Amer Adnan Associates

[ameradnan]

Interior Design for Wedding Halls

Weddings in Pakistan come bundled with lots of excitement as well as stress. The more traditional the wedding preparations, the harder they become to manage. This is especially true when the event is just a few weeks away. It is natural for every newly-engaged couple to want their big day to be picture-perfect. With tons of little details to attend to, the wedding hall is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of wedding event planning. To avoid the hassle, most families end up choosing a hall that can accommodate the maximum number of guests. However, there is so much to think about when it comes to an ideal wedding venue! Whether you’re a top interior designer in Lahore tasked with decorating a wedding hall unique hall or an entrepreneur looking to start a wedding banquet hall seasonal venture, this article will help you through your wedding hall confusion.

Location, Location, Location!

Where the wedding hall is situated is as important as what the architecture looks like. To ensure easy access for the majority of guests, it is prudent to choose a venue with a central location. If that is not possible, try to find a venue that is close to major transportation hubs. Ensure the location is marked on Google Maps as a business; this helps guests use Google navigation services on their way to the event.  It is best to choose a venue that is easy to find. If you are interested in hosting a “day wedding” you should probably choose a farmhouse location far away from the city. Limited parking space can become a problem, so make sure there is enough space to park at the venue.

Finding the Right Furniture

With the growing exposure and improved construction in Lahore, there is so much you can do when it comes to decorating a wedding venue. The bride and the groom can initially choose a few themes and finalise once they have locked down the venue. Whether the main event will take place indoors or outdoors, the basic furniture requirements include a few sofas, wing chairs, coffee tables and side tables for the stage. All outdoor arrangement needs to be weather-resistant - from the seating to the floral decorations. Opt for synthetic materials outdoors and keep the fancy sofas and wooden tables for the inside of the hall. It’s time to move on from the sparkling lights and the grandiose flower arrangements.

The Devil is in the (Décor) Details

For a regal look, you can easily add in velvet fabric and floral prints to the main setup.  Otherwise, plain white netting accented with fairy lights works just as well.  Add some patterned pillows to a neutral sofa set, preferably in the accent colour. Interior designers usually recommend sticking to gold or silver to tie the entire colour scheme together.  Use the roof as a venue for an intimate engagement ceremony, complete with hanging flower arrangements, garlands, and paper lanterns.. Add some color to the cutlery by choosing pieces with wooden or coloured handles. Make sure the basic interior can be modified according to the clients’ desired theme. Go the extra mile by creating memorable backdrops for photographs- a family photo wall, original artwork, a custom slideshow or even decorative chalkboard art.

Whether the couple desires a white wedding or a traditional affair, it is possible to make their dreams come true. All it takes is some research, some communication, and a dedication to a job well-done. Make sure to choose a construction company in Lahore that has ample experience in designing  commercial spaces.

[ameradnan]

Guidelines for Department Store Design

Do you believe that the better designed your office, restaurant or store is, the more likely it is to attract potential customers? One always sets a target audience before starting any business and then goes forward with work. Departmental stores definitely are a must for everyone, people of all ages, class and gender go there but don’t you think if your store has a better interior and building by a good architect in Lahore, more organized aisles, a comfortable environment; better people would walk in? Being a departmental store owner you need to make sure your customer is pleased with everything from the moment they enter your store till they pay their bill and leave.

The decompression zone

The decompression zone is the very first space you customers will enter into. The first wall they see, the first aisle; it will set their entire mood and the impression of your store. If a customer is not pleased when they enter, there is a chance they might just leave without even seeing what great services and products you have to offer. This area needs to be impressive; have your best products on display here. You can set up fancy stalls or decorate the walls too, LED lights are widely used for decoration and they look quite funky. Do all that you can to capture your customer’s attention, whether it is with high demand products, sale products, product stories or just great décor. Just make sure it isn’t too much chaos.

Walkway

Make a clear path for the customers. The aisles are not just about keeping all similar products in one place, they need to be extremely well planned. The aisles should be wide enough for people to walk in and even stand and look at products without brushing each other’s backs. They should be able to see all the products easily and clearly, try to place all the high demand products at eye level and avoid keeping the shelves too high. You can set a theme for each aisle, depending on what kind of products are placed there, go for colorful shelves. Make sure to put up labels, they will make things so much easier for your customers as well as your staff. Most of all, keep the area well lit. Natural light is always great, it gives a fresh feel so make lots of windows and create a bright and happy environment.

Make it comfortable

People tend to spend a lot of time at departmental stores and they can’t keep walking through out. Make a few waiting areas, with a few couches and a small table for people to sit and rest at. The seats should however, face the store so people can still look at all the amazing products you have to offer. It will also be helpful for shoppers who have company that do not want to make a purchase. You can make a small play area for the kids too so the mommies can shop in peace. It’s not a lot of effort, just keep a ball pool and a small slide with a fence around and your play area is ready.

The check out

Your customer has shopped, filled up a trolley or two and it’s time for the billing. Does the customer experience end here? No, you need to plan your counters too. They should be located at a natural stopping point, maybe the left corner of the store, or the center if it’s circular. They should be visible; people should not have to wander around to find a cash counter, it can get quite frustrating. Make sure there is an adequate number of counters and that they are wide enough so the shoppers can place things comfortably. The screens should be visible to both the customer and the sales clerk. People should be able to leave peacefully without bumping into each other or waiting too long. Keep additional bins with promotional or discounted merchandise to entice customers and encourage impulse buys. You can simply make use of the walls there for promotions and deals or even basic announcements.

