Interior Design And Interior Fit-Out: A Beginner's Guide (Part II)

Now let's talk about construction.

Interior Fit Out

When we discuss the interior fit out of a room, we mean the process that occurs after the interior design phases are finished and when fit out contractors are hired to prepare the interior space for use or habitation. Typically, the developer has already finished the basic construction (shell and core space), and the final fit out is handled by the tenant. Typically, the base or present interior fit-out will include the following:

Shell & Core: The word "shell" is crucial in this situation. The very first phase of a building's fit-out is this kind of area. The building's basic components include walls, cladding, base plants, and restrooms.?

Cat A Fit-Out: This area is already up to code and prepared for occupancy. A category A fit-out frequently includes raised floors and suspended ceilings, MEP service distribution, and interior surface treatments. In essence, it is a completely usable yet empty room.

Cat B Fit-Out: Typically, this area comes equipped with fully functional kitchens and other facilities, as well as partitioning, fixtures, ceiling design, floor finishing, wall finishing, staircase construction, and perhaps even furnishings.

The bill of quantities (BOQ) and the amount of construction work to be done by the interior fit out contractor will ultimately depend on the level of fit out currently present in a client's space. However, the total scope of work often follows the following important stages to constitute the overall construction process:

1. Authority Approvals

Obtaining the required construction permits from the relevant local authority agencies is a need before any building project can start. The construction documents we previously discussed will now be used to show the scope, elevations, and material schedules. A NOC from the developer, a NOC from the unit owner/landlord, a copy of the title deed/contract agreement, a copy of the tenancy contract, a letter of appointment for the fit out contractor, as well as contractor documents (trade licences, undertaking letters, acceptance letters, etc.), may also be needed.

2. Site Mobilization

The actions necessary to start working on a project site are referred to as mobilisation. The construction documents have normally been authorised by the neighbourhood municipality by this point, and the contractor has been chosen. The comprehensive planning and activities required for the transportation of people, tools, supplies, and incidentals to the project site make up the following stage.

3. Demolition Works

Any necessary demolition work will be done first, then the contractor will be mobilised on the jobsite. An existing structure that is extant but is not necessary for the new interior fit-out is destroyed by demolition. This can involve taking out any existing joinery, interior fitout, mechanical, and electrical works, among other things.

4. Civil and MEP Works

The installation of any MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) and civil works comes next. While MEP works to bring in the facilities for supplying services like air-conditioning, power and lighting, water supply and drainage, fire-fighting systems, building management systems, and telephone and data systems, civil works offer the space with shape, structure, and aesthetics. These are essential criteria for modern commercial construction's energy efficiency. Early on, the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems must be efficiently and flawlessly connected, according to the MEP designer.

5. Ceiling Design/Closure

The fit out contractor can move on with closing the false ceiling after the MEP provisions are in place and the inspection is successful. The above internal surface that covers a room's upper boundaries, including the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, is known as a false ceiling. The most popular types of ceilings are exposed or suspended ceilings, which serve more as design elements than as structural components. They can also be used to add extras like speakers, lighting, smoke and fire alarms, and sprinklers on command.

6. Final Finishes

The fitting out of each particular space is referred to as the final finishes. This step of the design process truly focuses on aesthetics and must adhere to the approved detailed design to the letter. It could entail adding flooring, dividing spaces, painting, branding, and other things.

7. Joinery

The construction of wooden fit out components is known as joinery. Additionally to handmade furniture, staircases, doors, window frames, and skirtings, they can be exposed wooden portions of the structure that require a more skilled hand and a finer finish. Many joinery components are completely unique or personalised and are added last, following decorations.

8. Fixtures, Furniture & Equipment

Bring in all the portable fixtures, furnishings, and other items that aren't permanently attached to the building or its utilities as the last phase. FF&E, or simply FF&E, refers to the client's choice of furniture like chairs, desks, tables, rugs, artwork, and soft furnishings.

9. Completion Certificates

The interior fit out firm or the customer must request a completion inspection once the whole interior fit-out services are finished in order to receive the required completion certificates before the space can be opened or used. The completion certificate attests to the fact that the project was built in conformity with all necessary building standards and local ordinances.

When the aforementioned is finished, the project is ready to start!

That's all there is to it. An extensive and detailed reference to the elements that go into interior design and interior fit out.