Roles and Functions of a Commercial Interior Designer

Two women, business owner and interior designer, standing in empty building around a table with paper blueprint plans

 

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A commercial interior designer is a professional who will create and direct the construction or renovation of commercial spaces. This professional will guide you in selecting the materials, layout, space distribution, interior walls arrangement and can be the director of all relationships between all related professionals working in the construction project. Also, it will plan the decoration and themes to work around your space, including some architectural knowledge and will help you create functional and proper space distribution within your space. An interior designer is much more than professional help, they offer crucial guidance during the construction process.

Relationship Between Interior Design and Field Work

The professional who specializes in commercial interior design will start providing services from the conceptual stages and planning of your construction project. He will study and evaluate proposed spaces having in mind his purpose and layout ideas for further use. The designer must walk through the construction stages completing field verification and taking exact measurements at the construction site, following construction activities closely with the drawings and specifications. During this time, the designer will start working around with ideas like finishing details, furniture, color, equipment and related objects and spaces that will meet the needs of his client.

Drawings From an Interior Designer

The gathered information will be used to create drawings and schematics layout reflecting the conditions and progress of the construction activities. These drawings, commonly called ‘As-Built Drawings,' will then be used to start representing the finished site and laying out furniture and arranges of spaces with all interior space already distributed. These drawings will be the base for the upcoming process of selecting material and installation purposes.

With this in mind and already with some measurements, the designer will start planning the space layout and will use some of the existing elements incorporating them into the design and architecture of the project. During this stage, the designer must verify all applicable construction code requirements and elements of safety that must be met and be able to coordinate them and start presenting the proposed decoration.

Final Product From a Commercial Interior Designer

The final step is then started. During this stage, the designer will draft, submit and get approval for the schematic drawings from the client. Also during this stage, the necessary permits, endorsements, and material requisitions must be completed. Then the final stage of assembly of new equipment, installation of furniture, minor alterations and modifications must be completed accordingly and handed into the client. Throughout the project, the designer will remain in communication with everyone involved with the project, making sure progress is consistent, and any issues are addressed in a timely manner.

Commercial interior designers are widely used to create or modify industrial plants, office buildings, governmental spaces, retails, warehouses and in some cases residential areas. While their work is really intense and diverse, there are a lot of challenges and emotions running through the veins of these kinds of professional. Remember, you can have the greatest space available, but without a correct space distribution, it will be worth nothing, as compared to great design areas.

The new trend of commercial interior design is based on 3D printing, bringing your ideas into reality.