An Interesting Interior

The elements and principles of design used in the right way can make a space go from mediocre to fantastic. Knowing how to utilize the elements to make the space function better and be more aesthetically pleasing is a big part of really good design.

This unique space comes from a hotel in Barcelona, Spain called the Mandarin Oriental. It is a very upscale and contemporary decorated hotel. This specific place is the hotel’s spa pool. The design principles that are most prevalent are movement, balance, and unity.  The strongest elements of design would be line, space, and shape. The elements of design help to emphasize the different principles, for example, the lines that go along the roof and the outline of the pool make the eye follow the lines to the back wall emphasizing the principle of movement. Unity in the space is very noticeable because of the repetition of the chairs and the equal spacing of the beams on the ceiling.  The simple rectangle of the room and the perfectly symmetrical pool balance the room and make it pleasing to the eye. Another thing that adds to the balance of the space is the contrast of the very dark colors used in the pool, roof, and columns with the mid tones of the green and the light values of the chairs, and light wood flooring.  Line and shape go hand in hand in this space by the repetition of the rectangular shapes and the lines of the ceiling beams, edges of the pool, and hardwood flooring.

This spa makes really great use of multiple elements and principles of design which makes it a much more interesting and inviting place.  The combination of movement, balance and unity in relationship with line, space, and shape make this design function very well, look amazing, and produces a want for the customers to be there right away.