INT322ECG

  Walls are structural elements used to divide or enclose and in the building construction, to form the periphery of a room or building. They can be framed in several different ways. The three main systems include stud walls, masonry or concrete bearing walls and column and beam structural frame walls with infill. The interior finish of these walls is the final component of the sustainable wall assembly. These finishes include gypsum board (drywall/sheetrock) which is most used. You can also use Plaster that is applied in a 3-coat system. How the space will be used helps to determine the appropriate wall finish that a designer chooses. One of the most popular finishes are paint. The paints that add a shine/color to the raw materials play a huge role in sustainability as well. Overall, you want to find finishes that have reduced levels of VOCs (Volatile organic compounds). VOCs can cause anything from nausea to kidney damage, and they can pollute the outdoor air, too. Many finishes ...

 The placement of a building is a huge factor when determining where your site will be located. Architects need to think about how the building is placed to the relationship to the sun, prevailing winds, and other site appurtenances will impact the energy use of the building as well as the natural daylight that enters the interior. Although interior designers do not necessarily deal with these decisions, it is important that we understand all aspects of a building since the interior comfort is directly impacted by site placement of the building including solar orientation, site appurtenances such as shade trees, wind-blocking landscape, views and other site features.  Overall site considerations can be divided into three basic categories; Regulatory concerns which address the various manmade conditions imposed upon a particular site as a result of zoning, building codes and site accessibility. Aesthetic is the way in which a building is placed on the site that can maximiz...

Nearly 90 percent of our lives are lived inside built environments. Up to one third of that time can be spent inside our workplaces. An environment devoid of nature can have a negative effect on health, productivity, and well-being. Even simple changes to incorporate nature into our spaces can have a huge impact on how we feel where we work, live, and learn. “Biophilic design involves the integration of nature and natural processes into building design.” Tucker pg.13.  The goal is to restore the natural bond between human beings and nature and blur the lines between the outside and the inside. Biophilic interior design is all about embracing the rules of biophilic architecture, with rooms benefitting from good natural daylight, natural color schemes and house plants. Studies have shown that adding biophilic elements to interiors can reduce stress, blood pressure and heart rates- while increasing productivity, creativity, and overall well-being.   It really focuses on creatin...