BEYOND AESTHETICS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF RESOURCE EFFICIENCY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GREEN INTERIOR DESIGN AND BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

The growing emphasis on sustainable buildings has expanded the role of interior design beyond aesthetic enhancement toward environmental responsibility, resource conservation, and long-term building performance. However, limited empirical research has examined how green interior design contributes to building sustainability through resource efficiency. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationship between Green Interior Design (GID), Resource Efficiency (RE), and Building Sustainability (BS), with particular emphasis on the mediating role of resource efficiency. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design is employed using a structured questionnaire administered to professionals and stakeholders involved in architecture, interior design, construction, facility management, and sustainable building practices. The proposed relationships are examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS. The study investigates whether green interior design positively influences resource efficiency and building sustainability and whether resource efficiency serves as an explanatory mechanism linking green interior design with broader sustainability outcomes. The findings indicate that green interior design is positively associated with resource efficiency and building sustainability, while resource efficiency also demonstrates a positive relationship with building sustainability. Furthermore, resource efficiency plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between green interior design and building sustainability. The study highlights that sustainable interior design extends beyond aesthetic considerations by influencing the efficient use of materials, energy, water, and other resources. The research contributes to the sustainable built-environment literature by positioning resource efficiency as an important mechanism through which interior design can support building sustainability. The findings also provide practical implications for architects, interior designers, construction professionals, facility managers, and sustainability practitioners seeking to integrate resource-efficient strategies into building design and management.