An educational model for socially responsible interior design in the gulf

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to undertake case-based research into the integration of social responsibility into interior design education within the Gulf region. This project dealt with the renovation of a lower socioeconomic area in Bahrain and involved the participation of low-income families, local non-profit organizations, and other disciplines within the university. Participant accounts indicate that real world participation helps students develop empathy, ethics, and cultural awareness while understanding the emotional and logistical challenges of social design. This study discusses the importance of lived experience, community participation, and local context in design pedagogy. It develops an instructional design that enables students to move beyond functional space design to purposeful community transformation.