Interior Design and Space Planning.
Interior design shapes the spaces inside a building so they are comfortable, practical and well finished, and so they sit naturally within the architecture.
The work is based on human scale, the natural flow of movement through each space, lighting design and the choice of durable materials and colours. It ends in detailed construction drawings and specification schedules that can be procured and built.
The best time for interior design is during the architectural design, not after it. Socket positions, air-conditioning grilles and ceiling levels are then fixed once, on a coordinated drawing, instead of being moved on site after the wiring and ducts are in. In an existing building, we start with a survey of the current layout before proposing anything.
How it runs
The stages.
- Brief and style. We study how each space will be used and what you like, and set the direction in a mood board.
- Space planning and circulation. We draw the plans and the furniture layout for comfort, easy movement and good use of space.
- Materials and lighting. We select finishes and design direct and indirect lighting for each space.
- 3D visualisation. We produce 3D views that show colours, textures and daylight before you approve the design.
- Construction drawings and schedules. We issue the construction drawings and the approved quantity schedules used to price and carry out the fit-out.
Deliverables
What you receive.
- Furniture layout plans. Measured plans showing furniture placement, circulation and the dimensions of each space.
- 3D visualisation. Realistic 3D views of the spaces in scope, showing colours, materials and lighting and how they work together.
- Reflected ceiling plans. Gypsum ceiling levels, concealed lighting runs, and the positions of air-conditioning grilles and spotlights.
- Joinery drawings. Detailed drawings for making and fitting wall cladding, built-in wardrobes and feature doors.
- Material schedules. Schedules naming and specifying the flooring, paints, fabrics and timber, all available locally.
- Power, lighting and smart-control layout. Sockets, switches and lighting points placed to match the furniture layout and the interior design.
Before we start
What we need from you.
- The architectural drawings in AutoCAD if you have them, or access to the building so we can survey the existing layout.
- The spaces to be designed, how each one is used and by how many people.
- Your approximate budget for finishes and furniture.
- Photos or references of the styles and materials you like, and of those you do not.
- A list of existing furniture or appliances that will stay, with their dimensions.
Fees
What sets the fee.
- The area and number of spaces in scope: one room, a whole floor or the entire building.
- Project type: residential, office, retail or hospitality.
- The number of 3D views and revision rounds on them.
- The depth of the construction drawings: ceilings and lighting only, or joinery, cladding and full material schedules as well.
- The state of the building: still on paper, or existing and needing a survey and a record of its current condition.
- Whether you want follow-up during the works and site visits after the drawings are handed over.
Frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between an interior design office and a fit-out contractor?
An interior design office produces neutral drawings and specifications, which give you control of the budget and let you compare contractors' quotes openly. A decor or fit-out contractor builds, and tends to work with the materials it already stocks.
Can you redesign the interior of an existing villa?
Yes. We survey the existing building accurately, then redesign the spaces and the lighting without compromising the load-bearing structure. We also record where the existing electrical, air-conditioning and plumbing services run, because moving them often changes the cost more than changing the finishes does.
Do the drawings specify materials available in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. We specify finishes, flooring and lighting available in the Saudi market, with a code for each item so it is easy to buy. Where it helps, we suggest an alternative at a different price level for the most expensive items, so the budget can be controlled without changing the design idea.
Can I remove a wall or combine two rooms?
It depends on the wall. Load-bearing walls, shear walls and the services running through them are not removed without a structural study, while non-load-bearing partitions can usually be altered. We check the structural drawings or inspect the site before proposing any removal, and if the change affects the structure we pass it to the structural design team in our office.
Does interior design work need a building permit?
Interior design is not one of the building-permit requirements. However, any change in an existing building that affects structural elements or the facades needs an engineering review, and may need a permit from the relevant authority.
How long does interior design take?
It depends on the number of spaces in scope, the depth of construction drawings you need, and how quickly you approve each stage: the mood board and layout first, then the 3D views, then the construction drawings and schedules. The duration is set in the contract once the scope is agreed.
Can several contractors price from the same interior design?
Yes — that is what the specification schedules and construction drawings are for. Every contractor prices the same items to the same specification, so the comparison is fair. We can also review the quotes you receive and check them against the specification before you sign.
Official sources
- Saudi Building Code — editions and parts — Saudi Building Code National Center
- Inquiry about engineering offices — Balady — Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
Contact
Talk to an engineer.
Send us the plot location and what you want to build. We reply with the scope, the route through the permit, and a written quote.