The Importance of Interior Design and Architectural Details

The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo Japan, Les Corbusier

The list of elements that go into a well-designed home (or any building for that matter) feels limitless.  Function, proportion, expression of materials, dialogue with the landscape, use of light, etc. all contribute to spaces we want to be in - spaces we want to live in.  One item, however, is missing from this list and it’s something that cannot be overlooked: details.

While the word “details” may not need a definition, from a design perspective, it usually refers to any instance where different materials meet or to the treatment of a material itself.  Are we providing a ¾” gap between your fence boards? 1” gap?  It makes a difference and sometimes that difference is critical.  The difference in the example above impacts the opacity of your fence (7% more or less opaque by the way).  However, details also have the ability to go far beyond the banal and provide a higher level of sophistication, playfulness, or joy - and that’s a big reason we get so excited when thinking of them.

Details have the ability to go far beyond the banal and provide a higher level of sophistication, playfulness, or joy - and that’s a big reason we get so excited when thinking of them.

Stair detail at The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo Japan, Les Corbusier

One of the reasons Waldron Designs shifted to design-build rather than remaining simply a design firm is the ability to develop and execute details that elevate a project from a good one to a great one.  As designers, we’re excited about the opportunity to learn from true craftspeople.  People who know the limitations of materials and the ability to actually construct what we propose.  This collaborative process includes consultants as well.  While we normally think of engineers (structural, civil, etc.) as people who “make things real”, we approach conversations with them just as we would other designers (landscape architects for example).

A more holistic team means a more holistic approach to design.

Our teams push each other to places that provide more resilient and intentional designs - not to mention avoiding problem-solving during construction. It’s a style of working that designers, engineers and builders often enjoy but the ultimate benefit is delivering something you love.