Interior Architecture Writing Guide

Koel Smith

Intro To Field Interior Architecture is the planning and intentional design of an interior space. Attention to spatial design is often overlooked but important because people spend large amounts of time in planned spaces. The process of developing the interior space takes collaboration between clients and professionals. To communicate with clients, architects will use written correspondence, but for more clear and effective detail, the interior architect will rely heavily on visual tools. This process involves not only writing but constant communication, and also the ability to effectively represent an idea visually. Interior Architects deal with many functions of a space - from the amount of fumes given off new carpets, to the height and placement of electrical outlets. Interior architects have to deal with small things one might take for granted in a space to make it feel useful". In order to achieve desired results, constant communication on many levels is essential. This guide will explore the different conventions of writing within the Interior Architecture field, such as concept statements, proposals, documents, and other forms of communication. After interviewing several professors and doing some research in the field, I will investigate how technology has changed the way architects construct documents. I am interested in how technology has affected the way architects work on a daily basis over the past 30 years or so. Gathering this information from professors and others in the field will be the structure for my guide. Technology has allowed writing to merge with visual documents, these documents then benefit from one another in a sort of symbiotic relationship. This guide will help explore how

writing and technology are working together and how architects use technology to their advantage when constructing documents.

Writing in Architecture

Writing occupies a small but important part of the interior architecture field. Most of the writing done in the field is directed towards initial proposals for a given project. A project proposal is written with intent to convince the client the project is a good idea and will be carried out in a professional manner. For that reason the proposal is hugely important, and will help get all parties involved on the same page. These proposals are often combined with visual aide to help express ideas to the client. This is because trying to describe an entire building or idea in words is not going to be as effective as a 3D model or rendering. This is something that technology has introduced to the industry. This use of technology has been slowly creeping into the field over the last 30 years with more and more potential each year.

Other types of writing include coordination with consultants and builders. This is important because there are many components involved in the design process from the electricians, to the builders, to the stone masons, to the painters, etc-having everyone on the same page involves detailed writing and verbal communication. Mistakes in this field can be very costly, so establishing

a good reputation thorough prompt and accurate delivery is essential (Caranchini).

A decade ago, architects, as rule would write specifications (design requirements) on interiors, roofing, security, egress, and structure etc. Today architects just download the specifications directly from the manufacture, avoiding hours of work. It is important to state that technology has both sped up the process and also allowed writing and imagery to work together to help client and architect visualizes an interior space (Kolleeny).

Roles in Community

Academic: In the Interior Architecture field my professor instructs us not only on the mechanics of the industry but what it takes to become a successful interior architect. The role of the teacher is as dynamic as the genres within design. My professor has to adapt his teaching methods to the ever-changing technological world that engulfs the industry as well as the ever-changing demands of the end-user. For example, when a new computer software program comes out, the professor needs to find a way to incorporate it into the curriculum so the students can be up to date on latest software. Many

times the professor has to go to peers and/or tutorial videos to keep up with the changing industry. The professors know that keeping the students on top of trends and new technology is good for the program and the individual students soon to be starting careers. For example we had to purchase expensive computers upon entering the major, something not necessary when my teacher was going to school. According to professor Dan Harper, who worked with AutoCAD in the early years, he learned most through his coworkers and by reading tutorials. Peer learning opens up the possibility of un-covering fast, new and original methods of creating and problem solving. The writing that takes place in the academic setting focuses mostly on proposal writing. While in undergraduate school, writing is mentioned but the curriculum seems to be geared towards learning and developing computer skills in various programs. These programs are essential to know for the professional world; often you take a test in one of these programs during the interview process to determine level of knowledge in a certain program (Harper). These programs include:

Form Z

AutoCAD

Photoshop

Adobe

SketchUp

Today there is an interesting merge of technology and writing that would have not been possible 30 years ago.

Professionals:

The marketing and sales side of Interior Architecture is a business. To be most marketable as a professional, in this field, graduate school and experience are needed- basically fine-tuning skills - and developing skills that turn potential prospects into big fans and ultimately creating a demand. The professionals deal with more in depth documents including building codes, concept statements covering many aspects of the project. These documents are not fully discussed in undergraduate school because of their complexity (Kolleeny). Client/Public: The architects goal is to create and maintain a positive relationship with the client. This relationship is often long term and can yield referrals. Once again, the project proposal is where architects gain approval from clients, and this proposal is a mixture between writing and visual tools such as 3D models or hand drawings; this helps convey the architects thoughts and ideas to the client in an effective and clear manner (Caranchini). Other forms of client communications include emails, informal letters or even text messages. Quick ways to transmit or gather information are helpful because they can be sent any time of day or night allowing for equally quick responses.

Technology and Architecture Technology has revolutionized many industries including the design and architecture field. It is important to note, technology is relatively new to the industry and still creating new possibilities everyday. Technology has opened certain doors that would have never been possible 30 years ago, for instance skyping an architect across the world in collaboration on a project. Technology has certainly sped-up the drafting process making hand-drafting a less common art form. From my interview with Dan Harper a professor at Ohio University, I explored how this transformation has impacted the industry.

