A Natural Balance: Interior Design, Humans, and Sustainability

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P E R S P E C T I V EInterior designers must be in the forefront of changing how others in the building andsustainability industries see the world and, in turn, our work. What happens now is theimportant question for interior designers, educators, and students.This Perspective essay has reviewed key concepts in the evolution of sustainability, which are raising thequestions of where and how the interior designer’s work fits in. It has shown that interior design has somethingvaluable and unique to offer to this new vision of sustainability. But, more important, it emphasizes thatinterior designers must be in the forefront of changing how others in the building and sustainability industriessee the world and, in turn, our work. What happens now is the important question for interior designers,educators, and students.I have shown that approaches to sustainability vary, and clearly there is no single correct approach to achievingimproved environmental performance. We have seen that it is also impossible to discuss what constitutessustainability without consideration of the role of the human. This perspective shows that there are competingdemands of buildings versus occupants, in particular in the provision of comfort, health, and well-being,while providing and maintaining operational efficiencies in energy required. Of course, there have alwaysbeen competing demands in the built environment, but only recently has there been an urgent need for interiordesigners to seize their role as advocate for the occupants. Given an evolving context for sustainabilityand the broad range of potential stakeholders and interpretations, the relationship between interiordesigner and sustainability is a continuing and unfolding process, and one that warrants increasingacknowledgement and engagement of interior designers, educators, and, more important, students. Thetime is now to put interior design at the forefront of putting occupants first, no matter what approach tosustainability is chosen.As this perspective indicates, there are compelling arguments regarding the need to change current buildingpractice to include new environmental theories, emphases, and strategies. For interior designers, this is anopportunity to help guide the future of sustainability toward a more occupant-centered one. If we refuse toget involved or make our case, then some other practitioners or researchers will do it for us. This will meaneducating ourselves about the various approaches to sustainability, including the ‘‘mechanistic,’’ ‘‘ecological,’’and everything in between. These competing objectives for interior design likely will require designers toreassess their technical skills and psychological and cultural literacy. Educators will need to change how toteach students to participate in the integrative design process. Research by interior designers and educatorsneeds to be formulated and supported to understand complex, cross-disciplinary issues and to sustain thisover the long term of evolving sustainable design practice.We also will need to make stronger cases for evidence-based design within the sustainability movement aswe have done in healthcare. Evidence-based design practices can help describe the criteria for sustainabilityand human qualitative measures. While current green practice is premised on measurable quantifiableperformance targets—on perceived certainty in the outcomes, a new ‘‘ecological’’ design approach willrequire ‘‘a qualitatively different type of acceptance by clients and stakeholders of a building’s current andpotential merits’’ (Cole, 2012, p. 5). Client education is a major part of the interior designer’s job description.Here are some ways you can get involved. First, become a resource. As the practice quickly evolves, establishindustry/university collaborative research solutions to provide substantial, holistic, and far-sighted researchon interiors. Reach out to nonprofit organizations such as the National Academy of Environmental Design 10and the USGBC 11 for research resources and to develop research skills and to learn the specifics aboutsustainability strategies. Engage with your institution for real-time green project experience 12 as your campusplans any construction or improvement projects with an eye on sustainable interiors. Be visible and stand outin the role of interior designer on these project teams.Journal of Interior Design xx Volume 37 Number 2 2012
P E R S P E C T I V EAs interior design evolves as a profession, we continue to grapple with identity and value. While we ourselvessee the value that we bring to the built environment, others do not. So we are often left out of importantdiscussions around the design table. Our active involvement with sustainability as it struggles to provideenergy efficiency without ignoring the human being can and will open doors for us to bring our mostvaluable interior design abilities and skills to the discussion—that of a person-centered focus. Of any barriers,constraints, and recognition, Penny Bonda, prominent writer, lecturer, and founding chair USGBC LEED forCommercial Interiors, said in 1994, ‘‘While the LEED system was being developed,’’ she recalls, ‘‘I mentionedthat maybe we should have a version for interiors. One of the [USGBC] board members said, ‘Why? Interiorsdon’t matter.’ I said ‘Well, actually, that’s where the people are.’’’ (Gould & Hosey, 2007, p. 202).A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.Margaret MeadReferencesBoecher, J., Horst, S., Keiter, T., Lau, A., Sheffer, M., Toevs, B., et al. (2009). The integrative design guide to green building: Redefining thepractice of sustainability. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Chen, A. (2009). Berkeley Lab: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Working toward the very low energy consumption building of thefuture. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2009/06/02/working-toward-the-very-low-energyconsumption-building-of-the-future/Choi Granade, H., Creyts, J., Derkach, A., Farese, P., Nyquist, S., & Ostrowski, K. (McKinsey & Company) (2009). Unlocking energyefficiency in the U.S. economy: Executive summary. Retrieved February 1, 2012, from McKinsey & Company website: http://mckinsey.com/USenergyefficiencyCole, R. (2012). Regenerative design and development: Current theory and practice. Building Research & Information, 40(1), 1–6. RetrievedFebruary 3, 2012, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2012.617516Cole, R., & Brown, Z. (2009). Reconciling human and automated intelligence in the provision of occupant comfort. Intelligent BuildingsInternational, 1(1), 39–55. Retrieved February 3, 2012, from http://dx.doi.org/10.3763/inbi.2009.0007du Plessis, C. (2012). Towards a regenerative paradigm for the built environment. Building Research & Information, 40(1), 7–22.Envision Design, PLLC. (Designer) (2009). United States Green Building Council Headquarters [Print], Washington, DC.Gould, K., & Hosey, L. (2007). Women in green: Voices of sustainable design in green. Bainbridge Island, Washington: Ecotone LLC.Heerwagen, J., & Diamond, R. C. (1992). Adaptations and coping: Occupant response to discomfort in energy efficient buildings.Proceedings of ACEEE summer study on energy efficiency in buildings, Vol 10, Berkeley, CA, ACEEE, 83–90. Retrieved January 25,2012, from http://epb.lbl.gov/homepages/Rick_Diamond/Coping_aceee_92.pdfHeerwagen, J., Gray, W., & Loder, A. (2011, October). In J. Heerwagen (Chair). Why research matters: New approaches to measuregreen building and workers’ health, stress and productivity. Paper presented at Greenbuild® conference & expo.Kupritz, V. W. (2000). A conceptual model of privacy regulation for hrd and organizations. Journal of Industrial Teacher Education, 38,29–59. Retrieved February 7, 2012, from http://www.cci.utk.edu/node/8929Mang, P., & Reed, B. (2012). Designing from place: A regenerative framework and methodology. Building Research & Information, 40(1),23–38. Retrieved February 15, 2012, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2012.621341Margaret Mead Speaks at First Earth Day. (2012). The History Channel website. Retrieved 1:20, March 3, 2012, fromhttp://www.history.com/audio/margaret-mead-speaks-at-first-earth-day.Nicol, F. (2011). Adaptive comfort. Building Research & Information, 39(2), 105–107.Piedmont-Pallandino, S. (2012, January 26). Interview by L Sorrento [Personal Interview]. Technology and human debate.Pyke, C. (2011, August 12). Interview by L. Sorrento [Personal Interview]. Different perspectives applied to high performance buildings.Pyke, C. U.S. Green Building Council (2012). Using information technology to transform the green building market. Washington, DC: U.S.Green Building Council.Journal of Interior Design xxi Volume 37 Number 2 2012
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