ARCHITECTURALLY SPEAKING
by Chris Yeo
RENOVATING ON A BUDGET WHAT REALLY MATTERS
When we are working with a
tight budget, we need to ask ourselves what we can do
to get the bang for our buck and how we can achieve a level of design that we are happy to live with. First we
need to understand cost and acknowledge that in every
space, there are three planes to deal with – the floor, the walls and the ceiling.
The floor typically costs the most to deal with, as works
would include demolition, re- screeding and tiling works, so this would be the last item on
the list. Walls are a lot easier to work with in the sense that you can either paint them or add a feature material to create texture within the space, all at a reaso nable price. And
finally, the ceiling is probably the cheapest to work with,
where even a space without a ceiling can become an interesting space.
In this example here, the use of hanging lights illustrates how a space can have a multi-layer eff ect. T e use of a lighting cluster creates a cloud or an intermediary layer in between the space we live (the living room) and the ceiling above. This allows our experience of the space to not be limited to just the lower level plane or the ground level, but rather, lifting our experience higher onto a multi-layered environment. Consider this as a means to create a visually exciting space without having to break the bank.
72 FENGSHUIWORLD | NOVEMBER 2015
www.fswmag.com
CLEVER CEILINGS When we work with the ceiling, we need to understand that we have the option to cover or open the ceiling, depending on what the raw structure of the space is like. Take for example this loft scenario; by painting the exposed timber trusses above it, it allows the beams to blend into the ceiling plane so the exposed timber doesn’t feel overpowering to the user below. By introducing hanging lights, it helps set a visual plane between the living area and the ceiling above, thereby enhancing the three-dimensionality of the room.
Hanging lights can give great texture and interest to a space.
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