Flexibility and Functionality Dominate Commercial Interior Design Trends
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
With budget constraints topping the agenda at most organizations, it’s not surprising that the focus on flexibility and functionality is driving many interior design decisions. According to Beth Schultz, ASID, interior designer for SRJ Architects, specifications for new schools, libraries and offices typically include flexible, multipurpose furnishings and colors that enhance the functionality of the space. “For example, clients may choose multi-functional furniture with wheels and wire management capabilities so that it provides flexibility and encourages collaboration,” Schultz explained. “Color selections also have a purpose such as promoting learning in a school with cheerful, inspiring graphics as wall art.” SRJ Architects is a 19-person firm of architects, project managers, construction specialists and interior designers based in Albany. The firm specializes in commercial projects such as schools, libraries, sports facilities, places of worship and government and commercial office buildings. Recent SRJ projects include North Mitchell Elementary, Northwest Branch of the Dougherty County Library, Lee County Library, Dougherty County EMS Headquarters, Marion County Middle/High School and Treutlen County High School. Schultz has six years of interior design experience, three of those years at SRJ Architects where interior design is an integral part of the overall design process.
By collaborating with the architect and client throughout the process, Schultz can create an interior design scheme that completes the overall vision and look of the projects. Green as the standard Sustainability is a key trend impacting architectural design. It refers to buildings that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient and it extends to interior design. For example, one consideration for a sustainable or green building is whether the space will be healthy to live in when it’s complete. “We check the manufacturing methods for the furnishings and paints we select to ensure they have low volatile organic compound levels. We want to ensure the indoor air quality is good,” Schultz said. Other sustainability practices such as daylighting have implications for interior design. Daylighting, which is the practice of placing windows, openings and reflective surfaces so that natural light provides effective internal lighting, requires the use of high light-reflective paints. “With daylighting it’s also important to select color-fast fabrics that won’t fade in the sunlight,” Schultz continued. According to Schultz, green or sustainable buildings will soon be the standard rather than just a trend. While the goal of interior design will always be to create a beautiful look, Schultz believes that more choices will be dictated by functionality and sustainability in the future. Not your grandparent’s library SRJ Architects recently completed construction of the Northwest Branch of the Dougherty County Public Library and its onsite coffee shop. Many of the coffee shop design elements carried over into the library. “We used warmer colors throughout to make it very welcoming,” Schultz explained. “And with food and drink involved, we selected sturdy, durable furnishings.”
The result is an appealing space that offers a welcome refuge for library patrons – from mothers taking a child for story time to book lovers enjoying a free book with their cup of coffee. “The staff was very open to new ideas and we’ve gotten feedback that the design has worked well,” Schultz said. “In fact, the Lee County library is including a coffee shop, which will be connected to the library by an atrium and also include a drive-through window.” More information on SRJ Architects is available online at www.srjarchitects.com.
