building happiness

In this post I will talk about materials that I will use in my project and their accessibility and sustainability.  I want to use natural wooden appearance on tables, some storage furniture and shelves. I will research local sources that I can use so it will be cheaper and more accessible. English Oak mostly use on flooring as parquet and known for strength and durability. According to Todd (2023), light coloured oak is suits perfectly for Scandinavian style. Scandinavian interior design characterised by its minimalism, functionality and using natural materials and creating a warm and inviting atmosphere ( Alan and McGregor, 2022). I also want to create a functional space by using natural and local materials so English oak is a perfect material for my project.  English Oak Ash wood also strong and durable hardwood to use. Its known for elasticity and can be worked by both hand and machine tools. It has lighter colour than English oak and has more oval shapes on it. High shock...

In this post I will look other professional portfolio's to take some inspiration from them.  First I looked at Kajal Joshi's portfolio. She put inspiration board before giving details about project. This is a good example to show everything together and give information about concept about project. I am thinking to use similar inspiration board with different zones of breakout spaces. That will show my overall design and then I will describe each zone in detail. Kajal Joshi's Portfolio Then I looked at Kye Esdrelon's portfolio. There is an office floor plan before detailed photos of interior. Then there is a 3D digital floor plan  with each section. Showing the overall design n bird-eye view is good to give an opinion about interior design. I will use similar floor plan for both two breakout spaces.  Kye Esdrelon's Portfolio Finally I checked Aalisha Rathod's portfolio. I liked the mood board idea with materials and colour palette and furniture that used in spac...

In this post I will make my production plan for my project .  I need one concept sketch for both breakout spaces for 2D outcomes. I will have two hand-draft floor plan for each breakout space. I will create two 3D digital model for each space in Home Styler. Finally I'll try to create one of the space as a 3D physical model.   Home Styler In week 7&8  I'll start designing breakout spaces in Home Styler , I am thinking to finish the draft designs in 4 or 5 day for both space. Then in week 8 I'll draw my concept sketches for each space using ink pen and watercolour. While making the concept sketches I'll start collecting materials and start doing my physical architectural model. After finishing most of the work I'll check all my works and correct the mistakes. Then I will make my concept boards and publish them in my website.  REFERENCES Homestyler  (2022)   1. Introduction to design interface-Contest&Activity-Homestyler Forum ...

 In this post I will show my further development. I will do more concept sketches and will discuss these. 

After I decide a colour palette I tried colours in my sketch drawings. I did some small quick perspective drawings to just try colours. I tried the colours both on ground floor and first floor sketches. I tried to use all the colours that I decided in my colour palette.  In these practices I used neutral colours around the such as in flooring, walls, shelves and tables. However I coloured the furniture to make the space lively.  I think the colours worked well together and I can use this colour palette in my project. I will do more practice in my further development post. 

After deciding my space plan I will make floor plan in software. I used Home Styler software for making my floor plan. Before I start making my floor plan I researched average door measurements for university and I considered the wheelchair accessibility. 'The minimum clear opening width for internal doorways should be 900mm when approached from a corridor of 1000mm, allowing for wheelchair access. Doors should be accessible for wheelchair users. The dimensions for such doors are 1981 x 838 x 35mm.' (Robinson, 2024) Also the doors should be a fire doors to use in emergency. I checked the average fire doors size.  1981 x 762 x 35mm – often referred to as a 2’6” door is the most common internal door size in England and Wales 1981 x 838 x 35mm – in most circumstances provides the required opening width for wheelchair access under the Part ‘M’ mobility requirements. You may also hear this door size being referred to as a 2’9”   (Enfield, 2025) After research I decided ...

In this post I will research about my target audience and what they need and want in a breakout space and is my design ideas suitable for them. My target audience is mostly Gen Z and I will research the demographics of Gen Z.  This generation known as first digital native generation, they grew up with smartphones and social media. Technological devices are an  indispensable and necessary part of their lives. Because of that I will add technological devices in breakout spaces such as screen and vending machines. Also Gen Z is most ethnically and nationally diverse generation. Inclusive design and diverse social spaces help Gen Z students feel connected and supported. I will use a design that will appeal everyone. They need a practical and useful furniture in breakout space for different uses, I will use functional and some customizable furniture.  Gen Z According to Davis (2025), Gen Z want an informal working zones and relaxing spaces such as bean bags or café a...

Before I decide my colour palette I made some historical research. I wanted to choose my colour palette inspired by the city. I checked some of the city's historical structure , works of art and flags.  First I looked Leicester City Football  Club's flag and the flag of the Leicestershire. In both there is fox figure which comes from football club's nickname. Football club's colour palette is blue and orange and these colours are complementary colours . Complementary colours create a vibrant ,balance and dynamic look. Other flag's colour palette is red, white and black, these colours are strong colours and when they used together it creates strong and powerful look as we can see. Also white and red colours were used in DMU's logo.   While I was looking for inspiration I found an artwork that made inspired by city and historical buildings. This fox sculpture called Artie and made by Seema Jaffer who was studying in DMU. ' The colour palette is inspired by Lei...

In this post I will research and discuss about Marientrum and Marienforum office design by Patricia Urquiola. I chose this design because vibrant and energised colour used in design. Additionally, comfortable and colourful furniture also designed by Patricia Urquiola was used in the design. Marienturm and Marienforum is an office designed by Patricia Urquiola in 2019. ' The interior design for Marienturm and Marienforum (two new towers in the heart of Frankfurt’s financial district) is influenced by the nearby Taunusanlage Park. It unifies two different atmospheres inside the buildings, a relationship between Work and Nature' (Urquiola, 2019). In this design she inspired by the park near to building. As we can see the influence of nature in wide plants all around the office and, wooden texture all along the wall and door and bright colours on furniture. Wide area and high ceiling with floor to ceiling windows make the place comfortable and spacious which is great for breakout s...

 In this post I will talk about LOB workplace by Kelly Robinson. I chose Kelly Robinson because she designed many different types of workspaces and I chose her  LOB workplace design because she used colourful office booths in her design. I also want to put remarkable and colourful furniture in my design without making exaggerated and very obvious. I want to use different colours in combination and harmonious way, not in distracting way.  LOB workplace designed in 2020 by Kelly Robinson. She wanted to reflect company's priorities of diversity , collaborations and modernity.  Minimalist style used in this office design with simple and plain furniture ,and not using a lot of decorations and objects in a space. This workplace was designed based on functionality, comfort and aesthetics.  There is a coffee/bar in corner with bar counter and bar stools around it. Also high tables and bar stools used by the windows. Usage of high tables and bar stools are important...

 In this post I will talk about space planning and finalise my space plan.  Before I start drawing space plan I decided what I need in space and what should I include. I need to think about accessibility, functionality, dimensions and the human traffic flow of the room while placing everything. Breakout spaces is for people to spend their free time and relax so it should be spacious, accessible and comfortable.  I am designing two breakout spaces and I thought that I can use one space as a recreation area and other space for more rest and chat. I will use ground floor for recreation area and space is not that big to fit game tables like table tennis, football table and pool table but maybe I can fit one of them. Because of this I want to put more board games in place for entertainment. Also I thought to put a TV in corner for games or music but the area is between classrooms so it can be distracting. Also I will place shelves into the space to put board games and other en...