The role of evidence-based interior design (EBD) in promoting the concept of Using shape and color to promote health and change behavior

Abstract

The study of interior spaces, including the elements, basics, and definers within, is considered one of the most significant domains of design studies because they attend to finding a legible language between human and the surrounding space in its physical composition, occupational shape, and aesthetical appearance. Thus, this research was conducted to highlight the significance of quality interior design of the spaces to improve health of the various functions (residential – health – educational – cultural…). Understanding the designing principles which affect the behavior of the spaces users a task to assess the quality of the design. Within this context, the aim of the research was defined in finding an evidence-based structure to assess the quality of using the colour and shape in the interior design and in contributing to the health of the space users and change their behavior based on the outcomes of a number of cognitive sciences such as the relationship between the brain waves and human behavior, the influence of the volume space shape, its items, and the colour of its items on health and behavior. The current research complemented previous evidence-based empirical studies, which enabled it to arrive at an evidence-based framework that used some interior design elements for health promotion and behavior change. In light of these results, a questionnaire was distributed to interior design specialists and their answers were compared with the results of evidence-based studies, where their answers partially agreed with them. Finally, a number of recommendations were presented, most notably the necessity of providing community health centers to improve the psychological and physical health of those affected by disasters, whose design specialists rely on an evidence-based design structure.