Acoustics from Interior Designer Perspective

Should we consider the acoustics as engineering science or as architectural elements or as interior design applications? The main purpose of this chapter will focus on the differences between the three aspects of the acoustics with a special focus on the interior acoustical design. The arguments that favor the acoustic in each field are many. This chapter will clarify, strengthen, and explore the importance that has the acoustic study for the interior designing layout. From the historical eras where only material schemes were used, the acoustical treatment reached a great achievement. Nowadays, electrical, acoustical devices took place in different situations where only the materials could solve the acoustic needs. The considerations of using the electrical-acoustical devices remain under request, while their usage, only in specific conditions, a topic to highlight in this chapter

Places that Reflect Beauty

Places are where we live! We call them “interiors.” Thus, “interior design” is the science that describes creating the places; so should interior design reflect beauty? Interior design is the specialization that creates places where people can find beauty, safety and a healthy environment to live in comfortable and sustainable ways. Beauty is one of the essential elements that a designer should consider while creating an environment, but do all users perceive this beauty? Moreover, what do designers have to do, to affect the users’ perception, so they can feel the beauty within their surroundings? Many questions need clarification, from the scientific theory point of views. To do so, the use of case studies will enable proving that these rules are applicable to real projects. This chapter explores the methods of perceiving different types of interiors. Any user living in the selected place or interior will perceive these stimuli reflected in the design. The users do not have the same personality or the same culture, which affects the full scope of the places and their reflection, as well as the messages of the interiors. Therefore, after analysis of these topics, within the places, a clear layout of guidelines could lead to generating an interior design that truly reflects the beauty to the end users

Best Illumination Scenes for Spaces Users

Can we live in a dark environment? Light is the essential element, natural or artificial, traditional or sustainable, that helps us proceed in our life. Creating lighting scenes is one of the important roles of an interior designer, to create the interior environment for the users, whether in private or public spaces. Designing appropriate lighting to the function, the designer refers to the ideal set design using artificial elements in addition to the possible natural penetration to reach the complete lighting scene, which suits the type of interior function. The lighting design differs from interior type to others, and success of the lighting scene contributes to the success of the full experience of all the places we live. This chapter will explore the possible lighting design that affects positively on the life enhancement, as a physical and psychological tool, of most of the interior types

Navigating dust storms and urban living: an analysis of particulate matter infiltration in Dubai’s residences

In response to the growing concern of air pollution in Dubai, this study was undertaken to measure and analyze indoor and outdoor particulate matter (PM) concentrations in residential buildings during the spring dust storm period. The research focused on the infiltration of PM into indoor spaces and its impact on indoor air quality, exploring the relationship between PM particle diameter, building infiltration rates, and the indoor influence of outdoor PM. Conducted in a two-bedroom residential unit near a busy road, the study utilized particle size analysis and the indoor-outdoor (I/O) ratio for measurements. The findings revealed that smaller particles, particularly ultrafine PM2.5, had a more substantial influence on indoor PM concentrations than larger particles. It was noted that buildings with higher infiltration rates, especially those with natural ventilation, were more susceptible to outdoor PM infiltration. Additionally, the study highlighted the significant role of occupant behavior, such as cooking and cleaning, in generating indoor PM. However, further research is necessary to better understand the correlation between architectural characteristics, infiltration rates, and the indoor influence of outdoor PM in residential buildings. The study underscores the importance of improved ventilation systems, raising awareness of indoor air quality, and implementing effective mitigation strategies to reduce indoor air pollution and enhance indoor air quality in urban environments like Dubai. These findings contribute significantly to our understanding of indoor and outdoor PM dynamics, emphasizing the urgent need to address indoor air pollution in urban areas

Exploring Customer Behavior in Shopping Malls: A Study of Rest Areas in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The city of Dubai has a population of 3.34 million and boasts 65 shopping malls, with an additional 10 currently under construction. As a result of the oppressive climate, shopping malls have emerged as de facto community centers and public squares where Dubai residents can congregate, socialize, and participate in various events. This paper aims to examine the spatial features of indoor and outdoor rest areas within Dubai’s shopping malls and identify key factors that can enhance user satisfaction in each area. To achieve this, literature studies were conducted to extract evaluation factors, such as comfort, aesthetics, convenience, and accessibility for rest areas adjacent to the escalator, restroom, open corridor, and outdoor locations. An empirical study was then carried out, where field observations and user-satisfaction surveys were conducted in the indoor and outdoor rest areas of three prominent malls, namely the Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City, and Mirdif City Center. The results of the study indicate that in open-corridor rest areas, easy access was highly rated in the satisfaction survey, while noise and privacy maintenance received lower ratings. Comparatively, outdoor rest areas scored higher on the satisfaction survey than indoor rest areas, such as the rest area next to the escalator, open-corridor rest area, and rest area next to the bathroom. This study’s findings can provide a foundation for future rest-area planning that better reflects the needs and desires of users

Analyzing the Bake-Out Effect in Winter for the Enhancement of Indoor Air Quality at New Apartments in UAE

