OUTDOOR FURNITURE DESIGN WITH AN ECOLOGICAL APPROACH TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY

As the significance of environmental sustainability continues to grow, outdoor furniture designs are now focusing not only on aesthetics, functionality, and ergonomics but also on ecological compatibility. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of plant-integrated furniture designs on CO₂, CO, PM2.5, and PM10 emissions while also assessing the particulate matter (PM) retention capacity of the materials used. Additionally, the effects of furniture shape and material selection on environmental sustainability are scientifically analyzed. By comparing the findings of different furniture samples, the most environmentally sustainable design combinations for outdoor furniture have been proposed. This study aims to provide a scientific foundation for sustainable furniture design and the reduction of environmental impacts, offering valuable insights for designs that achieve both aesthetic and environmental benefits. The findings reveal the potential of plants in absorbing PM10, PM2.5, CO, and CO₂ while improving air quality. Plant-integrated furniture designs have demonstrated significantly greater absorption of harmful emissions compared to non-plant designs, thereby contributing positively to air quality. Furthermore, the use of natural stone and wood materials in furniture has shown notable differences in particulate matter retention capacity.