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Draft 2

As we look around we can see a huge variety of designed buildings. The idea that a public place should be a masterpiece of design probably came from the United States. Businessmen realized that they would succeed in the market more easily, if they created a unified exterior. That is the reason why Mc Donald’s restaurants are all look identical. Designers found the most appropriate appearance and it became popular world-wide. In eastern European countries, especially in Hungary, the importance of well-designed pedestrian places is realized some years ago. We can see examples in the financial market, for instance Postabank, which has found attractive exterior and also interior for inviting more and more clients in. We can draw the conclusion that designing is not even necessary, but absolutely important. This essay intends to outline the main ideas when creating an imaginary au-pair agency.

First of all we have to find the perfect place for the office. Location is significant from two points of view: the clients are concerned with the easy way finding, and we have to take it into account, that a public office must be equally available to everyone. It means that a central business district would probably satisfy the expectations. However, if we do not have strong financial support we may meet some difficulties. Buying or renting a place in the town centre can cost a fortune, even so, for a longterm business, such as an au-pair agency, that is the best solution. We could place the agency for instance, in the centre of Pecs. Kiraly street seems to be a good choice, because it has all the potentials that an au-pair agency would require. It is a busy pedestrian precinct with a great variety of shops, social places, commercial and entertainment facilities. These possibilities attract many passers-by to walk through this street both purposefully and casually, and our next client might be among them.

As far as the exterior of the office is concerned we only have to pay attention to the doors and windows, because in the centre of Pecs buildings had been already designed in a certain style. Doors are important to provide access to the office. In some places doors can discourage entry, for instance in nightclubs, where security guards stand at entrances prohibiting entry to those, who do not fit a profile of acceptable dress or behaviour. In an au-pair agency it is a bit different. The door has to be visually conspicuous, because it needs to attract many clients. Large windows are also important, because they look modern and their transparency makes the whole office lighter. In huge cities like New York, most of the office buildings are designed with glass-and-steel system, which allows a kind of spatial continuity between exterior and interior.

When we enter a room the first impression has the biggest influence on us. According to this, our office should be bright, because an ill-lit interior can destroy the clients` expectations. Dimness makes them feel uncomfortable, bored and tired. That is why large windows are necessary not only for the outer appearance, but also for interior purposes. Artificial light is not enough to fill the whole office with the desired brightness. To have natural daylight in the office we have to pay attention to the size of the windows. Large mirrors can also strengthen the feeling of brightness and putting them to the right place, they can enlarge the inside of our agency. We can buy for instance some plants as well, which do not occupy a large area, and place a mirror behind them. With this we are able to reach brightness again, and that green area makes our office a little bit exotic.

Psychologists took research into the effects of colours for human attitudes. It is important also for us to put emphasis on the use of different colours when we design the interior. Colours are just as important for the person who works in our au-pair agency as for those, who just pop in to look for a job. Vivid colours can be rather irritating for the staff, because they have to bear it all day long, but perhaps those, who first enter our office can find the interior absolutely fresh and well-designed. The colours of the walls would be white, light blue or green and the furniture should be grey or neutral.

Furniture determine the interior of the office and they are also significant in providing comfort for the staff and the clients. In order to enjoy their everyday work, our staff need comfortable pieces of furniture. If they feel that to do their duty is not a drag, they are more polite as well as enthusiastic with the clients. When clients enter the office they immediately feel good because of the aesthetic furniture. If they happen to wait for a longer period of time they will not feel that they are in a formal office building. It will be a pleasure for them to sit down on well-designed sofas or to read brochures at modern coffee tables.

One of the main aims of an office is to satisfy its clients, but in the twentieth century it has become extremely important to design its exterior and interior in the most appropriate way. It is a good idea to pay attention to the appearance of a public place, because there are competitions going on in the whole world and only those, who make the greatest effort in terms of attracting clients will survive.