With various high profile projects, department store designs will keep evolving. Top interior designers in Lahore now focus and emphasize on the need to cater customers and then start their work. So before you start up something and later regret not planning it properly, get yourself a good architect in Lahore and build a store everyone will love.

[ameradnan]

Making Light of It: Applying Lighting Design Principles to Commercial Spaces

Which illumination option would you select for your restaurant or office space? A 100 candles or a bunch of flood lights hanging around. Most likely, neither of the above, unless your business is literally located in a dark cave. But if it is not, then you will need some nice lighting fixtures that work well with your restaurant or office’s interior and architectural design.

As an entrepreneur, one is always on the lookout for ways to maximize utility out of existing resources, including lighting fixtures and arrangements. Smartly placed lamps and light fixtures can save a business thousands of rupees in energy costs/electricity bills!

If your building has big windows through which a lot of sunlight can come in during the daytime. Have a light control system installed and you can have the lights on dim during the day and as the sun sets and it gets darker, brighten up the lights with the controller.

Restaurant Lighting Options

Any restaurant business owner should consider a couple of these lighting tips to make the restaurant more visually appealing. Lighting needs to be adjustable to different occasions, amount of daylight, weather, time of the day. If you serve breakfast, think of having brighter lights turned on or if you have long windows or doors with glass panels, through which sunlight can come through, that is better because you get all this perfect lighting you need and it’s free of charge, you save money! Do have curtains or blinds installed incase the sunlight gets too harsh for some customers who are light sensitive or in general do not like bright lights that close to them.

Use lights to enhance the food, pendant lights over the table would shed some light over the food and table, so the customers can actually see what they are eating.

First focus on the ambient lighting, which is basically the foundational lighting of a particular area. Ambient lighting, when done correctly, creates warmth and depth in the room. Layer ambient lighting with instances of accent lighting, such placing a spotlight on a newly-acquired art piece.

Office Lighting Possibilities

Working in an office space can get quite dull and monotonous, especially if the office has poor lighting design. In all likelihood, you are probably working indoors, so you require a mix of both direct and indirect lighting to stay healthy and productive.. We don’t just need light to look at things; we need light for our innate, biological lighting needs. Sunlight and artificial light play a very important role in our lives, as it enhances our mood, a day full of sunlight makes people have more energy and feel better. And only 15 minutes of sunlight provides us the daily dosage of vitamin D we need to maintain healthy bone strength.

Poor lighting can cause us to have poor health. Light also affects moods and enables communication, good lighting creates a nice and safe atmosphere.

If someone needs to pull an all-nighter, brightening up the lights in a room to keeps them alert. If they are done with work and are about to head back home, dim down the lights to create a calmer environment. Intelligent light management systems help save energy and money. It detects and reacts according to changing sunlight and the amount of people in the room

General Tips

If your room is small or has a low ceiling, have some lights facing upwards to give the ceiling a raised look, it will open up the room. Installing some floor to ceiling length mirrors to one of the room’s wall makes the area appear spacious.

If you happen to have a big window with a nice view and some sunlight, place a mirror on the opposite wall to have the view on both sides and increases the light, making the room sunnier. Wallpapers in lighter shades of cream, blue, and white gives the illusion that the room is bigger and airy.

An architect in Lahore could easily help you design your workspace and would recommend the best lighting for you.

[ameradnan]

Designing a House for Limited Mobility Individuals

Many of us have family members and friends who are disabled. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over a billion people or around 15% of the world's population have some sort of disability. We sometimes believe that it is insensitive to highlight one’s disability by trying to help them. But don’t you think it is even more insensitive to ignore the problem and not have anything that makes things easier for them? Gone are the days when a disabled person needed to be under constant care, with the right resources and the right investment, everything can be managed for them. Disability can be temporary or lifelong, the idea is to enable and empower all individuals by recognizing their challenges and providing innovative solutions- preferably WITH their input.

Space and steps

You need to plan your space very smartly if you have someone with a disability in the house. Entrances and driveways should be wide enough for a wheelchair and for loading and unloading. Build pavements for easier movement outside the house. Spending time outdoors is proven to be therapeutic, everyone deserves a little fresh air and a look at the beautiful flowers and greenery. Even indoors, keep the corridors, hallways and doorways wide enough. Avoid steps, try to keep everything on one level, of course a few steps at the entrance look great but they can make things very tough for the ones with limited mobility - if steps are unavoidable, include a ramp into the design. Moreover, avoid rugs unless they are flush with the ground or go with wall-to-wall carpeting instead. Most of all, ask your architect to keep accessibility and mobility a priority in their home design.

Things to adjust

You need to be careful about the smallest things, make the kitchen and bathroom sinks and counters at a lower level so a seated person can use it. You did not take limited mobility into account when you started constructing your house? There’s nothing to worry about. Nothing is impossible in today’s world and so you can easily find a good interior design firm in Pakistan and make a few adjustments to your house. Modifying a porch, building a separate ramp, or re-landscaping near the front entry all are successful strategies; grab bars can be of great help too. Staircases can be a huge obstacle for older people that have mobility problems, but by incorporating a stair lift, this gives them independence as they don’t have to ask for help. Keep higher beds and chairs to make it easier for them to get back up after they sit and if someone cannot walk at all, sliding boards are very important.

Incorporate technology

Technology has made everything faster and easier. Along with your televisions and phones, new advances are also making homes smarter, everything can be controlled with one tap on your cell phone or a remote. The locks, lights, room temperature can all be controlled through apps on your phone; eliminating the need to move around. All you need is a good internet connection and the right technology. There are even great appliances for the kitchen. An electric can opener, an electric jar opener and food processor for vegetable cutting. Intercoms are a great help - you don’t want people screaming and calling out for someone, intercoms around the house can make it extremely easy to communicate within the house.

