The Quality of Space

The design of a building does not end with simply drawing a plan, labelling rooms and leaving them for the electricians, plumbers, and tilers to fit out. Attention to the small details is critical in successful buildings. Think of issues like cumbersome door swings in tight spaces, sinks located too far from cookers, dark corridors – all of these probably looked fine on paper and aren’t necessarily “wrong”, but more attention to detail and care in the design phase could have elevated and improved these spaces.

The embodied experience of spaces is driven by a number of factors such as light, scale, proportion, materiality, and acoustic properties. Too narrow, and a space feels claustrophobic. Too wide, and it becomes disorganised and disconnects the adjacent spaces. No artificial light can come close to replicating natural daylight or sunshine – proximity to windows and their dimensions is critical to ensure adequate lighting and even ventilation. Useful daylight only reaches approximately two times the height of the opening into the room – so often, a more intimate, well-lit space is more effective than a large open space which relies day and night on artificial lighting.

Many unexpected factors can influence the quality of a space too. Will smells from the kitchen permeate into adjacent rooms or upstairs via a mezzanine level? Will mucky boots have to make their way from the back door to a closet elsewhere? Will the volume of the TV in the snug make conversation in the kitchen difficult, or vice-versa? These examples are only a tiny sample of the kinds of unexpected considerations we must be aware of as architects – ones we have the experience and know-how to take into account in our designs.

Material choices can also have a huge impact on the quality of a space. Plastered and painted blockwork walls are easily maintained, but they can be hard and unwelcoming at times. Timber panelled walls can be more comforting and homely, but may require more maintenance, and are more easily damaged. Tiled floors are easier to clean, but can feel cold underfoot. Carpeted floors are cosy and easily installed, but can require vigorous cleaning. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and we curate a careful material palette for each project to ensure the finishes live up to the spatial qualities of a room. We are always conscious of the best options for sustainable, locally-sourced materials and finishes, from the first sketched line on trace roll right through to sign-off.