GREEN INTERIOR IAD427

SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN

BACHELOR OF INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE (Hons.)

DEPARTMENT OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
COLLEGE OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (PERAK)
SERI ISKANDAR CAMPUS

PREPARED BY :

NO. NAME STUDENT. NO GROUP

1. NURUL FATIN SYAMIMI BINTI MAT ROZI 2023131291 CFAP2472A

2. NURSYAHIRAH BINTI KAHARUDDIN 2023197645 CFAP2472A

3. NUR EZZATUL AIN BINTI NOR 2023136049 CFAP2472A

4. SHAHIERA ALIA BINTI SHAHRER 2023372123 CFAP2472A

DECEMBER 2023

CHECK BY:
TS. AHMAD HAQQI NAZLI BIN ABDUL RAZAK
 Abstract

Green interior and sustainable interior have become benchmarks systems in Malaysia.
Although sustainability has long been a central concern in the environment, sustainable
interior design practices are still lacking. This study paper describes sustainable interior
practice of Universiti Teknologi MARA, Seri Iskandar, Perak. The study aims to investigate
student’s understanding regarding interior design practices in academic institutions and
suggest improvement strategies to the arising concerns. The simulation study was conducted
using questionnaire surveys via Google Forms and referring to articles and websites. The
questionnaires are distributed to students at UiTM Seri Iskandar, Perak through social media
platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram. The findings of the study indicate possible
improvements and modifications to the sustainable interior design practice at UiTM Seri
Iskandar, especially among interior design students.

Keyword: Sustainable, Building, UiTM, Questionnaires

1.0 Background

A research was carried out about sustainable interior design because of a growing trend in
the design industry that focuses on creating spaces that are environmentally friendly, socially
responsible, and economically viable. This approach to design takes into consideration the
environmental impact of materials and products used, as well as the health and well-being of
the occupants.
It is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps designers and architects stay updated on
the latest sustainable materials, products, and technologies available in the market. This
allows them to make informed decisions when selecting materials and designing spaces that
are environmentally friendly.
Furthermore, sustainable interior design can also help to educate and raise awareness
among clients, stakeholders, and the general public about the importance of sustainable
design practices. It showcases the benefits of sustainable design, such as reduced
environmental impact, improved indoor air quality, and long-term cost savings.
2.0 Literature Review

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is important to the health, comfort, and well-being of
the occupants in a building. The effect of poor IEQ can create the Sick Building Syndrome
(SBS) symptom. For instance, headaches and fatigue are very common as are dry or irritated
eyes, skin irritation, sinus infections, or nasal congestion, nausea, respiratory irritation, and
allergies. There are various aspects of the indoor environment that can affect the occupant’s
well-being and performance (Prakash, 2005). Although there has been no scientific proof
made in relation to an occupant’s performance and competence due to the indoor
environmental quality, the quality of the indoor environment has, generally, affected the
occupant’s health. Work productivity may be interrupted as a result of bad health and bad
physical condition (Kamaruzzaman & Sabrani, 2011). When discussing the IEQ, there are
several factors influencing a good indoor environment. Qualities as of thermal comfort,
lighting, acoustical, as well as, air in a room are important factors influencing the IEQ
(Bluyssen, 2009; Dascalaki, Gaglia, Balaras and Lagoudi, 2008; Mahbob et al., 2011). In this
research, the IEQ of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Architecture Studio was
analysed and the focus was on the lighting quality and thermal comfort.

Architectural products has significant effect on a building’s sustainability, for the whole
life cycle of the building since design inception up to operation and beyond. In this regard,
the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) has specifical curriculum in addition to
the setting professional standards (2018) to form a standard (14) related to “ecosystems and
comfort” whereby “interior designers use the principles of acoustics, thermal comfort and
indoor air quality in relation to environmental impact and human well-being”. CIDA
explained that this standard “allows graduates to contribute to the development of appropriate
strategies to ensure well-being, comfort and performance in the interior environments” and
will make them more aware of the environmental impact of their design decisions (CIDA,
2019).

Sustainable design, environmental design, eco-design, green design, etc., are expressions
designating a design that respects the environment (El-Zeiny, 2012; Honadi, 2014).
Sustainable design has become a leading movement in the field of architecture and design, as
it concerns a worldview and philosophy that seeks to maximise the quality of the built
environment while minimising and eradicating the negative effects on the natural
environment (Honadi, 2014). Sustainable design reduces the impact on the environment in
terms of location selection, water use, energy consumption and selection of materials (Rider,
2005; Bacon, 2011).

