Smart Finishes for Hygienic Building Interiors: Innovations for Health, Wellbeing, and Self-cleaning Technologies | Chapter 3| Materials That Matter: The Future of Interiors through Innovation

 

Interior design incorporates cutting-edge materials, mainly smart finishes with self-cleaning and antimicrobial capabilities, to ensure hygienic indoor environments, particularly in post-pandemic environments where surface cleanliness, ease of maintenance, and environmental footprint are essentials. This study aims to investigate people's perception, acceptance, and utilisation of self-cleaning technologies in interior design practices, specifically in their practical adoption into daily design choices, integrating materials research with human behaviour. The research employed a mixed-methods methodology, consisting of a literature review, environmental assessment, and survey to determine awareness, preference, and perceived hindrances among design professionals and scholars. The research indicates that awareness among professionals regarding smart finishes is moderate to high, but superficial and oriented towards commercial terms and not on sophisticated technologies. The priority areas of application are kitchens, bathrooms, and high-touch surfaces. Hindrances are cost and durability. The study suggests that bridging material innovation and practical adoption requires clear communication, experiential validation, and policy integration. It expands the Technology Acceptance Model to indoor environments and suggests a user-oriented theory for smart material uptake.

 

Author(s) Details

Ahongshangbam Tanisha Devi
Sharda School of Design, Architecture and Planning, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India.

 

Apongienla Aier
Sharda School of Design, Architecture and Planning, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India.

 

Priya Tyagi
Sharda School of Design, Architecture and Planning, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-990398-6-5/CH3

The Psychological Influence of Smart Material on Interior Spaces | Chapter 1 | Materials That Matter: The Future of Interiors through Innovation

In today’s world, Smart materials are redefining how we live and feel in interior spaces. The response is guided by the impact of light, heat, and touch. Smart materials fill environments with a sense of movement and vitality which cannot be expected by traditional finishes. This response of human beings towards smart materials opens doors for the growing industry trends towards smart materials. Despite the good response of smart materials, the psychological response of smart materials remains unexplored. For instance, a simple transformation of a shifting panel changing wall colours can profoundly influence feelings of calm, focus, or comfort. By examining these subtle effects, it is possible to learn to craft interiors that not only perform functionally but also resonate on a deeply personal level. The primary objective of this research is to examine how smart materials impact mood, emotional comfort, and overall well-being within indoor environments. For this purpose, a comprehensive survey targeting both design professionals and everyday users, checking their awareness of smart materials and recording their emotional responses to such interventions in routine settings, was conducted. By identifying recurring patterns in perception and interaction, our aim is to give interior designers the insights needed to select materials that not only fulfil technical criteria but also actively promote mental wellness. Ultimately, this study seeks to move beyond technology for its own sake and toward interiors that genuinely feel better to inhabit.

 

Author(s) Details

Gilbert Shanpen Yanthan
Sharda School of Design, Architecture and Planning, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India.

Aanshu Shrestha
Sharda School of Design, Architecture and Planning, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India.

 

Pallavi Sharma
Sharda School of Design, Architecture and Planning, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-990398-6-5/CH1