Photo courtesy of Infinity Drain

Architectural linear drains help make a visual design statement while also providing the water drainage, safety, and hygiene needed in many different building locations, indoors and out.

Draining water away from buildings is a fundamental need in most projects. This is true for indoor and outdoor locations as well as many different building types. However, just because there is a functional need doesn’t mean that the solution can’t also be a design feature. Architectural linear drains have been used to achieve both – effective drainage and design feature excellence. Many architects are paying closer attention to the quality of the drainage products and specifying architectural drains instead of commodity solutions. This is particularly true where higher amenities are concerned such as outdoor areas, wellness spaces, wet rooms, balconies, etc. where high-end appearance is required but so is compliance with performance requirements such as effective drainage and accessibility. In this course, we address some of the basic principles and criteria for incorporating architectural drainage and show examples of successful solutions.

OVERVIEW OF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

In the design and construction of buildings and sites, it is always important to consider how water is being drained and carried away from areas where it may be accumulating in an unwanted manner. Failure to properly drain such accumulated water can lead to cosmetic damage at best or structural damage at worst to buildings, landscapes, or other areas. That typically means that drainage systems are installed in floors, balconies, terraces, pool surrounds, kitchens, or any other location where water is expected to be present on the floor or walking surface. Of course, finished drain systems are usually identified by a grille or grate that is visible on top of the drainage channel and piping components. In some cases, a purely functional and utilitarian drain cover may be called for, but in many locations, there is a desire to have the drains and their grates blend with a higher level of design.

To be sure that the look of the space being drained is not compromised, the selection of appropriate architectural drains and their integration into an overall scheme is paramount. That means the shape of the drain, the depth of the drain channel, the material and design pattern for the grate, and other factors all come into play. These items aren’t just for mechanical and plumbing engineers to consider; rather, they require the review, input, and collaborative decision-making process of architects, landscape architects, and interior designers. Only in this way is the total design able to meet the aesthetic and performance needs of the project.

Photos courtesy of Infinity Drain

Architectural linear drains can make a specific design statement or blend into a surrounding design at the discretion of the project’s architect or interior designer.

User Considerations

The presence of water in or around a building can be a welcoming and inviting feature such as for a pool, a pleasant bath area, or on a covered outdoor space in gentle rainfall. The assumption in all of these cases, however, is that people are unharmed in any way, which usually means that excess water needs to be drained away from the water feature area. In that regard, there are three things to consider during the design of spaces with water.

• Safety: Where there is water on the floor or another walking surface, there can be an accident waiting to happen. Safety is an issue on wet surfaces since they are more slippery than dry ones and can cause people walking on them to slip, fall, and injure themselves. Therefore, the design intent of a proper drainage system needs to include the long-term, ongoing removal of excess water and the safety hazards that it may entail. Additionally, it is important that the drain installation be designed and carried out such that the drain is flush with the adjacent finish materials. This requires proper detailing to allow for the correct depth of the recess for the channel and the drainage grate, all to avoid any tripping hazard. The surface of the grate also needs to be considered to be sure it does not have holes or openings that are too large such that a heel or toe could get stuck.
• Hygiene: Water that doesn’t drain can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. This is a recognized health issue in buildings since either one can cause adverse reactions and even disease in people who spend time in the “wet” spaces. Wet areas can interact with building materials too as a contributor to mold growth or as a factor in the deterioration of those materials. That can cause more dirt, bacteria, germs, and other non-hygienic matter to build up and exasperate conditions. Therefore, in addition to keeping other building components drier, it is important that any drainage system can be readily and easily cleaned as needed. This is the best way to be sure that any growth is eliminated but also to be sure that any foreign objects or debris that may enter can be removed.
• ADA and Barrier-Free Accessibility: Most commercial buildings need to address accessibility as a key design feature. The relevant accessibility codes and standards address paths of travel and the floor surfaces along those paths, typically indicating that surfaces need to be smooth and flat – no more than ½ inch difference in height between the floor and anything else that needs to be wheeled over (i.e., door thresholds, shower entries, etc.). This design consideration applies to floor drains too; the grate on them needs to be recessed such that no more than ½ inch is protruding above the surface – in fact, fully flush is better. This approach is commonly used whether to meet code and ADA requirements or simply because it is a building owner’s desire to accommodate a current or future need for accessibility.

There can be other factors that affect people in buildings related to floor drains, including the general appearance and wellness features associated with the spaces they serve. At a minimum, however, the three priorities of safety, hygiene, and accessibility usually come into play in a well-designed building or outdoor space.

Drainage Types

As with most building products and systems, there are choices available to incorporate into design and construction. Some of those choices use standard components, and others incorporate specialty items or components with custom design features and options. Generically, there are three fundamental types of floor drains discussed as follows.

• Architectural Linear Drains: From a design perspective, this type of drain can work most elegantly with the layout of a space. It is premised on the slight sloping of a floor or other surface such that any water drains to the selected side.

Then, along the length of the low end of the surface, a linear floor drain is installed in a recessed manner to drain away the water. In this case, the drain catchment area (also called a channel assembly) is long and rectangular with either a vertical or horizontal drain outlet. That drain outlet can be connected in an appropriate manner to suitable drain piping that is located within the floor assembly or outdoor surface system. The drain channel assembly is covered with a long, rectangular grate that functions to allow water to enter while keeping out debris and providing a safe surface for people to walk.

• Center Drains: These are probably what many people think of when considering the use of a floor drain. In this case, a floor area, whether for a room, a shower, or an outdoor surface, is gently sloped from each side to a low point in the center. The drain catchment is connected to a suitably sized drainpipe that carries the collected water away from the area to its appropriate destination (i.e., sewer, storm drain, retention pond, etc.). The catchment mechanism is typically covered with a square or round grate that allows water to enter but keeps out other things such as debris. The cover also provides the needed safety protection for people such that their foot lands on a smooth, flat surface instead of dropping into the open area of the catchment. Center drains such as this are available in standard sizes to suit different conditions.
• Custom Drain Solutions: In some cases, neither linear drains nor center drains are the right architectural solution. For those situations, it is good to be aware that custom drains are possible. They can take the form of curved or circular drains around a similarly shaped surface where water needs to be captured and redirected. Or they can be rectilinear by connecting several linear drains to suit the geometry of a space. There are many different options and configurations possible, but as with any custom solution, it is best to check with a manufacturer during project design to determine fabrication parameters and tolerances that are possible and factors that influence cost. For example, a custom drain can address unique performance requirements such as the percent of open or free area of the top grate or a larger outlet diameter that may be required in geographic areas that receive higher levels of precipitation. Custom drain grates can also be designed to address certain load requirements that may be in place for outdoor drains such as heavy cleaning or maintenance equipment around a pool.

Photos courtesy of Infinity Drain

Center drains can accommodate a wide range of floor surfaces, including the ability to work with small-sized tiles as shown here.

Photo courtesy of Infinity Drain

Customized drain solutions are most suitable for highly personalized designed spaces or special conditions which warrant it.

LINEAR DRAIN DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

When considering architectural linear drains, the first image that comes to mind is the portion of the system that is visible – the grate or cover on the floor. Does it look basic and functional, or does it enhance the overall design? The answer comes from having products available that can either complement the rest of the surrounding design or blend in completely to provide a continuous visual element. This may be done with standard products that are finished in a variety of offerings, customizable with inserts on site, or through the use of personalized fabrications. The key is to work with a manufacturer who provides options for different sizes, appearances, finishes, etc. that can work with an overall architectural design.