IMPACT OF HERITAGE ON CONTEMPORARY SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Vernacular interior design consists of spaces that affirm a unique material, have affinity with the local region, and carries the potential to create a sustainable, harmonious relationship between humans, nature, and the built environment. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), sustainable interior design concepts were inherited from vernacular to modern spaces. Despite the abundance of research on sustainable design, few studies have addressed the relationship between vernacular and modern sustainable interior design solutions. Studies on heritage-based interior design solutions indicate the potential to extend and implement traditional concepts into contemporary design. Hence, the objective of this research is to identify the major elements of vernacular sustainable design in the UAE and measure its applicability to contemporary interior design solutions. This paper explores some examples that reflect the impact of the country’s heritage on contemporary sustainable interior design, concluding that sustainable concepts in heritage design may inspire contemporary interior designers to reflect on the effectiveness of traditional design solutions.