Indoor air pollution has become a pressing issue in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to poor ventilation, inadequate airtightness, and using chemicals in building materials. Accordingly, the UAE is currently experiencing more cases of sick building syndrome (SBS) than any other country. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the bake-out strategy in reducing indoor air pollutants in a new apartment building in the UAE. The study evaluated a reduction in toluene (C7H8), ethylbenzene (C8H10), xylene (C8H10), styrene (C8H8), and formaldehyde (HCHO) at room temperature and relative humidity. The airtight unit without winter bake-out had higher indoor concentrations of hazardous chemicals than the ventilated units, and the emission of dangerous substances increased with temperature. Moreover, harmful chemicals were only effectively reduced with ventilation times of at least seven days after the heating period. The release rate of contaminants after the bake-out was lower than before. The indoor concentration of hazardous chemicals was lower when bake-out and mechanical ventilation were combined, resulting in a reduction of 92.8% of HCHO. Furthermore, units with a certain amount of ventilation maintained a low indoor pollutant concentration, regardless of whether a bake-out was performed

Simulating the natural lighting for a physical and mental Well-being in residential building in Dubai, UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is well aware of energy consumption and the reduction in carbon emissions from the quantitative analysis for lighting, but well-being, does not have a well-defined characteristic. This paper aims to investigate the context, analyze the appropriate lighting in the residential interiors in UAE, and present the planning direction of interior spaces. The methodology analyses the residential interiors' functions, human well-being status, and main innovative lighting characteristics. The analysis results are as follows; First, it is essential to establish the location and space plan in the planning phase due to the nature of the interior space functions. The context of the location has significant effects. Second, it is essential to establish the required lighting fixtures and bulbs. Third, strategic lighting layouts for the multiple interior spaces in the residential project. Interior architects provide the various lists and contents for creating a healthy lighting environment and the appropriate space. This study will serve as fundamental data to enhance the housing interiors in the UAE. Additionally, it will serve future research that supplies an efficient guide for the decision-making process to prepare the design guidelines and operational plans. Accordingly, trends, innovation, and national efforts serve as the backdrop for this study, which aims to present new strategic lighting layouts (lighting scenes) standards related to light in residential spaces for a healthy life in Dubai, UAE, by presenting and simulating natural lighting diversity throughout the day to adapt with the circadian rhythm for physical and mental well-being

Preliminary Study on the Emission Dynamics of TVOC and Formaldehyde in Homes with Eco-Friendly Materials: Beyond Green Building

This preliminary study investigates the emission characteristics of formaldehyde (HCHO) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) in indoor environments, comparing the effects of eco-friendly materials and general materials. The study analyzes the concentration changes over time in the living rooms of experimental units to assess the effectiveness of eco-friendly materials in reducing indoor air pollutants. The results show that eco-friendly materials exhibit lower initial emissions of TVOC than general materials, gradually decreasing over time. Compared to the eco-friendly material unit, the general material unit takes longer to reach acceptable TVOC concentrations. The emission pattern of HCHO differs from TVOC, with the highest peak occurring on the seventh day. Major individual VOCs, except for benzene, exhibit a similar decreasing trend for TVOC over time. Eco-friendly materials demonstrate significant reductions in emissions compared to general materials in various material applications, including parquet flooring, wallpaper, built-in furniture, and kitchen furniture. However, the difference in emissions for door and window frames using eco-friendly materials is minimal. These findings emphasize the effectiveness of eco-friendly materials in reducing indoor air pollutants and provide valuable insights for creating healthier living environments. Further research is needed to optimize the application of eco-friendly materials in specific components and investigate their long-term impact on indoor air quality and occupant health

Analyzing the Housing Consumer Preferences via Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai was one of the top three real estate destinations in the world for investment in 2020. This paper aims to understand the order of preference for various housing determinants by housing consumers in Dubai. As a methodology, a survey was conducted on Dubai residents, and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was performed to identify the housing determinants and consumers’ preferences. In addition, the respondents’ demographic characteristics identified priorities by income, place of residence, age, gender, and type of house. The results showed that housing consumers place importance on housing price and rent (0.0918), and the investment value (0.0866). However, there was no serious consideration for social and psychological factors, other than safety (0.0730). Regarding gender, men place more importance on the housing price and rent (0.113), and the investment value (0.110). In comparison, women place more importance on factors such as the convenience of transportation (0.104), safety (0.093), and residential environment (0.082). In the age groups, the interest in the educational environment (0.081) among the 40-year-olds was relatively high. In terms of monthly income, the higher the income, the higher the interest in investment value (0.086)

Evaluating the Color Preferences for Elderly Depression in the United Arab Emirates

The elderly are more prone to develop depression from physical, psychological, and economic changes, and 25.7% of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) elderly population suffer from depression. Color therapy is a widely accepted treatment to solve the depressive symptoms of the elderly. The color preference of the Seniors’ Happiness Centre—in Ajman UAE—a residential space for the elderly, could improve the quality of life, including depression symptoms. This paper explored the relationship between the color preference of the resident bedroom space and the depressive symptoms. As a methodology, using color images as stimuli, the physiological and psychological responses of the 86 elderly participants to the proposed color preference of the resident bedroom interiors—observed through a viewing box to simulate 3D space perception—were compared and analyzed to investigate the relationship between the color preference and depression by a survey with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement. The results showed that the elderly’s preference for warm colors is higher than that of cold colors, and each room needs a different color scheme because the elderly, 65 and above, have different visual characteristics. There was no significant difference between the left and right alpha wave values of the prefrontal cortex of the participant group. The main reason is that the brain waves are minute electrical signals and appear different from person to person. The color scheme on one side of the wall with increased saturation seemed to improve depressive symptoms effectively. It was found that psychologically, healthy elderly reacted positively to the single-color scheme of the Blue cool color, but elderly with depression reacted well to the contrast color scheme of the Blue-Yellow/Red cool color. This study will serve as critical data to propose more color preferences for the Seniors’ Happiness Center suitable for the elderly by studying the response to more diverse colors in the UAE