20 Years of Interiors
Aug 1, 2010 12:00 PM
We asked design professionals featured in this issue a few questions about how interior design has changed over the past 20 years—and what the future holds.
Marner Architecture: Larry Marner, AIA, LEED AP Principal Owner/Partner
What are the biggest changes in educational interiors over the past 20 years?
The biggest changes have been in the incorporation of technology, growth in the need for independent study and research, and the need to create greater utilization of all spaces.
As technology has allowed many more immediate linkages with other sources, and locations beyond the classroom, the furniture and equipment for the typical classroom continues to evolve as a more global view evolves for all of us. The growth in information exchange has created a place in academia for more points of interest and directions for curriculum growth necessitating new places on a campus for this work to develop.
With the expansion of need for spaces and the frugality of budgets has evolved a focus on the need to increase the utilization of particularly larger spaces for more uses by incorporating flexible/ moveable furniture and technology.
What do you see as the future of the interior education space in the next few years?
The next few years of investment by schools and higher education will mostly be in two areas. The first is in improving utilization by employing flexibility in furniture and incorporating more technology for multiple users. This will avoid the more costly addition of new buildings. The second will be in enhancing those spaces that improve admissions and retention in an increasingly competitive education world. This may include athletic facilities or research but will be specific to each institution
How has the emergence of green/sustainability changed the interior space, and how will it continue to affect the way interiors are designed?
Sustainability has reached a tipping point of acceptance within schools and universities as is widely embraced in most design programs. This has greatly increased the amount of daylight brought into every space and focused attention on materials that are green as the materials industry is simultaneously adapting to provide much greater choice in green materials.
- Return to the 2010 Educational Interiors Showcase 20 Years of Interiors main page to view more responses.
