The assignment for the students was: Create an interior design (layout) for the restaurant area of the fictional hotel OO, with at least one sofa included, which must be worked out in 3D.
This project is about lifestyle and design, where the students take on the role of product designers. The project was guided over three afternoons by Redie, with an explanation, an evaluation session, and a final presentation.
Ruud van de Weijer was the 'client' on behalf of Redie Interiors and provided a program of requirements, such as the necessary number of seats. The requirements were explained with examples and challenges that Redie often faces in practice, such as proper routing and the use of space. After an afternoon full of explanations, questions, and answers, the students got to work. They delved into the target audience for the hotel: who comes, how long do people stay in the restaurant area, and what elements are needed, such as material choices and the correct dimensions of the furniture.
During the evaluation session, the designs and floor plans were discussed. Redie provided tips and tricks on what could still be improved and what we were impressed by. And we were definitely impressed! It was surprising to see how differently the floor plans were developed. Some designs focused more on ambiance, while others focused on practical and innovative solutions. For example, there were designs with an Asian theme, including a mascot to attract families, rivers to transport food, a special area for VIP guests with a stage, and an innovative sofa design where the backrests could be moved to allow flexible seating arrangements. It was fantastic to witness the creativity and problem-solving skills of the students!
In February of this year, the final presentation took place, where a 3D sofa (printed or laser-cut) was also presented. These presentations were a joy to see and hear. It was clear that the students felt drawn to different aspects of the interior design industry (such as technical design, material specialists, and attention to detail and design).
A nice bonus was that the students were able to get to know Redie Interiors and the different professions within our industry, such as designer, work preparer, and furniture maker. Who knows what the future holds for this enthusiastic group of students? We certainly saw potential!
We would like to thank the Rodenborch College for the enjoyable assignment; it was also a valuable learning experience for Redie Interiors.
