Exploring Informed–Design Services during the Project–Defining Phases in Commercial Interior Design

Abstract

Given the growing recognition of design's influence on a range of performative outcomes, interior designers stand to capitalize on new opportunities-if they adeptly respond to new responsibilities. These responsibilities often begin by formulating well-defined problems, which, in turn, serve as the basis for informed-design solutions. However, the extent to which commercial interior designers offer informed-design services has yet to be identified. This study sought to understand the knowledge acquisition and knowledge application practices of commercial interior designers during the project-defining phases of the design process. It investigated these tactics by first identifying designers' perceptions of their clients' priorities and then comparing the delivery of informeddesign services across contextual factors and individual characteristics. Finally, the study examined the communication processes involved in providing these services. Survey results from 165 commercial interior designers suggest that the provision of informed-design services is influenced by client priorities, market sector, and firm characteristics. Differences were also revealed among individual factors of professional preparation, title, and experience level, with senior-level staff more inclined to perform informed-design services. Moreover, while designers seemingly value services that employ dynamic, diachronic communication processes, they most often perform those involving two-way communication. Findings point to disparities between the most frequently provided services and those designers perceive to offer the most project insight. Taken together, results suggest that designers value a range of voices, but may not always invite these voices to the table.

[Retracted] Model of the Integration of the Building Interior with the Natural Environment Based on Nanomaterials and I.M. Pei’s Design Concept

“…The transfer of energy and matter between the building interior and the natural environment is accompanied by diffusion, migration, and mutual transformation of each phase and sometimes physical and chemical changes, which is a nonlinear process with a complex mechanism and can be regarded as a thermodynamic vector change. Therefore, the following equation is used in this paper for the relevant description [14].…”

Applying Design Principles to Support Healthcare Interiors

“…Three theories support both the testing and re nement of the observational instrument for healthcare interiors in this article: RID [15,23]. EBD [3,23] and UD [4,11,12].…”

“…Universally designed healthcare environments positively impact staff outcomes. In comparison to a noninformed design environment, senior-level staff were more inclined to perform informed-design services in a UD environment [15]. Thus, in a UD healthcare environment, staff outcomes were positively impacted, allowing for better care for patients using UD rather than any other more commonly used designs.…”

“…According to Peavy and Vander Wyst [23], RID is when credible research is applied in conjunction with project-, client-, or population-speci c empirical inquiry in order to achieve project objectives and to aid in the creation of environmental design. Data, information, and knowledge gained from RID can be used by informed individuals to guide decisions [15,23]. The use of the word "informed" in Peavy and Vander Wyst's [23] de nition suggests that RID is best used in research where little prior knowledge exists [15].…”

“…Data, information, and knowledge gained from RID can be used by informed individuals to guide decisions [15,23]. The use of the word "informed" in Peavy and Vander Wyst's [23] de nition suggests that RID is best used in research where little prior knowledge exists [15].…”