The appearance and the interpretation in sustainable interior design

Applied interpretive reading

Abstract

Sustainable interior design is regarded as one of the contemporary fields of knowledge characterized by a clear intersection between technical and environmental aspects on the one hand, and socio-semantic dimensions on the other, This intersection renders it a fertile domain for interpretive reading, This research is based on the hypothesis that sustainability in interior design is not achieved solely through apparent performance-based principles related to the use of natural resources, energy efficiency, pollution prevention, environmental harmony, and an integrated approach, but rather through the ability of interior space to generate meaning as a semiotic structure perceived on two levels: the appearance, represented by the visible and embodied presence of design elements, and the interpretation, represented by the deeper meaning produced through interpreting the being of these elements within their environmental and social contexts, The study focuses on how materials, forms, and spatial organizations can be reinterpreted to produce sustainable meaning that transcends functional considerations toward value-laden and semantic dimensions, Accordingly, the research problem is formulated as the following question: How can an interior space be materially sustainable as it carries apparent meanings embodied in its material and organization, and interpretively sustainable as it carries hidden meanings generated from interpreting these manifestations within their environmental and social design contexts?, the research aims to analyze the interpretive relationship between the concepts of the appearance and the interpretation and to trace their manifestations in sustainable interior design, A descriptive–analytical methodology with an interpretive dimension was adopted, a conceptual theoretical framework was developed, from which a set of analytical indicators was derived and employed in a qualitative analysis form applied to three international case studies (2010–2015): Masdar Institute spaces (Asia-Middle East), the Bullitt Center (North America), and The Edge building (Europe), The research yielded several key findings, most notably: The three models demonstrated sensory integration in interior design, going beyond visual perception to involve the other senses in shaping the spatial experience, in model (1), this integration was achieved through filtered natural lighting, natural ventilation, and gradual transitions between enclosed and semi-open spaces, enhancing the sense of comfort and spatial continuity, in model (2), sensory integration was linked to the use of untreated natural materials and the clarity of light and air, creating a direct and immersive interior experience, as for model (3), sensory integration was embodied through the hybrid interaction between sensory perception and smart systems that adjust lighting and temperature according to the user's needs, thus expanding the perceptual experience and making the interior space more interactive and responsive.