The Importance of Test Fits in Brick-and-Mortar Design
Start by visualizing your dream business. You might see a generous space with a great ambiance, complemented by functional elements like signage, freestanding displays, built-in millwork, other cool fixtures, and a bustling number of people defining your customers' experience and brand.
The way you imagine and start to articulate and quantify these things are the beginning of the actual process of brick-and-mortar design. But why on earth might someone need to understand what this is at the early stages of concept development? Isn’t finding a broker and leasing a space what comes first? And, what is a test fit and how does learning about it’s importance benefit someone in the early stage of developing a brick-and-mortar concept?
Let's find out.
What is Brick-and-Mortar Design?
Brick-and-mortar design is the method of defining spaces and environments for businesses needing a physical location, sometimes this is as a novel concept or the first brick-and-mortar for a digitally native brand. The brick-and-mortar design process involves a range of considerations, including your business program, desired functions, defining use of space, and overall aesthetics.
While it might feel daunting to define some of the parameters, it’s actually a critical early part of launching a new location and best to begin before the leasing process in order to shape the search for real estate, thus ensuring a space can meet the essential programming needs.
These considerations need careful planning, usually with the expert touch of professionals, through a process called test fitting or test fit in architecture.
Why Do You Need to Test Fit Your Brick-and-Mortar Design?
Committing to occupy a a space for your business without undergoing a test fit is very much like moving into a house but not knowing how many bedrooms it has. Will it be big enough for your family?. For a home, it is easy to define the type and quantity of space we need, as we understand how we operate. However, for a new business, it’s important to understand the types, quantities of spaces and rooms (also known in architecture speak as “program”) before deciding on a square footage to commit to leasing.
To simply put it, brick-and-mortars need a test fit to define the essential parameters of a potential space, moving around elements to see how they would function together. It visually pre-plans how the business will flow day in and day out, ensuring that specific business needs are met while also factoring in the need to produce a desirable space and atmosphere for your customers. It is also one of the sole protectors against leasing more space than is needed, which can be a costly misstep.
What Does a Test Fit Include?
While test fits can necessitate varying extents of detail, a basic one will cover rooms, walls, doors, furniture, and occasionally a ceiling plan.
Through a test fit, clients (business owners, developers, brokers, etc.) can begin to picture the appropriate square footage by taking into account operational needs with appropriate circulation, clearances,, exit locations and quantity, accessibility, and operational flows within the space.
If test fits yield a successful result, the investment becomes the basis for an actual space plan when the design moves forward. A test fit can also be used to show a landlord that a tenant has their act together and is prepared to move forward should the get the opportunity to sign a lease. Besides that, it starts to get stakeholders excited!
When Should You Get a Test Fit?
A test fit in architecture is effective at the earlier portion of the lease process, or once you have found a potential space of interest. Just make sure a test fit is finalized before signing a lease, and that it aligns with your vision or the business and your program, which means your intended use of the space.
However, in order to maximize your test fit, you must already know what you want to see and feel from your business space. This helps architects, interior designers, and space planning professionals to collaborate with you and arrive at the perfect test design for you and your business.
What Should You Know Before You Test Fit a Space?
You should be able to identify what your program is as this dictates which features and amenities you want to be included and how much space that will entail. While some of this discovery will be part of the process, the more information you can share, the better. You may also factor into consideration how the daily operations will look like, elements you will include, your staff, and the customers. It can be useful to jot down the following considerations:
What is the primary purpose or the business program that this space will fulfill?
What do my business operations look like on regular days, peak days, and days when customers are low?
How many X (treatment rooms, fitting rooms, seats, etc.) does my business need? What fixtures do I have to add?
What specific dimensions/sizes of these above-mentioned elements are needed? How about special equipment?
How big of a storage space do I think I might need? How about employee spaces?
What ambiance or atmosphere do I seek to achieve in this space?
The Takeaway
It’s natural to think first about finding the lease space (after all, we are talking about brick-and-mortar here!) but when it comes to planning how you will use your (precious and expensive) square footage, it’s critical to identify the kit of parts before making a commitment.
However, an expert’s guiding hand, combined with your business program and vision, can truly make all the difference (and have you sleeping better through the negotiation process). Architects, interior designers, and professional space planners can personalize your space so it fits your business program and vision.
In return, you can save yourself some costly mistakes by having a professional weigh in early.
Bring Your Vision to Life with Erin Morris
Designing the perfect brick-and-mortar space starts with articulating your unique business needs and goals. At Erin Morris, we specialize in creating test fits that not only encapsulates your ideal layout but also ensure your space functions beautifully and efficiently. Our expert team works closely with you to bring your vision to life, from the initial test fit to the final design.
Don’t leave your business success to chance. Let Erin Morris guide you through a seamless design process that captures your brand’s essence and meets all your operational needs. Contact us today to start your journey toward a well-planned, impactful space that sets your business apart!