Sustainable Environment in Interior Design: Design by Choosing Sustainable Materials

Abstract

The process of designing interior environments has witnessed in recent years a shift in design strategies that have adopted the provision of healthy and sustainable environments, relying on choosing eco-friendly building materials and appropriate design solutions in interior spaces, creating environmentally responsible architecture and interior design.Many studies showed that despite the development of the concept of sustainability, many architects, designers, and even users do not adopt sustainable design strategies, especially concerning the choice of sustainable materials in the processes of design, construction and even furnishing. The most important criteria in the choice of such materials and products are the low footprint and environmental impact, the high and easy maintenance, as well as durability, budget, comfort, safety, and flexibility.The present paper aims to explore the role of the interior designers and the users in promoting the concepts of sustainability in interior spaces, by the proper choice of materials and design solutions to preserve the environment and achieve the users’ optimal interaction with their surrounding spaces.The results show that the process of promoting and enhancing the interior environments with sustainable materials is a shared responsibility of both interior designers and users. Interior designers should develop solutions to raise the aesthetic and performance level of sustainable materials, as well as encouraging the concerned parties (users) to provide materials and furniture that comply with the concepts of reuse and recycling, to finally raise the level of environmental sustainability of interior spaces, and achieve the health and wellbeing of occupants, building a better and more sustainable future.