It is important that everyone in the house is comfortable and safe, but that does not mean you ignore the aesthetics. It is always possible to add and adjust things yet make them look beautiful at the same time. Hire an expert, a good architect in Pakistan and get started on making your house a place easy and accessible for the disabled.

[ameradnan]

Music to Our Ears: Improve Your Home's Acoustics

Home is not just a place, it is a word that evokes a unique emotional response. Mention ‘home’ and immediately you are transported to a space that is both peaceful and comfortable. There may be times when your serene oasis is disrupted by a neighbor’s house party or the chatter of excited children playing cricket in the lawn. At those moments, one ends up wishing for a futuristic force-field that blocks out all loud and irritating noises.

While we wait on modern science to deliver that marvel, there are some steps you can take to control the diffusion and absorption of sound. Much like the volume bar on the stereo, a Pakistani interior designer can soundproof or boost the reverberation in your house on a room-by-room basis.

SMART FURNITURE PLACEMENT

Believe it or not, furniture placement has a significant impact on the acoustics in a building. If the speakers are too close to a wall or a piece of furniture, then the sound will first reflect off all those surfaces before reaching your ears. This factor increases the chances of sound getting muffled along the way. Room design experts recommend placing speakers at least 5 centimeters away from the walls and the furniture. The purpose here is to control the reflection of sound. Since bare walls are known for being super-reflective, you can cover the walls with paintings, posters, and other wall decorations to prevent echoes.

SOUNDPROOFING THE WINDOWS AND DOORS

Homeowners can alter the room’s acoustics just by changing the type of surfaces that the sound interacts with. Thick blinds and curtains over windows help block street noises from the outside. Hardwood floors result in distractingly high reverberation, especially in a media or entertainment room. It is best to either cover the hardwood floors with large area rugs or replace them completely with wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpeting the room directly above can also lessen sound distortion. You can also add more soft furnishings, such as floor cushions, ottomans, or bean bags, into the room.

INSTALLING ACOUSTIC PLASTER OR PANELS

Gone are the days when sound control would be a blemish on the face of interior design. Invest in acoustic panels or ceiling tiles for maximum sound absorption. Generally, factory-manufactured acoustic panels have 1.5 inches thickness, so they can easily be adjusted into a pre-built living space. The best part is that they are fully customizable. Each panel can be tinted, and cut into any shape or size required. Your home’s interior will not be compromised in the quest for acoustic balance. 

There are few opportunities to build one’s home from scratch, so do it the right the first time around. Your home can be much more than a collection of all the things you love. It should be a space that you savor every moment in. With the assistance of an experienced construction company in Lahore, you can build a media room that your family members will cherish for years to come.

[ameradnan]

Staircase Options for Modern Home Designs in Pakistan

For some folks, staircases are not central to their design plan. The reality is that staircases serve an important role in a residential property - primarily for its function as well as its visual appeal. There are many types of staircase designs, from which you should select the one that would go most with the look and theme of your home.

LOCKDOWN THE BUDGET

Find a Pakistani architectural firm that can present an overview of what you want and adjust the details according to your budget. Costs depend on a number of variables such as the final staircase design, how much material would go into it, what material would go into it, how much space it would take, railings and other construction materials. All of this must be decided upon before you can accurately estimate your final budget.

STAIRCASE DESIGNS

❏       Straight: These type of stairs are commonly used in most commercial and residential spaces. Coincidentally, straight design stairs are also the easiest to construct.

❏       L-shaped: This particular type of staircase has a bend exactly at a 90-degree angle. That makes the ‘L-shaped’ name pretty self-explanatory!

❏       U-shaped: In a U-shaped staircase there are two parallel flights of stairs that are joined midway by a landing.

❏       Winder: Winder stairs are similar to the L-shaped stairs, except for the corners having a triangular or pie-like shape.

❏       Spiral: Spiral stairs functionally they may prove to be a bit more difficult to navigate in comparison to the other types of designs.

FUNCTIONALITY

Depending on the build, a staircase can easily bear more than a thousand pounds of load.  Initially, that number may sound excessive, but it is actually meant to cover situations where multiple people are using the staircase or heavy furniture is being moved.  

TYPES OF RAILING MATERIALS

In regards to staircase railings, there are many designs and materials for homeowners and architects to choose from. These material options include wooden, steel, metal, wrought iron, stainless steel, marble or granite railings. Ensure that you select the railing material that evenly balances design, functionality, and safety in your home.

THEME COMPATIBILITY

Another aspect which you have to consider is the theme you are going for with your staircase. Make sure that it blends well with the rest of the home and actually uplifts the entire look of the area where it is located. Choose a staircase design complements your overall home design.  For example, if you have a minimalist design home, the architect should opt for straight stairs instead of flamboyant double staircases.

SAFETY

In terms of safety, make sure that there is ample space for people to ascend and descend without any problem. Other safety aspects to consider include using a slip-proof material as a finish on the steps and installing sturdy railings along the length of the staircase.

When making your staircase, make sure to keep the tips we’ve given above in mind and you will have a staircase that is both visually attractive and provide your family members with safe passage. When considering construction in Pakistan, try working with a team whose work ethic and technical capabilities are both widely-recognized.

[ameradnan]

Where No One Wants to Go Home: Smart Office Renovation

Gone are the days of the Industrial Revolution, where workers toiled all day and all night in run-down factories. These days it is pretty standard to expect one’s workplace to be comfortable, and functional.  When the office space is rundown and unkempt, there can be a negative impact on the team’s mood, productivity, and creativity.

