Design Considerations

As a practical matter, once a building space is defined in terms of size, volume, access, and flow, time is spent on selecting materials or products to finish the surfaces of those spaces. The range of choices can be staggering with regular updates by manufacturers on colors, styles, sizes, etc. Firms that can systematically access the most up-to-date information and stay abreast of the available products for different building types are most likely to be at the forefront of innovative and timely design solutions. Sometimes, that means being aware of new products or materials while other times that may mean using well-known materials in a different way. It may also mean paying attention to particular details of not only the finish material on the surface, but the underlying construction to assure or even enhance the intended use of a finish.

We will look at examples of these approaches to innovative interiors in three areas—wall surfaces, floor underlayment, and floor surfaces. In so doing, they will demonstrate some of the latest thinking and available types of products that can contribute to truly dynamic and sustainable interiors.

Wall Surfaces

The surface of a wall is clearly a very visible and influential element of any interior design. The wall can be smooth or textured, subdued in color or bold, natural in appearance or clearly processed. Selecting the most appropriate material from among all of the choices can help express design values about the building or touch on emotional and cultural triggers by the users. Accordingly, designers that can stay on top of the available options and choices are typically the ones that become the most creative in final solutions.

Photos courtesy of Eldorado Stone

An example of a “before” and “after” interior transformation. On the top, this room contains smooth white walls creating a particular look and feel. On the bottom, architectural stone veneer is innovatively used to create a space that is warmer in color and provides a more textural quality.

As an example of an innovative choice, let's look at architectural stone veneer used on an interior wall. Solid stone has been common in many historical buildings and exudes a sense of permanence and durability. Cost realities of current construction usually favor lighter-weight alternatives that employ manufactured products with a believable, authentic appearance that still elevates the sense of quality in design. Toward that end, manufacturers have refined their products to be cost-effective while still allowing them to look authentic, natural, and most of all, beautiful. They point out that their products can elevate any space, adding depth, dimension, and texture unlike any other finish.

Like other wall surface treatments, architectural stone veneer is available in an extensive range of products from individual manufactured stone veneers to brick veneers to panelized stacked stone veneer—each intended to complement a variety of architectural styles. They often use stylized brick or stone appearances that range from old-world to contemporary with the intent of providing an appropriate choice for everything from a traditional stone breezeway to a modern, sleek manufactured stone wall.

One of the most common design techniques in the product is the texture of the stone. This can be achieved by casting from a mold made from actual natural stone. To make the molds, craftsmen sort through stone piece by piece and select only the rocks that complement each other with just the right shape, texture, size, and detail. State-of-the-art mold manufacturing then allows manufacturers to capture textural details down to the smallest level. This creates dozens of profiles in terms of shape, size, and texture available on the market today.

Equally important, the color of the stone can be controlled to suit design needs. Some may be the color of the formed and manufactured products, but some of the most appealing are literally hand painted piece by piece by highly trained artisans. As a manufactured stone product, natural mineral oxides are commonly used to infuse the surface with rich, authentic tones. This produces depth and variation of colors such as hints of rust, mossy greens, russet browns, and golden umbers. At least one manufacturer offers an extensive line of stone and brick veneer with over 150 color palettes to choose from.