Ch. 15
Commercial Interior Design Applications

Issues for Commercial Design Projects

Design Process

Meeting Needs of Multiple Groups

Health, Safety, and Accessibility of Public

Knowledge of Systems

Specialty Commercial Design Space Needs

Healthcare Facility Design

Patient Rooms

Waiting Rooms

Nurse Areas

Family and Visitor Areas

Safety and Security

Hospitality Establishment Design

Hotels, Convention Centers, and Spas

Hotels

Convention Centers

Spas

Restaurants and Dining Areas

Retial Space Design

Store Layout

Malls

Boutique Shops

Educational Facility Design

Entrances

Classrooms

Residence Halls and Academic Villages

Libraries

Pop-Up Schools

Impact of Culture and Learning Needs

Workplace Design

Enhancing Corporate Culture

Supporting Focused Work, Communication, and Collaboration

Catering to Changing Work Styles

Supporting the Generational Shift with Flexibility

Supporting Need for Privacy

Traditional Workplace Design Issues

Common Office Spaces

Reception Area

Conference Room

Public Restrooms

Private Zones

Private Offices

Workstations

Support Staff Offices

Amenities

The Design Process: An Exercise in Corporate Office

Phase 1: Pre-Design

Phase 2: Programming

Questions for Programming Data Survey Questions

Questions for Personal Interviews and Focus Groups

Phase 3: Schematic Design (SD)

Concept Development

Matrixes and Bubble Diagrams

Building Codes and ADA Requirements

Circulation Patterns

Wayfinding

Phase 4: Design Development (DD)

Phase 5: Construction Documents (CD)

Phase 6: Construction Administration (CA)

Phase 7: Move-In and Post-Occupancy Evaluation

Analyzing a Commercial Design

Review and Assess

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  • Commercial design projects include offices, hospitals, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and corporate offices. For these projects, interior designers must consider layout of interior walls, plumbing and power systems, and communications with other service providers.
  • The design process for commercial design projects is similar to the process for residential design projects. In commercial design, however, interior designers must meet the needs of owners, employees, and customers or guests.
  • Commercial interior designers need to be knowledgeable about building codes, including building occupancy classifications and accessibility codes.
  • Commercial interior designers consider building systems and some specialty space needs during projects.
  • Advances in science and technology (such as measures against nocosomial) affect current healthcare facility design. Current designs inspire an upbeat, encouraging attitude, but should always be sterile and safe.

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  • Hospitality establishment designs should transform the hectic lives of guests into a state of tranquility, relaxation, and enjoyment. Hospitality establishment interior designers design hotels, convention center, and spas; and restaurants and dining areas.
  • When designing retail spaces, commercial interior designers must consider the types of retail layouts, incorporate a decompression zone, and strategically place fixtures.
  • The design of educational facilities incorporates new technologies and promotes learning. Some educational facilities involve academic villages, or clusters of buildings.
  • Workplace design is concerned with enhancing corporate culture, supporting communication and collaboration, catering to changing work styles, supporting generational shifts with flexibility, and supporting the need for privacy.
  • The process of designing commercial spaces is complex and involves Program Reports, the consideration of codes such as those established by the ADA, circulation patterns, and effective wayfinding.