Investigating the Integration of Biomimicry and Eco-Materials in Sustainable Interior Design Education

This paper discusses the adoption of biomimicry and eco-friendly materials as overarching concepts in interior design education. It aims to investigate how biomimicry and eco-friendly materials can be integrated into the existing and established interior design program curriculum. Changes in green and sustainable design concepts used in student capstone projects, which incorporated the reiteration of learning objectives aimed at enhancing student learning outcomes, were identified. This investigation addressed a gap in knowledge by analyzing the influence of nature-inspired designs on students’ problem-solving abilities and creativity. It employed a qualitative case study approach to analyze selected designs that employed biomimicry concepts in functional interior spaces, followed by a visualization stage, in which 3D-printed models were created from recycled and eco-friendly materials, closing the loop on sustainability applications. The study revealed that biomimicry and eco-friendly materials are valuable components of various design curricula, particularly in the fields of environmental studies, architecture, and interior design. This research underscores the urgent need to comprehensively integrate biomimicry and eco-friendly materials into design curricula, fostering a new generation of sustainability-conscious designers equipped to lead transformative change in the future of interior design and beyond.