Interior Design Research Articles

“You don’t have to say much; paint it then!”: A Thematic Analysis of Mural Arts in Iraq (Mosul and Erbil as a Case)

People find themselves in need of adding some inspiration indoors; interior designers likely let their customers immerse in the charm of some wall art decor with sweet family room wall quotes like “Love begins at home”. The art of filling walls exceeds the interior spaces for decoration, including outdoor spaces where different forms of artistic expression are used. This wall art matters among populations globally as it conveys different messages to the public and the decision-makers as well. The current article investigates Mural Arts (MAs) in Mosul and Erbil, Iraq. The researchers aim to (1) interpret the variety of themes that Mosuli Artists (MoAs) and Erbili Artists (ErAs) communicate via painting and (2) figure out the shared and distinctive theme in MoAs and ErAs’ artwork. This study employed a qualitative approach to grasp the themes of MAs in both Mosul and Erbil. The researchers gathered 60 Mixed Mural Arts MMA samples (verbal and visual); 38 in Mosul and 22 in Erbil in four months (from 8 August to 20 November 2023). They purposefully covered a broad range of sites including street walls, building facades, government institution walls, school walls, and bridge side walls in both cities. The researchers employed the Thematic Analysis Approach (TAA)by Braun and Clarke (2006) benefiting from NVivo 11(1999-2017) software to induce themes in Mosul and Erbil. This study revealed a total of 13 themes in both Mosul and Erbil in Mosul and 5 in Erbil. 2 themes, viz. ‘Environmental Sustainability’ and ‘Patriotism’ were shared. Other 6 themes viz, ‘The Transformative Power of Knowledge’, ‘The Horse as a Symbol of Nobility’, ‘Reviving the City of Mosul’, ‘Women Abuse’, ‘Unity for Iraq’, and ‘Martyrdom’ were said to be distinctive in Mosul whereas 3 other themes, viz. ‘The Role of Women in Society’, ‘Music Therapy’, and ‘Motivation in Learning’ were interpreted in Erbil.

Rocks and buildings in the Sofia City center - a geological and historical city tour

The most used rock materials that served to build the modern appearance of Sofia’s central streets and buildings are presented. Different local genetic types of rocks were utilized for the construction of modern Sofia: igneous rocks (monzonites, gabbros, rhyolites); sedimentary rocks (varieties of limestone and sandstones); and metamorphics (mainly marbles). A small part of rock materials was imported, mainly for the interior design of the buildings, for instance in Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and others. The most used rock material for buildings and streets were the monzonites from the Vitosha Mountain, and this is the reason why Sofia City is noted as “the monzonite capital” of Bulgaria. The emblematic buildings, streets and squares in the city centre, with their rock building material, characteristics, and historical significance are briefly described.

Design of an Intelligent Classification Model for Interior Design Knowledge Graph Based on Simulated Annealing Algorithm

Design of an Intelligent Classification Model for Interior Design Knowledge Graph Based on Simulated Annealing Algorithm

Building disciplinary knowledge upon the knowledge first-year students already have

Introduction: The authors describe how a Fundamentals of Design Lab (LFP) in Interior Design can be an effective learning and teaching venue for combining disciplinary design knowledge with the life experiences that first-year students bring to college. Methodology: In this section, the authors explore the teaching methods and principles of Universal Design Learning (UDL) that include learning by doing, classroom participation, iterative approaches to design, and dynamic teaching methodologies. Results: The section presents data relating to student involvement and participation in the course, acquisition of the study method relating to person/space interaction and finally data relating to the acquisition of skills for concept and project development and communication. Discussion: The authors reflect on the pros and cons of the pedagogical approach. Conclusions: The objectives and learning outcomes of the foundations course were achieved because the teaching approach used a broad spectrum of learning methods, combined disciplinary knowledge with students’ personal experiences, and placed first-year students at the forefront of their Interior Design education.