The aim of designing a sustainable interior environment is to integrate the design process
framework as a general approach that changes according to the needs of designers with the
identification, classification and regulation of relevant data requirements (Demirkan &
Afacan, 2018). Some researchers have confirmed that a successful project is one that
integrates sustainability at every stage of the design process, from implementation to
post-occupancy (Winchip, 2007; Bacon, 2011). Sustainable interior design characteristics
vary and are of varying importance. Therefore, one must follow certain methods to improve
options when it is important for the interior designer to collaborate with users (Demirkan &
Afacan, 2018) in addition to combining user interests, cost factors, time restraints and
technology. Here, sustainability assigns an additional factor to the formation of the project
(Bacon, 2011)

Bacon studied the attitudes of the interior designers from the practice of sustainable interior
design and the obstacles to be overcome to eliminate environmental problems. The queries
were categorised into five issues: conserving land resources, encouraging the use of
sustainable practices in interior design, and improving the health of buildings, populations,
and the direction and openings for use. The difficulties with use of sustainable practices in
interior design were founded on three classifications: project skills, transition to
sustainability, and knowledge and skills associated with sustainable design. In general, the
attitudes to sustainable interior design practices were positive. There was a correlation
between the attitudes and the difficulties expected, suggesting that a positive attitude
contributed, in part, to overcoming the difficulties associated with sustainable interior design.
3.0 Methodology

The survey research was conducted using online survey via Google Form supported by
secondary data collection in published articles and websites. We have constructed some
questions to identify sustainable design among the student courses in UiTM Perak, Seri
Iskandar Campus. The questionnaires were distributed through social media platforms like
WhatsApp and Telegram. The questionnaire was answered by 30 respondents by UITM
students. The questionnaire as below :

1. Do you understand sustainable interior practice?

2. Is sustainable interior practice important?
3. Have you come across any sustainable interior practice campaigns conducted in UiTM?
4. Is sustainable interior practice awareness sufficient in UiTM?
5. I found that there is some form of formal sustainable interior practice in my course.
6. Sustainable interior practice should be part of the course taught in my program.
7. I practise Sustainable Interior in my daily routine.
8. Sustainable interior practice in UiTM is highly rated.
9. Kindly comment or list sustainable interior practices that you know or should be practice.
 Figure 2 : Understanding About Sustainable Interior Practice

Based on the graph, 43.3% respondents are neutral about understanding sustainable interior
practice. None of the respondents strongly disagree.

Figure 3 : The Importance of Sustainable Interior Practice

Based on the graph above, 11 out of 30 respondents which is 36.7% agree that sustainable
interior practices are important to the environment. There are no respondents that disagree
with the importance of sustainable interior practice.
 Figure 4 : Sustainable Interior Practice Campaign

Based on the result, 14 out of 30 respondents, 46.7% are neutral and were able to come to a
sustainable interior practice campaign in UiTM Seri Iskandar. About 20% disagree and
13.3% strongly disagree. 13.3% agree and 6.7% strongly agree that any sustainable interior
practice campaign is conducted in UiTM Seri Iskandar.
 Figure 5 : Sufficiency of Sustainable Interior Practice Awareness in UiTM Seri Iskandar

As result shows, 14 out of 30 respondents which is 46.7% respondents are neutral about
sustainable interior practice awareness in UiTM Seri Iskandar. 6.7% of respondents strongly
disagree about the sufficiency of sustainable interior practice awareness in UiTM Seri
Iskandar.
 Figure 6: Formal Sustainable Interior Practice in Course

Based on the graph above, 13 out of 30 respondents, which is 43.3% respondents, are neutral
about formal sustainable practice in their course. Which is the best answer for this question.
Only 2 out of 30 respondents, which is 6.7%, strongly disagree about finding formal
sustainable practice in their course.
 Figure 7 : Implementation of Sustainable Interior Practice in other Programs

Based on the result, 11 out of 30 respondents which is 36,7% strongly agree about the
implementation of sustainable interior practice in their program course. Meanwhile, 2 out of
30 respondents, which is 6.7%, disagree about the implementation of sustainable interior
practice in their program course.
 Figure 8: Practising Sustainability in Daily Routine

Based on the graph above, 15 out of 30 respondents which mean 50% of the respondents are
neutral about practising any sustainability in their daily routine. Meanwhile, the least answer
which strongly disagrees with only 1 respondent (3.3%) and disagrees with 5 respondents
(16.7%) about practising any sustainability in their daily routine.
4.0 Finding

The following results were derived from the Google Form Questionnaire about sustainable
interior practice in UiTM Seri Iskandar.

Mising :
Analysis

Figure 2 : Understanding About Sustainable Interior Practice

Based on Graph 1, respondent’s tendency shows agreement to the question, “Do you
understand sustainable interior practice, as it skews to the right.

