Third-year students of the Spatial Design programme (specialising in interior design) worked on a real-life project: designing a staff room for SO (special education) Het Kasteel in Breda. This school offers education and support to children with (physical) disabilities and/or long-term illnesses. The school was looking for an interior plan for an attractive but also practical room suitable for work, relaxation and activities such as workshops and get-togethers.
A realistic brief: from bare space to complete design
It was a real challenge for the students. The space had been delivered bare after the recent refurbishment. The design furnishing plan therefore had to be delivered complete from floor to ceiling and lighting plan. This was complemented by the design of a custom-made piece of furniture (for work and books). A total of 15 students worked on this design assignment, of which one student’s design was actually implemented in the end.
A realistic brief: from bare space to complete design
It was a real challenge for the students. The space had been delivered bare after the recent refurbishment. The design furnishing plan therefore had to be delivered complete from floor to ceiling and lighting plan. This was complemented by the design of a custom-made piece of furniture (for work and books). A total of 15 students worked on this design assignment, of which one student’s design was actually implemented in the end.
The first steps: from briefing to brainstorming
Students Sanne Willems and Quincy van Lieshout worked individually on this assignment. Student Sanne: “We received a briefing from the client on site. There were some important requirements we had to take into account during the design process, including the lighting plan and that the space should not be too crowded. It really needed to be a space where teachers could take their break quietly, but at the same time could also go for a meeting or workshop.”
Quincy: “In the beginning, it was really a matter of trial and error, literally and figuratively. The space had just been completed and not all measurements were clear. We had to measure the space ourselves and calculate the right measurements. Then we did research and brainstormed to arrive at our concept (the idea).
The photos show Sanne’s digital designs
Inspiration and concept development
Quincy was inspired by nature: “I wanted to create a soothing oasis with calm colours. My design includes many natural elements such as walls lined with moss and lots of plants. To arrive at my design, I first roughly sketched out my ideas and then worked them out in detail and to scale in Sketch Up (design programme).”
Sanne chose the concept: naturally stimulating. “Here I looked at The Castle’s house style colours and used them in a way so that they would not become too overpowering. I also looked at patterns that fit the feeling I wanted to convey. It was a challenge to make the space as multifunctional as possible. I also looked at the layout of the space with AI for inspiration in combination with different colour options.
Customer presentations
The students presented their first designs to the client during the interim client presentation. During this presentation, the students get the opportunity to explain the choices behind their design. In addition, they get feedback from the client so that they can further fine-tune the design based on this feedback. The custom-made furniture was also viewed. Sanne: “I designed a cabinet with plants that can be used as a partition between the meeting room and the break room. Because these are on wheels, the cabinet is flexible.” Quincy: “During the client presentation, I showed several options of my design and the client responded very enthusiastically!”
Claudia, client from The Castle: “During the interim presentations, we were very surprised by the quality of the designs. It was all very different, but some of the designs looked like they came straight out of the vtwonen magazine! It was also very nice for us to see that the students listened carefully to our question. The translation of the question into the design was really clear.”
Making ideas visual
Besides furnishing the space, students also made a survey of the complete inventory of the room. Which chairs, tables, benches and lamps should be hung and where can they be obtained? The final design, including use of materials, the students presented to the client during the final presentation. Sanne: “I visualised as much as possible. I showed the complete room, the furnishing but also the samples of the material to the client during the presentation, so they got a good idea of what the room would eventually look like.”
The winning design
Sanne’s design was chosen by The Castle as the winning design! This design was actually implemented. Sanne: “I was delighted that my design was chosen! After I had sent in my drawings, Het Kasteel could get to work on the implementation. From the start of this school year until now, they have worked hard and the result is definitely worth it! They actually adopted everything from my design. Of course, that’s really cool!” The Castle also included Sanne in the implementation phase. Claudia: “Sanne also came to see the final result of the project after completion, which was a really nice moment.”
A real experience!
Despite Quincy’s design not being chosen, she found it a really fun assignment: “I thought designing a staff room was really something different. You had to take many things into account and that was a real challenge. The contact with the client was also instructive. I learned that I really have to include practical matters in a design as well.”
Sanne adds: “I am most proud of the steps I took during the project itself. From the moment I had an idea, I got excited and envisioned the end result more and more. During the process, I tried to visualise the image I had myself as well as possible, so that the client could also see this image before him. It is nice to work with a real client. Especially since the design would actually be executed, technically everything had to be right and fortunately it was! I even got a compliment from the contractor. And that, of course, is super nice.”
The client also looks back on the cooperation and the project with a very good feeling. Claudia: “For us, it is also very nice that we were also given the space from The Castle to take this on.” The space designed by Sanne also meets all the requirements. “The space is really well used now. We get lots of compliments from colleagues who enjoy using it. What we had hoped for beforehand has definitely succeeded!”
The photos below show the final result of Sanne’s work at The Castle!