Large-scale 3D multiphysics topology optimization of flow–heat–structural models including an islands constraint

This article demonstrates a large-scale 3D topology optimization problem formulation for components in need of internal cooling owing to surrounding hot gas flow. A conjugate heat transfer model is used and the goal of the optimization problem is to maximize the thermal performance subject to a coolant consumption limit. As a model problem, the interior design of a gas turbine guide-vane-like geometry is considered. High-quality finite element meshes are generated automatically by means of a voxelization method. A structural compliance constraint for thermo-mechanical loads, and a constraint for the suppression of free-floating structural parts, are included in the problem formulation. For the latter, an analytical expression for the constraint limit is derived. Several numerical examples indicate that the proposed problem formulation is able to generate interesting conceptual designs for interior-vane-cooling solutions.

Regenerating and Developing a National Botanical Garden (NBG) in Khartoum, Sudan: Effect on Urban Landscape and Environmental Sustainability

This research focuses on the National Botanic Garden in Khartoum, Sudan, proposing tools and methods to assess botanical garden quality from multiple perspectives. It explores the related concepts between national botanical gardens and landscapes, regeneration landscapes and their components such as botanical gardens, their effects on urban regeneration in cities, urban environments, and environmental sustainability. This study aims to: regenerate and develop a National Botanical Garden in the Almogran area of Khartoum, Sudan, and highlight the importance of establishing a national botanical garden for each climatic region in Sudan. The study used questionnaires to identify the necessary needs for regeneration, and the opinions of employees of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry were surveyed about the purposes of: (1) evaluating the garden’s total area and interior design; (2) building regeneration; (3) establishing constructions, such as a library, seed gene bank, tissue culture laboratory, etc.; (4) emphasizing the need for modern technology to enhance quality. The study summarizes five regeneration technology methods: environmental plant restoration, water body restoration, building and facility restoration, reconstruction technology, and resource utilization; (5) botanical gardens were proposed for each climatic region in Sudan, and we studied the effects of establishing a botanical garden for each climate region in Sudan on environmental resilience, the effect of the botanical gardens’ regeneration on gardens within the cities, and effect of a national botanical garden on the urban landscape and environmental sustainability. These findings suggest that the comprehensive regeneration of the National Botanical Garden, integrating it with the urban regeneration of cities, especially urban greening regeneration, is important for enhancing urban landscapes, enhancing environmental resilience, environmental sustainability, climate change, and achieving land development goals, thus helping to address actual requirements and develop sustainable cities.

A Special Equation between Visual Lightness and the Luxurious Impression of Interior Architecture through the New Classic

This research examines the application of the new classic contemporary style in interior architecture, focusing on achieving luxury and visual lightness. The study highlights the historical evolution of the new classic style and its relevance to modern interior design, emphasizing its suitability for contemporary settings. It addresses challenges such as higher costs, modern lifestyle constraints, and technological limitations. The research also seeks to dispel the misconception that the new classic style is inflexible and heavily reliant on aesthetic richness alone. To explore these themes, various methods were employed, including data collection and evaluation, observation, quantitative analysis, and psychophysical methods. These approaches allowed for a comprehensive analysis of the new classic style's adaptability across different building types, spaces, and cultural contexts. The study also examined the psychological and emotional impacts of this style on occupants. The research resulted in a practical designed for interior designers and enthusiasts, offering guidelines for effectively incorporating the new classic style in contemporary designs. This aims to help balance luxury with visual lightness in various settings, particularly in modern tourist destinations and the hotel industry, providing a detailed approach for applying this style in diverse interior spaces

Student involvement and innovative teaching methods in a biophilic design education pilot elective course in interior architecture

