The basic principles, concepts, classification and methodology of the technology of designing specialized furniture for enterprises, institutions, shops

Mikhailenko Anastasiia YUr'evna Subject designer, Master and Teacher of DPI, Member of the Professional Union of Artists of Russia, Member of the Eurasian Art Union, Honorary member of the International Academy of Modern Arts, Director of the Creative Market design Studio 390027, Russia, Ryazan region, Ryazan, Bystretskaya str., 11 kreativ-market@mail.ru Other publications by this author

In the modern world, we cannot ignore the crucial importance of the design of the spatial environment. The spatial environment has a significant impact on a person and therefore becomes the object of purposeful transformation. The activity of designing, planning, transforming, creating sketches, models, as well as the result of this activity is such an extensive concept as "design" (from the English Design - to design, draw, conceive, as well as a project, plan, drawing). Moreover, along with industrial, graphic, art design, architectural design, landscape design, environmental design is also distinguished. V. T. Shimko ^{[1, 14]} believes that despite the fact that environmental design is a fairly young field of design, identified about half a century ago, today it begins to dominate over long-established areas of design. The environment as a design object is always a space: anthropogenic, natural or natural-anthropogenic origin ^[2]. In this article, we will consider spaces of anthropogenic origin, namely, premises: residential and public, since the object of our research is furniture, which is one of the most important components of the spatial environment surrounding a person. It is certainly important for designers to understand its functional significance and the dominant role in any room.

To begin with, we will analyze the existing classification of furniture, identify the main types of furniture, identify classification gaps and solutions.

Furniture is classified according to its purpose, design and technological characteristics, operational, functional characteristics, complexity, type of source material, and types of products ^[3]. In this article, we will consider cabinet furniture, which is traditionally divided by purpose into household and public buildings. However, furniture for public buildings should be classified in more detail. The methodological approach to business design technology implies a more detailed division into groups and subgroups, since the scope of application imposes design and technological features. Furniture for public buildings is also called specialized, because its functionality, design, and constructive directly depends on the orientation (type of product or service sold or produced) of an enterprise, institution, or store.

So, specialized furniture (furniture for public buildings) can be divided into groups and subgroups:

- trading

-furniture for pharmacies

-furniture for jewelry stores

-furniture for grocery stores

-furniture for clothing stores

-furniture for confectionery products

-furniture for nuts and dried fruits

-furniture for vegetable and fruit shops, retail outlets

-furniture for alcohol stores

-highly specialized commercial furniture (for example, for bottled perfume, tires, beads, etc.)

-furniture for catering establishments

-for cafes, restaurants, bars

-furniture for "island type" outlets made according to the "takeaway" principle (cafes, fresh bars, bakeries)

-administrative furniture

- furniture for the administrator (administrative desks, etc.)

-furniture for employees (office)

-exhibition furniture (furniture for museums, exhibitions, production of stands, etc.)

-furniture for educational institutions (furniture for children's cents, furniture for preschools, schools, etc.)

-furniture for sports facilities (fitness centers, swimming pools, water parks, etc.)

-technological furniture (for factories) ^[4].

Now I would like to substantiate this classification. Let's take commercial furniture as an example. Furniture for pharmacies is made according to certain standards and has design features based on the specifics of the product. Medicines are located in wall cabinets with drawers, on which labels of groups of drugs are placed (Figure 1). It is not possible to place medicines in a stack on a standard rack (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Pharmacy cabinets

Figure 2. Standard shelving

The following example: jewelry counters should have drawers under glass for easy access to the product and display of products. At the same time, the shutters must be locked with a key to protect against vandals and criminals, furniture locks are used for this. Another key point is the mandatory use of backlight, and the maximum use of transparent materials for a more profitable demonstration of the product (Figure 3). And there can be neither interchangeability nor universality. There is no way to adapt jewelry display cases to a pharmacy and vice versa. Also, wall-mounted display cases for dried fruits (Figure 4) cannot be placed in a wine store (Figure 5) or in a clothing store.

Figure 3. The upper part of the jewelry counter

Figure 4. Display cases for nuts and dried fruits

Figure 5. Wine rack

As well as in subgroups, there is no substitutability in these groups. So, for example, the bar counter cannot be put to the administrator, because the bar counters are made with a height of 1100-1200 mm on the visitor's side, the second countertop (internal) is 900 mm high and is designed for an employee (bartender, barista) who works standing up (Figure 6). The administrator, on the other hand, works in the "sitting" position, and therefore the second table top (internal) is located at a height of 750 mm. As a standard desk (Figure 7).

Figure 6. A bar counter with built-in equipment. Travelers Cafe, Ryazan. Subject designer Mikhailenko A.Yu.

Figure 7. Reception desk. Children's center "House and children", Ryazan. Subject designer Mikhailenko A.Yu.

