This course provides a foundational understanding of sustainable practices in interior design, with an emphasis on environmentally responsible decision-making for residential and commercial spaces. Students will explore principles of sustainability, including material selection, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and life-cycle thinking. Through hands-on projects, learners will develop practical strategies for integrating sustainable solutions that balance aesthetics, functionality, and environmental impact.
What You Will Learn
- Apply sustainable design principles to interior spaces
- Identify environmentally responsible materials and finishes
- Evaluate energy efficiency and resource conservation strategies
- Explain how design decisions affect occupant health and wellbeing
- Communicate sustainable design solutions effectively to clients and collaborators
- Integrate sustainability into residential and commercial design projects
- Analyze the environmental impact of common interior design decisions
Course Outline
Introduction to Sustainable Interior Design
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Class Introduction
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Syllabus + Learning Objectives
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Policies + Extra Credit
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Tools and Resources
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What is Sustainability (Recommended text)
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Environmental Impact of Interior Design (Chapters: 1, 2)
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Resources for Research
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Project Overviews (Project #1)
Principles of Sustainability
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Sustainable Design Framework (LEED, WELL)
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The Triple Bottom Line
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Life-Cycle Thinking (Recommended text)
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Reducing Environmental Impact (Chapters: 3, 4, 5)
Materials and Resources
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Sustainable Materials Overview
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Certifications and Labels (Recommended text)
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Low-impact Finishes (Chapters: 6, 7, 8)
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Recycled and Renewable Materials
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Project #2 Discussion (Project #2)
Indoor Environmental Quality
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Indoor Air Quality
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Non-toxic Materials
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Thermal Comfort (Recommended text)
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Lighting and Health (Chapters: 9, 10)
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Acoustic Considerations
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Project #3 Discussion (Project #3)
Energy Efficiency and Systems
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Energy Use in Interiors + JouleBug Legacy App
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Efficient Lighting and Appliances
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HVAC Considerations
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Smart Technology
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Sustainable Building Systems (Recommended text)
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Lighting Plans + Redlines (Chapters: 11, 12)
Water Conservation and Sustainable Planning
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Water Efficiency Strategies
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Sustainable Space Planning
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Residential Sustainable Strategies (Recommended text)
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Commercial Sustainable Strategies (Chapters: 13, 14)
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Integrating Sustainable Systems
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Project #4 Discussion (Project #4)
Applying Sustainable Design
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Measuring Sustainable Success
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Cost vs. Value in Sustainability
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Client Communication (Recommended text)
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Pulling it all Together (Chapters: 15, 16)
