What documents you need to check / sign, before proceed to the “Go! Let’s do it! ”
What documents you need to check / sign, before proceed to the
“Go! Let’s do it! ”
Among the
eldest Architects – Designers – Decorators, prevail that you provide what is necessary,
depending on the client. From a sketch on a cigarettes box to a 3D
photorealistic picture.
As you can
see there is a lot of space in between.
Nowadays it
is common that Designers show the client only 3D visualizations. Ok! This is
probably a starting point for the dialogue of the “What I want” & “What I
don’t want” for both sides. Maybe along with the 3d pictures are also presented
some mood boards. (Not Material Boards: this is a different thing).
When this
first stage is over, then the real study begins.
® Measurements
of the space or as build drawings (when the building is still in progress).
® Drawings with
details for the builders, con
- Must have General Arrangements (GA), plan views, ceiling views, elevations sections,
- additional detailing drawings,
- sketches or 3 dimension drawings when needed to understand further and the list goes on and on depending the area.
Material boards!
Material boards are the actual materials (veneers, laminates, colors, carpets, leathers, fabrics, tiles, marbles, curtains… etc.) that the client approved or is going to approve, glued – fixed- on a board with a label of the name of the project, date and the state of revisions – if there are any modifications in between. This ensures that the client will see and approve the actual material, color, and finish. Imagine 2 white tiles. There are not the same, or bronze finish faucets or handles or knobs, each one can be different color.
As you can see, the material board is not a mood board. The second is a
board with pictures and rarely actual materials on, that give the general idea
and style of the space to be. It’s about what its name is about: MOOD. It’s
about the mood someone will have entering the space. Or at least the mood the
Creator would like the space to radiate.
Material boards are most of the time 3, for the same space. The client have to approve one. (Meaning: sign on with a signature of both parties).
® Documents and Specification of materials, electrical supplies and furnishing (when is possible).
® Time plans of the study and works.
® Detailed financial offers- quotations- of goods that need to be bought Furniture, fabrics, artworks, etc…). Usually for every item or work the client gets 3 quotations to compare.
® Shopping! Yes sometimes the Designer and the client go and check the items of interest, in the stores. So the mistakes are avoided. When you see things sometimes you can have changes of the last moment.
•
Or the stores, bring on the samples (of chairs,
coffee tables, and more easy to carry items) in the Architectural firm or on
site (when there is space to safely store the goods).
Before the end:
®Additional measurements, tracing on the existing floor, or installation of false -help, temporary floor.
- Tracing on the floor with markers, chocks, strings, wooden boards, in order to have all elements and parts, easily checked and found from all contractors and craftsmen. All methods are acceptable depending on the project and the way that workmen are used to work. (At the end, all that matters is a correct and excellent result.)
- Temporary floor that is usually installed by the contractor in order to have all elements of the fabrications drawn in place. You mostly find that kind of floor in very expensive or super luxurious projects.
Final:
® Checking for possible misplacements of the loose furniture. Sometimes you have to move an armchair one inch or in a different position.
®Be sure that the finished area is cleaned thoroughly before starting to hang curtains and install the carpet floor.
® Clean again. After a while, again… and repeat… and again. Clean in all stages of the final installations and the deliveries of goods.
Ιn conclusion
A typical project would include
· Initial consultation
· Digital Mood boards
· Assessing existing plans and tenders
· Proposed floor plans- drawn to scale- including lighting, electrical plans &
furniture layouts
· Supplying a complete list of furniture, fittings, accessories, lighting, flooring,
hardware and decorative items.
· Ordering and overseeing installation after sign off
· Sourcing & managing trusted specialist suppliers & trades- from upholstery and curtains/blinds to joinery & flooring installation
· Compiling a comprehensive paint list alongside colour, finish & fabric suggestions
· Sourcing unique/vintage items and Art
· Styling and Photographing the project on completion
Hope you get an idea, now, of how things are working.
Of course
there are also other ways to do so, but this one is the most common to be sure
that the design and the execution is working.
by Joanna Bios