Specialized furniture can be divided into two broad groups according to the method of production: standard (serial furniture) and individual (small-scale, or made in a single copy). However, the use of serial furniture for business is not always possible, there are unique areas that require an individual approach. The use of standard furniture is limited by its size and color scheme. And an enterprise or institution that chooses this type of equipment has fewer opportunities to attract the attention of customers and it is more difficult for them to emphasize their uniqueness, not to mention the fact that there are such groups of goods and services for which serial furniture is not produced. The design of standard specialized furniture and equipment is industrial. The designer develops an item together with other specialists (marketers, economists, etc.), so he is limited in creativity. The main thing here is the versatility, not the uniqueness of the item, the ability to sell and maximize profits. The design of individual specialized furniture is handled by a subject designer who is not limited in creativity in any way, but on the contrary, his ideas are welcomed and encouraged. In the process of its work, a unique and memorable design is obtained, which is designed to distinguish it from competitors, to be as convenient as possible and adapted to equipment, goods or services ^[5].

In this article, we will analyze the technology of designing non-standard specialized furniture, which is produced according to an individual project. To begin with, let's define the modern definition of technology. If we talk not about "theoretical technology", but practical, then technology is called a set of operations, a sequence of actions aimed at manufacturing a product. There are several stages of design:

1. Preliminary. This stage begins with communication with the customer, discussing the main parameters: the room (area, layout features, lighting), product features (number of items, size, weight). If a potential customer provides services, then the number of employees, the features of the service (which target audience the service is aimed at), the availability of equipment or office equipment (dimensions, connection features, weight), the dimensions of the intended installation site, communications, etc. are discussed. Further, a field visit and measurement is required.

2. Creation of a preliminary design (the design of the future product is being worked out, taking into account its dimensions and location, strength and safety are taken into account. Next, the elements of the product are placed: shelves, drawers, countertops, their functional dimensions are determined, and appropriate accessories are selected. This takes into account the ease of use of both individual elements and the product as a whole. After creating a product model, color and textural solutions are worked out, taking into account the overall design of the room, corporate colors, current trends, features of the product or service, requirements of shopping centers, owners of the premises, etc.)

3. Creation of a technical project (design of a furniture product, the result of which is a technical project that is transferred to production).

The nature of the production of specialized individual (or small-scale) furniture is determined not only by the peculiarities of its manufacturing technology, but also by the types of materials used for this purpose. Specialized furniture is made of solid wood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), chipboard (laminated chipboard), metal (steel), using a welded frame, aluminum profile, galvanized pipes, sheet glass, polymer materials, plastics, films, composite materials ^[11].

The requirements for specialized furniture are divided into functional, constructive, technical, economic and aesthetic.

Functional requirements are determined by the specifics of the design and subsequent production of furniture, which will provide the necessary amenities, quality, speed and functionality of technological processes of trade or the specifics of the service, satisfy customer requests and correspond to highly specialized areas of a particular activity. In turn, the functionality must comply with the general norms of human physiology, be comfortable and ergonomic for employees of the institution, meet the norms of the labor code, public hygiene and internal human psychology for both working staff and clients ^[15].

Let's consider the application of functional requirements within the framework of the design technology under consideration. For example, an enterprise requires tables for traffic controllers. What are the main points to consider: tables must withstand the weight of the manufactured equipment, have safety shields against radio frequency interference.

The design requirements for the manufacture of such often highly specialized furniture are no less a priority, and are envisaged even at the design stage of the project. Furniture should be easy to handle, stable and durable during operation, technologically advanced, reliable and, if possible, durable. At the same time, it should be filled with modern constructive solutions and directions in this subject area.

Any cabinet furniture, including specialized, custom-made according to individual projects, is subject to the requirements of technical specifications, standards and GOST standards.

Such technical and economic requirements determine the peculiarity of the design technology. Despite the non-standard approach to design, standard certified factory fittings and materials are used, unification of nodal and load-bearing joints, standardization of technical dimensions, load characteristics of individual structural elements, technical norms and rules for furniture design.

Aesthetic requirements in the design technology of non-standard specialized furniture occupy a dominant place.

First of all, it is the perfection of design as a functional, as well as the unity of the form of construction and material. Properly selected materials, harmony of color, give the product a finished look, emphasize the direction and brand, ensure the integrity of perception of both the furniture form and the material content of the object, create harmony of the environment as a whole ^[13].

Let's analyze the design technology in more detail using specific examples.

Administrative furniture for the children's department of a private clinic.

Modern commercial medical facilities create a humane, friendly, consumer-oriented environment. At the same time, it should undoubtedly be comfortable and safe for patients ^[10]. What points were paid attention to when developing a furniture project: waiting for a doctor's appointment is tedious for children, the counter should accommodate two employees, an extensive file cabinet, look harmonious, do not exert psychological pressure on the child, cause positive emotions. A variant of the ship with a play area for young visitors, a file cabinet and comfortable workplaces fit into the interior and enriched it with its functionality (Figure 8).

