Not all design decisions carry equal weight. Some can be adjusted after construction—paint colors, fixture selections, furniture placement. Others are fixed in concrete and steel, changeable only through expensive demolition and reconstruction. Understanding this distinction is essential before construction begins.
Structural Decisions
Column Placement Columns cannot be moved once poured. Common mistakes: - Columns blocking door swings - Columns in middle of rooms creating awkward furniture layouts - Column grids that don't align with room divisions
Floor-to-Floor Heights Once constructed, floor heights cannot change. Mistakes include: - Insufficient height for ceiling systems - Basement heights too low for habitation - Mezzanine levels creating cramped spaces
Structural Spans Beam depths and spans are calculated together. Common errors: - Beams deeper than anticipated, reducing headroom - Spans too short, requiring columns where none were expected - Cantilevers that deflect visibly
Circulation Problems
Stair Dimensions Building regulations specify minimum stair widths and dimensions for safety. Mistakes: - Stairs too narrow for furniture movement - Risers too high for comfortable daily use - Insufficient landings creating safety hazards
Corridor Widths Circulation spaces often get squeezed to maximize room areas: - Corridors too narrow for two people to pass - No space for doors to swing without blocking passage - Dead-end corridors without required exits
Door Swings Every door needs clear space to open: - Doors hitting each other when opened - Doors blocking access to adjacent spaces - Switch and outlet locations behind doors
Kitchen Planning
Work Triangle The relationship between sink, stove, and refrigerator determines kitchen efficiency: - Elements too far apart requiring excess walking - Traffic paths crossing through work triangle - Insufficient counter space between appliances
Ventilation Kitchen exhaust is often afterthought: - No provisions for exhaust duct routing - Exhaust locations too far from cooking surface - Inadequate makeup air creating pressure problems
Bathroom Planning
Fixture Clearances Minimum clearances are specified for usability: - Toilets too close to walls or vanities - Shower spaces too small for comfortable use - Door swings that hit fixtures
Drainage Slopes Bathroom floors slope to drains—this affects everything: - Floor levels that don't coordinate with adjacent rooms - Shower drains in inconvenient locations - Insufficient slope creating standing water
Ventilation Bathrooms require exhaust ventilation: - No provisions for exhaust routing - Exhaust discharging into roof voids instead of outside - Inadequate window size for natural ventilation
Service Access
Maintenance Access Building systems require periodic access: - No access to AC units for filter changes - Plumbing cleanouts buried behind finishes - Electrical panels blocked by furniture
Utility Meters Utility companies require accessible meters: - Meter locations inside finished spaces - No access for meter reading - Inadequate space around electrical panels
The Cost of Correction
Fixing structural mistakes requires: - Demolition of completed work - Structural engineering for modifications - Reconstruction and refinishing
A column in the wrong location might cost PKR 500,000-1,500,000 to relocate—versus virtually nothing to position correctly during design.
Prevention
These mistakes are prevented through: - Complete design development before construction - Coordination between architectural and engineering drawings - Review of construction documents by experienced professionals - Clear communication between designers and contractors
Conclusion
Design review before construction is not an optional expense—it is insurance against errors that cost many times more to fix after the fact.