What is sustainable interior finish?

Answer from top 10 papers

Sustainable interior finishes are an integral part of environmentally sustainable interior design (ESID), focusing on the selection of materials that have a low environmental impact, are durable, and can be maintained easily (Celadyn, 2020). Despite the growing trend towards sustainability in design, there is evidence that the actual implementation of sustainable materials in practice is not as widespread as the concept's popularity might suggest, particularly in the realm of interior finishes (Hartini et al., 2020).
Interestingly, while there is substantial awareness among interior designers about the environmental impact of sustainable design and a recognition of its benefits, there is a gap between this awareness and the frequency of sustainable choices made in practice (Alfuraty, 2020; Pertičević & Milkić, 2018). This discrepancy may be attributed to challenges such as the difficulty in identifying green, sustainable, and Fair Trade (GSFT) products, as well as a lack of demand perceived by retailers (Hartini et al., 2020). Moreover, the role of education in equipping future designers with the knowledge and skills to implement sustainable practices effectively cannot be overstated (Chen, 2023).
In conclusion, while the importance of sustainable interior finishes is acknowledged within the design community, actual practice lags behind theoretical knowledge. To bridge this gap, it is crucial to improve access to information on sustainable materials, enhance the education of designers, and foster a market demand for sustainable products (Chen, 2023; Hartini et al., 2020). The shared responsibility between designers and users in promoting sustainability also highlights the need for collaborative efforts to advance the adoption of sustainable interior finishes (Celadyn, 2020).

Source Papers

Integrative Design Classes for Environmental Sustainability of Interior Architectural Design

The paper considers the adjustments of the interior architectural design education model toward its compliance with the principles of sustainability, since the currently provided scheme does not effectively employ the sustainability multi-dimensional concept as a substantial determinant of interior architectural design. The conventional interior architectural design curriculum requires corrections, to provide students with systematized knowledge on sustainability issues, as well as appropriate abilities and skills to create buildings’ interior spaces with high environmental performance. The modifications are considered using the example of a curriculum realized within the Faculty of Interior Design affiliated with the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. These improvements of the curriculum structure comprise the establishment of a compulsory course on environmentally sustainable interior architectural design, offering to the undergraduate students comprehensive theoretical knowledge on the multi-dimensional aspects of sustainability and the introduction of professional design tools, including simplified versions of multi-criterial environmental evaluation systems, as a supportive educational means, as well as learning tools comprising interdisciplinary environmental-responsibility-oriented design workshops or seminars led by green building consultants and professionals involved in practicing sustainable interior design. This paper discusses the innovative concept of integrative design classes (IDC), realized within the practical modules of courses on Building Construction and Environmentally Sustainable Architectural Design, both delivered to undergraduate interior design students. The paper analyses these integrative design classes as a supportive project-based learning technique to develop the students’ ability to accomplish sustainable design strategies for resource efficiency, waste management effectiveness, optimization of indoor environment quality parameters as well as pro-environmental education. The results of the conducted integrative design classes proved that they are a driver for developing technically and formally innovative designs, allowing the students to establish a link between theoretical knowledge on sustainability in interior design and its practical implementation.

Open Access
Sustainable Environment in Interior Design: Design by Choosing Sustainable Materials

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.

Open Access
Environmentally sustainable interior design: A snapshot of current supply of and demand for green, sustainable or Fair Trade products for interior design practice