Harper mentioned how this technology transformation has created mixed emotions within the design world. Some architects/designers are sad to see the process of hand drafting take a back seat to the computer because it was viewed as an art form. For example, Flank Lloyd Wrights drawings are considered art nowadays. 3D modeling programs allow for user interaction (different views) and more detailed drawings, that have the potential to be sent anywhere in the world by clicking a button (Harper).

Left Photo: 1935: Frank Lloyd Wright original hand sketch of Falling Water, a home in Pennsylvania. Today this sketch is considered fine art. This sketch would have been shown to the client to express Wrights ideas and goals for this project

Right Photo: 1935: Frank Lloyd Wright original hand sketch of Falling Water, a home in Pennsylvania. Today this sketch is considered fine art. This sketch would have been shown to the client to express Wrights ideas and goals for this project.

In many ways, drawing and creating renderings is the architects way of writing. Instead of laying words down on a piece of paper, the designer uses lines and symbols to express floor plans, sketches, and other images. It is simple and when combined with words it is a more effective way of communication.

Shift in Design The goals of the design community are shifting and have been since the 70s. During the 70s-80s design was very much about spending money and creating grand spaces. In the 90s there was a subtle shift with consideration for sustainability and green design. Designers began to focus on how to create a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also one that services the needs of people within (Harper).

As technology has evolved within the architectural world, so has the complexity of the projects that were possible to construct. Computers made fabrication of precise pieces possible which in turn has transformed the traditional square room, into a room with nearly unlimited potential. Traditionally, buildings were constructed with regards to tradition and historical context. This means that architects learned from those who built before them and took advice from peers and were slow to evolve. Over thousands of years, this process has crawled slowly with little progress, until technology became mainstream in the last 50 years. Technology did not create a huge shift in the architectural writing process; however, it did generate the ability to produce detailed 3D models of interior spaces, and more efficient ways of sharing them. Renderings of spaces are combined with the proposal so the client can hear and also visualize the project with several senses. As an interior architect, if you can trigger more than one sense in a pleasing manner, you have a better chance at gaining a clients respect. The writing process has incorporated itself within the visual documents to help support one another. Technology has allowed writing to merge with 3D computer imaging in an interesting mash between the new and old. The better you can explain orally and represent visually, the better chance you gain a client (Harper). Thats what the industry is trying to do, use technology to combine writing and imagery in order to enhance clients satisfaction and also the final product.

Computer vs. Hand Drafting

AutoCAD Floor plan Computer program used to create a digital copy of a floor plan. This is a quicker and more accurate way to draft and has become the industry standard. Some schools are still teaching hand drafting, but has become less common over the years. Programs like AutoCAD give the architect the ability to design spaces that are unique and unlike rooms in the past.

Hand Drafted Floor plan Before AutoCAD architects and designers drafted floor plans and documents by hand. This process was limited In speed and you couldnt share the documents with many people. Also the rooms were restricted to box like spaces due to lack of building materials.

These drafted documents need to express visually how a room functions and the overall layout of an interior space. These floor plans include where all the furniture is placed, the walls within the interior (plumbing, electrical, mechanical walls), where the kitchen appliances are such as fridge, stove, oven, sink, and the dishwasher. The door swings need to be taken into consideration, along with the amount of lighting needed to fully light each room. Small things like the orientation in which you face the home to receive more sunlight in the winter seasons if needed. Architects and designers tend to focus on little things like this in order to make someones experience in the space more

pleasant than otherwise. You can imagine how these documents then start to act more like written documents. They may look like a picture but it actually tells a story within the document you just have to understand how to read a floor plan and that is where the renderings help visualize a space (Caranchini).

Writing and technology have evolved to compliment one another with hopes of creating a more descriptive and pleasing document The picture above is a drawing I created for a project. It is a combination of hand drawing and computer graphics. This is a good example of the mashing between

technology and writing that has been taking place over the last 50 years. The written language is incorporated with the visual images to give the reader a good idea of the space and functions within it. The right side indicates the designer of the furniture and the dimensions. The bottom is a brief description of the project but you can imagine a more complicated but similar document in the professional world.

This might look like a photo but this is a computer generated room developed by the FormZ program. Creating a space like this would not be possible without the use of technology. This render is an interior space most likely used to express ideas to a client so they can visualize what the architect is thinking. To avoid costly mistakes and angry clients, it is important everyone is on the same page throughout the whole process. What it comes down to is working together and learning from those around us. Its obvious that technology is transforming the industry before our eyes. The shift from hand drafting to computer generation is nearly over and a lost art form. Who knows what is on the horizon?

References Caranchini, Vinvent. Personal Interview. 1 Nov 2013. Caranchini@ohio.edu Harper, Dan. Personal Interview. 30 Oct 2013. Harperd1@ohio.edu. Kolleeney, J. (2002). Marketing:a lesson from america's best managed architectural firms. McGraw Hill. http://archrecord.construction.com/practice/pdfs/02marketing.pdf

Appendix Koel Smith Dan Harper Interview Answers: Questions are on below document

Vincent Caranchini Interview questions and answers