How to design Residential, Hospitality/Lodging, Food Service,Office/Administrative, Maintenance/Warehouse, Recreation, Medical and Educational Interior
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
At this point in the process, the interior designer should have a
clear picture of the design intent. Through the design
development process, the designer must complete the following:
1. Design Narrative - Write an explanation to help the user
understand the design and selections that have been made.
2. Design Illustration - Provide floor plans, elevations,
perspectives, and detail drawings.
3. Color Schemes and Material - Provide finish boards or
books to illustrate the color scheme.
4. Furnishings Selection - Provide furniture and accessory
boards or books to illustrate the color concept.
CONCEPT PRESENTATION
The user’s satisfaction is an important goal, in addition to the
longevity of the design. Educate the user to appreciate the
long-term value of quality design.Explain the design
development process and the designer’s role to the user. The
user needs to understand his/her involvement and the impact
on the final product.
Through the use of visual presentation materials, including
renderings, floor plans, perspectives, finish and furniture
boards, the user should gain a clear understanding of the
design.
Some elements of a concept presentation
Example of a color rendering
The design narrative explains the presentation materials to the
user and communicates the basis for design decisions.
The designer may have to develop creative alternatives to
meet specific customer needs or desires, with high-quality,
timeless design as the goal for all team members.
DESIGN EXECUTION
The completed design package must clearly convey the design
intent. The contract documents provide the information
necessary to implement the design. These documents include :
- Statement of Work (SOW) - A brief but thorough description of the work to be performed by the contractor. The SOW is used by the contracting agent to synopsize the project in the bid advertisement.
- Architectural Floor Plan - Demolition plans, new floor plans, and reflected ceiling plans.
- Finish Schedule and Color Legend - The matrix indicating which finishes are used on specific interior surfaces, and the list identifying each finish by pattern, color, number, brand and manufacturer.
- Finish Floor Plan - A drawing typically used to clarify the placement of patterns, borders, or combinations of floor finishes in an area.
- Elevations, Sections, and Details - Drawings used to further clarify a design feature. Elevations are drawings which typically illustrate placement of wallcovering as well as height of chair rails, bumper guards, plumbing fixtures, and other design features permanently attached to the walls. Sections and details generally illustrate how a particular feature is constructed or attached to another surface or feature, and of what generic materials it is made.
- Miscellaneous Drawings - Electrical layouts, enlarged floor plans of rest rooms and repetitive areas (e.g., dorm rooms), and construction drawings for built-in cabinetry, etc.
- Furniture Floor Plan - Scaled layouts showing placement of existing and new furniture and equipment. Separate drawings may be required for conventional furniture (modular or “freestanding” items) and systems furniture (panel mounted workstations, generally prewired). These drawings provide
- references for changes or decisions required during project construction.
- Installation Plans - Drawings indicating the placement of systems furniture panels, electrical connections and power layouts, and components. Installation plans and/or elevations may also be required for artwork and signs. Furnishings Specifications - Technical product information, including as necessary item name, size, color, fabric or finish, fire rating, brand and manufacturer, source, quantity, photo or catalog cut, and cost.
- Furnishings Cost Estimates - Line item extensions of item costs may need to be separated by item category or by room or area for phased purchasing.
- Furnishings Order Forms - The actual forms required by the user to order the items.Furniture floor plan
Residential, Hospitality/Lodging, Food Service, Office/Administrative, Maintenance/Warehouse, Recreation, Medical and Educational Interior
All AMC buildings are categorized as either permanent or
temporary. Permanent facilities are generally masonry or steel
frame construction, built for a specific purpose and intended to
require minimum maintenance.
Temporary facilities are wood frame with little or no masonry,
and are often relocatable and are intended to fill a short-term
need of five years or less without regard to degree of
maintenance. These temporary structures are often much older
than their original intended use, and may have restrictions
governing the type and amount of renovation and alteration
that can be performed This presents a challenge for designers
regarding quality standards and budget limitations.
