When most people enter a commercial building or residence they don't usually “see” what went into creating that environment. And that's understandable, since it's only visible during the construction phase. Because we're brought up in a world where we expect the building to perform as intended, it's often only the negative things we notice. We assume our spaces will be dry, warm and full of light when the sun drops. The reality behind building science, however, is when something isn't functioning properly, there are generally many more things that are. It's not easy hitting a home run with every player in the lineup. Managing the large number of people, processes and materials that go into creating the buildings we live and work in can be like juggling fire. But with a professional design and build team (and other safeguards such as the local building department), you can typically be assured that the sheltered space will function well for years to come.
Architecture can be defined as, “the science, or profession of designing and constructing buildings”. We all need shelter to survive. Putting together a complete building system not only provides us with the basic elements of protection, but also imaginative embellishments that help us to appreciate the world we live in. Whether it's an estate on the beach or a cardboard box under the highway, creating space that is unique to the user is an essential ingredient to the life experience.
The attached slide show takes us on a brief journey of what goes into making an office space functional and enjoyably inviting. You'll see just one focused aspect of the construction process; the finish woodwork. And like most construction projects, that's only a small part of the whole. The building process has many phases; discovery, design, rough construction, and the finishes that we see which make our space serviceable, happy and habitable.
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