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/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / SEPTEMBER 2015
R
enowned Architect Ludwig Mies Van Der
Rohe once said, “God is in the details.” Still,
others insist the details are where the dev-
il is found. From a workplace design perspective,
I’ve found both to be true. As a commercial inte-
rior designer, I always aim for the former, but of-
ten encounter the latter. When it comes to tenant
planning, real estate and design teams often are so
focused on the big picture and parsing square foot-
age that they don’t see the potential impact of a few
small, but important details.
Designers today are constantly asked about the
square footage cost for every design element. It’s a
natural request – everyone has a budget. But with so
much emphasis on price per square foot, the experi-
ence of the people who will be using the space day
in and day out can be overlooked. By shifting the de-
sign focus to the user experience, you can create a far
more attractive, productive and engaging space from
a tenant perspective.
So what kinds of details make a space stand out? It
helps if you think of yourself (at least for a moment)
less as the landlord, owner or employer and more as
a host. As you welcome these people into your space,
appeal to their senses.
Sight –
Instead of using walls to define spaces, create
a more welcoming environment using visually inter-
esting details. For example, screens and artwork are a
more elegant solution than a bland wall for blocking
an eyesore or creating a sense of privacy. In a recent
project for Innovest, our team added an artwork film
across existing glass conference room walls. The film
does double duty, obscuring the view into room and
serving as artwork in reception area. I also cannot
overstress the importance of good lighting. Our visual
perception of a space can change dramatically with
changes in light. A thoughtfully concealed LED light
strip or a grouping of edgy pendant lights can give a
flat ceiling some much-needed relief. The best light
of all is natural light; try adding some reflective sur-
faces to distribute daylight throughout space.
Sound –
This is as much about what you can hear as
what you can’t hear. Using music can stimulate and
calm the senses. There are also things you don’t want
to hear in a space (like other peoples’ conversations).
Sound-masking techniques can give people a greater
sense of privacy and help them concentrate. From in-
stalling sound masking technology to placing acous-
tical panels at a certain height or choosing a thicker
conference room glass, there are a number of ways
you can help mitigate unwanted sounds and create a
more comfortable space for tenants.
Touch –
A good interior designer should help you
select a variety of textures for your space. This is es-
pecially important when you think about the first
impression you are making on someone who walks
into the space. Think about what the feel of your en-
try hardware, your touch screens, the texture of your
seating says about the quality of your space and your
office culture.
Smell –
Our sense of smell is strongly linked to our
emotions and our memories. A little attention goes a
long way. Think about how the smell of bread bak-
ing or fresh flowers makes a high-end market more
appealing. Why not apply this philosophy to your of-
fice? Consider thoughtful details like offering warm
cookies at reception or providing disposable mint
toothbrushes in the restroom areas.
Taste –
You’ll be hard pressed to find anything more
popular in an office than good coffee. Amenities such
as a Keurig coffee maker can go a long way toward
making people feel welcome in a space. We recently
designed a new space for a law firmwith a hospitality
area just inside the front entry. The area features com-
fortable seating around an inviting fireplace where
visitors can grab a beverage from the fully stocked
refrigerator while waiting for a meeting to start. It’s
a great way to immediately put your guests at ease.
With my more than 20 years of commercial interi-
or design experience, I can tell you that the difference
between a bland and brilliant space is in the details.
So in addition to budget and square footage, make
sure your designer knows how you ultimately want
your space to feel. Thoughtful details evoke emotions,
and those emotions can have a direct impact on
brand perception and office culture. Choose wisely!
\\
Lynn Coit
President
and Founder,
Elsy Studios
TRENDS
in Interior Design
Photo courtesy Charles Lloyd White Photography
Innovest incorporates artwork film on glass walls.
Photo courtesy Dave Camara
Inspirato Members Lounge in Vail