This indicates that the majority of the respondents are aware of sustainable interior practice in
general, but further investigation is required to understand the level of the respondents
understanding towards this field.
 Figure 3 : The Important of Sustainable Interior Practice

Based on graph 2, respondent’s tendency shows agreement to the question asked, “Is
Sustainable Interior Practice Important, as it skews to the right.

This indicate that the respondents know about sustainable interior practice are important to
the surroundings environments.

Figure 4 : Sustainable Interior Practice Campaign

Based on graph 3, respondent’s tendency shows agreement to the question asked, “ Have you
come across any sustainable interior practice campaign conducted in UITM, as it skews to the
right.

This indicate that the majority of the respondents are aware of sustainable interior practice
campaign is conducted in UITM in general but further investigation is required to understand
the level of the respondents' understanding towards this field.

Figure 5 : Sufficiency of Sustainable Interior Practice Awareness in UiTM Seri Iskandar

Based on graph 4, respondent’s tendency shows agreement to the question asked,

“Sustainable interior practice awareness is sufficient in UITM, as it skews to the right.

Majority of the respondents have general awareness about sustainable interior practice since
it is sufficient in UiTM but further investigations are required to understand on what level
does the respondents have in this field.
 Figure 6: Formal Sustainable Interior Practice in Course

Based on graph 5, respondent’s tendency shows agreement to the question asked, “I found
that there is some form of formal sustainable interior practice in my course” as it skews to the
right.

Majority of the respondents seems to generally know about the form of formal sustainable
interior practice in the course, but further investigations are required to understand on which
level are their understanding about the question is in this field.
 Figure 7 : Implementation of Sustainable Interior Practice in other Programs

Based on Graph 6, respondent’s tendency shows agreement to the question asked,

“Sustainable interior practice should be part of the course taught in my program” as it skews
to the right.

Majority of the respondents are highly agreed to apply sustainable interior practice to be a
part of the course to be taught in the program but further investigation needs to be done to see
on what level the respondents have.
 Figure 8: Practising Sustainability in Daily Routine

Based on Graph 7, respondent’s tendency shows agreement to the question asked, “I practise
sustainable interior in my daily routine” as it skews to the right.

This indicates the majority of the respondents generally did know and practise sustainable
interior in their daily routine, but further investigation to be done to see on which level does
they have in this field.
5.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In general, respondents' attitudes were pro-environmental, yet the answers from

environment-related questionnaires given through online surveys for respondents shows that
not all of them are knowledgeable enough about it. Although it is clear that most of them
have general understanding about it, there's still some of them that lack information about
this. Therefore, the following results were derived from the Google Form Questionnaire
about sustainable interior practice in UiTM Seri Iskandar.

As shown before in methodology and findings, results from the questionnaire of the
interior design students at UiTM reflect clear ideas for responsible design. Considering the
multiple and diverse responses to the use of sustainable products and solutions in interior
design scenarios, the results showed an understanding of the methods and products, but their
application in the design of students showed significant shortcomings. In this context,
researchers recommend that the application of this method be applied in the learning process
more effectively and also by seeking for solutions in this sustainable design in the future.

People need to know about sustainable design for several important reasons. Firstly,
the purpose of sustainable design is to efficiently use resources while minimising
environmental impact. This can help reduce the depletion of natural resources and
environmental degradation. Therefore, people who are knowledgeable about sustainable
design can contribute to the conservation of natural resources and support environmentally
friendly practices. Secondly, the economic dimension of sustainable design is significant.
Efficient resource use can reduce costs and contribute to long-term economic sustainability.
Consequently, individuals and organisations with awareness of sustainable design can be
more successful and competitive economically. Thirdly, sustainable design is important for
human health and well-being. The use of environmentally friendly materials and increased
energy efficiency can improve indoor air quality and, as a result, enhance people's quality of
life.

In conclusion, knowledge of sustainable design can have positive effects in areas

such as the conservation of natural resources, economic sustainability, and human health and
well-being. Therefore, people should be conscious of sustainable design and endeavour to
integrate these principles into their daily lives.
6.0 REFERENCE

Donia M. Bettaieb. Interior Design Students’ Attitudes towards Environmental Sustainability.

Art and Design Review, 2020, 8, 31-48. https://www.scirp.org/journal/adr/

A. I. Che-Ani, N. M. Tawil , A. R. Musa1 , H. Yahaya & M. M. Tahir. Has the Indoor

Environmental Quality Standard Been Achieved?. Asian Social Science; Vol. 8, No. 16;
2012. https://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ass/article/view/22700