What is a design concept?

The written description of a concept tries to be the embodiment of the actual experience people
will feel when they enter a space, so it is never the perfect way of communicating it. To begin with it is an idea, a formation of
something that will eventually drive an actionable reality within the interior that allows the activities of the project to take
place. To understand the conceptual way of thinking, which is about ideas and how they are formulated, requires new
thinking and willingness to empty the old cupboard of preconceptions and prejudices. The major themes are the seven
concepts of planning, circulation, 3D, construction, materials, colour and lighting, which covers the entire spectrum of a
designers activity. Each of these concepts will ultimately drive the grand concept of the interior.
Interior design concept is where you define elements that make up a design. It is when you look deeper than the paint or
flooring to understand what message does a certain space is trying to convey. You may consider the use of combination of
different light layers, type and color of utilized wood, displays, and other things that constitute Shopfitting and fitouts.
An interior design concept is the initial blueprint of a design without the numerical specifics. It can be based upon an idea or
a peg. Like planning events, the concept can be a theme. For a more opulent feel, the novel The Great Gatsby can be the
starting point of an interior design concept. For the more water inclined, nautical can be the jump off point.
The most important thing about an interior design concept is that it is 1) easily communicated to the client in a way that all
parties understand it cohesively and 2) that the concept is viable given all other factors such as project timelines and budget.

Every one of us has a "story" to tell. Stories can create emotional experiences and how can his/her memorable story reflect in
my deigns?..then follows the theme, likes and dislikes, functions, feasibility. To me concept is about telling a story through
the design.

What is a theme?
There is a fine distinction between an interior design concept and an interior design theme. Both act as a framework from which further
design language can be developed. While a concept deals with the basic planning diagram and defines the relationship among different
design elements, a theme is an overlay to a concept that helps tie all of the various spaces together.
At Amplatz Childrens Hospital, the interior design concept was to maximize daylight, aid wayfinding, and enhance the user experience by
introducing light zones at various points throughout the building. The Passport to Discovery theme takes that idea further, designating
each floor as a unique habitat and assigning each clinical area (sometimes multiple spaces on one floor) a storyteller that is an animal from
that habitat. Each patient is issued a passport at check-in; as they travel through the hospital, they receive stamps on their passport.
To theme or not to theme
Amplatz Childrens Hospital did not start with a theme. Our team first proposed an interior concept that incorporated animal footprints and
other natural elements from Minnesotas Northwoods to aid in wayfinding. We called this interior experience A Walk in the Woods. The
University of Minnesota team toured several childrens hospitals around the country before design began and was impressed by the way
memorable themes from those benchmarks distinguished their respective facilities and aided in wayfinding. When they saw A Walk in the
Woods, they immediately realized that they wanted more. They wanted a true interior themeone that wasnt limited to Minnesota and the
Northwoods but rather related to Amplatz Childrens Hospital as an institution and to the world as a whole.
The client: your best design partner
When you are developing and executing a theme, your client should be your best partner. To begin, an interior theme should not be pulled
out of your hat. It should come from a thorough understanding of your client and their enterprise. How do they see themselves among their
competitors? What makes them stand out? What do they take pride in? Understand the culture of the organization and get a feel for the
climate, location, and historical heritage of the place.
After the initial A Walk in the Woods concept was rejected, we went back to the drawing board, conducting several design charrettes among
our internal team and with our clients. From these sessions, we determined that Amplatz Childrens Hospital distinguished itself through

