IDCC 003 PAGE 01

THEORY OF
INTERIOR DESIGN

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHILIPPINE WOMENS

INTERIOR DESIGN COLLEGE OF DAVAO
MODULE 2.0 PAGE 04

Introduction

Orientation: VMG of PWC, Handbook

Introduction to ID Theory
Overview of Interior Design as a discipline
Introduction to Elements of Design: COLOR, LIGHTING, TEXTURE, PATTERN, FORM & SPACE

The Role of the Interior Designer in Shaping Space

Exploring the Purpose of Functionality and Aesthetics
Introduction to Design Tools and Materials
INFLUENCES ON
ARCHITECTURAL/
INTERIOR DESIGN
Understanding the Factors that Shape Our Built
Environment
GENERAL INFLUENCE: NEEDS OF MAN

NECESSITIES
PHYSICAL NEEDS , shelter, safety, comfort
Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory that describes the five levels
of human needs that drive behavior and create feelings of fulfillment.
The needs are physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and
self-actualization.
Physiological needs
The most basic needs, such as food, water, shelter, warmth, and
sleep
These needs are essential for survival and are driven by instinct
Safety needs
Arise after physiological needs are met
Maslow used the word "safety" to include more than just physical
safety
Love and belonging needs
The need for interpersonal relationships, connection, and being part
of a group
Esteem needs
The need to be accepted and valued by others
This includes the need for self-esteem (dignity, achievement,
independence) and the need for respect from others (status,
prestige)
Self-actualization needs
The need for personal growth and self-awareness
People who are self-actualized are less concerned with what others
think of them
GENERAL INFLUENCE: NEEDS OF MAN

the MODERN MAN’S SHELTER shall have the following: NECESSITIES

GENERAL INFLUENCE: NEEDS OF MAN

EMOTIONAL NEEDS,
aesthetics, identity, community
GENERAL INFLUENCE: NEEDS OF MAN

INTELLECTUAL NEEDS, stimulation, education, personal growth

GROUP ACTIVITY:
CASE STUDY
Objective:
To help students understand and
analyze how human needs—physical,
psychological, and social—shape interior
design decisions. By applying
theoretical knowledge, students will
learn how to design spaces that cater to
different aspects of human needs.
GROUP ACTIVITY: CASE STUDY
ASPECTS TO CONSIDER:
1. PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS: HOW WILL THE DESIGN ADDRESS BASIC HUMAN COMFORT
(SEATING, LIGHTING, TEMPERATURE)
2. SAFETY NEEDS: WHAT ELEMENTS IN THE DESIGN ENSURE THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL
SAFETY OF THE USERS (SECURITY, PRIVACY, ACCESSIBILITY)
3. SOCIAL NEEDS: HOW DOES THE SPACE FOSTER SOCIAL INTERACTION OR COMMUNITY?
4. ESTEEM NEEDS: WHAT FEATURES CONTRIBUTE TO A SENSE OF PRIDE OR RECOGNITION
WITHIN THE SPACE?
5. SELF-ACTUALIZATION: HOW CAN THE SPACE INSPIRE CREATIVITY, PERSONAL GROWTH,
OR REFLECTION?

DELIVERABLES:
CREATE MOOD BOARD OR SKETCH YOUR IDEAS FOR EACH OF THE NEEDS LISTED ABOVE, USING
DESIGN ELEMENTS SUCH AS LAYOUT, FURNITURE, MATERIALS, COLOR SCHEMES, AND LIGHTING.
GROUP ACTIVITY: CASE STUDY
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION (15 MINUTES):

EACH GROUP WILL PRESENT THEIR DESIGN AND EXPLAIN HOW IT ADDRESSES EACH OF THE
HUMAN NEEDS.
AFTER EACH PRESENTATION, ALLOW TIME FOR QUESTIONS AND FEEDBACK FROM THE CLASS.
DISCUSS THE VARIOUS APPROACHES AND HOW DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPACES PRIORITIZE
DIFFERENT NEEDS.

