Furniture & Interior Design

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 03 mar 2015

In addition to just aesthetics, architects are now applying neuroscience, by studying how brain reacts to various environments through brain scanners, to design schools, hospitals, community spaces etc. Eve Edelstein, president of consulting firm Innovative Design Science, says 'Understanding the power and significance of design is not a luxury. It has a direct impact on wellness issues and a direct influence on activity within that space.' According to Betsey Olenick Dougherty of Dougherty + Dougherty Architects, 'Visual access to sky, trees and landscape stimulates brain function. Providing vistas throughout the facility and particularly in classrooms has been a major strategy in the design of this building (Corona del Mar High School, Newport Beach, California).' Justin Hollander, co-author of the book 'Cognitive Architecture' and urban planning professor at Tufts University, says 'Patterns matter. And edges matter. The research argues that not only do we need order but our brain likes hearing stories...When you go to Times Square, you're told a story. You go to Disneyland, it's a story.' He further adds, 'Humans have a clear bias for curves over straight or sharp lines. Studies have shown that curves elicit feelings of happiness and elation, while jagged and sharp forms tend to connect to feelings of pain and sadness.' Hospitals and care centers are now being designed based on how brains of Alzheimer's patients reacts or how lighting affects patient's sleep cycle. Neuroscience shows light triggers brain reactions far beyond vision. 'It has an impact on heart rate.' says Edelstein. Michael Arbib of University of Southern California Brain Project and the vice president of the Academy of Architecture and Neuroscience, says 'Smart architecture can learn from brain science. To use artificial intelligence to build buildings that can better interact with people...is going to be very applicable to a home.' Read on...

Al Jazeera: Smart buildings- Architects using brain science for design guidance
Author: Haya El Nasser

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 26 sep 2014

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture & Construction defines 'Minimalist Architecture' as, "Architecture that follows the doctrine that the use of all decorative elements, including ornamentation and color, should be held to an absolute minimum. This tenet considers all such architectural features to be nonessential and of negative aesthetic value, thus promoting the concept attributed to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe that 'less is more'." According to Wikipedia, minimalist architecture became popular in the late 1980s in London and New York, where fashion designers worked together in the boutiques to achieve simplicity, using white elements, cold lighting, large space with minimum objects and furniture. Moreover it is also considered to be highly inspired from the Japanese traditional design and the concept of Zen philosophy. View the homes designed by architects utilizing architectural minimalism in their work, ranging from sleek facade to perfect blending with the natural environment. Read on...

Huffington Post: Architectural Minimalism: 7 Stunning Homes
Author: NA

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 23 sep 2014

Professor Brian Wansink of Cornell University, has been conducting research on eating habits and behaviors of consumers through his Food and Brand Lab, which he founded in 1997 while being at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His new book 'Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life' is just published and focuses on understanding surrounding and environment at five places - home, favorite restaurants, favorite grocery store, work-place, children's school - that influences eating behaviors and find solutions by designing them in such a way that encourages healthier eating habits. According to him, 'It's easier to become slim by design than slim by willpower.' Here are nine recommendations from him while doing a kitchen makeover - (1) Move healthier foods to visible spots (2) Make tempting foods invisible and inconvenient (3) Declutter your kitchen (4) Make your kitchen less friendly for lounging (5) Think twice before buying big packages of food (6) Use smaller serving bowls and spoons (7) Use smaller, narrower drinking glasses (8) Serve food from the counter or the stove (9) Avoid doing other activities while eating. Read on...

USA TODAY: 9 ways to lose weight by rearranging your kitchen
Author: Nanci Hellmich

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 25 nov 2013

Selecting a right fit while creating an interior design for ones own living space is a challenge. Visuals created by famous designers that are available in design magazines, TV advertisements and websites, are hard to copy considering the tight budget, limited space and already existing family items that one possesses. In her book 'Secrets Of A Stylish Home', interior designer Cate Burren, provides a step by step process and guide for individuals to create their own interior design irrespective of the space restrictions. According to her the most important part of designing is to first understand ones style and tastes and create the surrounding that reflects them. The design should provide personal comfort and functionality, as it is the space created for personal use. If one tries to replicate what he/she likes in other designs it might not gel completely and may lead to costly mistakes. Read on...

Derbyshire Times: Simple way to design heaven
Author: NA

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 24 jul 2013

The latest architectural trend in office design is development of open and partitionless workspaces that foster creativity, collaboration and social interaction among employees. But a recent survey conducted by an architectural and design firm found that too much attention to open office design is actually hurting productivity. The survey report mentions that results show that lack of effective focus space adversely hurts efficiency of other work modes namely collaboration, learning and socializing. The firm suggests that the office design should intelligently blend collaborative open workspaces with focus areas to create what they term as 'optimal workplace design'. Read on...

Smart Planet: Is collaborative office design hurting workplace productivity?
Author: Tyler Falk

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 13 jul 2013

Article explores the experience of a family to search a commercial space that can be transformed into a one stop destination to sell furniture and homeware, have a boutique florist and a cafe. They didn't initiate the process with a detailed plan but their strategy was to find a location and structure and then to include elements of their likeness into it organically. It was a step by step process. But the important thing was that they have a distinctive approach and style that blended nicely in their vision for the place - a geometric wall, macrame hangers, plywood floors, letter love for displays and cable tables. Read on...

The New Zealand Herald: Organic by design
Author: Ben Crawford

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 12 jun 2013

Countries have their own set of professional designations and credentials for interior designers. If someone is hiring an interior designer in US it is advisable to consider these designations - NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification); ASID (American Society of Interior Designers); Allied ASID membership; Qualifications from accredited institutions. Although educational qualifications and professional designations and memberships are advantageous for assessing interior designers but like any other creative field natural talent and demonstrated work and experiences are an essential element of guaging their skills and standards. Read on...

News-Press: Understanding professional designations of interior designers
Author: NA

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 05 jun 2013

The way schools are designed can play an important role in the learning experiences of the students and the architecture can be considered as a 'living textbook', says an architect. In one of the design for the school he kept the installed machinery exposed due to the learning it can initiate moreover a large space for collaborative learning is created. The open architecture enhances the shared learning aspect of the environment and students are made to spent less time in closed classrooms. Labs are also visible to anyone who is walking down the hallway giving students the opportunity to view other students while they experiment. This again increases inquisitiveness and curiosity among students that might help develop certain interests. An added advantage of this open architectural design is the security aspect where teachers can keep watch on the students and avoid any accidents from happening within the school premises. Read on...

Fast Company: Redesigning Schools For Learning, Discipline, And Safety
Author: Ben Schiller

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 18 may 2013

'Design Psychology' is being applied to provide customized living spaces for individuals by matching their likenesses and lifestyles to a high level of detail with the architectural and interior design. Developers and designers develop models that specifically fit a certain demographic and their lifestyles and behaviors. Thus making them more attractive for specific buyers. Read on...

Chicago Tribune: Condo, apartment developers using design psychology
Author: Mary Ellen Podmolik

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 14 apr 2013

'Office Design' is an important element of today's companies to provide an environment of creativity, productivity, focus and meaningful social interactions for their employees. The design can promote sense of belonging for employees and help create a company specific identity that indicates its brand and culture. Companies provide technology enabled flexibile workspaces and informal hangout zones to promote collaboration and togetherness for employees. It helps in attracting and retaining talent. Ergonomics plays an important role in office design and assists in building a comfortable environment to increase employee happiness. Read on...

The Economic Times: How design enhances work life within the offices of the future
Author: Shagufta Anurag

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