Preparation of the support for custom-made technical elements

Preparation begins with a careful survey of the spaces. Visible measurements aren't enough: you need precise dimensions of walls, ceilings, thicknesses, recesses, hidden pillars, beams, and utility space. This phase determines where the front of the technical element will "fall," how much thickness can be added without sacrificing too much of the room, and how to connect the new volume to the existing structures.

Mapping the systems is perhaps the most delicate step. Electrical cables, pipes, drains, ventilation ducts, air conditioning splits, panels, and junction boxes must be identified in advance. The technical element must not simply cover a tangle of pipes, but must be organized: providing passages, trapdoors, inspection ports, lighting points, and sockets in sensible locations, while avoiding drilling into or crushing systems during the assembly of the structure.

The walls and ceilings that will house the technical element are then inspected mechanically . Flaking plaster, old or weak plasterboard, damaged or damp-prone masonry are not reliable bases for attaching profiles, brackets, and frames. Where necessary, reinforcements are used: chemical anchors, plates, and wooden or metal subframes that transfer the loads to solid points.

Particular attention must be paid to the arrangement of suspended loads : televisions, wall units, shelves, technical equipment, and heavy panels. If these items will be fixed to the new false wall, it is essential to provide studs and load-bearing reinforcements at the connections, so as not to find yourself searching for studs behind layers of plasterboard once the work is completed.

In cases where humidity or condensation problems exist, the technical element must not simply become a "lid." First, address the causes (possible leaks, thermal bridges, lack of insulation), then design a structure that doesn't trap humidity, incorporating, where necessary, layers of insulation, vapor barriers, or internal ventilation.

Preparation also includes coordination with other workers : those responsible for electrical systems, plumbing, and home automation. A preliminary consultation avoids space conflicts (for example, conduits too large for the planned ledges) and allows for a clear definition of what needs to be installed first and what needs to be installed later.

Only after this phase of surveying, mapping, and verification is the support truly ready to accommodate a custom-made technical element that works to benefit the space, rather than adding problems hidden behind a beautiful finish.