As a manager, take an honest survey of your workplace.  Aside from your desk or cabin, would you look forward to spending the entire day?  If the answer is ‘NO’, well it is time you start work on a full-scale office renovation!

BRIGHTEN IT UP

An office does not have to appear sober to churn out serious work. Channel the spirit and enthusiasm of your organization’s purpose into the decor. Liven it up a little by adding color in the most expected (and unexpected) places.

The best place to start is with the walls and then move on to the flooring. Choose the wall that faces the entrance or the doorway as the ‘hero’ and select a vibrant color to paint it with. Conventionally, an interior designer would draw color combinations from the logo or other official corporate branding material. Take a walk on the wild side and choose a completely random shade to adorn the main wall. If wall paint is too mainstream, you can always choose wallpaper with a textured surface or a small, repetitive pattern on it. The remaining walls can be coated with a fresh coat of white, cream or chalkboard black paint - depending on the type of furniture already in place. Personalize the room further by adding in photographs that showcase the team working on projects, celebrating milestones and receiving awards.

One of the reasons why offices lack ‘warmth’ is because they have minimal access to natural lighting. Modern workplaces compensate for fewer windows by installing heavy-duty tube lights, but those are neither energy-efficient nor a replacement for sunlight. The addition of desk lamps and LED bulbs can substantially brighten up offices and workplaces without regular windows. Here’s an interior design trick: place full-size mirrors at the farthest end of the room to maximize the effect of the existing light. This strategic placement of mirrors will also visually ‘expand’ the room to almost twice its size.

DECOR AND FURNITURE

The administration probably thinks that a basic desk-chair combo should do the trick, but luckily you know better! Tap into your creativity and add tchotchkes to best represent your team’s work ethic and passion for the work at hand.

The break room and the conference room can get the wall-to-wall carpeting treatment, while the shared office space can be fitted with wooden flooring. Bean bags and oversized floor cushions are great additions – they are comfortable, reasonable and they brighten up any room. No one spends eight hours sitting in the same chair five days a week without getting uncomfortable. Cut them some slack and surprise your team members with super-comfy bean bags in the breakroom.

Update the lighting by adding in some retro-style floor lamps and pair them with leafy indoor plants, especially rubber plants and ferns. Invest in a few shelves or lockers for your employees. Nothing makes a room look uglier than clutter, so pre-assigned shelves and lockers for every employee can help avoid that situation.

DEDICATED SPACES FOR WORK AND PLAY

It has been scientifically proven that a human brain can only focus one activity for a specific period of time. Productivity must be gauged by your team’s output and not how many hours they spend on the laptop. Inject some excitement into their workday by having your interior decorator in Lahore create dedicated spaces for work and play.

These ‘device-free’ areas can be fitted with ping-pong tables, a game console or even a drum-kit - as long as the walls are soundproof! The idea is to provide team members with a space that refreshes their mind and provides a reprieve from deadlines. If stress-busting is a dire need in your office, why not convert a spare office into a wellness space? If you don’t want to spend too much; stress-busting squishy balls, yo-yos, yoga mats for mid-day meditation, relaxation and stretching sessions are also a good idea. Keep it simple with a few comfortable chairs or couches that are easy to maintain. There may be a need to upgrade the kitchenette with the following: a self-service beverage counter, a refrigerator, and a microwave. Your employees spend most of their day in the office, so they need to feel right at home.

Above all, make sure that you run a friendly office that enables the team to perform at their very best- day-in and day-out. Invest in a good architect and interior designer in Lahore to achieve a newly renovated office that everyone loves!

[ameradnan]

Design Challenges of Moving into a Luxury Apartment

Nothing says opulence like apartment-living in New York or Dubai, but can the same be said about Lahore or Karachi? Apartment buildings are growing visibly more commonplace as well-traveled urbanites see the glamour and ease in ‘sky-high’ abodes. College students or business owners belonging to smaller cities and towns often seek out flats as a ‘second home’ in the city for seasonal use. Bankers and executives employed by multinational corporations look for housing that is compact, easy-to-maintain yet full of all the amenities. Luxury home designs in Pakistan are varied enough to suit just about every potential homeowner: villas, bungalows, havelis, cottages, townhomes and even apartments.

For those transitioning from multi-storied houses, there are few design challenges to consider before moving into a luxury apartment.

ONLY HERE FOR THE VIEW

The view is one of the attractive features of a luxury apartment. You want to ensure that you see a breathtaking cityscape through the windows- every single you time you look out! The quality of the view will also depend on where your apartment is situated in the building. The rule-of-thumb is the higher up you go in a building, the better the view is. The ‘cool’ factor also depends on where in the city your apartment building is located. If you decide to take up residence in the posh Dubai marina locale, chances are you will wake up to the city’s most memorable sunrises.

WEATHERPROOF BEFORE THE BIG MOVE

Pick an apartment that receives adequate amount of sunlight, preferably with built-in skylights or wide picture windows. Lack of sunlight exposure, over time, can result in serious mental health and physical health conditions. Protect your psychological and physical wellbeing by choosing window glass is specially treated to block out harmful UV rays. For those long, hot and humid Pakistani summer days, ensure there are enough vents and exhausts installed for cross-ventilation. Cross-ventilation is an eco-friendly approach and consumes less energy in comparison to other methods.

PARKING FACILITY AND VALET SERVICE

Many luxury apartment buildings offer valet services to their residents. The main advantage of this is that it keeps outsiders from using the parking lot and keeps the facility exclusive to residents and guests. In this way, everything is systematic, organized and secure for you.

