Waste Minimization Strategies For Sustainable Interior Design

Abstract

This thesis project report is based on waste minimization strategies for sustainable interior design. Conventionally, interior design was viewed as a one-dimensional practice which was basically to offer beautiful spaces to the clients. Recently, the practice has experienced a dramatic change with the incorporation of strategies which emphasize designing environmentally sustainable and healthy spaces for people to live in, work in and play in. The awareness of environmental accountability is what sparked the necessity for an environmental sustainable interior design practice. Society at large is starting to recognize the link between spaces, people and community. Moreover, consumers of interior design are starting to recognize their role and influence in environmental protection. This study makes emphasis on a case study of interior design firms within Nairobi County and its environs. The objectives of this study are to establish the most appropriate waste minimization strategy used by interior designers, to determine the current waste minimization strategies used by interior designers in Nairobi and its environs and to propose a waste minimization strategy that can be adopted by interior designers in Nairobi and its environs to attain sustainable interior design. The literature was gathered through document analysis from published online journals and books. The sample size for the study was determined as 11 respondent interior design firms from a population of 110 interior design firms in Nairobi and its environs. Stratified simple random sampling technique was used to get the sample of interior design firms to be studied. The interior design firms in Nairobi will be categorized into stratus of small, medium and large firms. The instruments that will be used in data collection include in-depth interviews, questionnaire survey and observational forms and checklists. This study will create awareness of the existing waste minimization strategies in interior design and also will propose a waste minimization strategy that can be adopted by Kenyan interior designers. vi Keywords; Interior design, Waste minimization, Waste minimization strategies, Sustainability, Sustainable interior design