Integrating Sustainable Ideas into Interior Design

It’s being observed that during the past few decades the profession of interior designing took importance in the emerging trends of art and architecture. In any construction work, from commercial to residential and industrial to utilitarian, interior design takes a big chunk that cannot be denied. The recent trend among the client approaching for interior design requires and demands for sustainable building idea to be implemented not only in interior but also in exteriors. So it is important for the designers to have fair knowledge about the environment friendly design or green design factors. 

The sustainable factor proposes the use of a more than typical building materials and decision in designing within an unarticulated shell and a design process of conceiving a sustainable interior design. I read it somewhere that ‘Design necessitates the exploration of sustainability beyond the specification of materials to incorporate an appreciation for the limitations of the environment’. Agreed with the quote, I have been searching how one can apply sustainable knowledge in any project. Knowledge on local and even global companies involving in producing green products can easily been gained in the internet.

There are quite a number of companies national and international, both offering sustainable materials used to design space which are good positive trend for green solutions. It is our hope that using sustainable material consciousness attitude would widespread and pervades into the system of every mindset.

After reading many international reports and conduct survey in Pakistani markets, following analysis have been derived including building specification and cost of the material. It touches sustainable floors, wall materials, sustainable lighting and also the ventilation types of the roof.

Bamboo and natural timber seems being the most popular choice for flooring in international interiors whereas in Pakistan, ceramic and vinyl tiles are most commonly used. It is cost effective and can be easily maintained. Also, it is being analyzed that fashion for rugs and carpets become old in present interiors due to hygiene issues and people comfort. The ceramic tiles generally size 17X17 inches, textured upto cost 185 / sq.ft with different pigments according to the rooms. 

Lighting is one of the important sustainable criteria in green design feature. Having sun shading i.e. building external window sun shading or simply letting natural sun light deep into the interior space can greatly reduce the usage of artificial lighting. It is necessary to ensure by the interior designers to have knowledge on how the orientation of the building takes place. Internationally, architects focused more on natural lights, energy savers, skylights and sunshades whereas in Pakistan, this trend is new and accommodated with different circumstances in buildings by many interior designers. Also because of energy crisis, energy savers have been used. For say, in a room size 10’X10’, 2 energy savers are required of 18 watt with the cost 120/bulb or 24 watt cost 180/bulb. Halogen lights (fancy lights) also become a trend in residences. To reduce the cost, halogen covers with savers have been used instead of halogen lights (9watt saver of Rs. 80 and halogen cover of Rs. 100)

Walls materials both internal and external, plays a vital role in sustainability. Internationally, walls are treated with natural stone, eco wall paper, recycled gypsum, low emitting walls, green or natural timber. This concept is Pakistan is very new, but still designers are struggling with ecofriendly wall systems. Sometimes walls are cement weeping plaster. This treatment requires little maintenance and ribbed surface breaks up sunlight to reduce glare. In residences, matt finish paint is generally used lasting for 4 years (cost 1150/bucket). 

Having natural air running across the building is good green design practice in term of health factor for the occupant. The international practice includes jack roof, louvers and vast glazed openings, whereas in Pakistan aluminum/wood sliding windows and louvers which are detachable is used. The wood windows are durable and cost effective (2000-5000) whereas aluminum windows are costly (4000-7000) and sometimes heat up due to high temperature. Implementing air ventilation is one of the green design factors to be implemented in interior design issues in Pakistan.

More studies about environmentally, economically and socially sustainable interior design will be necessary to contribute to the further refinement of an interdisciplinary body of knowledge in sustainable design. It is important to know the state of environmentally sustainable interior design practice. The green approach is simply ‘responsible design’. Having a responsibility to sustain life and land with every design decision made are the great things to do.