Concept with tenant changes

Concept

Objective:

The concept serves as the initial phase of the design process, providing key guidelines for making informed spatial and aesthetic decisions.

At this stage, the primary focus is on developing a functional layout, which defines the arrangement of rooms, furniture, and fixtures to best accommodate the needs of future occupants while aligning with their design preferences.

Before selecting materials, finalizing wall colors, or choosing kitchen cabinetry, it is essential to establish a structured framework that will guide subsequent project stages.

This framework includes:

• Partition layout – defining spatial divisions through the placement of walls,
• Furniture arrangement – determining the functional layout of each room, specifying the dimensions of key elements such as sofas, wardrobes, dressers, and desks,
• Kitchen planning – positioning cabinetry and appliances to optimize workflow, ensuring sufficient countertop space and comfortable circulation,
• Bathroom configuration – determining the placement and sizing of sanitary fixtures, including bathtubs, shower enclosures, vanity units, and clearance areas for ease of movement.

Additionally, the concept establishes the design direction, including the overall color palette and stylistic approach that will define the final interior aesthetic.

Given the complexity of elements that must be curated based on budget, availability, functionality, and quality—and the iterative nature of the design process—this initial stage does not include specific selections of materials or furnishings. The concept does not equate to a finalized design with material specifications but instead provides a strategic foundation for making informed decisions in subsequent phases.

Deliverables of the Concept Phase:

• Functional Layout – proposed spatial arrangement with furniture and fixture placement,
• Kitchen & Bathroom Layouts – preliminary zoning and functional configurations,
• Annotated Floor Plan – technical drawings with spatial descriptions,
• Design Intent & Color Strategy – preliminary guidelines on color schemes, decorative elements, and styling opportunities,
• Lighting Plan – suggested placement of general, accent, and ambient lighting, including concealed and decorative lighting solutions,
• Conceptual 3D Visualizations – volumetric representations illustrating the proposed spatial layout and interior design vision.

Tenant Modifications

Objective:

For apartments:
If the interior design process begins at a stage when tenant modifications can still be implemented.

For houses:
If the interior design is developed during the architectural planning phase or the initial stages of construction.

The goal of this stage is to refine the concept phase to the point where structural and installation decisions can be made, including:

• Partition walls – defining the final placement of interior walls, determining if recesses are needed, adjusting door positions, or widening passageways.
• Electrical layout – optimizing the placement of lighting, outlets, and switches based on the finalized functional layout.
• Plumbing & drainage connections – specifying the locations of water and sewage outlets based on fixture dimensions and placement, such as bathtubs, shower trays, bidets, rain showers, single or double sinks, as well as the positioning of dishwashers, sinks, and washing machines.

Deliverables:

• Partition layout – proposed modifications to the layout of interior walls.
• Lighting guidelines – recommendations for lighting placement and electrical planning.
• Plumbing & drainage guidelines – specifications for water and sewage connections.

By defining these guidelines based on a well-developed concept, unnecessary expenses and delays during the finishing stage can be avoided. At this phase, all modifications remain on paper, ensuring cost-effective and efficient planning.

Example project of guidelines for architect