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The designer may provide lighting design services or a specialty lighting designer may be retained to plan the lighting from the floor plans and equipment drawings. When specifying any systems projects, the interior designer will be involved in the planning of electrical, data, and telecommunications service, as these are integral to most divider panels. Acoustic treatment is another "mechanical system" the interior designer must understand, as it is integral to the planning of systems furniture products.
Lighting has become a more critical form of office lighting with the new interest in energy conservation and sustainable design. Increased glare, heat from the sun through uncovered windows, veiling reflections, and sun damage to furniture and finishes all must be considered as part of the trade-off when using daylight as a functional lighting source. Lighting specification begins with types of fixtures and the placement of fixtures to achieve the required lighting levels must be carefully researched and specified. Track lighting, lighting in soffits, and spotlights provide design interest to the interior.
Acoustical control can be achieved by con trolling the source, the path, and the listener. Careful zoning of work groups-especially those that will be noisy-is important in an open plan project. Thoughtful specification of flooring, wall treatments, and ceiling materials also helps control noise.
Electrical and communications services can be provided to the interior in several ways. The greatest challenge is in providing electrical, telephone, and data communications services to offices occurs when the program cabs for the use of any type of open office systems furniture. If the project is predominantly a closed plan with conventional furniture, providing electrical services (as well as the other systems) is much less complicated.
Security mechanisms are needed depend on the nature of the business. Banks have to guard funds, negotiable securities, and other documents. Workers in government offices may feel particularly vulnerable to intrusions of unauthorized individuals. The security system in an office building may also be linked to the fire safety system
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