Society is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainable design. Sustainability in Interior design is defined as interior decorating in which all systems and materials are designed for the purpose of minimizing negative impacts on the environment and maximizing the positive impacts. Interior designers have a tremendous impact on the sustainability of an environment because they are the ones deciding which materials and products will be used and how people will be able to interact with their surrounding spaces. Humans have a curial responsibility in creating sustainable environments. Interior designers create environment for the occupation of human. This study focuses on sustainability of interior designers and the responsibility in creating the sustainable environment.
Figure 1. Shanghai Natural History Museum
Interior design is all about how we experience space. Being in a space that is comfortable while still having functionality, accessibility and aesthetics can help improve the quality of life.
It is a very powerful and essential part of our daily lives as it can affect how we live and work and also our health and wellbeing.
The term of sustainability is not just a theory, but it is also a very technical term in the face of problem solution. Indoor air pollution is one of five biggest environmental threats. According to the World Health Organization, 3.8 million people die per year due to illnesses that are caused by household pollutions. Environmentally sustaining the environment can minimize the negative impacts such as climate change that are caused by us humans. Recycling, reducing waste production, saving energy and using low environmental impact materials can help the world into becoming sustainable. For example, Michael Braungart (founder and scientific CEO of EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung Gmbh) does environmental research to help redesign industrial production to create a high-quality product that is harmless and beneficial for the environment and humans. Developing these solutions can help minimize the negative environmental impacts.
Figure 2. William Mcdonough + Partners
Interior designers have a tremendous impact on the sustainability of the indoor and outdoor environment. Indoor air pollution is one of five biggest environmental threats. According to the World Health Organization, 3.8 million people die per year due to illnesses that are caused by household pollutions. Since interior designers have a large impact towards healthy indoor environments, it is crucial for them to follow sustainable interior design principles. Sustainable interior design projects are influenced by many factors such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, longevity and flexibility, materials and products with low environment impacts. An example of a sustainable interior designer is Oliver Heath where he does sustainable projects that focuses on the health and wellbeing by improving the human connection with nature. Heath’s design incorporates Biophilic Design principles to help strengthen the human connection with nature which helps improve the way people live and work in the environment. Figure 3 is an example of one of Heath’s design.
Figure 3. Oliver Heath: Kohler bathroom-woodland sanctuary
The majority of the people around the world would probably agree that having a sustainable living environment is a good idea. Having a world that puts out a positive living environment instead of a negative one. But when it comes to sustainability across the interior design industry, who is responsible? Could it be the individual designers? Corporations? Or the government? The foundation of building a sustainable interior design company starts of as an individual with ideas.
A research done by NCDO shows that citizens are more concern towards sustainability does not change much when governments and organization
Individual interior designers should be responsible for sustainability in their designs. They are the ones who have the power to add the materials and products needed in the space. Interior environments are where people are allowed to connect with their surroundings and having a sustainable indoor environment is crucial for a healthy and comfortable living space. Interior designers are the creator of our space, and should follow the rules and principles of sustainable and biophilic designs. Finally, interior designers should be responsible for sustainability as they are the foundation of becoming green.