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podcast

Redefine Design Podcast

Redefine Design is a podcast by Aray Licensed Interior Design Studio that challenges conventional thinking and explores how design influences the way we live, work, connect, and experience the world around us. Through engaging conversations with industry leaders, creatives, and changemakers, we explore fresh perspectives, challenge the status quo, and redefine the possibilities of design.

October 23, 2026

Designing for Access, Dignity and Belonging

Darby Lee Young of Level Playing Field joins Annette Guercio to talk about designing beyond code, and how access, dignity and belonging show up in real spaces.

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FAQ’s

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What is neurological design in interior design, and how does it benefit my project?

Neurological design is an evidence-based interior design approach that considers how the built environment affects the brain, body, and nervous system. At Aray, we design spaces that don’t just look beautiful - they feel intuitive, calming, and supportive of the people who use them.

By understanding how lighting, colour, circulation, acoustics, materials, and proportion influence human emotion and behavior, we create environments that:

Reduce stress and emotional ease
Enhance patient, client, guest, or staff experience
Increase productivity and engagement
Smoother circulation and intuitive navigation
A strong sense of comfort and wellbeing

Whether you're planning a clinic, workplace, school, restaurant, assisted living environment, or home, neurological design helps ensure your environment truly supports the people who use it everyday.

How does the interior design process work from start to finish?

Aray’s interior design process is structured, collaborative, and rooted in technical expertise. We guide clients through every phase to ensure clarity, confidence, and a seamless project journey.

Discovery & Programming

We learn about your goals, flow requirements, operational needs, brand, timeline, and budget. For commercial projects, we complete site audits, interviews, iGuide scans, and adjacency mapping.

Concept Development

We explore design directions using neurological design principles. This includes early plans, moods, material ideas, and the emotional tone of the space.

Schematic Design

We develop preliminary floor plans, adjacency studies, 3D massing, and early material/fixture concepts - giving shape to how the space will function and feel.

Design Development

The design becomes detailed and refined. We finalize plans, elevations, materials, lighting, millwork, accessibility considerations, finishes, and specifications. We also collaborate closely with contractors, architects, and engineers to ensure constructability and alignment.

Contract Documents

We prepare fully coordinated permit and construction drawings, including specifications required for tender and build.

Contract Administration

Throughout construction, we:

Review shop drawings
Answer RFIs
Attend site meetings
Issue clarifications
Conduct progress walks and deficiency reviews

Our commitment continues until your space is complete and performing as intended.

What types of interior design projects does Aray specialize in?

Aray specializes in human-centered interior design projects across healthcare, wellness, education, hospitality, commercial, retail, assisted living, and residential sectors throughout Western Canada. Our areas of expertise include:

Healthcare & Wellness

Medical clinics, imaging suites, maternity care, dental offices, pharmacies, and wellness spaces.Notable work includes the Prostate Cancer Centre and Beam Radiology.

Education

Private schools, daycares, specialized learning environments, and inclusive classrooms.Experience includes Calgary Academy, Boys & Girls Club, Pace Kids Daycare, and more.

Hospitality, Retail & Experience Design

Restaurants, cafés, boutique retail, and immersive environments, including Monki Bistro and Richmond Hill Wines.

Corporate & Commercial

Office environments, coworking spaces, and operational workplaces designed for productivity and wellbeing.

Assisted Living & Seniors' Environments

Spaces designed for dignity, clarity, accessibility, and comfort.

Residential

Custom homes and renovations rooted in comfort, function, and personal expression.

Across all sectors, we design for how people feel, move, heal, learn, work, and connect.

How do licensed interior designers help manage budget, schedule, and construction risk?

Licensed interior designers play a critical role in managing project budgets, schedules, and construction risks by resolving technical, code, and coordination issues before they arise.