cutting-edge research, that it took pride in the firsts it has achieved in childrens medical care, and that its user population comes from all
over the country, with diverse ethnic backgrounds. When we presented the Passport to Discovery theme, it was an instant winner.
As we began developing our ideas, we decided to pursue a theme that would provide many layers of information. Amplatz Childrens Hospital
treats patients ranging in age from infants to young adults in their 20s, whose stays can vary from a few days to a few months. For patients
with lengthy hospitalizations, we wanted to ensure that the theme would keep them engaged.
Since our goal was to create architecture and not a museum display, we wanted a theme that could be easily incorporated into architectural
spaces. Our theme would be imbedded in walls, ceilings, floor patterns, lighting fixtures, signage, and furniture. It would inform the color
scheme: yellow for the grassland floor, orange for the desert floor, and so on. We envisioned the theming clues in the various architectural
and graphic elements being combined to create a treasure hunt that would encourage ambulatory patients to move about their floor,
helping to relieve the boredom of a long hospital stay while providing information about natural habitats and the diverse cultures that reside in
them.
Though the key colors were determined by the theme, the final color palette was developed with direct input from Amplatz patients and their
families. We prepared three color studies showing different levels of color saturation and valueLight and Subtle, Light and Cheerful, and
Boldand displayed them on large boards at existing family lounges, where our client representative conducted presentations and
collected feedback. Smaller versions of the boards were made into laminated mats (for easy disinfection) and circulated among patients.
Based on the childrens preferences, we created a color palette drawn from the Light and Cheerful scheme.
Because we worked closely with the Amplatz Childrens Hospital team throughout the design process, our client became the strongest
advocate of the Passport to Discovery theme. They made sure that their garage consultant used the correct accent color for each parking
level; they coordinated with their various vendors and made sure the storytellers were incorporated on the covers of the wall-mounted CPU
units and on the hundreds of clocks throughout the hospital. The result is a space that is integrated down to the last detail.
Reaping the benefits of an interior theme
Interior theming offers several benefits to healthcare facilities. It can instill a unique character, and fuse many functions and uses into a
cohesive environment. A childrens hospital often is a hospital within a general adult facility. The building may include an array of
departments, such as patient-care units, an emergency department, imaging facilities, and other services that should at once be recognized
as integral parts of the childrens hospital and maintain their own identities. Theming allows for that balance of unity and distinction. At
Amplatz, Passport to Discovery provides unity, and the habitats and storytellers for each patient floor and clinical department express
individuality.
An interior theme can aid significantly in wayfinding. The terrazzo floor in the main lobby of Amplatz Childrens Hospital features a compass
pattern laid at magnetic north; a child with an actual compass could use it to find his destination within the hospital. The storyteller for each
floor is incorporated in all signage. In each elevator lobby, recessed wall lighting fixtures and a backlit image of the storytellers environment
make up the main wall elevation.
Theming also can introduce warmth, comfort, and whimsy; offer opportunities for diversion from anxiety and tedium; convey useful
knowledge; and establish an effective fundraising platform. An unscripted moment at the Amplatz Childrens Hospital open house event
illustrates how a successful theme can engage users: After touring the hospital, a young boy turned excitedly to his mother and asked,
Mommy, when can I get sick?
Dos and Donts
1.

Dont be too abstract. Look for a theme general enough to cover many topics and be accessible to people of different interests,
ages, and education levels. Make sure your theme can be communicated through a minimum of gestures.

2.

Be aware of the ages, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds of all users. A childrens hospital may serve children up to 18
years, with both long- and short-term stays. Parents and staff are users, too. Be sensitive to cultural taboos.

3.

Avoid an unsophisticated or cartoonish approach. Walk a fine line between abstraction and too-literal imitation. Dont hesitate to
consider the real thing. Real birch tree chunks (infection control permitted) may be better than plywood tree cutouts with plastic leaves.

4.

Dont let your theme upstage the architecture. Create a beautiful space that is memorable to users even if they dont get the
theme. It helps to start with an architecturally strong design concept. Then, apply the theme as an overlay. Incorporate the theme into the

interior architecture thoroughly, through finishes, floor patterns, and lighting fixtures. Integrate the graphic design and signage seamlessly
into walls, ceilings, and floors.

