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Showing posts from October, 2021

Plumbing Systems

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Plumbing is one of the vital things in building and planning. It refers to the introduction and elimination of water and human by-products to and from a building, the creation of the water system for good sanitation and the drainage system like the sewer pipes. The location on plumbing lines within a building have an impact on the space planning and interior design of a space. Plumbing systems are divided into water and waste supply. Water supply systems operate under pressure, while waste systems operate by gravity, thus requiring a slope in waste pipes. The three primary water supply options can be divided into 3 groups. There is potable water (water that is suitable for drinking), Black water (water that contains sewage) and grey water (wastewater from sinks, bathtubs and washing machines). To reduce the amount of potable water being discharged into the waste stream, several items have been introduced for use in buildings. As the single biggest source of interior water use, toile...

Electricity and Lighting

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We are surrounded by light at almost every moment of everyday.   As designers, Interior lighting is one of the most important aspects of any living space. Artificial and natural light has a dramatic impact on our body and mind as well as changes and transforms a space. It has the ability to change the mood of a room, and we can use light and shade to make a room feel comfortable but also dramatic and atmospheric. This chapter this week covered the electrical systems and the different types of lighting applications you can use in a space. Electricity is an essential part of modern life and important to the U.S economy. We use electricity for lighting, heating, cooling, electronics, machinery, and many other applications. Electrical current can be either in the form of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC.) Electricity travels from the utility company to the user through a combination of overhead and underground electrical lines. Interior designers must have a worki...

Ceiling forms and materials

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 In this chapter of our textbook, we read how ceilings come in a variety of forms and materials. Some expose the structure of the buildings, while others are enclosed, hiding mechanical, electrical and plumbing pipes, ductwork, junction boxes and wiring. There are a variety of different ceilings to use in a space. There are cathedral ceilings that conforms roughly to the pitch (slope) of the roof. These ceilings provide a sense of spaciousness that a flat ceiling may not. You also have Directly applied ceilings. This ceiling is one that attaches to the structure of the building. Gypsum wallboard is the most commonly used for the directly applied ceiling material. Lastly, there is Suspended acoustical panel ceilings. These are very common in commercial spaces. The acoustical ceiling provides noise control in large spaces, and the suspended system allows for ductwork, sprinkler lines and electrical wiring to occur about the visible ceiling system.   Designers sometimes wants t...

Flooring Types and Materials

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 This chapter of our textbook goes into detail about the different type of flooring systems including the framing and finish materials. One common framing system they mention are wood floor framing systems. They can be divided into two basic categories: light frame construction and heavy timber frame construction. Light frame construction uses multiple small wood members to carry a load. In a wall, these are called studs, when they carry a floor load, these are called joists. As for Heavy timer, this framing relies on a structural frame consisting of columns and beams.  The horizontal beams are then used to support girders. Girders carry the weight of floor planks to the beams where the load can be transferred to the columns. We also have steel floor-framing which is either light gauge with multiple open web joists or structural steel with beams and girders. You can also use concrete as a flooring system. It is either poured in place on site or cast at a plant and assembled on...