Yesterday night, while editing the final version of the post scheduled to be published today here at BRICKS-n-MORTAR, we happen to take a tea break and took some more time off to check & prune our mailboxes as well as the network links that we follow.

One of such many updates was from ArchDaily, a daily architectural content website, the recent entry of which derailed us from what we were doing that very point of time.  The entry, in subject, inadvertently got us into sort of an informal debate among ourselves, which we now think, could well be posted today instead of the earlier planned post and be shared with our readers to have their insight also.

ABOUT THE DEBATE WITHIN OURSELVES...

The debate started after looking at one of the architectural entries out of a total of eight there in this very update at ArchDaily, which was titled 'SHIP' and was a submission by some Japanese Architect agency, called Katsuhiro Miyamoto & Associates with their reported postal address indicating them to be located at Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan.

The subject entry 'SHIP' made us follow its 'Read more' hyperlink in the received update mailer for two reasons--

• ONE,  the picture accompanying the entry was looking somewhat weird as compared to other content in the mailer;  and
• TWO,  the seemingly weirdness of the entry made us more so very inquisitive to find out as what in the first place was the idea behind such a design?!!

This is how the house looks like... (reproducing and sharing the pictures of this weird looking entry from ArchDaily as ready reference)

Now, having visited their respective hyperlinks, this is what the website mentions about the Japanese architect agency's design:

A residence built on a two-tiered site with a level difference of 3 meters. Because of the concern remained about the credibility of embankment and retaining wall built along the housing development, the foundation was laid on natural ground beneath the lower tier which was more reliable as the supporting stratum. The steel-made volume for public rooms floats over the retaining wall and above the upper tier for better view. Private rooms are arranged along the lower tier where the atmosphere is calm, at a distance from the front road, within a reinforced concrete structure which functions as a counterbalance to the overhanging volume.

...The result is in fact much reminiscent of a ferryboat, in terms of both structure and layout, in which passenger decks and floating section are separated up and down with the vehicle decks in between.

Cor-ten steel used for the structure of this house’s first floor and up is entirely untreated on the surface and bare, expected to be covered with stable rust in the future. Contrastingly, the interior surfaces –floor, wall, ceiling- are finished uniformly white with elaborate thermal insulation. Combined with their curved forms, it is intended that a neutral space with a feeling of loss of depth is created.

THIS IS OUR OPINION ON THE DESIGN...  but, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Despite reading the details and looking at various pictures of this weird-looking building, we couldn't be convinced as why foundations (deep foundations and/or pile foundations, etc.) couldn't be possible in the front half of the building, which could have let the building have some meaningful and natural shape? Moreover, we don't think this design could have been economic considering the fact that enormous quantity of steel structure would have been put in use to support such gigantic unsupported cantilevered upper storey part. The RCC overhang would also have been of larger volumes so as to provide a balancing counterweight.

All in all, we debated and debated for hours to find any reasonable meaning in designing such weird-looking buildings (apologies though to the conceiving Japanese architect agency in case we have not been able to understand their concept!!)

Let us ask now BRICKS-n-MORTAR readers to help take the debate further to some concluding decision as what such designs be termed as---  

INNOVATIVE & UNIQUE... 

or...   

WEIRD & UNWARRANTED DESIGN ??

BTW, here's showing the picture of another entry of the same mailer, which is differently conceptualized, but is still looking amazing. Have a look! What do you say for this?

Source: ArchDaily

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One of BnM's active subscribers, Chan Gul, asks via email...

What is Shell and Core Construction?

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Team BnM answers... With the building heights increasing and further increasing than what they used to be a century ago, and with newer methodologies being adopted for faster and safer construction practices the world over-- the integral civil engineering aspects like conceptualization, design, construction, interiors, etc. have also changed to suit pace. We all have been knowing since we look back into modern history, how buildings and houses were constructed as load bearing structures with foundations and walls predominantly constructed in stone and/or brick masonry. With further advancement of time and technology, reinforced cement concrete (RCC)/ structural steel/ structural steel+reinforced cement concrete composite elements formed framed structures became common, which were more stable and well engineered units. These framed structures adopted a typical construction pattern of casting the foundations, followed by casting the columns and beam networks, and eventually followed by casting of the intermediate and/or roof slabs. This engineering concept allowed the number of stories to increase over a particular plan area, which we normally call as multistoried buildings. However, now that the buildings the world over registering record-breaking heights while construction agencies finding ways to optimize costs and time curves involved, systems were designed in a fashion that allowed minimizing the construction time involved in raising the buildings without breaking the construction flow in respect of attaining the full building height (i.e., notwithstanding how many stories are there in the design, and how many slabs are to be cast in between for which, by conventional methods, the formwork has to be stopped at slab soffit (bottom) level, and then re-started post concreting and setting of the floor/roof slabs). WHAT IS SHELL & CORE CONCEPT OF BUILDING DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION? SHELL & CORE design and construction concept, on the other hand, designs the buildings and structures in such a way that allows the complete formwork (also called shuttering work in some parts of the world) for a particular level in plan to be made as a single unit that is slipped upwards with the help of 'jack & lift system' while concreting of the structural elements takes place continuously and gradually without stopping at intermediate floor levels. WHY THIS CONCEPT IS CALLED 'SHELL & CORE' METHOD? Under this concept of 'shell and core' design and construction, the buildings structures are defined under broad heads as