Abstract Although environmentally sustainable interior design (ESID) has become a major issue in interior design practice, according to the literature the frequency with which interior designers make sustainable choices in real practice is still limited, particularly where materials selection is concerned. This research aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of what constitutes a sustainable material choice and subsequently undertake a study of the current supply of and demand for green, sustainable and Fair Trade (GSFT) products for interior design practice. In the first instance a desk study of currently available GSFT materials was undertaken. Following this non-participant structured observation of accessibility of GSFT products and a survey on the supply of GSFT materials was undertaken. Finally semi structured interviews with retailers were conducted. The results demonstrate the wide range of GSFT products that are currently in the marketplace (including fabrics, window treatments, surface materials, flooring, walls and ceilings) and indeed many of these materials and products could be sourced from the retail outlets surveyed during the research. However it was not easy to readily identify GSFT products and frequently the researcher had to look through volumes of materials, relying on personal knowledge and manufacturers’ literature to determine the provenance of the materials marketed. Sourcing products in this way is inefficient and time consuming and has been highlighted as a barrier to engaging in ESID in the literature. Only a small number of the retailers interviewed have actively encouraged their customers to purchase GSFT. This reluctance to promote GSFT may reflect a lack of information on the provenance of materials to hand but also their belief that people are not aware of the benefits of either sustainable or green materials and therefore not engaged in ESID. If they perceived that there was a greater demand for GSFT products, the retailers may choose to promote these materials more effectively. The research has confirmed how difficult it is to find information on the provenance of materials to encourage the practice of ESID. Better access to a basic knowledge of sustainability as well as more up-to-date information about sustainable materials will play a critical role in promoting sustainable practice.

Open Access
Exploring the Interior Designers’ Attitudes toward Sustainable Interior Design Practices: The Case of Jordan

Interior designers play a pivotal role in shaping the built environment and catalyzing positive change through the adoption of sustainable design practices. This study centers on the analysis of prevailing attitudes held by interior designers in Jordan towards sustainable interior design practices. Through a comprehensive methodology involving a literature review and a three-part questionnaire, the research explores the benefits, challenges, and integration of sustainability principles. The study highlights substantial awareness (85%) of sustainable interior design's environmental impact and resource preservation. Additionally, 81% acknowledge its enduring significance, and 89% recognize its diverse benefits. While 61% exhibit familiarity, 27% claim professional experience. Among sustainability indicators, energy efficiency scores 4.25, resource efficiency 4.27, and "Design aligns with laws and regulations by the Ministry of Labor" ranks highest at 4.37. This study significantly augments our understanding of sustainable interior design by introducing a comprehensive evaluation framework that encompasses the three sustainability dimensions. It equips decision-makers with a robust tool to identify specific practices that bolster sustainability performance, further advancing the field.

Open Access
Interior Design Of National Library With Environmentally Sustainability Materials

One of the goals of national library interior design is to facilitate the wider community who are looking for books to be more comfortable, more organized space organizations, to provide infrastructure for reading or seeking knowledge and to apply environmentally friendly materials into the interior. The interior library design besides wanting to improve the quality of functions, increase visitor interest, instill environmental care, this paper explores the evolution of design for sustainability (DfS), as well as fostering the empathic role of designers. The design research method refers to positive design. This article is based on data obtained using various qualitative research techniques, analysis of the application of environmentally friendly materials and analysis of interviews of environmental experts. This research presents an exploration of the library’s interior design with environmentally friendly materials supported by green light by utilizing natural light through transparent glass walls. It examines environmentally friendly materials, uses used wood, optimizes room openings. The design process for creating meaningful spaces - visual representations are displayed in the form of image layouts and spatial perspectives. The article concludes that interior design with the application of environmentally friendly and energy- efficient materials must continue to innovate in triggering and developing society towards awareness on sustainable nature conservation.

Open Access
INTEGRATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable design is a global trend that concerns governments and international organizations interested in preserving the environment and its natural resources. The research is intended to clarify the concept of sustainability and its role in architecture and interior design and how to create integration and harmony between interior architecture, outdoor and the environment. Therefore, the design process requires from the designer to balance between the values of the technical formation and the aesthetic, so the extent of the relationship to the environment and it’s Integration with it. The designer must take advantage of environmental characteristics to integrate functional and aesthetic visions to create flexible designs to achieve harmony and unity between interior architecture and environmental vocabulary. The important issue is the integration of technological and ecological sciences to minimize the negative impacts on the environment to achieve the integrative relationship between environmental architecture and interior design towards sustainability. The research addresses the concepts and principles of sustainability of the integrative relationship between environmental architecture and interior design, to emphasize the importance of inspiration from the local environment and traditional architecture to link the benefits of environmental, economic and innovative applications concepts of sustainable and green architecture, for employing them in modern buildings and meet the needs of the adapts to the current era by uses scientific and technological progress in the construction and interior and outdoor design of architecture compatible with the environment.

Open Access