Green Interior Design

Posts Tagged ‘sustainable living software’

Sustainable interior design extends far beyond monetary savings in lighting techniques; sustainable interiors are designed and implemented to improve the environment, and the health of the occupants while reducing energy needs. There is, of course, a fine balance between eco-friendly interiors, healthy surroundings, and energy efficiency. The best interior design software will take all three of these factors into consideration in arming the designer with the best information to design, recommend, and create an eco-friendly interior space.

Consideration much be given to resources when designing a green interior. Materials should be sourced from renewable resources such as bamboo, or from recycled materials such as engineered wood, which is a wood composite made from waste, or even from lumberyards that promote sustainable forestry. When sourcing materials, the interior designer must also consider buying from local suppliers in order to reduce delivery emissions, as well as promote local businesses. Gabi is product analysis software focused on sustainability. The life cycle analysis database aids interior designers in choosing products that have the longest lifecycle and cause least impact to the environment.

When designing a healthy interior, the designer should be focused on emissions, allergens, and toxic chemicals. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in paint, coatings, varnishes and finishes, the interior designer must give consideration to low VOC products. Allergens and toxins usually go hand in hand; materials such as upholstery fabric or carpets are treated with chemicals to prevent fire and repel stains, and these chemicals are known carcinogens that are also known to cause headaches and nausea. Indoor air quality could contribute to sick building syndrome, and the green interior designer should focus interior layout to take advantage of natural airflows. I-BEAM offers visual reference modules and checklists that may help the interior designer construct a better airflow or take advantage of an existing airflow in the interior space.

Lastly, an interior design project must incorporate an energy efficient layout. The designer must model an interior to prevent as much energy use as possible, daylighting, compact fluorescent light bulbs, or LED lighting are measurably more energy efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs. The interior layout should also consider effective ways to take advantage of passive heat and cooling, such as attic fans and open windows. Energy Star appliances should also be reviewed in an effort to conserve energy and lower electricity costs. Radiance is modeling software used to predict energy savings in buildings that can take advantage of daylighting techniques. The software calculates the angles of the home against the angles of the sun at different times of day and projects illumination and visual capabilities in an effort to conserve energy.

The sustainable interior designer must give consideration to a number of environmental, health, and energy efficient practices before recommending any design to a client. The ideal sustainable design software will be a compilation of resources as well as financial savings to arm the designer in making informed decisions based on environmental impacts, health impacts, and energy savings. Currently, no software exists that focuses on all three of the topics mentioned, but separately the interior designer can combine education, websites, and software to calculate the best products and layouts that conserve the most energy.