Eco-sustainable design is a branch of interior design that places at the center of its fundamental rules the construction of environments that correspond to the principles of ecological sustainability, reducing the consumption of non-renewable materials and minimizing the production of waste.
By following some sustainable principles of interior design, it will be possible to reduce the negative impact on the environment of our society and build a better, greener future. The fundamental principles of this branch of design are different, starting from the choice of materials with a low environmental impact, such as non-toxic, ecologically produced things or recycled materials that require little energy to be built, or even local or that can be recycled once their use is finished.
The choice that initially seems obvious is to choose organic materials such as wood, wool or stone, but it should not be taken for granted that natural resources must be treated responsibly. Better to opt for materials that are easily renewable – such as bamboo that grows very quickly – and that are extracted in an environmentally sustainable way. The environmental impact must be calculated throughout the life cycle of a material, from extraction, production, transport and processing, to the way in which it will be discarded. To help us, there are standardized labels that indicate the impact that this material has on the environment throughout its life cycle.
One of the most serious damages produced by this branch is related to electricity consumption, which causes very serious damage to the planet. In fact, buildings are responsible for a large part of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions through electricity consumption. What we can do is improve the efficiency of electricity by reducing the amount needed for heating, light and the operation of appliances, or by making the building use renewable energy. A little help can be given by choosing windows, curtains or wallpaper that are as insulating as possible.
One thing forbidden by this branch of design is that the excuse of discarding products once they go out of fashion and then replacing them with trendier items. Some designers try to stop this problem at its root, trying to designate “recyclable” spaces. Being more aware of this new way of working, designers need to come up with creative ideas to give these objects a new life. In fact, many choose to build flexible spaces a priori, which can be modified with the continuous change in the needs of those who live there. Examples of this are walls that can be modified to create more space as children grow up, decomposable furniture that can be re-assembled, modular floors where individual pieces can be easily swapped or replaced. In fact, if, for example, a piece of carpet is damaged, it will not be necessary to change it all but only that corner.
Not only are design companies implementing eco-sustainable choices, but it is an effort that all professionals from the smallest to the largest companies are trying to make. In fact, many companies in the most varied fields around the world are doing their best to minimize the impact they have on the territory. For example, Lavazza has started a line of compostable capsules that can be thrown in the wet waste, while Conad has announced to eliminate the use of plastic in the packaging of its products; also The Stars Group It is committed to this good cause, reducing the use of water by 90% thanks to the recycling of rainwater and minimizing the costs of heating or cooling the rooms thanks to the construction of thermal insulation as a covering for the structure.
This remains a very delicate issue and one that the world of design must increasingly consider. In fact, interior decorators have a great impact on the sustainability of an environment because they are the ones who decide which materials and products should be used and whether the future inhabitants of those spaces will be able to interact ecologically with their home environment.
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