AMC facilities also are divided into several facility types
including :
◆ Residential ◆Maintenance/Warehouse
◆ Hospitality/Lodging ◆Recreation
◆ Food Service ◆Medical
◆ Office/Administrative ◆Educational
The main factors that affect finish material selection and
application include foot traffic; presence of food, beverages,
chemicals, grease or other potential soilage; the type of
activity that occurs; and the level of quality required.
The following paragraphs and charts illustrate the types of
selections that would be appropriate in the various facilities.
Use these as generic guidelines for product selections. Each
project may have considerations that require alternate
choices. The designer must research these with the user early
in the project.
Some facilities do not fit easily into only one category: child
development centers, fire stations, chapels, passenger terminals,
and flight line facilities are examples of multifunctional
facilities. In these cases, the designer must use judgment in
determining the proper blend of interior finishes and
furnishings. Examination of several categories may be necessary
to compile the requirements for projects in one of these
facilities. Heavy-use areas include wet areas (i.e., kitchens,
toilets, etc.), high-traffic areas, and areas requiring maximum
product durability. Medium-use areas are used every day, but
not by large numbers of people. Generally they are not wet
areas, nor do they experience extreme wear-and-tear. Light-use
areas are those which experience low traffic or may not be used
on a daily basis and will not subject finish materials to extreme
use or wear.
FUNCTIONAL CRITERIA
Heavy-use and high-traffic areas should be attractively designed using materials that provide maximum durability.
A. RESIDENTIAL
Residential facilities are family housing and unaccompanied
personnel housing (dormitories). While the overall wear of
finishes is reduced in family housing units, they still contain
areas fitting all three categories of use. Heavy-use areas include
entrance foyers, kitchens, bathrooms, stairwells, and laundry
areas. Corridors, hallways, dayrooms, family living and dining
rooms would be considered medium-use areas. Bedrooms
would be light-use areas. Refer to the AMC Housing Guide,
the Commander’s Guide to Dormitory Excellence, and the
Commander’s Guide to Family Housing Excellence.
LIGHTING Fluorescent Incandescent Fluorescent Incandescent Incandescent Incandescent
B. HOSPITALITY/LODGING
The hospitality/lodging category includes transient lodging
facilities of all types: quarters for visiting personnel, as well
as temporary living facilities for families arriving at or leaving
a base. Heavy-use areas include registration desks and lobbies,
entrance foyers, stairwells, elevators, and corridors. Also
included are wet areas such as laundry rooms, snack rooms, and
rest rooms. Medium-use areas include management and
administrative offices. Bedrooms are light-use areas.
Refer to HQ AMC Services Guide to Excellent Facilities.
C. FOOD SERVICE
Food service facilities include dining halls, flight kitchens,
open mess facilities (officers’ and enlisted clubs), snack bars,
and cafeterias. Most areas in these facilities can be considered
heavy-use because they are subject to high traffic and frequent
food and beverage spills. Management and administrative
areas would be medium-use. Special/private dining areas might
be considered light-use.
D. OFFICE/ADMINISTRATIVE
Office/administrative facilities generally have the highest
concentration of occupants. These areas vary from private
offices, to open-bay work spaces filled with conventional and
modular furniture, to large systems furniture (pre-wired)
installations. Most administrative facilities will contain some
combination of the three types depending on the functions
performed by the occupants, as well as physical constraints of
the facilities. Heavy-use areas in an office environment include
entrances, foyers, lobbies, main circulation corridors, stairwells,
elevators, rest rooms, large conference or meeting rooms, snack
bars, and media production areas. Medium-use areas include
internal circulation, staff office areas, and small conference
rooms. Commanders’ suites and private conference areas are
light-use areas.
