Toward an Integrated Interiors Theory: Articulating Paradigms of Practice and Inquiry

Abstract

Interiors theory is an evolving area of inquiry that examines how designed environments shape and are shaped by human experience. Despite a growing body of scholarship, interiors remains theoretically diffuse, often existing in the margins of other disciplines. This article argues for the recognition of interiors as a distinct field of scholarship by mapping its theoretical terrain through three interrelated paradigms: Generative, Interpretive, and Empirical. The Generative Paradigm explores how spatial composition, material experimentation, and sensory engagement inform interior design processes. The Interpretive Paradigm situates interiors within broader socio-political, cultural, and ideological frameworks, interrogating power, identity, and historical narratives in spatial practice. The Empirical Paradigm grounds interiors in evidence-based research, examining the psychological, physiological, and behavioral impacts of interior environments. By examining these approaches, this article demonstrates how interiors theory bridges conceptual inquiry, design methodologies, and social engagement. It identifies key areas of scholarship—including experience, materiality, and lifestyle—while underscoring the role of marginalized perspectives in expanding interiors discourse, ensuring its responsiveness to contemporary issues such as climate change, digital transformation, and spatial justice. By mapping the intellectual currents shaping interiors theory, this article argues for interiors as a critical, human-centered spatial discipline that extends beyond traditional notions of enclosure.