NATURAL AIR FILTRATION

Architectural design firms in Pakistan are embracing the “living walls” concept which not only looks good but also provides health benefits. First and foremost, living walls provide you with improved air quality that will lead to a cleaner and healthier atmosphere. Along with this, there are various psychological benefits, noise reduction and others.

EMERGENCY EXITS, STAIRS AND DRILLS

Apartment buildings should have proper safety measures in check, so residents can easily evacuate in case of an emergency. This is achieved by having a properly structured emergency escape plan. There should be easily accessible emergency exits and stairs on each floor so that in case the elevator cannot be accessed, stairs can be used. For people to get accustomed to the procedure, weekly drills should be carried out so that residents know beforehand what to do in the case of an emergency. You should have your real estate agent set-up a meeting with the building manager to find out more about their emergency escape protocols.

EMERGENCY POWER BACKUP

This is an absolute essential in Pakistan. With the problem of load shedding, it is mandatory that your apartment building has a proper emergency power backup plan. There are many options when it comes to emergency power backup plans such as diesel generators, solar power, or more of a hybrid solution. Evaluate the options and ensure that whatever plan your apartment building is using is optimal for you.

SPECIAL LIGHTING SCHEMES FOR CORRIDORS

Corridors in the apartment complex should be well-lit at all times for safety and security purposes. Well-lit hallways and stairwells are especially important in case of an emergency, where residents may run through the passageways. Adequate lighting is also a must-have feature for those residents who may be visually- impaired such as the elderly. Proper lighting not only aids in processing information visually but also improves the immediate environment. A dimly-lit corridor will appear dingy and unsafe - talk about a bad impression!

CUTTING DOWN ON ENERGY COSTS

One of the ways to cut down on energy costs is to set up a green wall or two within your apartment. These ‘living walls’ that will help regulate the temperature in the hotter months. You can also have inverter air conditioners installed that save a considerable amount of energy without harming the environment. Many luxury apartment buildings also offer their residents the option to power their homes with solar energy.

INSTANT ACCESS TO HIGH-END AMENITIES

Luxury apartment buildings come with an array of exclusive facilities for their residents. Facilities on offer include gyms, swimming pools, gardens, and full-scale shopping centers. Some luxury apartment complexes also offer day-care centers, spas, salons and even clinics for the convenience of their residents.

Luxury apartments may offer a lot of challenges but they also offer convenience and comfort to both the residents and guests alike. Interior decorators in Pakistan also have a challenge to face, and that is to ensure a sustainable and well-developed design to maximize the attractiveness of newly-purchased luxury apartments.

[ameradnan]

Living Walls Trend for Commercial Spaces

Flowers, bushes, shrubs and in some cases, even trees are sprouting up in the strangest of places! Taking the concept of bringing ‘the Great Outdoors in’ quite literally, interior designers are now transforming walls into vertical gardens. Also known as green walls, modern spaces are being designed to include walls completely covered with plants and other types of greenery. While the green walls add an element of surprise when placed indoors, architects and interior designers in Pakistan are also propping them up in the foyers of corporate offices.

Keen On the Green

Aside from being quite lovely to look at, living walls act as natural air filters and are more environmentally-friendly than the usual interior design techniques. With indoor environments known to be 10 times more polluted than the outdoors, it makes sense to install pollutant-cleaning plants around the office space.

You may be wondering “What is the link between living walls and workplace productivity?”. The answer is simple. It is all about the view. Just seeing greenery, whether through the window or in one’s immediate environment, can reduce feelings of discomfort, lowers blood pressure and provides healing vibes to the worker. Once an individual is at-ease, the chances of them feeling motivated and focused on tasks is greatly increased.

Who doesn’t have a gossip buddy at work? While it may be harmless chatter on your end, open floor plans mean that your colleagues may also be listening in - unintentionally! Green walls, padded with leafy plants, are quite effective in blocking out distracting noise. Living walls, doubling as sound barriers, allow encourage workers to zero-in on work with extra focus and free of distractions.  

Living walls also have the unique ability of reducing ambient temperatures. This feature can result in up to 7 degrees Celsius reduction in room temperature. Over time, this cooling method can result in drop in the use of air conditioners and eventually, a smaller electricity bill!

Wall Gardens: Stores, Offices & Restaurants

Also known as ‘Vertical Vegetation’, the living walls trend is most noticeable in trendy eateries and exclusive corporate buildings. Architects and interior designers are seeing the value in contrasting big, concrete urban complexes with live plant installations. One of the world’s leading horticulturist designers, David Brenner, says that the living walls trend benefits not only our mental health but also repairs our connection with nature.

Take, for example, the office where your friendly banker sits. If that space is completely renovated and a few living walls are added in, the idea is to boost the banker’s workplace productivity by improving the air quality. Whether as partitions or as half-walls that divide cubicles across the floor, the living walls bring a ‘breath of fresh air’ into otherwise bland and uniform office layouts.

Beyond the skyscrapers, living walls are becoming a regular feature in fashionable cafes and restaurants across the globe - from Melbourne to Chicago. A thriving green wall can easily punctuate the organic-only dining trend, especially where Millennials and Gen-Xers like to eat.

Living walls have permeated the modern shopping experience, especially where large crowds gather to score deals in malls. Vertical gardens with flourishing blooms and drooping palm fronds draw curious shoppers into the stores while lifting their mood. Relaxed browsers can easily convert into shoppers - all it takes is the right kind of shopping environment. There may be some truth to the whole “Green is Serene” maxim after all!

