The Interiors Theory Primer

This Primer provides insight into the significance of interior spaces and experiences. This book provides both interior design students and instructors, a clear and cohesive structure to understand and engage the important contributions that comprise interiors theory from core to emerging areas of the discipline.

IDEC Book of the YearIn a world where life is increasingly defined by the spaces we inhabit, understanding interiors is essential to understanding ourselves. The Interiors Theory Primer maps the intellectual terrain of interior design and spatial experience, introducing readers to key concepts that shape how people occupy interior spaces. Organized into three parts, this book begins with foundational concerns, such as place, identity, materiality, and atmosphere, and then examines the boundaries and expertise of the discipline, before turning to critical and emerging topics like biophilia, virtuality, and social justice. Each chapter presents a focused literature review of a major theme in interiors theory, supported by key design precedents and suggestions for further reading. Drawing on a wide range of scholarship, The Interiors Theory Primer offers a coherent framework for understanding interiors as a distinct, interdisciplinary field deeply embedded in the human condition. Accessible to students, useful to professionals, and provocative for scholars, The Interiors Theory Primer argues that the designed environments in which we live, work, and gather deserve greater attention—not only for their aesthetic and functional qualities but also for their powerful role in shaping contemporary life.