What is spatial Planning in interior design?
Image 1: Layout house plan. Source: Jumbo Crafts Ltd, 2019
By Michael Jumba
The interior design process is broad. It covers a set of operations which ought to be carefully undertaken systematically by the interior designer to ensure a thoroughly considered and well-crafted design.
Interior design could be viewed as a linear process that has a start point; ideally, a point at which the client makes the first contact with the interior designer and an endpoint when the project has been implemented.
Further, in the interior design process, many of the individual tasks are interrelated and highly dependent on one another. That is to say, that any alteration to one element of the design will often require earlier elements of the design process to be revisited and revised accordingly.
Because the second or third task after a client meets the interior designer is planning for the interior space, it goes without mentioning that understanding what spatial planning is in interior design becomes necessary.
After a client has met the interior designer, ideally, the client will organise how the designer will take the measurements of their premises (or present a copy of the blueprints) to take the necessary measurements. These measurements will be used by the interior designer to develop a design that fits best that interior space, taking into consideration the client's desires in addition to estimating the number of materials that will be used for the project. This makes spatial planning in interior design very important.
Spatial planning in interior design ideally begins with an in-depth assessment of how space will be used. To do this well, the interior designer conducts a site visit to the project site. The interior designer then develops a sketch, defining various zones of that space. He or she ought to consider the activities that will take place in each of the identified zones. Take for example a club. We have a zone that will be reserved for dancing, a zone reserved for let's say Nyama Choma grill among other cooking, a zone where tables and chairs will be set and that zone where the counter and stools will be placed. Over and above, the designer must consider a zone for the lavatories; a necessity in areas where alcohol is served.
In addition to considering various activities in the interior space, the interior designer should consider the movement of people within the space, ergonomic factors, safety, security and finally the furniture, equipment and hardware locations.
After developing the sketch on paper that is complete with the zones, the interior designer transfers what they have sketched into a computer and using a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) program, bring the design to life. So why do I say CAD programs bring the design to life? Because a good CAD program should enable an interior designer to convert a sketch into a complete project, but in virtual reality. That is to say, that a good CAD program should have features that allow for laying out, projection of front-left-right and rear elevations and above all, a 3D feature that allows for a virtual walkthrough in the 'complete' project (with actual dimensions in reality). (See images below for illustration)
Image 2: 3D layout of the house plan. Source Jumbo Crafts Ltd, 2019
Besides generating a finished design in virtual reality, such a program should enable an interior designer to compile a list of all materials (Bill of Quantities or BQ) that will be used for the entire project. The list should comprise the quantity of each material and the cost of each then generate a total cost of all materials, either with labour included or excluded and costs regarding transportation to the site. Value Added Tax (VAT) should not be left out.
After preparing the spatial plan and the list of materials that will be used for the project, the interior designer then presents the plan and list to the client for negotiations that could lead to revisions mostly downwards.
Once the negotiations are complete and revisions are made, the project proceeds to the stage of procuring both materials and labour. Once the materials are on-site, the project is implemented according to the agreed time frames.
Contact Jumbo Crafts Limited for your interior design spatial planning needs.
Image 3: 3D view of the house plan (Living room). Source: Jumbo Crafts Ltd, 2019
Image 4: 3D view of the house plan ( Dining room). Source: Jumbo Crafts Ltd, 2019
Image 5: 3D view (Kitchen). Source: Jumbo Crafts Ltd, 2019
Image 6: 3D view (Hall way). Source: Jumbo Crafts Ltd, 2019
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SPATIAL PLANNING IN INTERIOR DESIGN.edited.pdf