Biophilic design has gained popularity in interior design areas owing to its numerous advantages. Nevertheless, globally, Interior Architecture/Interior Architecture and Environmental Design departments lack adequate biophilic design courses in their curricula. This research investigates the impact of involving students in syllabus design and applying innovative teaching methods in a pilot elective course focused on biophilic design in interior spaces on student engagement and course sustainability. A new pilot elective course was introduced in the 2022–2023 Spring Semester at the Interior Architecture Department, Faculty of Architecture, Near East University, aiming to establish an enduring and captivating learning environment for students. Initially, a focus group study was conducted to measure students’ awareness of biophilic design and integrate their ideas regarding innovative learning methods into the syllabus for an engaging elective course. Strategies like interactive learning tools, group tasks, and peer assessments were incorporated throughout the course to enhance engagement. Analysis of end-of-course surveys and student observations revealed an augmented awareness of biophilic design among students and a positive influence of innovative learning methods on course sustainability. Thus, the study suggests that an elective course offers the potential to mitigate the deficiency of biophilic design integration in undergraduate programs, augmenting students’ awareness in this field. Moreover, new elective courses could deliver more sustainable and engaging learning experiences for enrolled students when structured through student involvement and innovative learning methods.

Criteria for Designing Penitentiary Institutions in Light of Modern Penal Policy

This study aimed to identify the design standards of penitentiary institutions in light of modern penal policy. It specifically aimed to identify the criteria for choosing the location of the penal institution. Moreover, it identified the standards for the interior and exterior design of the penal institution. The descriptive analytical approach was used, and the study found that the more the location of the penal institution is not isolated, the more it is in line with modern penal policy. Furthermore, the larger the area of the penal institution is, the more it is in line with modern penal policy. When designing the interior of a penal institution, adequate ventilation, natural lighting, and appropriate temperature are taken into consideration from the environmental standpoint. When designing the internal spaces of a penal institution, the appropriate space for prisoner rooms and dormitory rooms, along with the availability of sanitary facilities in each room, is taken into account. The study recommended making administrative reform and rehabilitation centers in the police force. This can be done by designing and building penitentiary institutions in accordance with modern penal policy

Exploring the use of recycled materials in interior design and their environmental benefits

Sustainable and environmentally friendly interior design practices have grown in popularity in recent years. The field of interior architecture has adopted a fresh perspective in its design process. Consideration of both the user's and the environment's well-being are central to sustainable interior design. Sustainable interior design is discussed in the article, along with the significance and use of certain materials. In addition, examples of completed projects that prioritize environmental friendliness are shown, along with the fundamental principles of sustainable design. As a result of the economy's meteoric rise, "green ecology" has quickly gained widespread acceptance. Investigating and studying the potential uses of biodegradable materials in this setting is worthwhile. The use of biodegradable materials in home decor is the topic of this article. Avoidance, reduction, and reuse are the three main tenets of waste minimization initiatives.

A Practical Approach for Estimating Drag Increase due to Volume Increase in the Center Body of a High-Speed UAV

High-speed unmanned aerial vehicles are used for many purposes in aviation. High-speed aircraft do not only fly at supersonic speed, but their subsonic flight performance is also important. Aircraft design is an iterative process in which many disciplines work together. The design process is updated by the negotiation of different disciplines. There may be a demand for a body volume increase in the interior design process. The increase in volume can be achieved by the elongation or expansion of the body. A volume increase in the center body causes an increase in drag. The aim of this study is to predict the effect of the elongation or expansion of the center body on drag in a practical way. It is investigated using a structure proposed with MATLAB and DATCOM. The results in both subsonic and supersonic regimes are formalized separately and compared. It is shown that in case of providing the same volume increase in both subsonic and supersonic regimes, the elongation of the aircraft center body causes less drag compared to widening.

Retraction notice: Reconsidering the criteria of the healthy house's interior design during crises: COVID-19 pandemic as an example

Retraction notice: Reconsidering the criteria of the healthy house's interior design during crises: COVID-19 pandemic as an example

Effect of Exposure to 2D Video of Forest Environment with Natural Forest Sound on Psychological Well-Being of Healthy Young Adults

