Interior Design
Design that is fully defined, technically measurable and construction-ready before a single wall is opened.
What Technical Interior Design Means at Realta
The word ‘technical’ is deliberate. Our design service is not a mood board exercise or a Pinterest curation. It is a structured development process that produces four categories of output, each of which is a prerequisite for the construction phase that follows.
Interior
design
Comprehensive aesthetic concept, materials and finishes narrative, architectural lighting criteria and style definition for every space. Coordinated with your lifestyle, not imposed on it.
Interior
architecture
Final spatial layout, interior architectural design, functional and aesthetic integration of spaces, and definition of all custom carpentry and bespoke elements. Every partition, every opening, every built-in element resolved on paper first.
Technical
project
Technical interior architecture drawings, key construction details, material specifications and coordination of all construction systems. The documentation a premium builder needs to execute without interpretation.
Construction preparation
Technical coordination of MEP systems, clash detection between installations, project measurement by construction package, preliminary construction schedule, basis for the fixed execution budget and preparation of the turnkey contract.
Why Begin With Design — Before Construction
An investment of €500,000 to €1,000,000 in a luxury renovation deserves more than an approximate brief and a contractor who figures it out on site. Every unresolved design decision at the start of construction becomes an on-site improvisation. Every improvisation introduces risk: cost risk, quality risk, schedule risk.
When the design phase is complete — truly complete, not approximately complete — all of those risks are resolved on paper, where resolution is cheap. This is why our methodology always follows the same sequence:
The Realta sequence:
Study and design → Fixed budget → In-house execution → Delivery and guarantee
No construction contract is signed until the design is complete. No budget is fixed until every element is specified. No scope is committed until every system is coordinated.
What You Receive at the End of Phase I
At the conclusion of the Technical Interior Design phase, the client has:
-
A comprehensive aesthetic concept document covering every space
-
Material and finishes narrative with specified references
-
Architectural lighting plan and criteria
-
Final spatial layout and interior architectural drawings
-
Custom carpentry and bespoke elements definition
-
Full set of technical interior architecture drawings
-
Key construction details and specifications
-
MEP coordination documentation with clash detection report
-
Project measurement by construction package
-
Fixed execution budget (itemised by construction package)
-
Preliminary construction schedule
-
Prepared turnkey construction contract
This is a project that is fully defined from an aesthetic, architectural and technical perspective. Not approximately defined. Not mostly defined. Fully defined — so that the construction contract you sign carries a scope that neither party will need to renegotiate.
We are transparent about scope because surprises on a €500,000 project are not surprises — they are failures of planning. Ours or yours.
Case Study:
Project Charcot, France
Project Charcot 41 was presented to the client with a clear rationale: beginning construction on a €1,000,000 residential project without a complete definition of materials, finishes, technical specifications and building systems would inevitably introduce budget deviations, on-site decisions and avoidable risk. The solution was Phase I — a fully scoped design and technical project development phase, with a fixed fee, defined deliverables and a clear output: a construction-ready project.
The Phase I fee of €180,000 was structured across three milestones: 40% on project commencement, 40% on delivery of the design development and technical coordination, and 20% on final delivery of the complete technical documentation and itemised execution budget.
This milestone structure aligns Realta’s financial interests with the client’s: we are only paid in full when the project is fully delivered — not when it is approximately defined.
The bridge between
Vision & Reality.
Designers dream; we construct. We provide the "Perfect Canvas"—laser-leveled surfaces and precise MEP integration—allowing design studios to install bespoke joinery and high-end materials without on-site adjustments or compromises.
Anatomy of
Design Execution
Constructability Analysis
We review conceptual renders to ensure physical viability. We solve structural conflicts before construction begins, protecting the design intent.
Noble Material Handling
Expertise in handling fragile and heavy materials. From large-format porcelain slabs to artisanal Zellige and bespoke metalwork.
