The Impact of the Local Environment on Achieving an Atmosphere in Interior Architecture

Abstract

Studies of atmosphere considerably expand the humanist aspect of architectural and urban design theory. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the concept of atmosphere went beyond aesthetics, to the field of anthropology, musicology, art criticism, architecture and urban design. However, this term is still new in Egyptian studies, where the concept of atmosphere is abbreviated with the concept of identity or mood. Therefore, this research sheds light on thephilosophicalnotion of the term atmosphere in the field of interior architecture. One of the most important goals of interior architecture, besides achieving the physical function, is designing interior spaces that achieve an atmosphere of a distinctive character that bears aesthetic values ​​and meanings that affect the human psychologically and physiologically. This research studies the possibility of achieving an atmosphere of a distinctive character inspired by the different local environments in Egypt. It displays the importance of atmosphere in interior architecture and the methods of achieving it from the point of view of scholars. A set of criteria is deduced that includes methods of deriving design elements from the surrounding environment, such as shape, colour, materials, shade and light. Then, three models of interior architecture in three different Egyptian local environments are analysed. The research studies the extent to which each building’s design elements are inspired by their surrounding environment. Then, it analyses how these elements are implemented in the interior architecture to create sensory and psychological experiences. The research concludes that the Egyptian local environments are diverse and rich. It is possible to extract design elements from it, whether from an environmental, social, heritage and cultural point of view. This interior architecture designs creates an atmosphere that maintains psychological and mental health, which is considered one of the Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better life. Research problem: Does the inspiration from local environment achieve a distinctive atmosphere for contemporary interior architecture in Egypt? How can the local environment be used to inspire contemporary interior architecture that achieves a distinctive atmosphere, and connect the building with the place and the user? Research objective: The research seeks to study the extent to which an atmosphere of a distinctive nature is achieved in the interior architecture of Egypt.