E. MAINTENANCE/WAREHOUSE
Maintenance/warehouse facilities include all functional areas
in which vehicles or heavy equipment are operated;
chemicals are used; there is exposure to weather, product dust
and dirt; and bulk items are stored. Most areas within these
facilities would fall under the heavy-use heading since the
finishes are constantly subjected to traffic, cleaning,
abrasion, weather, or other deterrents to durability. Some of
these facilities house administrative areas which could be
considered medium-use areas if there are transition areas
separating them from direct access to the heavy-use areas. If
a commander’s suite is included in the facility, it could be
listed as light-use, again only if there is separation from the
high-use areas.
F. RECREATION
Recreation facilities encompass the most diverse functions of
all the categories. They include gymnasiums, fitness centers,
golf course clubhouses, bowling, youth and community
centers, skating rinks, libraries, and theaters. These facilities
contain mostly high-use areas because of their high volume of
customers. Facilities such as fitness centers have constant
traffic throughout the day, while facilities such as theaters
have a high concentration in a short period. Golf course
clubhouses and bowling centers contain food services. Bowling
and fitness centers, and skating rinks require special finishes
and attention to acoustical control.
G. MEDICAL
Medical facilities include medical centers. hospitals, clinics,
and pharmacies. Many areas within these facilities are heavyuse
due to high volume traffic, wet areas, and chemicals.
Patient waiting areas, administrative and doctors’ offices, and
selected corridors are medium-use where acoustic control is
desirable. Light-use areas include commanders’ suites and
conference rooms. Refer to HQ AMC Medical Facilities
Design Guide for more detail.
H. EDUCATIONAL
Educational facilities include grade and high schools for
dependent children, specialized training facilities (such as
simulators), professional and technical classrooms, and centers
for college extension program. Heavy-use areas in educational
facilities include entrances foyers, snack bar and cafeteria
service areas, rest rooms, fitness areas, simulator rooms and
technical classrooms. Administrative offices, conference and
briefing rooms, most other classrooms, and corridors would fall
in the medium-use category. Principals’ offices and commanders’
suites would be light-use.
Heavy patterned carpet in high-traffic areas helps to hide soiling.
Maximize the flexibility of conference rooms through the use of adjustable lighting,
multipurpose seating, creative ceiling finishes, acoustical wall treatment, and multimedia presentation system.
In child development and youth centers, the children’s activities generate so much color and pattern that the finishes and furniture need to provide a neutral backdrop.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Some facilities have elements or features that require special attention. This section provides some design suggestions that may help
the designer address special conditions or achieve special effects.
When renovating, site adaptation may play a big role in creating a successful new
facility. This dining facility design was an adaptation of the facility shown in the photo on the left.
Innovative ceiling and lighting design, artwork, room dividers, and the use of wood, plants, and textiles can soften and ease the incorporation of structural elements into the overall design. Systems furniture provides for organization of files and papers, multi-equipment
use, and interoffice communication, while still maintaining personal work areas.
When using systems furniture along window line, use low height partitions.
Avoid using panels over 68” high except to define corridors or conference areas. Creative use of color and pattern can add interest and dimension to functional spaces. The AMC standard is to provide different color schemes for men and women’s rest rooms.
When developing a package for signs, identify all locations that require them, and
specify professional and flexible products to be used.
Warehouse facilities require proper storage fixtures and signs to help maintain
function and appearance.
Emergency light fixtures are available in various styles that can help maintain the integrity of the design. It is the designer’s responsibility to work with the electrical
engineer to select the most appropriate fixtures for each project.
Specialty borders, moldings, stencils, faux finishes, ceiling tile, and wallcovering patterns can be used to create special effect.
Architectural molding has many characters and uses. Support elements can be enhanced to work within a design.
The use of architectural molding, elements, and details can enhance the appearance of “ordinary spaces.”
Finish and material specifications vary according to the
function of the space and the ambiance desired by the user.
Use the following general guidelines, keeping in mind the
specific requirements of each project.