Painting Public Spaces with Plants

Green walls have another quality – the fact that they are highly adaptable. Not only can they be used in commercial spaces but if properly utilized within public spaces, they can serve as art installations, too. Whether it is a hospital, a school, an airport or a street station, the entire structure can be covered with greenery- as dictated by contemporary urban design. Some designers choose to use plants to create living murals on vertical walls that scale the entire side of a large building like the courthouse.

Living walls are extremely versatile and attractive additions to both commercial and public spaces. While the benefits are endless, for most people walking by a vertical garden the attraction could be a ‘Selfie’ opportunity!

[ameradnan]

Then Versus Now: The Concept of Minimalism in Pakistani Architecture

Minimalism is the opposite of grandiose design, which focuses more on de-cluttering spaces and making use of spacious areas by incorporating sunlight and clean finishes. Architecture, in terms of design, has come a long way. It has transformed to different levels, changing the way houses are designed. Instead of crowded décor, a shift in mindset has resulted in people opting for cleaner, sleeker looking patterns. In the Western world, such houses have already been designed in the starting of the 2000s. One such house by famous architect Steve Hermann was named as one benchmark of modernist minimal design philosophy. His glass pavilion is famous for its heightened minimalist design incorporation.

Minimalism also seems to have influences of Japanese zen design, the sense of calm that is felt when one experiences after they enter a house complete with those elements. Minimalism was also linked to one of the old architects Van der Rohe. He incorporated most of the characteristics of minimalist design into his very own works.

However, minimalism these days is mixed with an array of different trends so it is hard to identify in itself. The framework minimalism revolves around consists of integrating an array of design philosophies, but the basic concept stays the same. Minimal. Clean. Sleek. Minimalism also consists of showing textures instead of hiding them. This way shapes and spaces are made more prominent.

Pakistan has seen grandiose architectural design in the Mughal era. This kind of architecture is known as one of its kind in the world, and is completely different from the modern home designs in Pakistan we see today. The Mughal architecture consisted mostly of minarets, forted walls, courtyards and fountains, along with many others. Red-brick stone was mostly used to build these monuments. They would have arches, walls filled with tiny mirrors reflecting back on the luxury of their lifestyle.

Nowadays, the design philosophy “less is more” is implied, since architecture companies in Pakistan want their design sense to be seen in the way they utilize open spaces. Houses nowadays are looking to cut down on clutter by reducing the amount of things placed inside, and by removing unnecessary objects such as stairs, cupboards and storage spaces which take up most of the room interior-wise. The concept is to make the landscape as levelled as possible which makes it seem as if the house in itself is tranquil and unruffled. Sleek buildings with clean cut lines and de-cluttered spaces were trademarks in his design sense. Even though there is a long way to go before the idea of minimalism is infused fully into architectural spaces in Pakistan, the design world has caught up fast with the idea and keeps improving each day. People in Pakistan now want their houses to hold less space for décor and more for indoor light, and the concept of a neutral color palette is also popular amongst Pakistani home-builders.

[ameradnan]

How to Incorporate Zen Designs Into Your Home

The best way to find some tranquility in your everyday stressful life is to create a soothing environment in your home. In an attempt to do so, many home construction companies in Lahore have gone back to the basics and sought to work on Zen principles. In Japanese, the term ‘Zen’ is attached to the concept of meditation. However, in the world of architecture and interior design it implies calmness and balance.  

It is important to appreciate the many ways through which architects in Pakistan have incorporated home designs with Zen principles as there are no rigid rules to be followed. Zen is all about creating a soothing atmosphere on the whole.

To begin with, architects recommend that when you enter your house after a tiring day at work, a comfortable finish for your flooring is one thing that will instantly offset the stress and worry you have dealt with all day as it touches your feet. Some good options for good flooring are, resin floor, woolen carpets, parquet or wooden flooring. Considering that each option comes with its own level of maintenance requirements, you can opt for whichever works best for you.

Another important way to reflect Zen design in your house is to work around natural, warm, earthy tones. Natural colours such as shades of grey, pink beige or white have the ability to induce a relaxing vibe in the house. It is imperative to maintain the visual harmony between the colours you choose for your walls, ceilings and floor – an abrupt discontinuity in the colour scheme can be displeasing to the mind. Moreover, while you harmonize the shades of the furniture and the walls, be sure to add some contour to the interior by using a dominant colour. This will create more depth in the room and also it will not turn the area into a visual monochrome.

Also have as much natural light in the house as possible. Indirect lighting sources also help to create a relaxing ambiance, therefore consider using hidden floor lamps or indirect lights that bring warmth and calmness in your house. People who incorporate Zen elements in the interior of their homes also use scented candles in the living room and bedrooms.

Lastly, Zen signifies simplicity at its root value. For a house that reflects Zen design it is vital to keep things simple and basic. Avoid cluttered décor items on the shelves and the walls, just keep a few that compliment the rest of the surroundings. Keep minimum display of lavish ornaments and stick to basic furniture items that fulfill the need of the room. See that your furniture selection is not too fancy. Zen implies clearly lined furniture items that do not have complicated detailing on them. Adding a simple armchair in your bedroom or living area for fulfilling your reading needs will also add comfort and a cozy feeling to your house.

While we suggest that you keep your house clear of as many objects and accessories as possible, feel free to add whatever provides you with the kind of coziness and comfort that your heart desires!  

[ameradnan]

3 Customer Service Practices for Architects in Lahore

Regardless of the industry you belong to, a company’s success primarily depends on its customer service practices. Every person working in the company must be well aware of the customer service best practices and ensure that they implement it on a daily basis. Here are some leading best practices in customer service that architects in Lahore use.

