Uncovering Hidden Issues in Design
Most people rely heavily on renderings when looking at designs because they appeal directly to their senses. However, many aspects of interior design need to be addressed through floor plans and elevations. The problems caused by poorly planned interior spaces are far more serious than simply buying the wrong clothes or getting stale food. I firmly believe that bad design affects not only our lives but also our planet. Poor design brings many inconveniences in daily life, and fixing these issues can be a nightmare. Such flawed designs inevitably cause significant harm to the Earth. ASC Design Consultants do more than just offer aesthetic advice; we strive to deeply understand our clients' needs and visions. Through detailed analysis of floor plans and elevations, we can identify and resolve potential issues that cannot be perceived in traditional renderings. Our design solutions not only enhance the beauty of the space but also optimize its functionality, thereby improving the convenience and comfort of daily life. Additionally, we prioritize environmental sustainability by committing to the use of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs, reducing the negative impact on our planet. We believe that good design is not just a visual pleasure but a commitment to quality of life and environmental protection. By choosing ASC Design Consultants, you will receive an ideal space that combines beauty, functionality, and sustainability. Our professional team will go above and beyond to create design outcomes that exceed your expectations.
How many issues can you identify from this floor plan?
Inexperienced designers often create problems they aren't even aware of, and even if clients sense these issues, they may not be able to propose effective solutions.1. Overcrowded Reception Area: The initial design included excessive cabinets and partitions, leading to a cramped and uninviting space. This also unnecessarily increased construction and furniture costs. 2. Locker Placement Issues: Due to confidentiality requirements, staff must store and retrieve their phones daily. The inexperienced designer placed 222 lockers in a dead-end area, which would cause significant congestion during peak hours. 3. Lack of Storage for Deliveries: The original plan did not include a designated space for daily courier and mail deliveries, causing potential disorganization and clutter. 4. Unappealing and Inflexible Meeting Room Layout: The meeting rooms were poorly designed with no consideration for aesthetics or flexibility in use. 5. Inadequate Pantry Space: The pantry was too small to accommodate the needs of large groups emerging from meetings for continued discussions.
Preliminary solution
By reconfiguring the floor plan, I created a more open and welcoming reception area, optimized the locker placement to reduce congestion, and incorporated necessary storage for deliveries. The meeting rooms were redesigned to be more functional and visually appealing, and the pantry was expanded to better serve larger groups.
Design Concept development
A well-defined design concept is the heart of a project, serving as a crucial foundation for all subsequent decisions. It ensures that the space offers unique and meaningful experiences for everyone who uses it.
How can a designer create a lighting plan without considering existing light fixtures? Yet, it really happened.
In this diagram, you can see that the magenta color represents the existing light fixtures, while the red color indicates the newly planned fixtures by the designer. You can observe that in many places, the fixtures of these two colors are extremely close to each other, which means that many of the old fixtures can still be used. There's no need to remove them, patch the holes, and then make new holes next to them to install brand new lights.
Preliminary solution
The design requires filling 200 existing lamp holes and opening 567 new lamp holes, which unnecessarily increases construction costs and time. The lamp placement is too dense, resulting in an illuminance level of 10,000 Lux. The recommended illuminance level for office environments is between 300 and 500 Lux. 10,000 Lux is excessively bright and can cause eye strain and discomfort. The lighting distribution is too uniform, with no focused lighting. The corridor illuminance is higher than in the work areas. Waste of energy and money. Not only does it waste the construction budget and energy, but it also incurs costs for restoration to the original state when the lease expires.
Design Concept development
The revised Solution: A design focused on providing adequate illumination concentrated on workspaces, utilizing as many existing light holes as possible. This approach reduces construction costs, avoids excessive drilling, ensures appropriate lighting levels, and enhances energy efficiency. This consultation and design service not only helped the client avoid numerous future headaches but also saved six figures in construction costs. Additionally, in 2020, the project was selected as a location for the Singapore Government Agencies Open House. s the heart of a project, serving as a crucial foundation for all subsequent decisions. It ensures that the space offers unique and meaningful experiences for everyone who uses it.