| Goal | Create efficient, harmonious living and working environments that enhance human experience and interaction with the broader ecology |
| Furnishings | Custom-built • Repurposed objects • Minimal mass-produced decor |
| Key Principles | Minimalism • Use of natural materials • Optimized flow and lighting • Blending of indoor and outdoor spaces |
| Design Approach | Holistic, functional and sustainable |
In this timeline, the design of interior spaces departs significantly from the contemporary notion of "interior design" as a distinct profession or industry. Rather than emphasizing decorative aesthetics and fashionable trends, interior design here is rooted in principles of minimalism, functionality, sustainability and the integration of built and natural environments.
The primary aim of interior design is to create uncluttered, efficient spaces that enhance human experience and interaction. Furnishings, fixtures and decor are pared down to only what is essential, with a focus on clean lines, natural materials and flexible configurations. Elaborate ornamentation or ostentatious displays of wealth are generally avoided in favor of a more restrained, contemplative aesthetic.
Designers make extensive use of raw, organic materials such as wood, stone, clay, bamboo, rattan and linen in both structural elements and furnishings. These natural components are often left in their original state or minimally processed, celebrating their inherent textures and imperfections. Synthetic materials like plastic, metal and glass are used judiciously and tend to be incorporated in a way that highlights their material properties.
A key principle of interior design is the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. Large windows, sliding doors, and transitional zones blur the boundary between the built environment and the natural landscape. Designers aim to bring the outdoors in through the strategic placement of plants, natural light, and visual sightlines. Conversely, interior elements are often extended outwards, creating a cohesive, harmonious whole.
The layout and circulation of interior spaces is meticulously planned to enhance comfort, functionality and social interaction. Designers focus on optimizing lighting, ventilation, acoustics and spatial organization to create environments that feel open, airy and energizing. Furnishings are arranged to facilitate different activities and encourage spontaneous encounters between occupants.
Mass-produced, generic decor is eschewed in favor of custom-built or repurposed elements. Designers often collaborate with local artisans, craftspeople and tinkerers to create one-of-a-kind furniture, fixtures and decorative pieces. Found objects, antiques and salvaged materials are commonly incorporated, adding unique character and a sense of history to the spaces.
Environmental responsibility is a paramount consideration in interior design. Designers prioritize the use of renewable, locally-sourced, and minimally processed materials. They also emphasize passive energy efficiency, water conservation, and the incorporation of renewable energy systems like solar power and geothermal heating. The goal is to create living and working environments that have a minimal ecological footprint.
While this holistic, function-focused approach to interior design may seem spartan or ascetic to those accustomed to more visually extravagant styles, its benefits are manifold. It produces spaces that are humanistic, restorative, and in harmony with the natural world - qualities that are increasingly sought after in our contemporary built environments.