Laser Planimetry
Zero tolerance for deviation. We deliver perfectly plumb walls and level floors, essential for fitting high-end carpentry and large-format stone.
Invisible Engineering
We make technology disappear. Integration of HVAC, sound, and lighting systems within the architectural shell without compromising aesthetics.
Technical Collaboration Phases
Pre-Construction Feasibility
We analyze design intents against structural realities. This phase includes load-bearing calculations for bespoke elements, MEP clash detection, and material compatibility checks to prevent costly revisions later.
Technical Documentation
Precision Execution
On-site realization by our specialized in-house crew. We execute complex dry-lining, install large-format stone, and integrate systems with millimeter precision, acting as a trusted partner for elite studios like Pedro Peña.
Zero-defect delivery
Territorial
Expertise
No matter where your project is located, we'll be there.
We also undertake projects in other locations, provided they align with our standards of quality and execution.
FAQs
Questions about our design-first methodology and the Phase I process before construction begins.
Why do I need a separate design phase before construction?
Because the cost of resolving a problem on paper is a fraction of the cost of resolving it on site. Every unresolved design decision at the start of construction becomes an on-site improvisation — and on-site improvisations on a €500,000 to €1,000,000 project generate cost deviations, schedule delays and quality compromises. The design phase exists to eliminate those risks before they have a chance to materialise. We do not begin construction until the project is fully defined.
What is the difference between interior design and technical interior design?
Interior design typically refers to the aesthetic dimension: materials, colours, furniture and atmosphere. Technical interior design goes further — it integrates the aesthetic concept with the architectural and engineering realities of the space. This means resolving how finishes meet structure, how MEP systems are routed behind walls and ceilings without compromising the design, how bespoke carpentry integrates with electrical and lighting systems, and how every detail is documented precisely enough for a builder to execute without interpretation.
Do I need to have an idea of the aesthetic before starting?
No. Many of our clients arrive with a feeling — a mood, a reference property they admire, a lifestyle they want the space to support — rather than a defined aesthetic. The design phase begins with a listening and discovery process: we explore your preferences, your lifestyle requirements, the way you use space and the visual language you are drawn to. From that, we develop a concept that is genuinely yours, not a generic premium template.
Can I work with my own designer and have Realta manage the technical side?
How is the design phase fee structured?
The design phase fee is fixed and structured around three milestones: 40% on project commencement, 40% on delivery of the design development and technical coordination, and 20% on final delivery — which includes the complete technical documentation and the itemised construction budget. This milestone structure means you only pay the final tranche when you have the full project definition in hand. As a reference, Phase I for a 137m² luxury residence in Neuilly-sur-Seine was structured at €180,000.
What exactly do I receive at the end of the design phase?
At the completion of Phase I you receive: a comprehensive aesthetic concept document; a materials and finishes narrative with specific references; an architectural lighting plan; final spatial layout and interior architecture drawings; custom carpentry and bespoke elements definition; full technical drawings for all construction details; MEP coordination documentation including clash detection; project measurement by construction package; a fixed itemised execution budget; a preliminary construction schedule; and a prepared turnkey construction contract. In short: a project that is ready to build.
Is the design phase fee deducted from the construction contract?
The design phase is invoiced separately as a professional service — it is not a deposit on the construction contract. However, when the client proceeds to construction with Realta, the relationship is structured to reflect the investment already made. We can discuss the specific terms of this transition at the time of construction contract negotiation. What we will not do is position the design phase as a loss-leader to win the construction contract — the design is a service with real value and is priced accordingly.
What if I complete the design phase but decide not to build with Realta?
The technical documentation produced during Phase I belongs to the client. If you choose a different construction partner, you take the drawings, specifications and project definition with you. We prefer to earn the construction contract through the quality of our design work and the trust built during Phase I — not through contractual lock-in. That said, a builder unfamiliar with the Realta method may struggle to execute to the same precision — which is a practical, not a contractual, constraint.