REFLECTION:

HOW DO THE INTERIOR DESIGN ELEMENTS OF A SPACE DIRECTLY INFLUENCE THE WELL-
BEING OF ITS OCCUPANTS?
WHICH NEEDS DO THEY THINK ARE MOST CRITICAL TO ADDRESS IN THEIR OWN DESIGN
WORK AND WHY?
HOW CAN UNDERSTANDING HUMAN NEEDS HELP THEM CREATE MORE EFFECTIVE AND
EMPATHETIC DESIGNS?
GENERAL INFLUENCE: ACTIVITIES OF MAN
DESIRE FOR PRESERVATION, proctection & security

STIMULI TO ACTION:
RESULTING
MANIFESTATIONS
GENERAL INFLUENCE: ACTIVITIES OF MAN

DESIRE FOR RECOGNITION, status & identity

GENERAL INFLUENCE: ACTIVITIES OF MAN

DESIRE FOR RESPONSE, interaction & community

GENERAL INFLUENCE: ACTIVITIES OF MAN

DESIRE FOR SELF-EXPRESSION,

creativity & individuality
THE INFLUENCE
OF NATURE:
CLIMATE &
TOPOGRAPHY
Climate and topography play a crucial role in shaping
architectural and interior design, influencing building
materials, structural forms, spatial layouts, and energy
efficiency. Designers must consider these factors to create
functional, comfortable, and sustainable spaces that respond
to their natural surroundings.

ARCHITECTURE
INFLUENCES OF NATURE AND INTERIOR
DESIGN
Warm Climate
Cold Climate
 Rainfall & Humidity

Rainfall also plays a big role in design. In places where there’s heavy rain, sloped roofs are essential to prevent water
accumulation. Materials that resist mold and moisture, like treated wood, stone, and concrete, are commonly used. On the
other hand, in dry climates, houses often have flat roofs and thick walls to keep interiors cool
 Sunlight & Orientation

Now, let’s talk about the sun. Sunlight is an important factor in design. In colder regions, homes are built to maximize natural
light, often with large south-facing windows to absorb as much warmth as possible. But in hot areas, the goal is the opposite—
we try to block direct sunlight by using deep eaves, pergolas, or reflective materials to reduce heat gain
 Floor Plans:
Warmer
vs.
Colder Climates
1. Floor Plans in Warmer Climates

Open and Airy Layouts: Interiors are designed with open floor plans to encourage natural airflow, reducing reliance
on mechanical cooling.
Expansive Openings: Large windows, sliding doors, and louvered panels enhance cross-ventilation and maximize
natural light.
High Ceilings and Light Materials: Interiors often feature high ceilings and materials like rattan, bamboo, and light-
colored finishes to minimize heat absorption.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connection: Spaces are extended through verandas, patios, and courtyards, integrating
nature to improve thermal comfort.
Cool-Touch Surfaces: Flooring materials such as ceramic tiles, terrazzo, or polished concrete are preferred for their
ability to stay cool underfoot.
1. Floor Plans in Colder Climates

The passive design makes use of the existing design components to enhance the energy
efficiency and sustenance of a space. This is done without making use of any external tools or
devices to create high-performance buildings or spaces. With the right kind and amount of
heating, lighting, and ventilation, we can transform a building to have ideal indoor and outdoor
comfort for the users.

Passive design strategies for cold climates can be broadly segregated based on the following:

Building Orientation
Building Form
Zoning
Ventilation
Daylighting Openings
Shading Walls
Roofs
Materials
Landscaping &
Vegetation
Thermal
strategies
1. Floor Plans in Colder Climates

Compact and Insulated Layouts: Spaces

are arranged to conserve heat, with
enclosed rooms and minimal open areas
to prevent energy loss.
Smaller, Strategically Placed Windows:
Windows are designed to capture sunlight
while minimizing heat escape, often
double-glazed for insulation.
Low Ceilings and Warm Materials:
Interiors feature lower ceilings to retain
warmth, complemented by wood
paneling, plush textiles, and layered
fabrics.
Zoning for Heat Efficiency: Functional
areas like living rooms and kitchens are
centralized around fireplaces or heating
systems to optimize warmth distribution.
Cozy and Textured Finishes: Carpeting,
wool rugs, upholstered furniture, and
warm-toned color palettes enhance
comfort and create a welcoming
ambiance.
TOPOGRAPHY’S
INFLUENCE ON
INTERIOR DESIGN
Beyond climate, the land’s natural characteristics—such as its
shape, elevation, and location—play a crucial role in interior design
decisions. Whether designing for a mountainside retreat, a coastal
residence, or a desert home, interior designers must harmonize the
space with its surroundings.

