Sustainability

            The “Go Green” approach which is taking over many career fields not just Interior Design is one that is vastly growing into larger approach than one could have imagined it to have become. Interior Designers are taking recycled objects that are used in spaces that no longer have a need for them and turning them into something that can be used in the same space or another. Designers are even finding better ways to use products to save electricity and water by using more natural lighting and better ways to recycle water. They are also inventing unique ways to make furniture and rooms multifunctional and last longer. Interior Design not only deals with objects in a space but also the space itself. Planning or arranging the room sets the space up for the function of the particular area to allow the user to fulfill their full potential when using the space.

Interior Design has been something that has been around for several hundred years.  When building castles and churches, the builders would use some of the skills and knowledge that we know today.  As time has gone on the project of making things cheaper and better for the client or the environment has been building.  Although this process has been developing, not until recently has it been given a more professional title.  “Go Green” or sustainable Interior Design is what designers refer to as the environmental friendly designs.  Interior Designers are taking the design industry as a whole to move towards a better environment by using recyclable products, more sustainable finishes and materials and green design.          

Recently two formal committees have been formed to regulate what can be considered a green design.  USGBC, which is also known as the United States Green Building Council, is an American based group that specializes in knowing all the standards and regulations of sustainable materials, products and building.  Under the USBGC, LEED has been formed to be a rating system.  LEED, as known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a set of ratings that the USGBC uses for their regulation standards. In order to be considered a green design the project must be under some level of certification through this rating system.

Sustainable and green designs are the new wave of the future of interior design.  This is starting to become a part of the industry where it is its own style just like modern, traditional or periodic.  This specialization has many companies becoming more aware of these new ways to save the planet and more clients are demanding for it.  For some projects, but not all, it can even be cheaper and longer lasting then a high maintained design project.  Today people want whatever they can that will last them for as long as possible.  The longer that lasts the less amount of times they will have to replace it, the less money they are spending.