BAU .

FACULTY OF DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

INT 1014 Introduction to Interior Architecture

INTRODUCTION

LECTURE 1
Week 2
Introduction to Interior Architecture

Historical Overview
Design Professions
Interior Architecture
Interior Architect/Designer
How an Interior Architect Works?
Aspects of Interior Architecture
Today’s Role of an Interior Architect
Successful and Satisfactory Design
Current Issues and Future Directions in Interior Design
Interior Design Interior Design
.combination of art, .manipulates space, form, texture,
science and technology. color and light to enhance the
quality of human life.

Interior Design . improving built environments;

. work spaces
. educational spaces
. healthcare spaces
. cultural spaces
. residential spaces
Interior Architecture: An Introduction
In modern world, most of us spend a major part of our lives indoors.

Statistically;

90% of a day in
interior spaces

10% of a day in
exterior spaces
(excluding
vacations)
Interior Architecture: An Introduction
Why are we spending most of our times in interior spaces?

Because enclosures serve the basic needs of ours;

. protects against weather, primary

. protects against enemies or predators needs of
. provide privacy,
. provide a place to keep belongings. a human

Today, most of the interiors are crowded, disorganized and depressive.

What do we expect from an interior?

Why should we be concerned about the design of the interiors?

Ideally designed interior spaces do not just serve as shelters, they

also can contribute substantially to our sense of well-being.
Ideally designed interiors can give positive influences to our;
. social interactions,
. learning, working, healing,
. general appreciation of life,
. health.

People’s behavior can be positively or

negatively affected by interaction with
[interior] environmental design.
Environment is the external conditions, resources, stimuli etc. with which an
organism interacts. Environment includes different aspects, which fall under three
main categories;

1. natural environment (topographic, climate, micro-climate and landscape

conditions), corresponds to all living and non-living things that occur naturally
on Earth briefly; the world of nature .

2. built environment (physical environment, i. e. settlements, services and

technology) means constructed surroundings that provide the setting for
human activity and ranging from the large-scale civic surroundings to the
personal places, briefly; the world of human creation,

and
3. social environment (political, cultural, psychological, social, individual and
perceptional factors) relates to the culture that an individual lives in, and the
people and institutions with whom they interact. Briefly; the world of human
relations.
Interior Design

… affects physical, physiological, psychological health

(color, light, materials, etc.)

… affects productivity and efficiency related to the

specific function (offices, schools, hospitals, etc.),

… affects the social relations of people (sitting units in a

doctor’s office – in a coffee shop, existence of special
areas for people to gather in offices, dayrooms for
patients in hospitals, etc.)
The Development of Interior Architecture: A Historical Overview
no specific date or a person was documented as the beginning
The desire to create a From the very beginning of planning and
functional and pleasant constructing shelters until the 20th century, the
environment existed long structure and the interior design within them
were considered interrelated parts of a whole,
before the buildings were which became known as Architecture.
being constructed.

Architecture . city planning,

. architecture,
. interior design,
. industrial design

The use and

acceptance of the
Designing and organizing term Interior
interiors traces back to ancient Architecture /
times and cultures that painted Design first
pictures on the cave walls. appeared after
World War II.
The Development of Interior Architecture: A Historical Overview

17th and . belong to aristocratic and royal families,

. served people’s sense of taste, and embellishment,
18th
. were created for the rich to display their wealth,
centuries
. were created by architects, artisans and craftsmen.
The Development of Interior Architecture: A Historical Overview

. Middle class (working class) expanded (with industrial rev.)

18th and . basic needs
. occupants' life style (functionality) traditions,
19th
. aristocratic and rich families display wealth
centuries . interest in interiors (displaying wealth and luxury)

. two distinct design directions (interior decoration & design)

The Development of Interior Architecture: A Historical Overview
19th and 20th Centuries
During this time two distinct design directions developed:

1. Decoration/ . based on the historical traditions

Profession of . concerned with surface ornamentation, color, texture,
decoration furnishings and accessories

2. Interior Design . concerned with the way things work

. concentrated on innovation and invention
. overall shape of spaces, construction systems, activity
patterns, manufacturing processes and the use of new
materials
. concerned with the integration of all elements within
an interior space to achieve total design harmony
Elsie de Wolfe She has been credited as being the first self-proclaimed
interior decorator in America. She had great impact on
(1865- 1950) the decorating of interiors and inspired other women to
enter the profession.