This includes adapting layouts to terrain slopes, selecting materials

suited to environmental conditions, and optimizing views and
natural lighting. By working with the landscape rather than against
it, designers create interiors that seamlessly integrate with their
environment, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
 FALLINGWATER, 1935
BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
Mountainous and Hilly Regions
On mountainous or hilly areas, interior design must adapt to the natural terrain rather than alter it. Multi-level or terraced layouts are
commonly used to follow the land’s slope, preventing soil erosion and creating dynamic interior spaces. Sloped roofs help manage heavy
rain or snow accumulation, ensuring durability in varying weather conditions. Locally sourced materials such as stone and timber not only
blend with the natural surroundings but also enhance thermal insulation and sustainability. Interior spaces often emphasize panoramic
views, incorporating large windows and open-plan designs to connect with nature.
Coastal Areas

Designing interiors for coastal homes requires resilience against salt, humidity, and strong winds. Elevated structures on stilts are
common to protect against flooding and storm surges. Materials such as treated wood, stainless steel, and reinforced concrete are
chosen for their resistance to corrosion and moisture damage.
Open floor plans, expansive windows, and light-colored interiors promote natural ventilation and maximize ocean views, enhancing the
indoor-outdoor living experience. Fabrics and furnishings are selected to withstand humidity, often favoring breezy, easy-to-maintain
materials like linen and rattan.
Desert
Environment

Interior design in desert climates must address extreme temperature fluctuations—intense daytime heat and chilly nights. Thick adobe
or rammed earth walls provide natural insulation, keeping interiors cool during the day and retaining warmth at night.
Courtyards with small water features act as passive cooling elements, improving airflow and reducing indoor temperatures. Natural
ventilation is key, with high ceilings, narrow windows, and shaded areas minimizing heat gain. Earth-toned color palettes and organic
textures reflect the surrounding landscape, creating a seamless connection between the indoor environment and the arid terrain.
 PAGE 05

A ESTHETICS
Aesthetics in interior design refers to the visual and sensory qualities of a space that create an
emotional and psychological response in users. It involves the selection and arrangement of
elements such as: COLOR, LIGHTING, TEXTURE, PATTERN, FORM & SPACE
 COLOR IS A FORM OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION WITH WAVELENGTHS BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 380-780
NANOMETERS, PERCEIVED BY THE HUMAN EYE AND BRAIN AS DIFFERENT HUES. IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERIOR
DESIGN, COLOR IS A POWERFUL TOOL USED TO CREATE AMBIANCE, EVOKE EMOTIONS, AND ENHANCE THE AESTHETIC
APPEAL OF A SPACE.
 LIGHTING IN INTERIOR DESIGN REFERS TO THE INTENTIONAL USE OF LIGHT SOURCES TO CREATE A DESIRED
AMBIANCE, ENHANCE THE AESTHETIC APPEAL OF A SPACE, AND SUPPORT THE FUNCTIONAL NEEDS OF USERS.
TEXTURE IN INTERIOR DESIGN REFERS TO THE SURFACE QUALITY OR "FEEL" OF AN OBJECT OR MATERIAL. IT CAN BE
VISUAL (SEEN) OR TACTILE (FELT), AND IS USED TO ADD DEPTH, INTEREST, AND EMOTIONAL RESONANCE TO A
SPACE.

TEXTURE: THE TACTILE QUALITY OF SURFACES, ADDING DEPTH AND INTEREST THROUGH VARIATIONS LIKE SMOOTH,
ROUGH, SOFT, OR HARD FINISHES.
 PATTERN IN INTERIOR DESIGN REFERS TO THE REPETITION OF SIMILAR ELEMENTS, SUCH AS SHAPES, COLORS, OR
TEXTURES, TO CREATE A VISUALLY APPEALING AND COHESIVE DESIGN. PATTERNS CAN ADD INTEREST, DEPTH, AND
PERSONALITY TO A SPACE
FORM IN INTERIOR DESIGN
REFERS TO THE THREE-
DIMENSIONAL QUALITY OF
AN OBJECT OR SPACE. IT
ENCOMPASSES THE
PHYSICAL SHAPE,
STRUCTURE, AND
APPEARANCE OF ELEMENTS
WITHIN A SPACE
ASSESSMENT NO. 1
GROUP YOURSELVES IN 5 GROUPS
CREATE A COLLAGE OUT OF YOUR
MAGAZINEZ SHOWING THE DIFFERENT
AESTHETIC ELEMENTS OF INTERIOR
DESIGN,
1. COLOR
2. LIGHTING
3. TEXTURE
4. PATTERN
5. FORM
EACH AESTHETIC ELEMENT WILL USE 1
ILLUSTRATION BOARD
DON’T FORGET TO LABEL YOUR
ELEMENTS

SUBMISSION AT
EXACTLY 10:00 AM