SHIFTING LIFESTYLES TO PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

It has been over 30 years since the prime discussion of ‘basic ideas concerning the attitudes of individuals and nations towards the environment and development’, at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (1972). Much has been argued upon environmental subjects, and nevertheless, it remains as a major topic due to its foremost importance. Issues concerning usage of natural resources, man-made environments and sustainability, living greener and so on are being scrutinized by leading scientific committees internationally. Among other interesting comments, some can be correlated to the routine everyday lifecycle of individuals: the fact that ensuring the durability of natural resources depends not only on national decisions but also on the populations' taking this vital issue into account (Brundtland, 1987 and Solow, 1992). Disaster, in a man made environment is foreseen; therefore to shift existing lifestyles by individuals can be proclaimed as a social responsibility to prevent the upcoming environmental disaster.

The profession of Interior Design is closely linked to generate lifestyles. According to NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) in USA, definition of Interior Design is: “A multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive.” Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals. (NCIDQ, 2004)

The main scope of this paper is to establish basic sustainability principles which can be integrated as guidelines during the interior design ‘programming process’ (described in Problem Seeking, William Pena, AIA, 1987), particularly for design professionals working as individuals or in small or medium enterprises. By this way it is expected to create a level of social consciousness via this close connection and to improve notice on environmental sustainability. In further advance: by altering material, product and systems around our living environments (homes, offices, etc.) the ongoing consumption trends of the society will be affected and eventually be triggered to develop in a system to be environmentally friendly. “The object is not so much to sustain the environment itself, but the lives we can lead in that environment.” Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate 1998, Harvard University.