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209 Interior design education often focuses on developing new spaces; however , it is increasingly important for designers to utilize existing buildings in pursuit of more sustainable design strategies. Due to the economic constraints of recent years, society has come to realize the benefit (and necessity) of adapting what is already existing rather than relying on new construction to meet contemporary demands. The relationship between interior designers and historic preservation is often overlooked; however, they can play an integral role in preservation efforts as a result of their training in the historical use of space as well as today’s functional requirements . Similarly, their experience in integrating all types of sustainable strategies into the built environment makes them valuable contributing members of project teams for the rehabilitation or continued use of older buildings. Unfortunately, if interior design students are not exposed to the value of historic preservation in their undergraduate degree program, they may be unprepared for the type of work they are likely to see during their professional practice. Interior design education is regulated by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (cida), which requires programs to meet a comprehensive set of standards in a variety of areas. While these do not specifically address historic preservation, a number of standards relate directly to many aspects of the field, including an extensive understanding and application of historical movements and styles, along with the significant level of sustainability evident in the profession. The importance of sustainability and various strategies for achieving it are often emphasized in design education, and this content could serve as a logical connection between preservation and interior design if highlighted by faculty. The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate that there is a need to integrate historic preservation into interior design curriculums in Oklahoma; an example of a project is included to demonstrate one technique for doing Melissa Santana and Valerie L. Settles 14Integrating Historic Preservation into the Undergraduate Interior Design Curriculum 210 P R E S E R V A T I O N E D U C A T I O N so. To accomplish this, a literature review provides an understanding of the connection between interior design and preservation as well as an overview of what is currently being taught in the universities. This is followed by a survey that assesses the knowledge and interest in preservation of Oklahoma undergraduate interior design students. The chapter concludes with an example of how a historic preservation project can be integrated into an interior design curriculum. Literature Review Since the first structures were built by early civilizations there has been a concern for the design of the interiors. Over time the interior design profession has transitioned from a home economics perspective to a social science perspective, with practitioners evolving from “society decorators” into the more contemporary roles of designers and researchers. Today, the definition of interior design provided by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (ncidq) asserts that design solutions acknowledge the social context of the project and must be “functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and aesthetically pleasing,” and that interior designers “protect and enhance the health, life safety, and welfare of the public” while integrating research and analysis into the design process . While the profession of interior design continues to grow, the emphasis has shifted from aesthetics to the social responsibility designers have in providing spaces that create a positive impact on people, the environment, and the economy. The American Society of Interior Designers (asid) notes in “Health and Safety” that “the issue of public welfare, within the realm of professional interior design, includes the responsibility of considering the greater whole.” The spaces interior designers create should ultimately allow the users to access their full potential, whatever that may be, and ensure that the design solutions are functional, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing. In a similar vein, the International Interior Design Association’s (iida) mission statement on sustainability promotes the use of materials and space plans that reduce the negative impacts on the natural environment and improve the health and well-being of all people. The inclusion of well-being is imperative because it is often an overlooked aspect of social responsibility. iida’s stance on the profession is that the goal of the interior designer’s plan should be beneficial to everyone and not just those who use the space. To meet that goal it asserts that using socially responsible materials and construction...

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