Module 03: Planning Considerations for Different Types of Room and Spaces Summary/What you will learn: Why each room in a house or commercial setting warrants special consideration What to consider when designing a kitchen What to consider when designing a living room What to consider when designing a bedroom What to consider when designing a bathroom What to consider when designing an office What to consider when designing other commercial layouts, such as restaurant spaces 3.1 Ensure that the spaces you design are carefully considered What you need to think about when designing different types of space. There are a set of general principles that apply when designing rooms and spaces of all types, many of which were outlined in the previous module. A designer will tend to manage a project in the same way, whether they are working on a kitchen, an office, a set of rooms and so on. However, various types of spaces are used in different ways and for different purposes. The activities typically conducted in a space will play a role in determining its layout and the materials to be used. For example Tiling is generally not favored as a flooring material in bedrooms, but it is easily cleaned and water-resistant, making tiles a common choice for bathrooms. In this module, we will look at the questions a designer will ask when putting together a design for a particular type of space. 3.2 Special considerations that apply when designing kitchens “The kitchen is the heart of the home” is a cliché for a reason. Kitchens are often high-traffic areas and their design needs to accommodate regular use. Another problem comes in the form of appliances – because a kitchen usually includes a stove, a fridge, a set of counter units, a dishwasher, a microwave and other pieces of equipment, pulling together a coherent look can be challenging. A designer must establish early on what equipment a client will require in their kitchen, how often they intend to use it and how much space they will need when preparing food. The answers to these questions will depend on the client’s lifestyle; such as a couple who love to entertain their friends and family at home, who will probably be more concerned with food preparation space than a single parent with a young child. Whatever the client’s specific requirements, almost any kitchen will need to be designed with three “zones” in mind – a washing zone (the sink), the preparation zone (the refrigerator and counters) and the cooking zone (centered around the oven). Source: Grimley, C., & Love, M. (2013). ‘The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book’. Beverly, MA: Rockport. Designers need to think not only about the aesthetics of a kitchen but also address potential safety concerns. For example Cooking entails working with heat, so it is not a good idea to position appliances in such a way that everyone entering the room has to walk directly in front of the stove. Other practical considerations involve ventilation – some kind of system for eliminating smoke and odors will be required and appropriate waste receptacles will also need to be included in the plan. Again, this warrants in-depth thinking regarding the ways in which people will actually use the kitchen in day to day life. For example It is conventional to position a bin within a cupboard close to the sink, so that food waste can be removed from dishes before they are placed in a dishwasher or sink. There are several commonly-used layouts that designers use as inspiration when designing a kitchen. In small spaces, or when a simple design is called for, a single-walled kitchen is appropriate. This consists of one “strip” of appliances and preparation spaces arranged so that utility and convenience are paramount. There should be sufficient counter space on either side of the sink and the stove so that people can prepare and cook food in safety and comfort. It is usual to place the refrigerator at one end of the strip, as it is not necessary to reserve space to either side. A popular kitchen layout in small homes is referred to as a “galley kitchen.” This entails two strips of appliances and preparation spaces, at least three feet apart, running along opposite walls. One side is normally reserved as a preparation area, consisting of countertops and space for a fridge. The other is devoted to cooking and washing, with a sink and stove separated by countertops. Because there is typically very little space for more than one person to move around the room, a galley design is not advisable if the kitchen links two rooms together. Galley Kitchen Another option is a U-shaped or L-shaped kitchen, which employs three or two walls respectively. These layouts are appropriate for most medium and large spaces. Sometimes part of the countertop can be designated as an eating area. U-shaped Kitchen Finally, island kitchens are another option, if ample space is available. This entails placing a freestanding counter – the “island” – a few feet away from the main kitchen appliances and counters. Surface materials are another key consideration. The materials selected will depend upon both the client’s budget and the style of cooking they prefer. Island Kitchen For example Marble is a good choice for kitchen surfaces if those using it will make pastry on a regular basis because it will keep the ingredients cool. Fact Ninety-eight percent of Americans prefer to cook meals at home. Source: reportlinker.com 3.3 Special considerations that apply when designing living rooms Of all the spaces within a typical home, the living room offers designers and clients the best opportunity to exercise their creativity. Unlike a kitchen, dining room, or bathroom, a living room can be configured in almost any imaginable fashion. However, it is conventional to base the design of a living room around tables and chairs of varying proportions. Selecting furniture – a topic we will look at in greater depth later on in the course – is a matter of balancing style with comfort and practicality. In terms of a living room, it is important to consider how the furniture will be used and how people will interact when using the space. For example If a living room is designed for a couple who intend to use it as a space in which to relax after a hard day at work, it makes little sense to base the design around two armchairs positioned several feet away from one another. In designing this kind of space, you need to think about who will be socializing in the space and the degree to which they are intimate with one another. Furniture arrangements can be classed as symmetrical or asymmetrical. The right choice will depend on the kind of mood the client is hoping to create and how they want the space to be divided. Maintaining complete symmetry, particularly if the furniture has clean lines, will create a formal atmosphere. One or more collections of assorted items will give a more laid-back feel, but if overdone will appear sloppy. If a client wants attention drawn to an object or piece of furniture positioned in the center of the room then axis design principles can be implemented. For example Positioning a group of chairs in such a way that there is an axis of symmetry can provide a neat focal point within an otherwise casual space. 3.4 Special considerations that apply when designing bedrooms A bedroom needs to trigger feelings of rest and relaxation and encourage comfortable sleep. The focal point and most important piece of furniture is the bed. It must be positioned in such a way that those sleeping in the room can access it easily. Factors to consider include how much space must be made available either on one side of the bed (if a single bed) or both sides (if two people are to share the bed). There are industry-standard sizes for twin, full, queen, and king-sized beds and these are useful when putting together an initial floor plan. However, a designer should never assume that a client will choose a bed in line with these measurements. It is important that, from an early stage, the designer knows precisely what kind of bed the client requires. There are now more types of bed available than ever before, including those which can be adjusted by the user to accommodate the height and angle preferences. Of course, it is vital to make sure that the bed will fit through the door. If the assembled bed is too large to pass through the door, the designer needs to ensure that it can at least be assembled within the room. The inclusion of other furniture will depend upon both the size of the room and its intended use. For example A large bedroom to be used by someone with a strong interest in fashion will probably feature a wardrobe, a vanity unit, or both. Bedrooms are often used to store personal items, predominantly clothing, so storage is a key consideration. If there is sufficient space, dressers and cupboards are the most common storage solutions. In smaller spaces or where a “clean” look is required, under-bed storage is another option. Most bedrooms include only one bed and it is common to design practice to locate it in the center of the room. This allows for the maximum possible amount of space on either side. If two people are sharing the bed, it also allows for the placement of bedside tables and lamps on each side.