Have you ever felt uplifted by the layout of a building? It might have been the expansive hallways and open spaces filled with natural light, or maybe the practicality of an office building’s design made it a joy to work in. Additionally, spaces are made special when crafted not only to be admired but to function seamlessly for those who use it. When every door opens the right way, navigation feels intuitive, and there are no awkward corners, this is the result of thoughtful architectural design.
Best Quality Spaces
What defines a high-quality space? Beauty and utility combined to provide the best possible experience for those who use the building. Thoughtful design creates spaces that uplift those who live or work within them. The flow of traffic, different ways that furniture might be arranged, and the convenient placement of power outlets and utility connections are all considered. Not to forget, the ergonomic placement of permanent features like doors and built-in cabinets. At the same time, thoughtful design seeks to create an attractive space that feels spacious, receives natural light, and could be easily decorated to suit the many different tastes of potential residents.
Thoughtful Design in Commercial Construction
In commercial spaces, thoughtful architectural design focuses on the best ergonomics of a workplace. Therefore, the primary human experience is represented by employees trying to get “the job” done, whatever their jobs may be. This could mean broad hallways, open spaces, and avenues for natural light to filter toward the center of larger buildings. The larger the building, the more important navigation and convenient placement of amenities will become. Are bathrooms an ideal distance from stairs and elevators? Additionally, signs and distinctive features on each floor help employees get around and find their way without getting lost.
Thoughtful Design in Multifamily Construction
When designing living spaces, thoughtful architectural design takes on even greater importance as these are people’s homes. Nonetheless, designers can create multifamily homes that feel luxurious, even with simple amenities. Creating spacious homes with balanced designs for common living areas is possible. Designers can make kitchens have natural workflows with cooks in mind. Each bedroom designed with thoughtful consideration of the balance in space between the closet, window, and a full-sized bed. Additionally, bathrooms can be designed to ensure privacy, comfort, and avoid the awkward door swing that plagues so many homes. Thoughtful architectural design prevents problems that may seem small but make a great impact on tenant’s overall joy and wellbeing in their homes.
The Heart of Thoughtful Architectural Design
At the end of the day, human experience is at the heart of thoughtful architectural design. Therefore, the key is to consider how each person that occupies a space will be able to move through it. How can the space be made more uplifting without sacrificing utility? How can the space be made more functional without sacrificing beauty?
What common annoyances can be avoided, and what common wish-list features can be easily added? Architectural design influences everything from traffic flow and user experience to comfort and well-being, impacting daily life across a multitude of different environments.
At Ted Trout Architects, thoughtful architectural design is one of our core principles. Therefore, whether you are designing a multifamily property or a new commercial construction, we believe in creating spaces that will set the stage for generations of positive experiences for all who use each building as residents, employees, customers, and beyond.
