Do sustainable practices in interior design limit the possibilities of attractive design? Does engaging in these practices yield a competitive advantage to the firm? This research document will seek to explain the typical challenges or barriers to sustainable design encountered by interior designers and explain what designers can do to address these for the benefit of society, the client and their practice. The report will address the three types of challenges relevant to each of the categories of the triple bottom line: social, environmental and economic (as established by LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - the American standard for rating green buildings). In addition to these challenges and opportunities to sustainable design, a case study will be reviewed for the purpose of demonstrating how designers have embraced the challenges and gained recognition for doing so. The report will conclude with an evaluation of the competitive advantage of a design firm that embraces the challenges discussed as opposed to those firms that choose to operate under conventional practices.
在室内设计中的可持续做法限制了有吸引力的设计的可能性？从事这些做法产生竞争优势的公司吗？本研究文件将寻求解释的典型的挑战或障碍，可持续发展的设计所遇到的室内设计师和解释什么设计师可以做些什么来解决这些利益的社会，客户和他们的做法。该报告将讨论三种类型的每个三重底线类别相关的挑战：社会、环境和经济（通过LEED领先能源和环境设计绿色建筑评级美标）。除了这些挑战和可持续设计的机会，将审查的案例研究，以展示设计师如何接受了挑战，并获得承认这样做的目的。该报告将总结与评估的竞争优势的一个设计公司，拥抱讨论的挑战，而不是那些选择经营传统做法的公司。
Origins of a Sustainable Mentality
To fully understand the concept of sustainability it is crucial to understand its meaning. The term can be defined as "the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (Green Building Education Services, 2009).
It is important to understand that the concept of green or sustainable design did not just arise the past century as a result of concern for the environment due to global warming, thinning of the ozone, or diminishing natural resources. The truth is that from the very beginnings of time, men designed with nature in mind (p.20, Stitt, 1999). For his survival, it was crucial for a man to understand his surroundings and adapt to them. According to Stitt, such connection and responsiveness to the environment is evident through the study of our primitive religions, arts, economies and languages. However, it wasn't until the Industrial Revolution that men stopped considering the environment in their decisions. Now we are facing a world which is rapidly being deprived of its natural resources and we need to find a way to retrieve what we lost. And by this, I mean not just our resources, but our approach to the environment, our response to adaptation and ultimately our response to design (p.20, Stiff, 1999)
要充分理解可持续发展的概念，理解它的意义是至关重要的。该术语可以被定义为“能够满足目前的需求，而不影响后代的能力，以满足他们自己的需求”（绿色建筑教育服务，2009）。
重要的是要了解，绿色或可持续设计的概念，不只是出现在过去的一个世纪，由于全球变暖，臭氧变薄，或减少自然资源的环境的关注。事实上，从时间的开端，人与自然在心中设计（页，斯蒂特，1999）。对于他的生存，这是至关重要的一个男人了解他的环境，并适应他们。Stitt认为，这样的连接和对环境的反应是明显的在我们的原始宗教研究艺术、经济和语言。然而，直到工业革命，人类才停止在他们的决定中考虑环境。现在我们正面临着一个被剥夺了自然资源的世界，我们需要找到一种方法来找回我们失去的东西。在此，我指的不仅仅是我们的资源，但我们对环境的适应，我们的反应并最终我们响应设计（页，僵硬，1999）
Role of Designers & Their Commitment to the Client
Interior designers are here to create spaces that meet their clients demand thorough a process that involves research, intelligent thinking and creative solutions. They attempt to fulfill the client's needs with the most appropriate solution and at the same time consider elements such a public health, safety and welfare. Now, if designers claim to do these last three aspects, then we wouldn't be behaving honestly to our profession if we didn't make it a requirement upon ourselves to inform the clients of the range of options they have available in regards to true health, safety and welfare. By thinking sustainably, not only would the designer be considering the effects that design has on the environment, but also the effects that design has on its users. One important aspect of green design is that it looks at indoor environmental quality. This simply means the designer will focus on increasing the productivity, satisfaction, and health of its occupants. When people unfamiliar to the field of design think of sustainable design, they might make sole associations to recyclable products or alternative forms of energy. Therefore, it's the role of the designer to inform the client of the different aspects of green design and how it can be beneficial to his/her well-being.
