Renovate your space with Nordic Design: Argus Way
A lot of house owners recently are renovating, if not their whole house, some spaces. Nordic theme interior is one of the trending designs recently with trendy house accessories and furniture that can easily be bought online.
This aesthetic has been around since the post-World War II era — and even longer in Northern Europe — it has recently experienced a sharp spike in popularity. Since the look is defined by clean lines, chic minimalism and an overall airy feel, it’s not hard to see why so many are intent on bringing a Scandinavian feel to their interiors.
Davao construction firm, Argus Builders, has numerous renovation clients with Nordic design as the base interior theme. Argus Senior Engineer Aldrich Morante shares how his team of architects and engineers achieve Nordic Design perfectly.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
With Nordic designs, Engr. Morante said energy efficiency is being highly observed in its design principles. Green alternatives are preferred by Scandinavian designers as the design of energy efficient households is demanded by law in Scandinavian countries, including Sweden and Denmark. These countries manage to keep their carbon emissions low with their passive solutions and appropriate construction techniques, even going as far as retrofitting older buildings to meet the current standards.
In practical terms, green building is a whole-systems-approach to building that includes designing for livable communities, using sun and site to the building's advantage for natural heating, cooling, and daylighting, landscaping with native, drought-resistant plants and water-efficient practices, building quality, durable structures, insulating well and ventilating appropriately, using healthy products and building practices, and using energy-efficient and water-saving appliances, fixtures and technologies.
PAINT CHOICE
“In Nordic or Scandinavian design, wall paint is an important factor seen by our in-house architects.” Engr. Morante said.
He said that choosing the muted paint colors such as white, beige and other colors doesn’t have to stop there but one has to go beyond the effort of choosing the best kind interior paint that lasts.
“Paints have more valuable purposes other than aesthetics, like protecting surfaces from insects, rain, solar radiation and other external factors,” Engr. Morante explained.
He suggested using acrylic or latex paints. These paints are available in flat, semi-gloss, eggshell, and glossy finishes. Flat, semi-gloss, and eggshell are generally what most people refer to as “matte” with each having differences in terms of glossiness.
Ceilings should be painted flat which refers to paint having no gloss to hide imperfections such as warps, unevenness, bulges, and dimples which are more noticeable when painted with a high-gloss paint.
In addition, muted colors generally require less lighting since light colors bounce the light better compared to darker colors thereby reducing the need for more fixtures to illuminate a space.
REDUCE HVAC USE
Natural lighting is used in Nordic design to make a space feel bigger and brighter. White walls emphasize available light, and minimal use of window treatments allow natural light to illuminate spaces.
However Morante said natural lighting also has its disadvantages. By admitting natural light into the space, heat also comes along with it.
“If we consider the Philippine setting, humidity also becomes an issue. A good rule of thumb is to avoid openings directly along the sun path, which is generally from East to West”, he explained.
He added it is also ideal to avoid south-facing windows since the Philippines is north of the equator. Window openings generally are hotter when facing towards the equator. To achieve adequate natural lights - North, North East, and North West windows are highly recommended.
CIRCULAR DESIGN
By now you would realize how Nordic design actually leans on sustainability. Engr. Morante emphasizes the importance of keeping the circular design principle in completing a Nordic interior theme.
He said this involves keeping considerations on the following - design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems.
“Circular design focuses on making design products that can be made to be made again” to achieve less waste and more value added to the ecosystem.
It is best to have your house checked by a trusted engineering firm that will see through each part of your space and take note of what needs to be rebuilt and strengthened to assure the safety of the people who will soon be living in that newly renovated house in the coming months.
“Whatever interior design you can think of, you have to prioritize the strength of your foundation especially when you are renovating an old house or space,” Engr Morante said.
If you are looking for a construction firm who can assess your old space and at the same time remodel and give a fresh new interior to your space, Argus Builders is a Design and Build company in Davao Region who has a team of seasoned engineers and architects who work together to perfectly achieve your imaginations right on the spot. Reach out to the best hotel and resort construction firm now at info@argusbuilders.com or call us at +639176267175 NOW.