Figure 8. Reception desk. Blade "MED+". Ryazan

Sometimes the customer's request may not be typical and combine different types of specialized furniture. For example, the military school required exhibition furniture, which functionally carried two tasks: exposition (placement of non-standard educational materials, equipment) and training. The educational and demonstration material itself is the only one, and it can be replaced, if necessary, to solve educational tasks. Due to the fact that many items are heavy and dimensional shelves must withstand heavy weight and be removed if necessary. But at the same time, the demo part should be transparent for a good view (from above, in front, from the side). During the development, it was necessary to choose materials for manufacturing, taking into account the features of the functional part. It is important to understand that glass shelves can be designed with a length of no more than 1000 mm, but the dimensions of the intended exhibits (instruments, equipment, models, visualization of battles, etc.) were of great length. The constructive solution was the use of an aluminum profile of the Euroshop system (Figure 9). The glass enclosed in the grooves of the profile, clamped with a seal, allows you to increase the length of the product to 1500 mm. Also, the chipboard shelves lying on the profile shelf holders can withstand more weight than those fixed with Euro screws and can be removed if necessary (Figure 10). Taking into account all of the above, a project was created, and subsequently unique furniture.

Figure 9. Demonstration of the position of glass in the profile of "Euroshop" design of the project of exhibition and educational showcases in RGVVDKU"

Figure 10. Euroshop profile with shelf

We will also consider the specialized furniture of the caffeine chain "COFEE LIKE" in the "coffee with you" format, which refers to products for catering enterprises. It is impossible not to note the social significance of this project. Ray Oldenburg also argued that in order to combat social isolation, which is characteristic of modernity, people need informal locations, including coffee shops, where they can relax, communicate, relax and get positive emotions while in society ^[7,8]. Based on the above, a huge responsibility falls on the designer to create an ideal public place, which should not only be as cozy as possible, but also comfortable through the use of comfortable furniture and rational organization of space ^[9].

Details about the design and design features. The colors and textures correspond to current trends. All projects are decorated in the same color scheme and are recognizable to potential visitors, designed for regular customers. The design of each coffee shop is unique, since the company can be located both in a separate room and in the center of the trading floor, at the same time, the corporate identity is preserved in any project. Depending on the format, the configuration of the products also changes.

Let's analyze the main one:

1. The island. The company is located in the center of the trading floor, which imposes features on the design. The maximum height is 1100 mm, the working area is located at a height of 900 mm (Figure 11). Due to the fact that water, in most cases, cannot be supplied, it is necessary to provide a place for water bottles.

Figure 11. Trading island. Ryazan

2. The peninsula. It is located in the general trading floor, but near the wall. In these projects, it is desirable to use the walls of the hall, for a harmonious aesthetic appearance of the products.

3. Cafe. The format in which the area and location allow you to receive visitors. The project should provide seating and tables for visitors. The production stand itself remains unchanged (Figure 12). Along with standard seating furniture, custom-made furniture can be used, since it does not stand out in color, looks harmonious, can be made "in size" from wall to wall and equipped with removable soft covers that can be treated for stains, which is important in a commercial room (Figure 13).

Figure 11. Cafe in the shopping pavilion

Figure 12. Custom seating furniture

4. The trade pavilion. If the area of the pavilion does not allow you to create a "cafe" format, then it is designed to work "to take away". The furniture in this case is located along the walls (Figure 13).

Figure 13. A small-area shopping pavilion.

Important functional and design features of caffeine projects are that you need to take into account the availability of a variety of production equipment. Such as, a coffee machine, a coffee grinder, a refrigerated display case, a cash drawer, a microwave oven, an ice maker, a blender, a thermopot, a freezer, a sink, garbage collection equipment, a pump, water bottles, a waste water collection container if there are no communications in the room). It is necessary to take into account the weight of the equipment, its dimensions, and technical features. For example, near the coffee machine on the right (for the convenience of employees) there is a "knocker" for used coffee, which should get into the trash container by knocking on a wooden or metal part. At the same time, aesthetically it should look beautiful and harmonious. To do this, a hole is cut in the countertop, where the garbage is thrown off. And the compartment with the container, in turn, is closed by a hinged door and is not visible to visitors.

Another example, under the coffee machine, in most projects, there are bottles of water, but the coffee machine itself has a large weight, as well as bottles (19 liters), which does not allow them to be placed on a chipboard shelf, therefore they must be placed on the floor. An excellent solution is to make a reinforced metal frame from a 25 by 25 mm steel profile pipe, which is equipped with legs for adjustment and alignment on floor coverings. Then the bottles can be placed on the floor, which gives undoubted advantages. Since they are heavy and it is difficult to lift them to the level of the base, it is also not advisable to put them on a shelf because of their weight: such a structure will not last long. In general, designing furniture for catering establishments is a very time-consuming and responsible process that has many features.

So, there are many factors that can affect the final harmony of the space, but furniture plays a dominant role among them ^[12]. And if we are talking about commercial furniture, which we have studied in this article, then its design, well-chosen materials, convenience and safety for visitors and employees, structural strength and durability directly affect the profitability of the business or the budget of the enterprise.

The scientific work done has allowed:

- classify specialized furniture;

- to contribute to the development of theory, technology, methodology of design and design of specialized furniture;

- to reveal the essence of non-standard furniture as an object of design activity;

- we can also talk about the contribution to scientific methodology in general.