While greenfield projects offer designers the freedom to explore new ideas and innovate without constraints, refurbishment projects require us to think outside the box, and delve deeper into issues of functionality and optimization of space and resources to address the restrictions of bylaws, budgets and timelines.
In order to feel welcoming, a space at its core should be a reflection of its users. This is most relevant for residential spaces which in some way personify their residents’ personalities and desires. Homes serve as sanctuaries, and their spatial layout, furnishings and even colour palettes should invoke a sense of familiarity and comfort for their users.
As with almost everything in life, the spaces we occupy should grow and change with our evolving needs. For instance, there has recently been a rise in the demand for flexible layouts for homes with the proliferation of remote work culture – spaces that balance work-efficiency and relaxation are being prioritized. Such changing demands means that refurbishments are an integral part of a building’s life cycle, ensuring the economic efficiency and longevity of a structure.
In my practice, I have worked on several refurbishment projects at various scales from residences to hospitals, and have learned through experience how crucial planning well and staying organized is to help one work within set budgets.
BUDGETING AND PLANNING – The stepping stone in your journey
Planning in advance helps one to easily visualize the available space that one can work with, optimizing functionality and aesthetics in the redesign exercise. Starting with a small-scale drawing is an effective tool to do this, and helps keep track of space, existing fixtures (electric/plumbing/AC points), and the vaastu layout. Hence, any constraints a structure may present can be worked around.
An efficient plan can help determine the most cost-effective solutions for a renovation project. By estimating the major tasks, work can be carried out in phases, with major requirements taken care of first. While planning, one can also think about the energy consumption of a space by evaluating existing fixtures, and ensuring they are running smoothly. In the long run, such measures save on running costs.One should be mindful of existing furnishings and appliances while renovating. Such a project is often thought of as an overhaul exercise, but by recycling and upgrading existing furnishings, one can aim to be more cost-effective.
Apart from the major work such as structural changes or renewing fixtures, it’s important to plan for one’s personal interests, hobbies, pets and even plants. Such gestures make a space feel personable, enhancing the feeling of comfort. Natural light and ventilation are also prerequisites, because they make any space feel rejuvenating and positively affect the occupants’ mood. These also contribute to lowering the energy costs in a home.
THE DETAILS – Tying everything together
As they say, God is in the details – it’s the small things and personal touches that make a space feel inviting. Interior design schemes can help uplift occupants’ moods through the strategic use of material and colour palettes. To add a sense of depth and richness to one’s living spaces, one should work in layers. The walls, floor and heavy furniture act as the base, and should ideally be in neutral tones to serve as foils to the other furnishings and artworks. The wallpapers, light fixtures etc then become the second layer, and the smaller accents like cushions or lamps or decorations act as the third layer. These can be used to add subtle pops of colour, making the space more vibrant.
Our refurbishment project for Ashirwad Hospital aimed to provide quality healthcare in the city of Varanasi by reinvigorating an existing structure. In order to ensure the well-being of its occupants, the design employs a muted material palette – with materials such as pinewood, stone and plaster finishes, to induce a sense of serenity among users. Punctuating this interior envelope are furnishings and signage in soothing tones of teal and green; which add a subtle pop of colour to the space but also aid user navigation.
Refurbishment projects not only present us with the opportunity to redefine our living spaces based on our present needs; they can also help us evaluate the impact our living spaces have on the environment. Environmentally friendly alternatives such as photovoltaic cells can be installed, or efficient alternatives to existing electric appliances can be considered to lower running costs. We can also be more conscious while picking out materials – reusing waste material or using recycled materials like chipboard where possible. Renovation projects are one of the viable solutions to new construction, which might not be feasible given growing land prices and scarcity of resources. Instead, they allow one the chance to continue to grow with the spaces one is familiar with.