Written by As an interior design and interior fit-out company in Dubai, Sison J Interior Design provides various services, including interior design, interior fit-out, design and build turnkey solutions, and MEP. When we receive enquiries for our services, we occasionally notice that when it comes to interior design and interior fit-out services in Dubai, our clients sometimes need clarification about the difference in the scope of work included. This article looks closely at the components that define these two very distinct services.
Interior Design
The modern interior design profession developed from pursuing effective use of space. It further involves understanding people’s behaviour to provide a well-trained understanding of how people are influenced by their environments. By understanding the psychological effects of colours, an interior designer can, for example, impact how an end-user will feel and interact with a space. Colours can make a room calm or stressful, big or small. Therefore, choosing the appropriate colour combination is essential to achieve the desired feeling for the end-user. Whether designing for a retail store, restaurant, office or residence, thoughtful space planning and aesthetically pleasing and functional interior design will greatly optimize the user experience. For commercial spaces, high-quality interior design can attract customers, keep them returning, and increase the return on investment.
Interior designers commonly work with architects, engineers, and interior fit-out contractors to ensure that the structural elements of the interior environment are not only functional but safe and adhere to local building codes and regulations.
Conducted by an interior designer, the overall scope of work generally includes regular communications and meetings with key stakeholders throughout the following key phases to form the overall interior design process:
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Strategic Planning Phase
Unlike construction, interior design is often based on personal choices and decisions. Getting to know a client well is essential to understand what a client wants. It is crucial to understand in detail the client’s taste, goals, and how the client or end-user will interact with the space, and it is also essential to consider the approximate budget the client has to complete the whole project, including the construction phase. During this phase, there will likely be several site visits, rigorous research and brainstorming sessions. The interior designer and client will collaborate to decide on ideas to bring the vision to life mutually!
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Conceptual Development Phase
During the conceptual development phase, the interior designer will try to add functionality to the space. Thoughtful space planning is just as important, if not more important, than aesthetically pleasing design. As mentioned earlier, functional interior design will significantly optimize the user experience. During this phase, ideas are turned into sketches, and illustrations should include basic site plans and simple elevations. A review process will take place with the client, and a final design should be realized and approved.
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Design Development Phase
Now that an approved concept design is in place, it’s time to get down to details, and that is just what the design development phase is all about – juicy, intricate little information! There are several questions during this phase that need a lot of consideration. From fabrics, finishes and furniture to wall coverings, textiles and lighting, all must be in sync with the approved concept design illustrated via detailed drawings and converted into 3D renders to be sent to the client for approval.
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Construction Documentation Phase
This is when the interior designer must start thinking about effectively translating their work into construction reality. During this phase, essential documents are produced to enable interior fit-out contractors to follow the lead of the designer and progress toward pricing and building the project. All specifications must be included because the approved construction documents will be processed to create a bill of quantities for cost estimation. Construction documents are also required to obtain necessary construction permits from the local city municipality. Site plans may be required to show scope, elevations and material schedules.
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Construction Management Phase
During construction, the interior designer is often regularly on-site to moderate and ensure that the interior fit-out contractor follows the precise specifications of the detailed design.
Moving onto construction...
Interior Fit Out
When we talk about the interior fit-out of space, this is following the completion of the interior design phases, and it is when fit-out contractors are engaged to make the interior space suitable for occupation/use. The base construction (shell & core space) is usually already completed by the developer, and then the occupant does the final fit-out. The base or existing interior fit-out present will usually be one of the following:
Shell & Core: The key here is in the name – ‘shell’. This space type is the first stage of a building’s fit-out. It is a simple basic structure that includes walls, cladding, a base plant, and toilets.
Cat A Fit-Out: This space is already at a standard and ready for occupation. A Category A fit-out generally includes raised floors and suspended ceilings, distribution of MEP services and internal surface finishes. It is a fully functional but empty space.
Cat B Fit-Out: This space will usually already have fully fitted kitchens and amenities, partitioning, fixtures, ceiling design, floor finishes, wall finishes, staircase installation and maybe even furniture.
construction process:
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Authority Approvals
Before any construction project can commence, obtaining the necessary construction permits from the appropriate local authority departments is mandatory. This is where the construction documents mentioned earlier come into play to demonstrate scope, elevations and material schedules. Other required documents can include an NOC from the developer, an NOC from the unit owner/landlord, a copy of the title deed/contract agreement, a copy of the tenancy contract, a contractor letter of appointment plus contractor documents (trade license, undertaking letter, acceptance letter…etc.).
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Site Mobilization
Mobilization refers to the steps involved in commencing work on site. At this point, the contractor has been selected, and the construction documents have typically been approved by the local municipality. The next step consists of the detailed preparatory work and operations necessary for the movement of personnel, equipment, supplies, and incidentals to the project site.
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Demolition Works
Once the contractor is mobilized on-site, any required demolition works will be carried out first. Demolition is the dismantling of an existing structure that is present but not required as part of the new interior fit-out. This can include the removal of any existing mechanical and electrical works, interior fit-out, joinery, etc.
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Civil and MEP Works
Next is installing any Civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) works. Civil works provide shape, structure, and aesthetics to the space. In contrast, MEP works to bring in the facilities to provide services such as air-conditioning, power and lighting, water supply and drainage, fire-fighting systems, building management systems, and telephone and data systems. These are key requirements for the energy efficiency of modern commercial construction. The MEP designer must ensure that all mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are integrated seamlessly and efficiently in the early stages.
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Ceiling Design/Closure
Once the MEP provisions are in place and the inspection is cleared, the fit-out contractor can proceed to close the false ceiling. A false ceiling is the overhead interior surface covering a room’s upper limits, including the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) installations. Ceilings are more of a design element than a structural element, and the most common are exposed or suspended ceilings. They also functionally install components such as lighting fixtures, speakers, fire and smoke detectors, and automatic sprinklers.
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Final Finishes
The final finishes refer to the fitting out of all individual areas. This is the true aesthetic design fit-out phase and must follow precisely the approved detailed design. It may involve installing lighting, adding flooring, partitioning, painting, branding, and more.
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Joinery
Joinery involves constructing the wooden components of a fit-out. These can form integral parts of the structure but also include other exposed wooden components that need a more refined hand and neater finish, such as bespoke furniture, stairs, doors, window frames, and skirtings. Many joinery elements are fully customized or bespoke and go on last after decorations.
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Fixtures, Furniture & Equipment
The final step is to bring in all the movable furniture, fixtures, or other equipment without a permanent connection to the structure or utilities. This includes the client’s selection of items such as chairs, desks, tables, rugs, artwork, and soft furnishings.
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Completion Certificates
Once the full interior fit-out services have been completed, the interior fit-out company or the client must request a completion inspection to obtain the necessary completion certificates to open/use the space. The completion certificate confirms that the project has been constructed in accordance with the relevant building guidelines and local regulations.
Once the above is completed, the project will be ready to go!
So there you have it—a complete and thorough guide to the components that make up interior design and interior fit-out. We hope this guide will help you, our clients, resolve any confusion about the scope of work involved in these two types of services. And don’t forget, Sison J Interior Design company provides interior design and interior fit-out services in Dubai, UAE. Contact us if you need help transforming a blank canvas into an aesthetically pleasing and functional space.