Educating interior design & architecture clients about sustainable design : issues, perceptions, and expectations
This research explores the barriers that prohibit the success of a sustainable design project. The study explores what issues prevent sustainable project implementation from the perspectives of experienced educators and professionals. Different approaches are examined in the implementation phase. The literature review included the examination of private certifications and systems that provide sustainable certifications in the design industry. Data collection included case studies as a general view, interviews with experienced educators and professionals, and the examination of two detailed case studies. Case studies are examined in Beirut, Lebanon and Montreal, Canada, along with other practices found with a better implementation of sustainable projects. The methodological approach includes exploratory interviews and interpretive analytic methods to analyze the data provided by the interview participants, as well as a comparison between two case studies in sustainable development. Educating the client was the primary target of this research alongside acknowledging the importance of social context when approaching a sustainable design project. Findings are presented in a discussion considering a re-evaluation of the design process to form a precise idea of the sustainable potential that might be found in Beirut, Lebanon and Montreal, Canada. The final discussion presents emergent perspectives of how a sustainable design process can lead to a better evaluation of environmental design.
Environmental Design Client Education Sustainable design barriers Interpretive approach Integrated Design Process Barrières de design durable