Do not use exposed concrete block except in utility rooms,
mechanical, electrical, and janitor’s closets/rooms, industrial
areas of maintenance facilities, or large warehouse/storage
areas. Interior walls should be ceramic tile for wet areas or
gypsum board finished with paint or wallcovering for all
other areas. Brick, stone or split face block (with integral
color so it need not be painted) may be used in entrance
foyers, lobbies, and gymnasiums. These architectural finishes
can be used as a feature wall or section of a wall in facilities
such as food service and lodging lobbies.
Use wooden doors for most interior applications. Door and
trim color should be uniform throughout a facility. Avoid
doors with louvers unless they are necessary for ventilation.
Use metal doors in industrial facilities.
Use a 2’ x 2’ suspended acoustical ceiling grid and tiles with a
revealed edge. Most bases have a standard 2’ x 2’ tile pattern
they use for their facilities. The exposed grid system must
match ceiling tile color in most areas. Brass or chrome grid
may be used for special effect. If circumstances force the
selection of a 2’ x 4’ tile, be sure to use one that is scored to
resemble a 2’ x 2’ grid.
For painted ceilings, use ceiling white paint, which is
specially formulated for maximum light reflection. Using a
color on the ceiling is not recommended except for special
effect.
Horizontal color breaks in corridors create undesirable tunnel
effects. Emphasize vertical elements for balance.
Paint fire alarm bells, extinguisher cabinets, electrical
switches, receptacles, coverplates, and similar items to match
walls. Recess fire extinguisher cabinets in walls.
Chair rail height should match the height of side chairs to
be put against it. When chairs are not a factor, chair rail
should be positioned in the range of 32” to 38” above the
finished floor.
Wall decor or artwork should be neat, framed, and in good
taste. Avoid suggestive or controversial subjects. Even in
personal spaces signs should not be hand lettered or
stenciled.
Use carpet tile as a floor finish in most administrative areas
and heavy foot-traffic areas. Raised floor systems are often
plastic laminate or other hard surface materials. Use antistatic
carpet tiles in these areas to provide better acoustical
control.
Use broadloom carpet in commanders’ suites, courtrooms,
dayrooms, sleeping rooms and auditoriums. Carpet only the
landings in stairwells. Use rubber or vinyl treads and risers
on steps. Carpets available in 6’ widths will lower the
number of seams required and often lower the installation
costs for corridors and narrow passageways. Anti-static
broadloom carpets are available for use in computer areas
that do not have raised floors.
Carpet appearance and durability depend on technical
specifications. Specify carpets that are solution dyed and
have an anti-microbial finish in medical, lodging and food
service facilities. Carpets made from nylon fibers wear
better and are more resilient than those made from
polyester, acrylic or olefin fibers. Both fiber and yarn
construction affect the luster, dyeability, and crushability of
carpets.
Patterned carpet helps to “mask” soiling in traffic areas. Use
patterned carpet in heavy-use areas, or areas where
maintenance is minimal. In areas where a bold pattern
would be distracting, provide a tweed or mottled pattern
carpet. Use solid color carpets in commanders’ suites,
courtrooms, chapels, and some lodging facilities.
When using vinyl or rubber wall base, choose one neutral
color to use throughout the facility. Use straight base with
carpet, and coved base with hard surface floors. Base
materials used in stairwells must meet Class A fire rating.
Used recessed walk-off mats in vestibules and on the interior
side of doors that open directly to the outside.
The designers must be familiar with items that are available
from government sources, including Federal Prison
Industries (UNICOR), the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS),
General Services Administration (GSA), and understand
which items have mandatory status requirements.
The scope of interior design projects varies considerably
from selections of replacement finishes and furnishings in
existing facilities to full-blown CIDs requiring space
planning, finish and furnishing selections, systems furniture
layouts, installation drawings, architectural drawings, finish
schedules, graphics, specifications, and order forms. The
designer must understand his/her role in the particular project
and negotiate fees for submittal requirements with the
appropriate contracting agent. The following provides some
general guidelines concerning AMC expectations regarding
interior design submittals.