Understanding Sustainability in Interior Design and Why It Matters
Since learning about sustainability design in college, I have found that though sustainability is thrown around - a lot of people I have interacted with don’t actually know what it is. This blog post won’t be an exhaustive list, just a brief look into sustainable design and why it is important. There are many reason I feel personally as to why it is important but to preface; sustainability design is known by -
the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development in The Brundtland Report (1987): “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainability is also known as green design and
“The US Envi-ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) has defined green building as:[T]he practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource‐efficient throughout a building’s life‐cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.”
With that said, having a holistic approach to design that also can reduce negative impacts to the environment and society by reducing the materials, natural resources, and can help impact social, economic and ecological aspects of our society. Through life-cycle and materials, providing well-being and comfort all while helping the environment. Which is turn helps us as a whole.
Being able to create projects that limit resource consumption and help ecosystems, the environment, society, our clients, plants and animals without depleating any natural resources then we’ve done our job.
As an interior design company, Organique Design has the responsibility to create a healthy and safe interior environment.
“Green and sustainable building projects integrate principles of sustainability at all scales, into the design process, construction, operations, and the deconstruc-tion or demolition of the built environment. Materials used in the built environ-ment directly impact ecology and humanity both globally and locally, and an individual’s health and wellness. Unfortunately, building material production, use, and disposal have negatively impacted the environment and human health. To limit and mitigate adverse consequences it is necessary to investigate, research, and evaluate the materials used to build, finish, furnish, and maintain the built environment.”
If we can also help the planet during a project while also making sure that our client is safe, comfortable and has a better feeling space than before then we’ve done our job. There are many things that fall into sustainability and health such as the;
“…Toxicity Test, … tests the toxicity of finishes and other building materials when they burn. It is easy to see that products that emit a toxic fume when burning can be detri-mental to life safety and to the welfare of occupants. Other toxicity-based tests, as required by the sustainability codes and standards, determine the level of VOCs that can off-gas and possibly affect indoor air quality (IEQ) of a space or building.”
This and many other different types of tests allow us to research and investigate to see if a material is safe for the well-being of occupants and for the environment as a whole.
Without going too deep, this was an overall brief introduction into sustainability and why it is important/ impactful to our projects and why we as Organique Design want to strive for sustainable and wellness based design. Though as with everything the clients budget comes first, so helping our clients choose what to have as sustainable, and what to reuse, repurpose, keep, or even get new (if it’s more cost effective) we’ll do what we have to while being as sustainable and wellness driven as possible while still making sure that our clients have interiors that they love. Do what you can, and don’t worry about what others can or can’t do. Spreading awareness is important, but also listening can be important too, so do what you can, no one will ever have a 100% eco-friendly, sustainable, super wellness based design home unless they’re willing to put a lot of money into it. So picking and choosing whats best for you is what we can help with, and overall will make the project run smoother, and have happier clients. Which is a win-win for sure!
(1) Francis. D. K. Ching, Building Construction Illustrated (5th ed.), Wiley 2014, page 1.03)