Hiring and Training the Right Staff

Top-notch customer service practices comes from expert employees who know their basics well and then are trained correctly according to what the company deals with. Well trained staff always contributes in giving a good impression to customers about the professionalism of the firm. Architecture is an industry where customer experience matters and is a primary way to grow the business. Therefore, it is imperative for firms to create a people-first culture and ensure that employees have hands-on knowledge about customer queries.

Always be there for Your Customers

This is one of the most important customer service best practices – immediately attending to customer queries/needs and staying in touch with your customers is essential. When it comes to getting a house designed and constructed, clients have a lot of questions and concerns because they are investing a great deal of money– if customers call for some information or update on their project or if they drop an email or text, remember that they are expecting a prompt response, so try and respond to their message on the same day.

The Proactive Approach

If an architect has the basic house design finalized with his client, but later on the architect feels that a particular corner of the house can be improved further, it is best that he suggests the change to his client and explain why he feels this change will improve the design requirements. Likewise, if something goes wrong during the project timeline, a proactive customer service approach will require the architect in charge to reach out to the disappointed customer before he has expressed his displeasure with the service.

[ameradnan]

Choosing the Right Colour Combination for Your New Kitchen

By selecting the correct colour palette for any corner of your house, you can incorporate pizzazz and character to that area. Like any other area of the house, the kitchen is a place with its own personality, character and mood. It is not merely a place to cook and wash dishes. Given that not all construction in Pakistan allows kitchens to be spacious enough to hold a dining table, but regardless of that, a kitchen is a fundamental part of the house where people come together. You can add style and colour to lift the overall feel of the room. Below are a few mix and match options that work well with kitchens:

Brown and Blue

This is popularly known as a universal colour combination. According to architects today this is a no fail colour combination for your kitchen. With chairs that are crisp blue and cabinets that are chocolate brown, a modern kitchen will have an instant facelift with this combination. Some interior decorators in Lahore also recommend incorporating deeper shades of both brown and blue and the monotony may also be broken by adding some white or cream colour.  

Red and Black

This again is a colour combo that never gets old or goes wrong. Whether used with décor or furniture colour scheme, red paired with black creates a modern and stylish look. For a bold and impactful kitchen colour scheme, try using a red center island which is balanced with either black flooring or countertops.

Orange and Blue

This is a unique colour combination and can look disastrous if the correct shade of blue is not paired with the right tone of orange. Although this is a tricky combination, but when blue and orange come together, they create a lot of energy in the aura. Considering that both colours have brilliant deeper tones, it is best to pair a soft blue shade with a jumpy citrus orange to have a lively impact. This colour would work best if your kitchen cabinetry is primarily made out of white wood.

Yellow, Grey and Green

Mostly recommended for contemporary kitchens, gray is the new go-to neutral shade which pairs gracefully with other colours such as pink, yellow and green. The combination of yellow or green with gray helps create a calm and soothing effect. The combination works well with white or brown coloured cabinets. A hint of green in any room brings freshness and tranquility. Yellow on the other hand, is a vibrant colour to incorporate in your palette – it brings life to any combination of colours. With gray as your base neutral, the sky is your limit as it enhances almost every bold colour.

[ameradnan]

Popular Colour Themes for Your Home Decor

Home décor trends encapsulate a whole range of things from the design of the house to the furnishing style used. One of the most important elements of home décor is the colour theme used to paint as well as furnish the house. Every year marks the trend for certain colour schemes that happen to be most popular and in demand. For instance, architects in Lahore would agree that 2017 happened to be all about neutrals and copper accents with a splash of tropical green.

However, certain colour themes never lose their appeal and regardless of what is trending this year, here are some colour themes for your house that will create a lasting impression.

Green and Yellow

Using shades of yellow and green creates a refreshing and lively mood in the room. This colour combination works best not only for the kids room, but can also uplift the spirit of the family sitting area. Interior décor does not always have to be posh, there can be a hint of childlike joy in one’s abode depending on the person’s preference and shades of yellow and lime do complete justice to that!  

Blue with a touch of Orange

This is an evergreen trend when it comes to deciding a colour scheme for an area of the house. There are endless shades of blue and every shade has a unique sense of tranquility to it. A corner of the house painted in a serene blue shade with a cozy sitting area decorated with warm orange colour cushions and a knitted foot rug can create the perfect ambience for one to disconnect from the busy world and enjoy the calmness for a while. Orange and blue pair well with other subdued colours to enhance the comfort and harmony required for certain corners of one’s abode.  

Plum and Green

This is a rather royal yet bold colour combination which works best in either the formal dining area or the formal sitting area of the house.  While deeper shades of purple can create a very dramatic look, a splash of green adds a lot of life to the ambience. This colour scheme creates a lasting statement and never gets old. A great look for the dining area of the house can be dining chairs with purple cushions and green plants placed around the room in different corners.

Wood and Pink

Many home designers now suggest that pink is no longer a juvenile sweet colour tone, a lighter hue of it is rather close to a neutral colour that blends well and adds class to a number of other shades. When used in a room that has wooden coloured furniture, pink may stir up feelings of pure joy. It can also cause a significant rise in the overall mood of the atmosphere.

[ameradnan]

4 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Office Space

Architects in Pakistan attach great importance to the fact that a person spends a substantial amount of time at his/her work premises. The office space impacts a person’s ability to be more creative and productive. Interior decorators in Pakistan have listed a number of ways to effectively utilize and maximize limited office space.

