Personal Design Philosophy

     My personal design philosophy focuses on sustainability and functionality for residential and commercial. I have always been good at designing based off of someone telling me just one thing that they like, and I can envision the design. Sustainability and functionality are important to me, because there is always room for improvement and simplicity. Sustainability and functionality play a role hand in hand for the goal of satisfaction. Satisfaction in my design philosophy is my goal to better the earth and the way of living, but adding a touch of making lives easier, less stressful, and happier.  My idea will allow me to "Design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is easily unknown" stated by Norman Foster. (Arenas, 2015). 

Sustainability is very useful in different elements. Told by GSA, "The Sustainable Design Checklist [PDF - 80 KB] to track new construction and major renovation projects’ compliance with the Guiding Principles in the categories of integrated design, energy, water, indoor environmental quality, materials, and resilience. (U.S. General Services Administration, 2024). I want to put importance on these three things in my design in sustainability that examine the environmental impact, and these scopes are cradle-to-grave, cradle-to cradle, and cradle-to-gate. Cradle-to-cradle is the impact that minimizes/eliminates waste by products being recycled by us and repurposed. Unlike cradle-to-cradle, cradle-to-grave deals with the impact of products from raw materials to their disposal. Cradle-to-gate measures the environmental impact when materials are created, as well as the environmental impact of traveling the product from the factory to its destination. Sustainability is important and it means to me of being apart of a bigger picture in saving the earth through my designs. I want our world to be healthier and healthies for us and our ecosystems to strive in.

    Functionality in design refers to the ability of a product/system that works well and helps the client or user complete their tasks or goals. This idea focuses on the function of the items and textiles, rather than the form or aesthetic. Its main goal is to be user friendly and reliable, then aesthetics and other advantages are thought of for the design. For functionality efficiency is key, it solves a basic need making it the key in design. I want to focus on functionality in personal design philosophy as well. Anything that can make life more simple and helpful, is important. Part of functionality is ergonomics and anthropometrics. According to K Vineeta and Merriam- Webster Dictionary anthropometry is, “Is the study of human body measurements, especially on a comparative basis.” (Vineeta, 2022; Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 1999). According to them as well, “Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.” (Vineeta, 2022; Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 1999). When we are using ergonomics and anthropometrics in design, it is to accurately fit the client or users perfectly leaving them feeling satisfied. The picture below is an example of anthropometrics, showing multiple different measurements of the human body. Ergonomics and anthropometrics, makes it own statement in functionality where things are measured and specifically designed to accustom people. I want to be able to make my clients as happy and stress free as possible. Functionality will make this possible because the designs will be to their liking and to their needs. 

                                        

    Sustainability and functionality in residential, sustainability in residential improves the functionality of a home. Sustainability can improve indoor air quality and comfort; this idea leads to functionality as using natural lighting and filtered air can promote physical and mental health of the homeowner. Reduced energy and water consumption options can be placed in the home like energy efficient appliances, windows, water efficient fixtures, and water harvesting; the functionality to the homeowner is saving money.  Finally, the sustainability side reduces environmental impact, while functionality improves the aesthetics. This idea allows products and textiles to be recycled by us and reused in the home to appease the homeowner with their house appearance while keeping the environment clean. Sustainability and functionality in commercial, sustainability in commercial balance’s functionality. It does this by considering social and environmental needs. Using sustainability and functionality in commercial will help make and provide a productive, healthy, and cost efficient environment. To make this idea possible, materials used are recyclable, renewable, and natural. Lighting, water, and HVAC are efficacious ways of saving water and energy, and the functionality for this is the owner saving money. When using windows and roofs, it offers natural lighting and ventilation, when further when using roofs using green roofs and living walls will help reduce pollution and give cleaner air. The functionality of this is a healthier space with better air quality, physical health, and mental health. Finally, using controls and sensors can control the lighting, heating, etc. The picture below is an example of functionality in in commercial design. This is a woman's bathroom in a restaurant chain, this allows a mother and to go to the bathroom with her children, a caretaker and their family member/patient, etc.

                                                 

    Sustainability and functionality work together in commercial and residential design. Sustainability and functionality in design are important across the board. Satisfaction from sustainability and functionality is gained from the client when the client’s needs and wants are met by designers. More satisfaction will be gained from the client as it is going to help the environment as well. Sustainability and functionality in design are important across the board and is my personal design philosophy.

References:

Vineeta, K. (2022, March 25) Anthropometrics and ergonomics - anthromania. (n.d.). https://www.anthromania.com/2022/03/25/anthropometrics-and-ergonomics/

Arenas, J. (2015, August 20). “as an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.” - Norman Foster. Serendipity Labs. https://serendipitylabs.com/architect-design-present-awareness-past-future-essentially-unknown-norman-foster/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAs%20an%20architect%20you%20design,essentially%20unknown.%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%94%20Norman%20Foster

Ergoguy. (2013a, June 21). Ergonomic for business. Ergonomic Evolution’s Blog ~ Don’t just sit there...evolve! https://ergoguy.wordpress.com/category/ergonomic-for-business/

Life Cycle Models in LCA . (2024). Ecochain. photograph. Retrieved from https://ecochain.com/blog/cradle-to-grave-in-lca/.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Anthropometry definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropometry

U.S. General Services Administrations. (2024, March 27). Sustainable design. U.S. General Services Administration. (n.d.). https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/design-and-construction/sustainability/sustainable-design