What is Interior Landscaping?

Interior landscaping is the practice of designing, arranging, and caring for living plants in enclosed
environments. Creative Interior Plantscapes calls this interior landscaping even though land is not
literally being reshaped. Interior landscaping is an appropriate term because indoor environments
contain plains, angles, and horizons that are softened, accentuated or altered by the addition of plants
and planters-thus landscaping the interior. Similar to outdoor landscapes, interior landscapes provide
spaces with ornament, color, sculptural elements, focal points, and an overall pleasant environment.
In the trade, interior landscaping is also known as plantscaping and interiorscaping. Interior landscape
firms will use one of the three terms or a combination. While interior landscaping is an accurate
description of this specialty, plantscape and interiorscape are words that were invented at the birth of the
interior landscape industry to define the trade. Plantscape and interiorscape may have originated in the
early 1970s as the name of interior landscape companies but have since then become generic phrases
that describe the specialty.
Academics and authors tend to be aligned with one term set with their own definition. Richard Gains, AIA
the author of Interior Plantscaping (1977), says he uses the term plantscapes to differentiate from interior
landscape office planning. Gains plantscape definition is restricted to plants within enclosed structures.
Nelson Hammer, ASLA author of Interior Landscapes: An American Design Portfolio of Green
Environments (1999) features gardens inside buildings defined as interior landscapes. Interestingly, Paul
Cooper landscape architect and author of Interiorscapes: gardens within buildings (2003) extend his
definition to include gardens that are open to the air, as well as gardens that, although not contained by
the architecture, are intrinsic to it. Interiorscape is also the name of a trade magazine for the interior
landscape community. In contrast of the tendency to favor one term, the cover of Interiorscape magazine
bears the slogan interior plantscapers most read, most awarded information source since 1981. While
the definitions differ, Interior landscape, plantscape, and interiorscape are synonymous.
Principles of Ergonomic Interior Design

Ergonomics as a science strives to bridge the gap between man and his surroundings. The knowledge
gained in this endeavor is most commonly applied in the workplace setting. That is, it is thought that by
applying ergonomic principles to the design of the workplace and tools, greater functionality can be
achieved, yielding higher productivity and lower incidence of worker injury.

Of course, all this is true. But seldom considered, by comparison, are the practical applications of
ergonomic intuition to the design of the home. Ergonomically-minded interior design produces living
spaces that are not only "easier" to live in, but by virtue of this ease, facilitate "happier" living.

In their 1998 paper "The Universal Design File: Designing for People of All Ages and Abilities," Story,
Mueller, and Mace outlined seven principles of what has come to be known as "Universal Design" in
North America, and "Inclusive Design" or "Design for All" in other parts of the world. Having evolved since
the 1970s, this approach to design seeks to create environments that are "usable by all people to the
greatest extent possible."

According to Story et al, these spaces should encompass:

1. Equitable use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
2. Flexibility in use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and
abilities.
3. Simple and intuitive use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the users
experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
4. Perceptible information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the
user, regardless of ambient conditions or the users sensory abilities.
 5. Tolerance for error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental
or unintended actions.
6. Low physical effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of
fatigue.
7. Size and space for approach and use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach,
reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the users body size, posture, or mobility.

It is not difficult to see how living spaces which strive to embody these qualities would not only be easier
to use, but would most likely increase home productivity. Imagine, for example, a living room which
utilized thoughtfully-designed lighting fixtures, placed such that they illuminate adequately the areas of
interest within the room. Chairs, tables, and footstools would be easy to relocate, thereby making the
space amenable to a wider range of uses, while each furniture piece would be able to accommodate
persons of every size and ability.

This room, and others designed with Universal Design in mind are easier to use, and facilitate happier
living.

Principles of Ergonomic Interior Design

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
By Anne Kramer

Ergonomics as a science strives to bridge the gap between man and his surroundings. The knowledge gained in this endeavor is most commonly applied in the
workplace setting. That is, it is thought that by applying ergonomic principles to the design of the workplace and tools, greater functionality can be achieved,
yielding higher productivity and lower incidence of worker injury.

Of course, all this is true. But seldom considered, by comparison, are the practical applications of ergonomic intuition to the design of the home. Ergonomically-
minded interior design produces living spaces that are not only "easier" to live in, but by virtue of this ease, facilitate "happier" living.

In their 1998 paper "The Universal Design File: Designing for People of All Ages and Abilities," Story, Mueller, and Mace outlined seven principles of what has
come to be known as "Universal Design" in North America, and "Inclusive Design" or "Design for All" in other parts of the world. Having evolved since the 1970s,
this approach to design seeks to create environments that are "usable by all people to the greatest extent possible."

According to Story et al, these spaces should encompass:

1. Equitable use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
2. Flexibility in use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
3. Simple and intuitive use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the users experience, knowledge, language skills, or current
concentration level.
4. Perceptible information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the users
sensory abilities.
5. Tolerance for error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
6. Low physical effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.
7. Size and space for approach and use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the users
body size, posture, or mobility.

It is not difficult to see how living spaces which strive to embody these qualities would not only be easier to use, but would most likely increase home productivity.
Imagine, for example, a living room which utilized thoughtfully-designed lighting fixtures, placed such that they illuminate adequately the areas of interest within the
room. Chairs, tables, and footstools would be easy to relocate, thereby making the space amenable to a wider range of uses, while each furniture piece would be
able to accommodate persons of every size and ability.

This room, and others designed with Universal Design in mind are easier to use, and facilitate happier living.