Hire Professionals for the Layout

Investing in obtaining a fool proof layout plan from a professional interior designer is essential. The experience and detail-orientated approach that comes with professionals is unmatchable. Architectural firms and interior decorators have associates who are experts in what they do. Therefore, what may seem like a difficult project site to work on, may actually be transformed into a great place of work when planned and designed by a professional interior decorator.

Pay Attention to the Floor

There should not be any area of a given premise that is underutilized. The ceilings and floors of any structure often draw less attention because minimum detailing is given to them. However, in a crunched up layout, the flooring plays an imperative role. Having rugs on the floor makes a given space look chopped up into smaller chunks. Not only does it look clustered but it also cuts down on the overall space. It is thus, recommended to use wall-to-wall flooring.

Prioritize the Use of Space

Consider the things that you need or see as soon you step into your office. It is vital to consider that the space in your office has the potential that it can serve; the walls, the dividers, the ceiling and even the doors. Selecting space effective furniture can be a great point to start with. Investing in furniture should be very smartly done so that even when you outgrow your space, your furniture isn’t redundant. It would be intelligent to opt for furniture that creatively acts as storage also and furniture that encourages co-working units as well.

Minimize Clutter; Go Paper Free

Clutter takes up a lot of unutilized space. It gives a very messy look and also slows one down both physically and mentally. A starting point to maximize the given office space would be to declutter. It is best to productively design the space or cubicle that you have. For anyone who sees your office or work station, that person should be able to see a purpose and moreover an effective means of generating innovative ideas. A paper-free working environment is not only in-line with today’s digital era, but it also ensures reduced storage furniture that cater to all the filing and is also more environment friendly.

[ameradnan]

4 Unique Ways to Give Your Home Garden a New Look

A small garden either in the front or back of the house can be a great place to have a nice cup of tea in the evening or to just sit with your family and relax. Often overlooked, your garden is as important as any other part of your house. A well-maintained garden can give your house a pleasant and vibrant outlook, as you get to be close to nature. With a little creativity, everyone can revamp their home garden, here’s a look at some ideas.

Get Creative with the Pathway

Your pathway is naturally the first thing everybody will notice as they walk into your house. Needless to say, it holds essential importance. There is a lot that you can experiment with your pathway depending on your preference. You can have the traditional cemented stone pattern or a brick walkway. You can have a wood based walkway with pebbles to the side. There has been a recent trend of having a barefoot sensory pathway in which patches of different textures such as grass, pebbles, stone etc. are combined to make a path. You can have decorator plants standing at the side which will highlight the way.

Add Solar Lights

There has been a recent growing trend in the use of solar lights. Architects in Pakistan have been using these lights in modern house designs. The eco-friendly appeal of these lights is one of the factors for its popularity, other than the obvious fact that they look amazing. You can have them along your pathway, along the corners of your garden, or place them aesthetically in the plants. There isn’t really a limit to what you can achieve with a creative use of these lights.

Build a Shade

Coupled with a nice set of chairs and a coffee table, a shade on the side will be a great addition to your garden. It can be a brilliant spot for the family to hang out in the evening, or a place for the kids to play when it’s sunny. Especially on days when it’s raining or the weather has a pleasant cool breeze with it, this shade will be your go to place.

Create Interesting Corners

You can make efficient use of the garden space by creating lively and interesting corners. You can create a small wooden seating area with a bunch of cushions on top. You can choose a theme such as Oriental or Spanish etc. and then decorate this specific corner accordingly. You can also turn the corner into a little barbeque place or just have an open fire space to gather around on a winter night. If you don’t have anything specific in mind, just fill this corner with some vibrant and colorful flower plants and it will light up your garden in a completely new way.

[ameradnan]

Did You Know You Can Control Your Home with a Smartphone?

Home automation is the next big thing in home construction and design. The concept has already established a footprint globally. Recently, home construction companies in Pakistan have also started tapping into the world of smart homes. Some control activities such as turning off a light or disabling an alarm are rather simple and inexpensive. Other complex operations such as advanced surveillance and security controls require more investment of both technique and money. So, is it as good as it sounds? Let’s go through a few things you can control right from your smartphone, and you can then decide for yourself whether it’s worth the investment.

Lighting Arrangement

Yes, you no longer have to get up from that couch to turn up the lights. A simple tap on your smartphone or a voice command is all you need to do and voila, you can now remotely control the lights of your entire house all from that smartphone in your hand. Add a few more bucks and you can even alter the intensity and color of the lights. All you need is a home automation device to be wired with the lighting system you would like to remotely control, and the device can be easily synced to your smartphone.

Surveillance Systems

Security being a major concern in Pakistan, surveillance systems have the highest demand when it comes to home automation. Basic surveillance systems are already being widely used, specially in the corporate sector in Pakistan and advanced possibilities are being explored. Smart cameras are directly connected with your home’s internet connection, making real-time surveillance possible from your smartphone.

Temperature Control

Installing a temperature control system in your home is a technology rather common, but managing it with your smartphone is undoubtedly an innovation worth attention. With a smart temperature control system installed in your home and a complimenting control app installed in your smartphone, you can remotely manage the temperature of every single room in your home. Whether it is turning on the air conditioner before arriving home on a hot day, or turning off the heating system while your kids are asleep at home, it is all possible.

Curtain Mechanism

Curtains are no exception when it comes to smartly controlling your home. Yes, curtain automation isn’t restricted to installing motors and controlling them with a remote control. You can now automate your home curtain mechanism to an extent that they are completely operated via your smartphone. By managing curtains, shutters, blinds and awnings right from the palm of your hands, your life would become far more convenient than ever before.