Abstract:
Interior design is specifically important at the initial phase of a project where
information is gathered about the client's spatial needs. This is because a
successful project is arguably established by the client choosing that space as
acceptable. The objectives of the study explore prevalent human factors issues
within office interiors, as well as, cognition, the external environment and
human factors influencing the individual’s choices of interior design. Using
responses from 175 academic staff of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, the
response rate of 72% sufficiently represents the sample. This two-phased study
included answering of questionnaires by respondents, followed up by analysis
and then two more interviews with two project management members. The tools
employed for this study included Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance, SEM
and a narrative analysis. Eleven items were identified as factors having an
impact on choice of interior design and they were categorised under three
variables. Results of the ranking revealed standard clearances, crowding and
proxemics within the interior are major problems. The result of the SEM
analysis of the three identified factors affecting choice of interior design
revealed that the cognitive and environmental factors had significant
relationship with choice of interior design at ρ-values of 0.000 and 0.001,
respectively, while human factors had significant relationship with choice of
interior design at a ρ-value of 0.014. The results were supported by the
qualitative findings and captured relevant data that answered the objectives of
the study. The study recommended that reviews and audits, consultation with
project management before completion of the interior project and careful design
planning in the initial stages of the project.
