Provision of Environmentally Responsible Interior Design Solutions: Case Study of an Office Building

Abstract

Studies have shown that poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) has adverse effects on the occupants’ health, comfort, and well-being. There is evidence suggesting that investing in better IEQ could be profitable through modest improvements in productivity. However, there are limited studies providing holistic environmentally responsible interior design (ERID) solutions. Knowledge professionals in the industry need to improve IEQ, indoor air quality, and thermal, acoustical, visual/light, spatial, and building integrity. This paper attempts to address this practical knowledge gap by providing a case study that examines the IEQ conditions of air-conditioned office space in Dubai before providing ERID solutions to address the problems observed. The study was conducted by distributing questionnaires (i.e., an administration survey known as a subjective measurement) to the office occupants to get their perception of their office IEQ conditions. An expert walk-through investigation was also conducted. The integration of the structural, envelope, mechanical, and interior systems, and their contribution toward ERID, was taken into consideration during the expert walk-through investigation. Objective measurements were conducted to obtain an unbiased understanding of the office IEQ conditions. The findings from the methods adopted indicate that the office IEQ was unhealthy and not environmentally responsible, thus justifying the need for providing ERID solutions. This study is significant because it addresses issues relevant to building occupants’ health and comfort and building sustainability.