TAD - 02

(RSW-03)
FUNCTIONAL CONCEPTS AND THE INTERIOR
ENVIRONMENT.

SUBMITTED BY:
REYES, MICHAEL JUDE G.

SUBMITTED TO:
ARCH.ANTHONE Q. ABRENICA
1. Balance
The principle of balance refers to the ordered distribution of elements of equal visual weight to
achieve a visual equilibrium. Balance is only achieved when the visual weight of the elements are
evenly distributed along a central axis or point that can be both real and imaginary. Balance can be
achieved by three popular ways namely Symmetrical, Asymmetrical and Radial. In Symmetrical, a
space is divided into two equal halves centered on a central axis and both the halves are equally
compensated to give out a calm feel to the living space. In Asymmetrical, any odd number of
elements can be used by keeping an imaginary central axis as the focal point. Though asymmetrical
balance is a little hard to achieve when compared to symmetrical, the output is more natural and
energetic when compared to the former. Radial balance involves a central piece (like a chandelier or
a round dining table) from which all other elements seem to radiate to arrange themselves in circular
symmetry.
2. Rhythm
The principle of Rhythm essentially suggests a connected movement between different elements of
interior design. This movement is essential to maintain a visual tempo between elements that have
different visual weights. Elements repeated in an orderly fashion and the spaces between them
create a sense of rhythm. Rhythm can be achieved in any living space by following these three
methods – Repetition, Alternation and Progression. Repetition refers to the repeated use of the
design elements like color, texture and pattern or any other physical attributes like home décor items
in an orderly way. Alternation is the method of creating rhythm by alternating two or more elements
in a pre-defined fashion like ABABAB or ABCABC and so on. In Progression, elements are arranged
ascending or descending based or their size, color gradient or any other distinctive characteristic.
3. Harmony
Harmony is the concept of thinking about the project in its totality. This is very different from just
using the same elements throughout the building! Different parts of the property should complement
each other and work together to reinforce the completeness of the whole project. Generally, colour
schemes are a great way to pull different spaces together.
4. Emphasis
Emphasis, as the name suggests, is a principle of interior design that says that a central piece of art
or furniture must play the role of a focal point or attention grabber of a particular living space.
Elements like color, pattern and texture must be used to emphasize a particular focal point. In fact
these elements must be used in such a way that the focal point dominates the rest of the décor
items and pulls the room together. Other items that surround the focal point must complement the
latter and share a contrast that puts the focal point in the top priority.
5. Proportion and Scale
The principles of scale and proportion ensure that objects placed in a space look like they belong to
each other. Be it the size, dimension, shape or color of the objects, a harmony should be established
between them and a proportion has to be maintained. For example, a high ceiling environment
implies that high rise furniture should be preferred over low rise furniture like ottomans. Also, under
stuffed pillows would make a big sofa look empty and under accessorized, thus disrupting the
harmony and proportion that is supposed to exist.
To design an interior environment is to improve the quality of life, to increase productivity, to protect
health and provide safety and the welfare of its users. Acoustic, “lighting & colour”, temperature, all
the environmental elements surrounding the human being, in any type of interior function, affect his
way of life, his productivity and his mood.
The main task of the interior designer is how to realise the proper combination of the interior
environmental elements, to assure the best function of those interiors and the perfect productivity of
those who use them. The research aims: to set and define clearly the proper “quantity &quality” as
well as the effect of lighting on colour, in order to increase the productivity of the human being
depending on his functional performance within an appropriate environmental interior.
Methodology: The research is derived from related theories. It states that light, whether natural or
artificial, is one of the most important environmental interior space elements, that it has a significant
impact on the human body and that without it, we can neither see nor feel the influence of colour, as
well as its environmental effect. Regarding the physiological reaction, experts in the medical field
concluded that – light have a powerful physical force –, that it may penetrate the muscles and affect
the internal metabolic processes. According to these facts, light has a health effect on the body; it is
the base for leading a balanced life. This power of light leads us to another major environmental and
health influence generated from the strong relationship between light & colour. Colour perceived
through lighting effects, affects the human body and results in ‘Aesthetical & Emotional’ reactions.
The study asserts that “Quantity & Quality” of “Light & Colour” are inter-related. They are important
aspects to consider in “Lighting Design”, depending on space function and ways of its users’
performance to increase productivity, an issue that will be discussed in details in the full paper.