on   the   ini7al   schema7c   design.   On   large  commercial  projects,  budgets  are  prepared   for  each  discrete  element  of   the  design.  Once  the  preliminary  cos7ng  is  approved  a  more  rigorous  budget  is  prepared.    Constraints  that  need  to  be  researched  and  sApulated  within  the  brief:    •  Budget  or  part  of  the  budget  •  Certain  spaces  within  or  adjacent  to  the  tenancy  •  Environmental  constraints  •  Heritage  restric7ons  •  Timing  constraints    

 When  crea7ng  a  new  office  environment  it  is  essen7al  for  offices  to  have  a  tailored  design  solu7on  that  reflects  their  organisa7onal  culture,  improves  overall  produc7vity  and  maximises  staff  sa7sfac7on.    The  design  process  should  look  to:    •  Make  efficient,  crea7ve  use  of  space  

•  Reflect  &  reinforce  the  organisa7onal  culture  through  the  surrounding  environment  

•  Facilitate  &  support  specific  work  methodology  

•  Integrate  innova7ve,  cuPng  edge  solu7ons,  suitable  to  the  organisa7on  workplace  strategy  

 It  is  important  to  consider  workspaces  that  support  various  work  modes,  from  encouraging  employee  collabora7on,  interac7on  and  social  cohesiveness,  to  crea7ng  quiet  spaces  for  focus  work  where  required.  

It’s  hard  to  imagine  having  a  bad  day  at  the  office  at  these  awesome  workplaces  …  

Commonwealth  Bank,  Sydney    Banking   and   cuPng-­‐edge   excitement   aren’t   two   concepts   that  naturally   go   hand-­‐in-­‐hand,   but   the   Commonwealth   Bank’s   Darling  Quarter  offices   in  the  heart  of  Sydney  are  sePng  out  to  change  all  that.    The  staff  at  Darling  Quarter  are  now  housed  in  one  of  the  country’s  most  eco-­‐friendly  –  and  colourful  –  buildings.    Ditching   the   concept   of   a   permanent   desk,   staff   work   in   a   ‘home  zone’   of   70   to   100   people,   but   can   also   choose   to   work   in   many  other   parts   of   the   innova7ve   building,   such   as   the  mobile   phone-­‐free  library,  cafes  and  mee7ng  rooms.    Forget   the   corner   office:   no   one   has   one   here,   and   all   staff   are  judged  on  their  output,  rather  than  being  clock-­‐watched.  Not  a  bad  way  to  work  indeed.