Background and Objectives: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in the health benefits of contact with nature. The theoretical and practical aspects of this issue are constantly being investigated. It is worth noting, however, that there is a large group of people for whom the only available form of contact with nature can only be through images (the view outside the window, photos and films about nature), recorded sounds of nature or descriptions of nature. Research indicating how much exposure to nature in the dimension of virtual reality achieves improvements in well-being, mood and vitality is therefore urgently needed. Material and Methods: The main goal of the experiment was to examine whether watching a 20-min 2D video of forest environment or reading a textbook on forest knowledge for 20 min would bring any psychological benefits. The order of both exposures was intentionally changed (reversed) for every second participant in this study to reduce the order effect. A group of 16 volunteers, students of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, took part in the experiment. The psychological tests before and after each of the two parts of the experiment (viewing a picture with sound and reading a book) were established using five questionnaires: Profile of Mood State (POMS); Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS); Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS); Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: As a result of the analyses, a 20-min viewing of a 2D video of a forest with natural sounds of nature was shown to have a positive effect on the psychological relaxation of the subjects in the form of an increase in restorativeness and vitality in the participants of the experiment, as well as a greater decrease in negative feelings, tension and anger than when reading a forest-themed book. Watching a video of a landscape can reduce tension and anger levels significantly, which can be an important guideline in relation to the interior design of public spaces and the protection of employees from the adverse effects of psychosocial working conditions, as well as the desire to stabilize anger and maintain emotional stability in everyday life.

Research on the Emotional Expression of Kandinsky's Abstract Art Theory in Public Space Interior Design and the Application of Catering Space Design

As people's artistic tastes evolve, public space interior design expectations have shifted from merely meeting functional and comfort needs to emphasizing artistry and aesthetics. Abstract art, which focuses on form and eschews traditional realistic expression, has the potential to spark curiosity and innovation while creating a distinct inner world. Integrating abstract art into interior decoration meets the growing demand for artistic aesthetics in interior design, which is the main focus of this study. This study begins by analyzing the theoretical meaning and creative value of abstract art through a systematic approach. It then explores the application and aesthetic value of abstract art in public space interior design using case studies. Additionally, the study investigates the influence of abstract art elements on the development of art design in China through literature research. Finally, it examines the impacts and shortcomings of abstract art's aesthetic thought in public space interior design. It uses the catering space design as an example while presenting cases of interior design application. The aim is to provide a theoretical and practical reference for enhancing interior design's aesthetics and artistic characteristics.

Augmented Reality in Interior Design

The recent advances in digital technologies have paved way for substantial improvements in the field of interior design. Augmented reality (AR), one of the biggest trends in the digital market, is used to visualize the placement of furniture in interior spaces. As the demand for online stores and shopping increases, AR presents a promising solution to bridge the gap between virtual and the real environment. By utilizing AR functions, users can virtually place furniture in their living spaces, conceptualize their design, and make proper decisions by accurately visualizing their desired interior design. The proposed system aims to develop a website that enhances the user experience in choosing the furniture that suit their living space. Furthermore, the precise visualization and interactive platform makes the website user-friendly.

AlterVerse: A Framework for Interactive Virtual Altering of Physical Objects in Extended Reality Environments.

This article presents AlterVerse, a framework that provides users with novel experiences through visual illusions of interactively altering physical objects in extended reality environments. In the AlterVerse framework, physical objects are seamlessly virtualized by aligning their 3-D virtual replicas with them. It enables users to manipulate (move or rotate) and reshape (deform the shapes or transform the styles of) the physical objects virtually. Simultaneously, the physical objects are visually removed from a physical environment, creating the perception that the altering occurs directly on the physical objects. As a promising application of the AlterVerse framework, the article demonstrates interactive virtual altering of home furniture in interior design or decoration scenarios without physically altering existing furniture.

Color and brightness at work: Shedding some light on mind wandering.

Occupational hazards are partly caused by the physical factors of the work environment, among which are ambient color and brightness, which can interfere with cognitive performance. Especially in modern work environments, performance relies heavily on cognitive functions such as attention, and an important factor in disrupting sustained attention is mind wandering (MW). This study aimed to investigate the effects of white and blue colors with two brightness levels on sustained attention and brain electrophysiology. A total of 20 participants were exposed to 4 different conditions (white and blue as color and 300 and 800lx as the brightness level) in separate blocks in a virtual reality environment in which a continuous performance test (CPT) was performed. The high brightness blue condition induced significant changes in sustained attention. MW network analysis showed a significant decrease in delta frequency band in the blue color condition with high brightness and beta decrease in the blue color condition with low brightness, whereas the activity of MW network increased when exposed to the white color condition. High-brightness blue light resulted in better sustained attention and decreased activity of MW-related neural regions. It is thus recommended that these results be taken into consideration in the interior design of educational settings and cars among other environments that require a high level and maintenance of cognitive functions, especially sustained attention.

