Interior Building Systems

November 10, 2023

Understanding sustainable energy control methods and types is important for today and the world we live in. Another important factor to think about is incorporating appropriate security features into interior design.  As interior designers we have to think about every aspect of the clients well-being, and this also includes ensuring the safety of them and installing security systems that with do so. This can include designing the different vertical circulation and transportation of the building not only to think about safety but also appropriate energy flow. 

One important factor to think about when designing a space is the electricity and wires need for the type of space. Let's say you have a conference room, seen to the left, you will need a teleconference room. Often you will then need to incorporated phone wires, LED projector, a TV outlet, and maybe window screening to protect the video from the glare of the sunlight. It is important to think about all the components that go into creating a space, not only for the look of the room but also the functionality of the room as well.

Security in a building, especially one that has a lot of people or expensive equipment is highly important. The safety of the client always comes first, and there are many ways to achieve this. Some different security systems include; metal detectors (pictured to the right) audio security alarms, lock down systems, burglar alarms, and wand spanners. Space planning is important to think about when incorporating security systems because most security systems like metal detectors require a straight line you have to go through, therefore, keeping in mind the circulation of the space is crucial.

Vertical transportation in a building is another important component to think about when space planning. The different types of vertical transportation is, stairs, elevators, escalators, and ladders. There are many different stair designs such as, a straight plan, L shape, U shape, and Spiral stairs. The different shape of your stair can impact your space greatly, therefore, it is important to pick the correct on that has the best use of space. All commercial stairs should have a guard rail, which is the railing on the landing of the stair, and the hand rail, which is the railing that follows the slope of the stair. 

The next type of vertical transportation we are going over is elevators. There are two types of elevators, hydraulic and electric. Hydraulic elevators require a piston and space under the elevator to push off of the elevator when it moves. This type is usually used in buildings that are only a couple of floors. Electric elevators (pictured to the left) require a rooftop mechanical room for the cable system, and these systems are typically faster and used in buildings with many floors. 

Benching v.s. Cubical Systems

Benching systems is a new way of office design that allows more collaborations as well as provides more of an open concept to the office occupants. This way of office workspace design can be very affective as it is a new and fresh idea of office design that creates more of a collaborative office experience. This design is different from cubicles because there are no walls secluding people from each other. Now everyone can be exposed to sunlight and share office spaces. The impact covid has had on these office designs is the placement of more dividers among each other. due to the spread of germs there was a realization that creating dividers can prevent people from becoming sick.

Cubicle systems are now seen as outdated due to the increase in open space planning. Cubicles can be good when it comes to Covid-19 and the impact this virus has had on our society because of the private and divides space that is individualized. One positive characteristic about cubicle design is that in a workspace a cubicle provides privacy and a specific individual space. When there is a cubicle workspace, no one has to share their space, however they can see closed off and neglecting sunlight when working in one.