Designers’ finishing material selection considerations in interior spaces

Abstract

This study aims to explore the different considerations contributing to the material selection process in interior architecture discipline and understand designers’ finishing material preferences for interior surfaces, namely floors, walls, and ceilings. Also, designers’ prioritizations when selecting materials for these surfaces are examined. The study was conducted through interviews and questionnaires with 30 interior architects/ architects professionally working. In the study, designers’ material selection considerations were analyzed in general and then entrance areas of interior residential projects were focused on. The findings of the study show that a wide range of considerations is made before selecting a material. The determinants of these considerations are mainly material related, project related and designer related. Designers have different considerations for each material and consequently, for each surface. Their prioritization mostly focuses on the materials’ sensorial properties and walls are the surfaces that these properties are the highest. Technical properties are prioritized at a secondary degree for each surface. Moreover, materials’ intangible properties are more prior than manufacturing properties in walls and less prior in floor and ceiling surfaces. Lastly, materials’ ecological properties are prioritized the lowest by designers for each surface. This study helps to improve material knowledge in interior architecture and to disseminate material education. Also, it has implications for designers while selecting materials, and for material manufacturers while designing finishing materials.