The Terrace of Conde Nast’s Park Avenue penthouse, scene of some of the most
celebrated parties of the decade, as decorated by Elsie de Wolfe, Lady Mendl. Inset:
Lady Mendl with her adored pooch.
The Development of Interior Architecture: A Historical Overview

20th Century / Interior spaces after World War II:

Modern World
. had tremendous technical complexities
(agriculture, technology materials,
construction techniques, mechanical systems,
etc.)
. designed by a team (architects, engineers,
interior architects)

. had a variety of specialized purposes

(hospitals, schools, offices, etc.)

. function + health/safety/comfort
The Development of Interior Architecture: A Historical Overview
Industrial society (20th century) based on:
20th Century / basic needs + occupants' life +
occupants’ comfort, safety and health +
Modern World technical complexities

Barcelona Pavillion, by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Seagram Building, by Mies van der Rohe New
German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in York, 1958
Barcelona, Spain
The Development of Interior Architecture: A Historical Overview

20th Century / Modern World

Modern world has gains and losses;

. man moved away from nature and simplicity
. man have the power to create more functional,
pleasant, healthy and supportive interiors
The Development of Interior Architecture: A Historical Overview
20th Century / Modern World
Today, the primary motivation is profit making in building
construction, not creating interiors that will completely satisfy
the needs of the user.

. protection . physical and psychological health

. privacy . safety
. storage . physical and psychological comfort
Designing living environments is a collaborative activity!
Architect
building design, space organizations, elevations
Interior Designer/Architect
interior spaces, circulation, finishing, layout, furniture, color, lighting,
accessories+ structural and technical details

Industrial Designer
interior elements such as lighting fixtures, furniture design
Structural Engineer
framing of steel and concrete for huge buildings
Mechanical Engineer
heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, elevators, escalators, etc.
Electrical Engineer
electrical systems
Other Specialists
lighting, acoustics, etc.
As the materials, building techniques and technology got
complicated, specializing in architecture began.
Architecture
form of
whole
building
including,
structural,
electrical,
mechanical
and other
systems.
Interior
Architecture /
Design

overall shape of space, construction

systems, material, texture, light, color.
Industrial Design

industrially manufactured objects,

products such as furniture, light fixtures,
machinery and automobile
Decoration
surface treatments,
ornamentation, color, texture,
furnishing and accessories
Interior Design as a Profession
Interior Design is/has;

. grown rapidly and undergone many changes

since 1960’s.

. a distinct, creative professional field closely related with other

design professions, such as architecture, industrial design mostly.

. involved with creating or modifying interior

environments, including structure, the life-support systems,
the furnishings, and the equipment.

. becoming more important every day as we remodel and

build more interior environments.
Interior Design as a Profession
Interior designers of today and tomorrow must take up
challenge of creating more exciting and more technologically
advanced interiors;
… in less and less space,
… with new spatial experiences,
… for changing needs,
space is getting expensive everyday
Interior Design

An interior is a very complex

entity made up of many elements that
had to be successful in terms of;
Interior design is an
function, integral part of the built
comfort, environment, which in
beauty, turn is an aspect of
environmental design.
and must somehow work together in
harmony.
Interior Design

The term Interior Designer has been defined and endorsed by many
professional societies, schools, accrediting agencies and states and
provinces. According to the National Council for Interior Design
Qualification, the definition as follows:

The Professional Interior Designer is qualified by

education, experience and examination to enhance
the function and quality of interior spaces. For the
purposes of improving the quality of life,
increasing productivity, and protecting health,
safety, and welfare of the public.
How an Interior Architect Works?
Professional Interior Architect;
. analyzes the client’s needs, goals, and life and safety requirements,
. integrates findings with knowledge of interior architecture,

. formulates preliminary design concepts that are appropriate to the specific

condition, function and aesthetic needs;
. develops and presents final design recommendations through appropriate
presentation media;
. prepares working drawings and specifications for interior construction, materials,
finishes, space planning, furnishing, fixtures, and equipment;

. collaborates with professional services of other licensed practitioners in the technical

areas of mechanical, electrical and loadbearing design as required for regulatory
approval (Ministry of Public Works and Housing).