• CORE -- (the internal column-beam-wall systems that outline the various inside units on one particular floor level of the building in plan/layout, and which demarcate the internal boundaries of the rooms, halls, sanitary areas, ventilation areas (like passages, walkways, staircases, etc.)
• SHELL -- (the outermost peripheral wall system that ultimately provides outermost walled covering to the entire building in totality)
• INFILLS or INTERIOR ELEMENTS or MINOR ELEMENTS -- (these are the non-structural elements of the building that serve the essential purpose of architectural detailing units, finishing items, false partitions, and the likes)

To sum it up, the 'Shell and Core' building concept is to plan, design and build the core (inside) building which is covered or surrounded by shell (perimeter). Once the core and shell building elements are constructed, the internal architectural elements can be taken up gradually and continually. MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF 'SHELL & CORE' DESIGN and BUILD CONCEPT Some of the major advantages of using the 'shell and core' concept are:

• speeds up the whole design & build process
• facilitates economic and fast track design and construction method that saves a lot of time, efforts, and thereby, cost
• helps in planning, designing and constructing building layouts that optimally utilizes the overall available space
• most importantly, results in development of Green Buildings that are not only environment friendly, but also use minimal energy on a sustained basis
• such designs are suited for commercial buildings the most, besides residential & multi-storied builds of course, since it allows the internal smaller unit hirer/ purchaser to plan, design and build their own dwellings capitalizing upon the green strategies and methodologies adopted and implemented by the main property developers. This is important, since the smaller players can use the technology and 'greener' advantages of the building without worrying about exorbitant costs that otherwise could have not let them to adopt methods underlying the important of 'going-green'

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Ask us in case you also have any query relating to civil engineering, architecture, building design & construction, interiors, etc. Subscribe to get more such tips-n-bits, posts and articles delivered directly to your mailbox. Alternatively, subscribe to our RSS Feeds if you desire to access the content of this blog over any feed-reader of your choice. - - - Image sources: Image-1 (stephenson-ssc.co.uk) & Image-2 (jfe-steel.co.jp)

Children, no doubt, garner the maximum attention in a household they being constantly in the focal point of their loving parents. The same principle holds good to their rooms and living spaces too, which requires special planning and detailing in terms of furnishing them up.

While planning to furnish and decorate one's children room, one's approach should be much different than what it generally would be for the rest of the home. This because, the child is going through that stage of the life when he/she is developing mentally and physically, and while the world is still a learning playground for him/her. The way they feel once inside their dreamy abodes for considerable parts of the day, means a lot in their personality development.

So, what all should the parents, architects, space designers and interior decorators must keep in their minds while planning the kids rooms?

BRICKS-n-MORTAR compiles below the 10 most valued, voted and noted criteria that must be remembered while designing interiors for children room. Take a look herein below and suggest if you have to augment the list with what you think.