Development and validation of a higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) scale for major students in the interior design discipline for blended learning

Assessing and cultivating students’ HOTS are crucial for interior design education in a blended learning environment. However, current research has focused primarily on the impact of blended learning instructional strategies, learning tasks, and activities on the development of HOTS, whereas few studies have specifically addressed the assessment of these skills through dedicated scales in the context of blended learning. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive scale for assessing HOTS in interior design major students within the context of blended learning. Employing a mixed methods design, the research involved in-depth interviews with 10 education stakeholders to gather qualitative data, which informed the development of a 66-item soft skills assessment scale. The scale was administered to a purposive sample of 359 undergraduate students enrolled in an interior design program at a university in China. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were also conducted to evaluate the underlying factor structure of the scale. The findings revealed a robust four-factor model encompassing critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork skills, and practical innovation skills. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.948–0.966) and satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. This scale provides a valuable instrument for assessing and cultivating HOTS among interior design major students in blended learning environments. Future research can utilize a scale to examine the factors influencing the development of these skills and inform instructional practices in the field.

MULTI-USER INTERACTION FOR LIVING ROOM FURNITURE LAYOUT DESIGN IN HANDHELD AUGMENTED REALITY

Augmented Reality (AR) is the most recent popular technology that was developed in many fields. Development of AR is important for living room furniture layout design due to the high expectation of clients for testing design outcomes. Being able to think in three dimensions (3D) and visualizing projects is also a great importance for interior designers. Besides, the interior designer is difficult to collaborate with the clients for collecting furniture layout design ideas by referring the 2D furniture layout. Therefore, this study aims to introduce a multi-user interaction system for living room furniture layout design using handheld AR. The objectives of this study are; firstly, study multi-user interaction for living room furniture layout design in handheld AR. Secondly, develop handheld AR research prototype and multi-user interaction for living room furniture layout design and lastly, to integrate the handheld AR research prototype with multi-user interaction for living room furniture layout design. This study implements and combines the AR living room furniture layout design with multi-user interaction. This study also evaluates the research prototype based on the usability and user acceptance testing. The testing results showed the research prototype works properly. The respondents were overall satisfied with the research prototype and agreed that this research prototype is very interesting, creative and useful for collaborating with multi-user to design the living room furniture layout. This study has successfully established multi-user interaction for living room furniture layout design in handheld AR.

Exploring Visual Features of Ecological Design in Private Housing: Search for Visual Principles.

Background: Changing consumer attitudes toward the natural environment are reflected in an increase in demand for environmental design of private houses, which requires the definition of some general principles of such design, particularly graphic design. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to highlight and determine the fundamental features of the visual component of the ecological design of private houses. Objectives: Present the characteristics of the countries of the world in accordance with the application of eco-design and sponsorship of green construction; identify visual principles that characterize the ecological design of private houses. Methods: The study is based on mixed qualitative analysis. The authors of the study used statistical from statista.com concerning the number of LEED certified projects during 2018 to 2021. Statistical indicators of countries is used to select houses for research, an assessment of a group of experts of photo-interview methods is used to determine the main trends in visual environmental design. Results: It was possible to systematize the world experience in designing private homes using an ecological approach. They categorized the basic principles of visualization of functional-planning, technological and artistic-esthetic solutions in the interior design of a private residential building; compliance with appropriate esthetics; functional design solutions of the interior space, modularity, compactness, responsible and rational architecture; and interior design, preferably with the possibility of moving housing to another place in case of forced relocation. Conclusions: The results obtained can be used in the framework of theoretical and practical design of private residential buildings.