A successful themed hospital interior demands a high level of creativity and self-discipline from interior designers and intense collaboration
among different design trades. But the hard work comes with rewardsbeautiful spaces for people at their most vulnerable times. HCD

3 Principals of Luminaire Design

Function
Decorating is more than just eye appeal it's making a room really work for you. Here's how to do it, element by
element:

The focal point: Sometimes rooms have natural focal points (places the eyes travel to immediately upon
entering a room) a fireplace, a bay window with a view, maybe even a built-in bookcase. If the room
doesn't have a natural focal point, create one with a dynamic piece of art or a colorful area rug.

The furniture: Determine whether the furniture satisfies the functions you've planned for the room. If a piece
isn't working or if it's too large or too small for the size of the room, get rid of it or trade it for something else
around the house that may be more appropriate.

The lighting: Lighting should be selected for the functions of the room as well as for visual appeal. Every
task will require either direct lighting from a lamp or indirect lights that simply brighten the room for
conversation or TV-watching. Accent lighting floor spots, track lighting or recessed spotlights enhance
texture, color and room details.

The furniture arrangement: Draw your room on graph paper. Measure and mark electrical outlets and
switches, vents, windows and doors. Measure your furniture and place it in your floor plan. Generally, the
main furniture pieces are directed toward the focal point, keeping the major traffic patterns open. Fill in with
pieces you'd like to have that may or may not be available now. Be sure to balance high and low pieces as
well as heavy and light ones around the room.

Mood
The mood or feeling of a room is created by your choice of colors, the style of furnishings, the amount of texture and
pattern you choose and your accessories. Since there's so much to think about when creating a mood, establishing a
theme through the selection of an inspiration piece can make this portion of a decorating project much more fun and
interesting. Here are the factors you need to address when setting a mood:

The inspiration piece: The easiest way by far to decorate is to start with some source of inspiration. A
decorative pillow, a favorite scarf and even a magazine photo are good places to begin. Select your
inspiration piece wisely, and be sure it makes you feel good when you look at it. It's the basis for selecting
your theme, colors, patterns and textures.

Theme: Analyze your inspiration piece and develop a theme name for it. For instance, a needlepoint pillow
with a botanical design on a black background may inspire a title like "formal botanical garden." Be
descriptive with your theme name and all sorts of supporting ideas will come to mind. Botanical prints,
striped walls, greens and floral colors, formal fabrics and furniture, dark woods and black accents all fit this

particular theme.

Color cues: Color should always support the theme. Many times, the colors that are most appropriate are
found in the patterns and design of your inspiration piece. Generally, it's best to choose three colors in a
room: a dominant color, used for walls, carpeting and fabric backgrounds; a secondary color, found
throughout the room in fabrics and accessories; and an accent color, used sparingly to give energy and
excitement to the room.

Patterns: Stripes, checks, florals and plaids are just a few of the patterns to consider as you continue
supporting your theme. It's all right to mix patterns as long as you do three things:

1.

Keep the background color the same.

2.

Make sure all patterns share the same colors.

3.

Vary the scale or sizes of the patterns.

Texture: Too many smooth, shiny objects or too much nubby, rustic texture becomes tiresome. Use variety to
keep the room interesting. Even a pattern can be used as texture. Many prints look dimensional and
therefore add depth to a decorating scheme.

Furniture: Aside from being functional, your furniture plays an important role in supporting your theme. Some
pieces may function well but their style or color may stick out like a sore thumb. Try to salvage it with
slipcovers, tablecloths or paint. If it's a lost cause, remove it from the room.

Personality

Here's your chance to put your personal stamp on your design. Here are some
strategies:

Accessorizing: Pictures, vases, pillows and area rugs are all integral parts of a
great decorating plan. Generally, they should support your theme, but allow more
flexibility here; an antique picture frame could add wonderful variety to a
contemporary room. Accessories are located on walls, mantels, furniture,
tabletops and floors; they can be paintings and photos or pillows.

Whimsy: This is optional in your decorating scheme, but it can counteract any
sterile quality that may have been created by strictly following all the guidelines. A
beautiful country sitting room may get some relief from a playful quilt placed over
the fireplace.

The unexpected: Interest doesn't have to be whimsical; it can simply be

something unexpected in a room, like a brightly-painted ceiling.

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