Human Spaces — Latest Posts

Nine Notable Trends at NeoCon 2021

December 9, 2021

After going virtual last year due to the pandemic, NeoCon was back in full swing in 2021, and several new trends—along with fresh twists on existing movements—in commercial interior design were on display in Chicago. Experts in new design directions at Interface took note. Nine new trends stood out. Curves, curves, curves. Among the clearest…

The Circular Economy of Carbon: The Role of Bio-Based Materials

November 5, 2021

A term experiencing a resurgence in sustainability circles is “bio-based.” And it’s generating excitement for a good reason – bio-based products and materials have the potential to help us reverse global warming. The EPA defines bio-based materials as “products that mainly consist of a substance (or substances) derived from living matter and either occur naturally…

Webinar: The Impact of Biophilic Design on Student Success

October 22, 2021

Design innovation in educational facilities at all levels is undergoing a revolution. Evidence-based design—making design decisions based on research about how aspects of the physical environment directly influence human performance and well-being — has transformed healthcare architecture, measurably impacting experiences for patients, families, and staff. Now, the same principles are being applied to spaces for…

Warm Neutrals Bring a Sense of Calm to Changing Environments

October 4, 2021

Color trends come and go, but neutral hues are always perennial favorites in both residential and commercial settings. Still, preferences in neutral colors — like taupe, gray, beige, and tan — also experience nuanced shifts in popularity. And lately, designers and manufacturers have observed a clear movement toward warmer neutrals, particularly in the workplace. Unlike…

Biophilic Design and Better Brain Health at Emory MCIEP

August 26, 2021

Numerous publications on biophilic design show the benefits to those who live, work and heal in those spaces. The Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Empowerment Program (MCIEP) aims to support individuals experiencing early declines in memory, a condition that impacts nearly one out of every five Americans over the age of 65. Generous support from the…

Georgia Tech’s Student Housing Supports Dynamic Living Experience

August 9, 2021

In January 2020, Georgia Institute of Technology began the process of renovating its Harris and Smith residence halls to foster a more dynamic student living experience. An active campus with more than 32,000 students, Georgia Tech’s Facilities Design and Construction team was accustomed to working under tight deadlines. However, this project was made more complex…

Adapting Healthcare Design for a Post-Pandemic Future

July 29, 2021

Regardless of their industry, many end-users are rethinking the post-pandemic built environment with respect to design flexibility and maintenance protocols. By Designing for Resiliency, hospitals and clinics can be prepared to adapt their spaces for future health crises while integrating methods and materials that will benefit patients and staff year round.

Reapproaching Base Camp: Putting Our People First

July 23, 2021

In March 2020, the U.S. population’s behavior and day-to-day life changed overnight. As we put on masks, worked from home and acquainted ourselves with Microsoft Teams and Zoom, we faced questions about what our return to the office might look like, how it will occur, and how our workspaces might change.

Reducing Anxiety and Fostering Creativity Through K-12 Classroom Design

July 16, 2021

To say our K-12 classroom environments are experiencing unprecedented shifts is a dramatic understatement. Even before the global pandemic, we saw the diagnoses of anxiety disorders among youths increase. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a survey by Harvard Medical School found that almost one-third of adolescents experienced an anxiety disorder. Instances of…

Featured Contributor

Mindy O'Gara

With a passion for design and learning, Mindy O’Gara blends both of these talents into her daily role as Director of Product and Learning Experience at Interface.

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