1. PERSONALITY TRAITS : Know your child's personality traits and correlate his/her personality with your overall plan and sense of designing with respect to that of the entire home.
2. CHOICES & LIKINGS : Respect the child's likings and dis-likings. Every kid is different, and so is yours! Accordingly, his/her likings and dis-likings will also be different than his very own parents and siblings, let alone the rest of the world. List the observed points and if possible discuss them out with your wards.
3. AFFINITY TO COLORS, THEMES & PATTERNS : Think about which colors of the rainbow or the crayon box amazes your child's senses the most. Observe and ascertain the child's affinity to certain sets of colors, themes, patterns, etc. Is he/she extrovert and charged up thereby possibly liking the bright shades (red, dark brown, bright yellow, etc.) or a sober and introvert kid feeling more relaxed in lighter and soothing shades (sky blue, light brown, fawn, peach, etc.)
4. TALK & DISCUSS PLANS : Discuss your initial plans with your child before taking final decision on 'dressing up' your child's room. After all, whats the point if you happen to annoy them at a later stage when you actually want to surprise them with your very own individualistic choices and decisions? Thats why, its always prudent to share your plans and take the kids' opinion beforehand.
5. WHAT ABOUT GROWN UP KIDS? : In case of grown up children, allow them to select their favorite design theme from his/her imagination and/or the design books, websites or movies. Wiser people will mostly refrain from bullying their own ideas upon the teenagers. And, why not? Weren't you the same way when you were their age??
6. MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DESIGN CONCEPTS : Design your child's room with a viewpoint of making it a multi-functional room as the room shall not only be a place to sleep, but also to study, play, develop, and what not! Provided the overall space and expense budget permits, think of planning the room having a sofa-cum-bed to sleep and sit whatever the case be; a study-cum-computer table and comfortable chair to explore the world and be studious; ample storage space which can take care of your child's most of the utilities; and a few more things which you know best what your child would like to have!
7. VENTILATION & MOVEMENT SPACE : Natural light, sunlight and fresh air are those elements of the nature which bring freshness, health and happiness along with them. Plan the room in such a way that at least one ventilation opening (window, ventilator, etc.) is there in the room which breezes in fresh air and circulates positive energy vibes into the child's abode. A totally walled and closed room is perhaps a source of negative energy, and should be avoided as far as possible.
8. FURNISHINGS, MATERIAL, QUALITY : 'Men will be men'.. the cliche goes, and likewise children will always be children. No matter how sober your child is, there will be times when the furnishings will bear the brunt of their adventures, playful activities, and what not. Wisdom is to choose such material and furnishings that are easily washable and/or replaceable. The paint on the walls in all likelihood be washable emulsion type that could be rubbed of those ink stains or milk splashes.
9. SHARED SPACES FOR TWINS OR MORE : We have been discussing the things considering a one child one room concept as yet. What if the space will have to be shared by more than one child? Obviously, there's no easy answer to that. The parents must take more care into planning such spaces considering all the above points thinking of the individual and grouped personality traits. Sounds a tough nut to crack, isn't it? But, successful parents surely know the answer.. or at least the way forward to plan something good for their wards who are going to share the room.
10. TAKING CUES FROM ONE ANOTHER : Take heart in knowing and believing that no one in this world is perfect. Everyone learns from everyone, and the shared experiences are all the more rewarding, most of the parents say. So, voyage into reading more, sharing more and discussing more among your friend's circle, TV shows, internet guides, interior designers' blogs, etc. etc. etc. Enrich the experience and share with others too.

Do share with us your viewpoints and what other important points can be included in this list of 'things to remember while Designing Interiors for your Child's Room'.

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When decorating interiors, homeowners most often rely on their sense of sight to gauge how attractive a room is. Most, however, forget that there are four other senses that the human body uses and these are as important as sight. The best and most comprehensive room designs are those that are able to engage all five senses and create a space that's best experienced and not just seen.

Sight is where most homeowners and designers start decorating, mostly because it's the quickest and easiest way to judge how a room appears. There are two ways to visually engage a person - with colors and with shapes. While solid colors are the safer choice for decorating a room, colors that contrast with or complement each other make a room seem much more interesting. At the same time, mixing up shapes and playing with proportion can give a room personality and character. They're effective enough on their own, but the best visual effect comes from using shapes and colors in harmony.

Auditory senses should also be engaged by the ideal home. And while a stereo system or a television could provide sounds, none of those sounds say anything about a room. Compare that to, say, the tinkling of wind chimes hung from a window or the gurgling of a small fountain in a corner. Either of those two sounds help set the mood of the room and give the space its own ambiance.

Your sense of smell, which in itself closely relates to the sense of taste, is one of the most overlooked of all the senses. Believe it or not, the olfactory senses are some of the easiest to engage when it comes to decorating a room. A set of scented candles shall be enough to generate some interest with a visitor's nose. Add a pot of potpourri or a small pot of heated aromatherapy oils to enhance the experience and reinforce the ambiance that you want to achieve in the room. You could even combine sight and smell together with, say, a bowl of fresh ripe oranges as a centerpiece for the dining table.

Touch is a very strong sensory element and shouldn't be overlooked in your design. Your skin can sometimes pick up messages that can't be sent through any other sensory pathway, so your design should hold something interesting for the sense of touch as well. Mix up textures with curtains, pillows, various fabrics and the likes. Different materials often feel very different to the touch, so try to incorporate a whole range of materials when designing the room so that guests will be curious enough to explore your little world of textures.

Your floor, in particular, is a great place to add textures because it's most often left as an unbroken and smooth expanse of wood, tile or cement. A simple rug should solve that little issue by breaking up both the texture and the color, giving your floor a whole different look and shape. Whether you plan to use rich and plush rugs or rough ones with short threads, they add a whole new dimension to what would otherwise be a boring room.

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This is a guest post by Joe Griffith posted at BRICKS-n-MORTAR's web-group sometime back this month. This blog however does not claim to have checked the credentials and/or authenticity of the guest author or his/her submission & works. (Standard 'CC' instructions and global disclaimer applies). B-n-M readers may visit his/her/their website at their own will.

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