Design for Interior environments is undeniably connected to adjacent – non-Interior – aspects of any site location. And that should be a positive situation! Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Environments that are Exterior to any Interior environment are multiple, varied and influential.
It’s that last one that’s important: Influential! Regardless of the quality, punch or integrity of an Interior design installation, a negative external aspect can significantly impact that Interior installation. The company you keep – as we have discussed several times before – does count!
The recent five years have heavily affected our economy in general, and individual communities and their business sectors specifically. Consequences have been multiple, ranging from damages to small operations, business closures, business cluster areas suffering poor maintenance and many very predictable ripple effects. When businesses fail (through no fault of their own) and must close and vacate their sites, everything adjacent suffers.
Yes, recovery is improving and many locations are slowly working on getting presentation back on track. Empty, neglected storefronts are beginning to be cleaned up, refreshed and re-opened – but “in the meantime,” the survivors next door have been paying a price for the bad company of a once thriving location. It is difficult to thrive in the midst of a message of failure and neglect.
Marketing your business from a troubled area where you survived, but others did not, presents multiple challenges. As is quite evident, the options range from assisting in the recovery where you are, to deciding to relocate to a thriving cluster! Excellent Interior presentation is partially dependent on attracting customers or clients to approach and come inside! And that often depends on what the lead-in entails.
It would be great, for instance, if unoccupied retail space was maintained, kept its exterior clean and swept – even developed interesting window displays such as local artists or local events’ promotions. But, sadly, more often than not the view inside is unsettling to say the least; or, the exterior deteriorates with natural weathering and debris, including obsolete signage!
When a beautifully designed and installed Interior project is destined to open their doors and connect to trash, vacancies, and circumstances un-beautiful, it is difficult to justify the investment. The degree of attraction to the general surrounding area must be a consideration. A major question becomes: what can a successful and thriving business do about failed neighbors and the subsequent property deterioration?
If there are association guidelines, for instance for a designated cluster, park or integrated business region, rules and cooperative expectations can be addressed. Participation in adjacent exterior maintenance –simple good neighbor help – helps, too. And, practicing invitational encouragement for new tenants is always a good strategy! Clearly, a cooperative effort is critical. Local government, Chamber of Commerce, service groups and other community organizations can collectively work to keep or help struggling areas.
Interior design has outward reaching influence; doors open from the Exterior to the Interior! That both regions should be mutually supportive is a no brainer. Invitational landscaping, relevant signage, clean streets and gutters, safe night lighting and property security are majorly important! Unfortunately, those factors become untenable with serious business failures and the resulting vacancies.
Connecting design aspects simply means that what is adjacent is consequential – and often very difficult to remedy. Interior design never stands alone! It is automatically, unavoidably and logically connected to what’s adjacent. That reality begs every effort, from all concerned factors, to strive for the best presentation possible.
A community’s economic health is one of the connected aspects. Interior design invites you into the mix!
Robert Boccabella, B.F.A. is principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella provides Designing to Fit the Vision© in collaboration with writingservice@earthlink.net. To contact him call 707-263-7073; email him at rb@BusinessDesignServices.com or visit www.BusinessDesignServices.com or on Face Book at Business Design Services.