. prepares and administer bids and contact documents as the client’s agent;

. reviews and evaluates design solutions during implementation and upon

completion.
Aspects of Interior Design;

1. Architectural character of the space:

protecting the identity of created by the architect;
2. Functional planning requirements:
providing the spatial/physical needs for the specific activity; (m2, circulation, etc.)
3. Characteristics of users:
the personalities and preferences of the users;
4. Human ergonomics:
physically comfortable and appropriate spaces/furniture;
5. Aesthetical aspects:
beautiful and pleasant spaces;
6. Psychological aspects:
supportive, comfortable and pleasant spaces;
7.Technical aspects of structure and construction:
strong, safe and healthy spaces;
8. Economical realities:
affordable, qualitative spaces and affordable maintenance;
9. Physical context of its site and exterior:
the type and the properties of the building
 Today’s Role of an Interior Architect

Solving the highly complex problems that the environment pose in our
continually changing technological society.
Residential Design
Houses, apartments by individuals or small
design firms
Commercial Design
Office Building
Hospitals
Schools by large design firms
Shopping Centers with staffby
specialized in firms
large design
Entertainment Centers specific areas
with staff of designin
specialized
Restaurants specific areas of design
Airports
Hotels

Safety + Health + Aesthetics + Function

Today’s Role of an Interior Architect;
Previous Approaches in Interior Architecture/Design;

Aesthetical concerns
Functional concerns (basic needs) residential interiors
(arranged by occupants)

Today’s Approach in Interior Design;

Experts needed with developing structures and conditions for

layout (furniture + accessories)

circulation (horizontal + vertical circulation)
storage
color
lighting commercial interiors
interior finishes need a group of
professionals
Successful and Satisfactory Design
Physiological: must provide thermal comfort, be
comfortable and healthy for the eye
(color/light), the ears (acoustics) and you should
Contextual: think about diseasters; earthquake and fire.
must serve the
function,
needs of the Economic: must be
specific affordable, easy
activity and maintenance
the user group

Structural:
must be Psychological: must
strong, safe evoke positive
and healthy, feelings and
easy Sociological: must enable happiness
maintenance socializing (sitting arrangements,
space organization and definition
for groups acoustics, etc.)
Current Issues and Future Directions in Interior Architect/ Design

Increasing Professionalism in Interior Design/Architecture:

licensed professionalism is growing in US – an interior architect is responsible for the
health and safety of the user

Growing Public Interest in Design:

Public knows and follows good designs by magazines, books and newspapers;

Computers and Design:

Designers prefer CAD drawings because it is faster, easier and efficient in
compared to hand drawings;
Customers prefer to see the images of the spaces in computer, especially in 3D,
before the construction starts;
Use of mouse and sketching pen of new developed computers – for design
Current Issues and Future Directions in Interior Design

Types of Future Projects: large (commercial, institutional,

governmental) projects
small (residential, retail, individual
offices, etc. ) projects

large projects – by a group of architects, interior architects,

engineers specialized in different subjects (color, light, space planning,
etc.)

small projects – small design firms give highly personal level of

design service individual clients – too time consuming for larger firms
Current Issues and Future Directions in Interior Design

User Participation in Design:

residential design, commercial design

Consultant Services:
aid in small, residential projects, partial solutions; dealing with small interior problems
that needs expert attention (advises on color, material; designing built in cabinets,
etc.)

Trends: virtual reality

– sense of being there (look at and move about within a setting)
– challenges design as well
Predictions for future
Spaces for living and working are likely to get smaller –focusing on ways
of gaining reasonable comfort in smaller spaces. (COCOON!!!)

Things (furniture, automobiles etc) getting smaller in size increasing in

price.

Instead of throw-away approach, an increased concern for high quality

and long life in the selection of materials and products.

Environmental issues relating to consumption of energy and resources

Special needs of the very young and the very old and disabled people
have been recognized as critical.