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Abstract

Legal and operational definitions of health, safety, and welfare are expanding to include greater emphasis on long–term issues of health and psychological well–being in addition to near–term safety issues. Mounting environmental research suggests that many interior design decisions previously thought of as benign with respect to their effects on human health and productivity may, in combination with other environmental influences, have debilitating effects on the occupant. Other research indicates that interior features and environmental amenities previously considered extravagant, can have an empowering influence on people, elevating their sense of self–worth and contributing to their long–term physical and emotional wellness. To better enable designers to understand their role in affecting the safety, health, and well–being of occupants, this article briefly describes emerging health concerns related to the indoor environment and cites environmental design research that potentially links these health concerns to interior design decisions. Rather than an exhaustive literature review, this paper focuses on selected studies that highlight the significance of interior design decisions in ensuring the health and well–being of the occupant. The goal is to propose a framework that makes the consequences of daily interior design decision making more evident to interior design practitioners and educators while providing a structure for future research.

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A Taxonomy of Health,Safety,and Welfare Implications of Interior Design Decisions

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