Budget Protection

Detailed planning reduces costly change orders
Materials are selected for durability and lifecycle value
Clear drawings minimize contractor misinterpretation

Schedule Protection

Coordinated construction documents prevent site conflicts
Early decisions avoid delays
Timely responses keep trades moving

Risk Management

Our drawings incorporate fire ratings, life-safety requirements, and accessibility standards
We coordinate with architects and engineers to ensure alignment
Site visits ensure quality and adherence to design intent

Annette’s experience as both a licensed interior designer and COO within a construction company gives Aray a unique advantage: we design beautifully and manage complexity with confidence. This proactive approach allows clients to move forward with confidence, knowing decisions are informed, coordinated, and protected.

What is the difference between a licensed interior designer and a decorator?

A licensed interior designer is trained, accredited, and qualified to lead technical, code-compliant, safety-sensitive, and large-scale projects, while decorators focus primarily on furnishings and visual styling.

A Licensed Interior Designer (like Aray) provides:

Building code expertise
Fire-rating & life-safety compliance
Accessibility and barrier-free design
Full construction drawing packages
Permit-ready documentation
Consultant coordination (architectural, mechanical, electrical, structural)
Constructability reviews
Millwork, lighting, acoustic planning, and material science
Contract administration during construction
Human-centered and neurological design integration

A Decorator:

Focuses on furnishings, décor, styling, and aesthetics
Does not address fire ratings, life safety, building code, or barrier-free requirements
Does not produce construction drawings
Does not coordinate with consultants
Does not address constructability or site execution

The difference impacts safety, durability, budget, function, code compliance, and long-term success, not just aesthetics. Choosing a licensed interior designer ensures your project is not only beautiful, but safe, compliant, and built to last.

How do licensed interior designers collaborate with contractors, architects, and engineers?

Collaboration is essential to successful outcomes. Aray is known for working seamlessly with contractors, architects, and engineers to ensure the design is buildable, coordinated, and technically sound.

Our collaboration includes:

Early constructability conversations
Revit coordination and sharing iGuide scans
Cross-disciplinary alignment on clearances, systems, and detailing
Shop drawing reviews
Fast, clear responses during construction
Proactive problem-solving

Because of Annette’s construction leadership experience, contractors trust our documentation and value our communication. This collaborative mindset reduces friction, shortens decision timelines, and creates a smoother experience for everyone involved.

Do you work on interior design projects outside Alberta?

Yes. Aray proudly works on interior design projects across Western Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

We frequently support multi-province clients and collaborate with local engineering and trades teams.

In 2026, Annette will also be registered and able to complete projects in Texas, expanding Aray’s capacity to support U.S. commercial and residential clients.

If you’re planning a project outside Alberta, we’re happy to discuss how our team can support your location and scope.

Can a licensed interior designer help with furniture sourcing, FF&E procurement, and installation oversight?

Yes. We offer full FF&E services, including:

Furniture plans and selection
Ergonomics and durability assessments
Vendor coordination and pricing
Procurement and order management (where requested)
Installation coordination
Furniture and millwork deficiency reviews

Our selections align with neurological design principles, ensuring comfort, performance, and cohesion.

What should I prepare before my first interior design consultation?

Before your first interior design consultation with Aray, it’s helpful to gather basic information about your goals, timeline, budget, and space, including:

Your goals and vision for the space
Any challenges you're experiencing
Timeline and budget expectations
Existing drawings (if available)
Brand guidelines (for commercial projects)
Inspiration images or Pinterest boards (optional)
A list of required rooms or functions

If you don’t have any of the above, that’s okay. Our role is to guide you through the process - you don’t need to have everything figured out before we begin.

How much does a interior design typical design project cost?

Interior design project costs vary depending on scope, complexity, sector, size, and technical requirements. After our Discovery Call, Aray will provide you with a clear, customized proposal.

General ranges (not quotes):

Small commercial tenant improvements: $8,000–$25,000
Medical or healthcare clinics: $30,000–$120,000
Restaurants & hospitality: $15,000–$80,000
Educational spaces: $20,000–$75,000
Residential spaces: Variable based on scope

Every fee proposal includes a detailed breakdown of what’s included and the deliverables you’ll receive, so you understand exactly what you’re investing in and can make informed decisions before moving forward.

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