Determinants of Choice of Interior Design by Academic Staff of the University of Cape Coast

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.