What came first? The chicken or the egg?
This longstanding dilemma we are not able to answer unfortunately. However, we could borrow this dilemma and ask… What should come first? An architectural design or an interior design?
Now, if I look back 12 years, I thought I could answer this question… “Well, it’s the Architectural design obviously! They create the design of the main structure and then the Interior Designer dresses it.”
Nope… the best lessons in life are the mistakes we make along the way.
Back then we were left with a beautiful, but frustratingly impractical orangery. It had two functions… to be a seated entertaining space and a dining area. We ended up with neither working well. Why? Neither party had discussed intended furniture sizes and positions.
So, what is the answer to the question?
Well, in a new build property, or any larger extension the answer is… both, and at the same time.
An experienced Architect and an experienced Interior Designer have distinct and overlapping knowledge. At the simplest that overlap is an inherent understanding on the practicalities and ‘flow’ of a space. For example, they will both know how much space is needed behind a dining chair and a wall, to comfortably seat guests and serve food. They will both know core design concepts of space, light, form, colour and texture.
The Architects distinct knowledge is towards core structure, exterior surfaces and finishes, the use of light to illuminate functional spaces. The designs will both be suitable for the intended use as well as fit well in its context. The Interior Designers knowledge will lean to internal form, surface finishes, furniture, fittings and furnishings, in keeping with the property and the clients tastes.
For the optimum result these individuals benefit in partnering with each other, rather than the client engaging them separately. We know two heads are better than one, so with their complimentary overlap they collaborate, challenge and produce designs with a significant reduction in the risk that something will be overlooked. Their collaboration often results in new products, finishes or technical approaches introduced to the proposal.
When a structure is designed both from the outside in and the inside out, there’s a synergistic outcome and a holistic design is born. This is where the magic happens.
The benefits are very tangible:
- Reduced iterations of design (and therefore client costs)
- Reduced late changes to design (the moving of a doorway, or whether a wall is structural or not).
- The whole project runs smoothly and quickly. By the time the plaster is dry the Interior Designer is waiting to step through the doorway.
- Smoother overall project delivery (both professions are skilled at knowing which items need to be done first to enable the next to complete).
Not intending on engaging an Interior Designer?
If Interior Design services for decoration, lighting, furniture and furnishing selection is not on your agenda, there is huge benefit in asking an Interior Designer to review an Architectural floorplan. This often surfaces discussion points to take back to the Architect. at a fraction of the cost of a new build and potentially saving later larger expenditure.
As an example: We reviewed a floorplan for a client where part of a ground floor was to be converted to a separate space for an elderly relative. Pinch points were found regarding future wheelchair accessibility and a lack of any proposed ground floor bathing facilities, along with other aesthetic considerations to improve the finished result and general traffic flow.
Not intending on engaging an Architect?
Equally if you’re engaging an Interior Designer for internal architectural design changes, it’s worth asking them if they have a trusted Architect partner to call on, should something arise that requires consultancy. For instance, to confirm if planning permission is required for a small change or if it is covered by the wide variety of permitted development options.
As an example: Our trusted partner was called in to a scenario where a Client and Interior Designer had almost finished a complete refurbishment of a bungalow when the client requested an additional bedroom. They engaged quickly to discuss the first-floor bedroom extension and looked at the possibilities of a permitted development application for an entire additional storey to the bungalow. In this case, it did not meet all the requirements, and a planning application was required. They successfully achieved planning for the additional room by changing the pitch of the roof and raising the ridge by 1m giving the necessary headroom, and were able to agree the location of the staircase which would have minimal effects on the refurbishment works that had been completed so far.
In Summary
A design led property is a handshake between the exterior and the interior design. Detailed research showed that design led property has a marked effect on the value of the property by anywhere between 9% to 24%. So whilst building your nest, you can also grow your nest egg.
To read more about The Return of Investment (ROI) of Interior Design see: https://samanthafleming.co.uk/blog/f/the-return-on-investment-roi-of-interior-design
Our Partner
We proudly partner with Mathewson Waters Architects in Lamborn, West Berkshire, with over 40 years of design experience to call upon (https://www.mw-architects.co.uk/).