Interior design and crisis revisioning

Jul 10, 2023

Everything from climate issues to the economy has influenced the management of Interior space. And, we can’t forget the height of the COVID pandemic as a significant factor that modified many of our usual living patterns. For many of us, our Interior environments were redefined, reconfigured and repurposed. Residences became, 24/7, extra high use environments. Business Interiors were radically affected by barrier-and-isolation-focused floor plans, with very low (or no) occupancy as employees were set up to work from home.

Interior management and design had to change with the circumstances. Since the high point of the crisis of the pandemic, homeowners, businesses and Interior design experts have had to re-think Interior space in a context of a variety of escalating and repetitive crises. And no one likes that projection!

In past articles in this Interior design series, we have taken a hard look at how a massive health phenomenon impacted all of our Interiors. We looked at emergency strategies, as well as make-do solutions. As the health panic calmed, in some ways we got lulled into the false comfort of “it’s over!” Do we slip back into our previous Interior configurations? Do we resume living and business patterns that we previously followed — patterns that had not factored in any crisis management? Do we mandate employees to central work environments – when working from home worked so well for so many?

Well, this Interior Designer has no magic answers to the many issues that have risen like Phoenix from fire. But, I do have some thoughts and questions for you.

We all know that when emergencies, disasters and an unexpected something hits us, we always emerge changed. We also emerge with new insights, new information and new opportunities – for that incident!

Some time passes and we look at preventions and solutions. For health issues, we can follow advisory guidelines, get vax’d, and be more careful. But for the extraordinary natural disasters the environment is bringing upon us on a pretty regular basis, it is clear to see that our concept of preparedness has escalated and demands much more.

Unfortunately, our Interiors can depend on much more punishment in the form of heavier use, unusual impactions, excessive durability demands, and a definite mandate for flexibility.

Outrageous weather drives our population, domestic or commercial, inside – oftener, for longer periods of time, and with unpredictable frequency. The punishment to our Interior elements is quite easy to predict! We could just start with a look at floor coverings and treatments! The traffic is heavier and dirtier, and maintenance obviously more labor-intensive.

For those who established work-from-home set-ups, and do not plan to work otherwise, make-do has gotten old, as the heroism of accommodation has faded. What is needed for the long run is a real and appropriate home office instead of a third of an otherwise purposed space!

Businesses with vast square footage that is no longer occupied have suffered doubly: first with fewer employees willing to abandon the convenience of working from home base, and, second, the negative economics of vacant space.

As I often enjoy assuring my readers, help really is on the way! It is in the form of the Interior design industry, its manufacturers, suppliers, and subcontractors. The industry is deeply invested in the modifications and solutions needed by homeowners, businesses, medical and dental facilities, community and governmental services, and religious establishments.

Our chief concerns are all about timing! By way of this brief review of circumstances, the important message really is: Don’t wait too long! While there probably are still some staunch climate deniers, it is clear to see we are in the path of more and more assaults on our structures, our infrastructures, our forests and waterways, our businesses and homes.

The best thing you – we – can do in the face of these harsh realities, is to take a hard look – with the appropriate professionals – at every aspect of your residence or commercial facility. From architecture to landscaping, from Interior design to the last placed accessory – we must consider the imminent threats of wind, flood, fire and radical temperatures.

We are entering another harsh weather cycle and we have no idea how it will behave! Some preparatory remedies are relatively inexpensive; but others can be costly, requiring longer planning and financial consideration.

Most environmentally conscious specialists offer their assessment at little or no cost – from landscape to Interiors.

Don’t just be scared; be prepared!

Robert Boccabella, B.F.A. is principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella provides Designing to Fit the Vision© in collaboration with [email protected]. To contact him call 707-263-7073; email him at [email protected] or visit www.BusinessDesignServices.com or on Face Book at Business Design Services.

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