Design Rationale

The rationale for the submitted space plan and design features for Exclusive Designs new offices at in Nottingham Lace district.

Exclusive Designs brand is a very vital element in developing the proposed space . In the brief the requests that it holds both contemporary elements and recognises the historic history of the Grade 2 listed building is clearly given. Designing the new space without the brand identity has lead to different ways being researched in order to add this essential business element being added to the design.

A questionnaire has been prepared that under other circumstances clients may be asked to complete or their staff may be asked to complete in order to give the designer greater understanding of the business and the company.

This is attached to assist the reader to understand the rationale behind the final submitted design.

Questionnaire Do you believe in the phycology of colour ? Do you think that the colours we plan to use are vital in making Exclusive designs a brand to trust ? Do you agree that by defining areas in the new office will influence prospective clients ?

Do you believe the space can and should be utilised in its entirety as a showroom to attract and secure new customers ?Should the new space demonstrate the versatility of Exclusive Designs as a multiplayer in the lace district and creative arts of Nottingham ? Should the space hold elements in it that clearly demonstrate the creativity of the staff and their ability to design bespoke items ?Do you think  it important to give staff and management an area that they can not only have a cup of coffee in but can also breakaway from high energy level that tends to exist in open plan office ? Is it important to you as a member of the staff that the space is designed so that it is one you really want to work in and where you are comfortable interacting with contemporaries in?

By using the loved Nottingham Raleigh bicycle poster images through the ages in the interior, one would expect to positively and suitably create a design environment that is light, fun and in keeping with the design history of not just the Nottingham Lace heritage of the area but the successes achieved by designers and artist in Nottingham

With the cycle wheel as a design element for the boardroom will bringing in an Industrial creative statement for Exclusive Designs. An area to show case the interior design teams imagination and ability to relate to and associate with industrial Nottingham.

This is continued into the original core business zone (Graphics, advertising , multi media and marketing) Here the graphic, marketing and advertising teams will create trending cycle posters to demonstrate their skills to clients , these will be displayed on the wall in their client meeting room.

By adding a small designer lift and highly designed disabled toilets the interior design team will be able to demonstrate their sensitivity for this growing market as people live longer and are encouraged to remain in their own homes.

Demonstrating the ability to recognise sought after highly skilled creative overseas designers is I believe very important as Exclusive Designs is expected to attract international clients. The Managing Directors office has been selected as the perfect zone

Client : Exclusive Designs

Location : 23 High Pavement

Space planning / Interior Design

Interior Design Genie Vanda Hughes

to display this to prospective clients in this building which lends itself to a place of Authority County House’s past clearly demonstrated this over the years being the residence of Lady Hutchinson the wife of Colonel Hutchinson and subsequently as the Magistrates converted it to Judges Quarters. The Italian designer chosen is highly regarded and the furniture has clean lines with a sense of permanence created with the option to select the polished stainless steel finish or wood. There are 3 distinct options available to a designer when planning the spacial layout for the Grade 2 listed building at 23 High Pavement over two floors.

I. Have all the management and the MD in a zone together next to the boardroom with the rest of the staff on the next floor.

II. Have the MD and the new Interior Design business together with the management and core multi media business with the teams on the other floor.

III. Have the MD in a zone of low traffic that is with administration and the breakout rare next to the zone with the core business and the managers, the designers architect and boardroom can then be place on a separate floor.

The final spacial layout selected has been driven by core business principals :-

Innovative original creative designs

Innovative Multi media design

Innovative design communication

Innovative design passion

Innovative product creation

Innovative Interior design

Innovative historical recognition in design

Innovative ethical design

Exclusive Designs desire a contemporary imaginative, professional creative design space, that combines well within the heritage of the listed building known as County House. Steeped in history as a place inhabited through the 16th and 17th century by persons of Authority it housed a signatory to King Charles1st death warrant (Colonel Hutchinson)

The house that by following the design trend of the 18th century saw it redressed in the Georgian style of the time by William Hallowes, but its link with people in authority did not end there.Though the 19th and 20th century the property saw not only Judges but modern day County council offices pass through its doors.This adaption to change but maintain a stamp of authority lends itself to truly innovative offices for inventors of change Exclusive Designs.