Architectural Interiors: A Holistic Approach to Bespoke Joinery, Kitchens and Bathrooms
Why Interiors Belong to Architecture
At Studio CMA, we believe the most successful homes are those where architecture and interiors are conceived together, not in isolation. Too often, interior design is treated as decoration at the end of a project, while kitchens, bathrooms and wardrobes are bought piecemeal from different suppliers. The result? A house that feels disjointed.
Architectural interiors are different. By this we mean the fitted and crafted elements of a home, kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes, shelving, staircases, and bespoke joinery, that are designed as part of the architecture itself. When these pieces are coordinated with space planning, natural light, materials and services, the home feels coherent, calm and enduring.
And because we specialise in sustainable architecture, the interiors we design are also sustainable. We consider materials, durability, embodied carbon and long-term performance at every stage, ensuring your interiors not only look beautiful but also support a healthier, lower-impact lifestyle.
This article explains our process for architectural interiors, from first conversations to final completion, and shows why a holistic approach adds so much value.
Stage 1 – Exploration and Brief
Every successful project begins with listening. In this first stage, we build an understanding of you, your home and your aspirations.
We’ll visit the property (or work from drawings if available) to assess natural light, spatial opportunities, period details and any technical constraints. We’ll also ask questions about how you live, your routines, frustrations with the current layout, and your hopes for the future.
We capture your style preferences, desired level of storage, sustainability goals and budget. This becomes the project brief, a clear reference point for every decision that follows.
By investing time here, we avoid guesswork later. Your interiors will be personal to you, not a generic design imposed from outside.
Stage 2 – Concept Design
With the brief in place, the creative process begins. Through design workshops, sketches, and early 3D studies, we explore how interiors and architecture can work together.
We test options for kitchens, bathrooms and joinery within the wider layout of the house. Where might storage walls double as acoustic buffers? How can a staircase become both sculptural and functional? Which materials will reflect light and create warmth?
At this stage, we’ll also prepare look-and-feel boards with key finishes, colours and textures. You’ll see how sustainable options, such as natural stone, FSC-certified timber, or lime-based finishes, can enrich the space while reducing environmental impact.
The goal is not a finished design, but a direction of travel. Together, we identify which ideas resonate and refine them into a coherent scheme.
Stage 3 – Design Development
Once layouts are agreed, we move into detail. This is where architectural interiors really come alive.
We prepare bespoke joinery drawings for wardrobes, shelving, kitchens and vanity units. We refine bathroom layouts with tile set-outs, fixture alignments and fittings selections. Every handle, hinge and light fitting is chosen for durability, performance and feel.
If required, we collaborate with lighting consultants or suppliers to design a scheme that balances natural and artificial light, ensuring interiors are both functional and atmospheric.
The emphasis here is on coordination. Nothing is left to chance: door heights align with shelving, tiles meet edges cleanly, sockets are integrated discreetly. The details ensure the home feels calm, not cluttered.
Stage 4 – Technical Design and Tender
A design is only as good as its execution. To ensure our interiors are built to the highest standard, we prepare a coordinated technical construction pack.
This includes:
Detailed drawings of joinery, kitchens and bathrooms
Finishes schedules with precise specifications
Lighting and electrical layouts
Furniture, fittings and equipment (FF&E) lists
Written specifications covering sustainable materials and installation standards
With this package, contractors can price the work accurately, avoiding the risk of hidden extras later. We also advise on the tender process, helping you select builders with the right craft skills, experience and budget fit.
Stage 5 – Construction
During construction, we act as your advocate. While the contractor leads the build, we remain closely involved to make sure the interiors are delivered as intended.
We carry out regular site visits, review workmanship, and issue instructions when needed. If challenges arise, for example, a supply issue with a particular timber, we help agree the best way forward without compromising quality.
We also review contractor payment requests and change orders, ensuring costs remain transparent. Our role is to protect your investment and maintain design integrity right to the end.
Stage 6 – Completion
As the project concludes, we inspect all works and prepare a schedule of any defects to be rectified. We assist in issuing the practical completion certificate, ensuring everything is delivered to the standard agreed.
The result is more than a finished project. It is a home where architecture and interiors are seamlessly integrated, a space that feels calm, coherent and designed for the long term.
What Architectural Interiors Are Not
It’s just as important to explain what this approach avoids:
Not an afterthought – Interiors are not bolted on at the end once the budget is spent. They are integral from day one.
Not generic – We don’t specify off-the-shelf kitchens and wardrobes that look the same in every house. Every piece is bespoke and tailored.
Not wasteful – We don’t follow short-lived fashion trends. We specify sustainable materials designed to last and age gracefully.
Not disconnected – We don’t design interiors in isolation. Every joinery line, bathroom layout and lighting choice is coordinated with the architecture, structure and services.
Why This Approach Adds Value
Clients sometimes ask: Why involve an architect in interiors when a kitchen supplier or bathroom showroom could deliver it? The answer lies in integration.
Coherence: A supplier will design a kitchen; an architect will design how the kitchen connects to the living spaces, daylight, storage and circulation.
Craftsmanship: Bespoke joinery designed by architects is crafted to fit your home, not the other way round.
Sustainability: We consider material life-cycle, embodied carbon and healthy finishes, not just surface appearance.
Cost control: With coordinated drawings and tender packs, contractors price transparently, reducing the risk of cost creep.
Future-proofing: Interiors designed in harmony with the architecture adapt more easily over time and support long-term value.
Conclusion
Architectural interiors are not decoration, they are the backbone of a well-considered home. At Studio CMA, we believe kitchens, bathrooms and joinery deserve the same design rigour as structure, insulation or energy modelling. By treating interiors as part of the architecture, we create spaces that are brighter, warmer, quieter, healthier and easier to live in, homes that are both sustainable and timeless.
If you’re planning a retrofit, extension or whole-house renovation and want interiors designed with this level of care, we’d be delighted to help. You can book a Home Visit & Appraisal or request our Interiors Service Guide to learn more.
