Walls and Their Finishes

 Typically walls are thought to be simple and more often than not, fairly bland. Most walls focus more on defining the space rather than bettering the space. But there is still so much that goes into them, not only in the way that they are constructed but also in the finishes they are covered in.

There are three main types of wall construction. The first is a stud wall system. This is where wood or steel studs, typically between 2"x4" and 2"x6" are spaced 12", 16", or 24" apart and attached to a top and bottom plate. If a stud wall is an exterior wall, it is sheathed. Sheathing consists typically of either plywood or OSB is attached to the stud wall to resist wind loads. The space between the studs can be filled with insulation and the interior portions of the walls are covered in drywall. The second type of wall construction is concrete/masonry walls. These walls are typically bearing walls. These can often be challenging for interior spaces because the solid brick and CMUs (Concrete Masonry Units) make electrical and plumbing work more difficult. Attaching finish materials and artwork can also be challenging on these walls. The third most common wall construction is a structural frame wall. These walls are made of columns and beams, leaving large cavities between the columns. This cavity or space is filled with either a stud wall, insulation panels, or other such materials. SIPs (Structural Insulation Panels) are commonly used to fill the space and they can be made with wood or steel framing and the type of insulation can vary depending on the need. 

The most common wall finish is paint. There is such a wide variety of looks on a wall that can be done with paint and it's fairly easy to apply. As designers, we need to be careful of the type of paint we are using. Some paints have strong VOCs (Volatile Organic Compound). A VOC evaporates from the paint into the air and can be harmful to the occupants of the space. It is also harmful to the environment because it is an air pollution. LEED, Green Globes, and other certification programs specify certain guidelines to limit the amount of VOCs given off by painted surfaces in the building.




While paint is the most common finish for walls there are many different ways to finish a wall. Some of these include fabric panels (similar to wallpaper), tile, wood paneling, and brick or stone facades. Below are a few examples of walls with these finishes.



Steelcase Partition Study:

American International College in Kuwait does a fantastic job of designing and defining spaces that are not only intriguing to the eye but comfortable as well. Their use of color keeps the space bright and open but it's not so bright or so intense that it doesn't allow the students to focus. AIC used their walls to their advantage. They didn't leave the walls plain white but rather made them into something creative that helped not only define the space but also give it life. The two walls with the geometric shapes above are great examples of an easy, painted-on finish that complimented the space and made it so much better. Picture the room with a solid one-color wall there instead. It would not look great.

Another great example of a successful wall and partition is found in the picture below. The wall on the far left of the orange carpeted area does an amazing job at separating the spaces while still keeping the open feel found in the rest of the space. The wall, made of wood strips, allows a continuation visually but stops the flow of traffic through. It creates a lull in that space under the stairs where students can take a break. 

Overall, AIC did a fantastic job of designing the space while keeping the walls in mind. They chose to excite the walls and make them aesthetically pleasing. They took them past the visually bland structural use of them and put them to work in a way that serves not only the structural but also the visual. 


Sources:

https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/topics/education/innovative-college-experience-kuwait/

https://www.aiu.edu.kw/news/sbid-project-of-the-week



Comments

  1. Erica GonzalezSeptember 25, 2021 at 11:07 AM

    Kelly, Overall you had a great post covering this chapter in the textbook. I like how you went into detail talking about the different paints we can use as interior designers and how they can significantly effect a space. The paints ingredients have a huge impact on our environment so it’s important that we choose eco friendly materials that are durable and long lasting. I also enjoyed how you talked about this in your case study, the colors itself really separate the space while still making it feel open with the rest of the space. Great Job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Professor VanderNoordaaSeptember 28, 2021 at 5:20 PM

    Kelly,
    You did a great job of summarizing the specifics of wall construction and coverings. I loved your images and description of other wall covering possibilities such as fabric panels, tile wood panels and stone.
    AIC in Kuwait was a great case study to use. I appreciate how they used creative and interesting wall covering to add interest to the space. The wood slat wall area is very interesting. I also appreciated that you found another source for your information.

    ReplyDelete

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