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Thesis Preparation Guide: Evidence-Based Design

What is Evidence-Based Design

According to Stichler and Hamilton, evidence-based design is defined as "a process for the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence from research and practice in making critical decisions, together with an informed client, about the design of each individual and unique project. In other words, EBD is an informed approach to design where designers intentionally base their decisions on [both] quantitative and qualitative research." (Nussbaumer 4).

A classical example of evidence-based design is the fact that patients in rooms exposed to more natural sunlight tend to recover faster and request less pain medication than those in dimmer rooms. (Hamilton 179).

Although evidence-based design has been widely studied and applied in the healthcare environment and interiors, there have been growing applications in other building types and environments, such as pedagogical, or even residential, retail, office, and hotel spaces. (Whitemyer).

Research-Inspired Design

Another related concept similar to evidence-based design is research-inspired design. The book "Research-Inspired Design: A Step-by-Step Guide for Interior Designers"  by Lily B. Robinson and Alexandra T. Parman provides a general framework for conducting a thorough research prior to the design process. The following is a summary of the process:

  • Step 1: Planning your research: This includes asking yourself a lot of related questions and brainstorming about related ideas, concepts, and design challenges.
  • Step 2: Information gathering: This includes traditional library and literature research, evaluation and documentation of your bibliographic and information sources, interviews, surveys, and observation if applicable.
  • Step 3: Programming: This includes site selection and analysis.
  • Step 4: Design

In fact, the above research framework has been adopted in many thesis courses at NYSID. For a complete step-by-step guide to the research process, please consult the volumes in the main collection or on the reserve shelf. 

 

Readings

Print Books:

Hamilton, D. Kirk., and David H. Watkins. Evidence-based Design for Multiple Building Types. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, 2009. Print.            

Nussbaumer, Linda L. Evidence-based Design for Interior Designers. New York : [Oxford: Fairchild ; Berg, Distributor], 2009. Print..

Robinson, Lily B., and Alexandra T. Parman. Research-inspired Design : A Step-by-step Guide for Interior Designers (2020). Web. 

Articles:

Clark, Tom, Byron Edwards, and Lindsey Stang. "Body of Evidence for Research-based Solutions." 9 Oct. 2017. Healthcare Design. https://www.healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/perspectives/body-evidence-research-based-solutions/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2017.

Friedow, Bethany. "An Evidence Based Design Guide for Interior Designer." May 2012. DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska-Lincoln. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=arch_id_theses. Accessed 19 Sept. 2017.

Whitemyer, David. “The Future of Evidence-Based Design.” IIDA International Interior Design Association. http://www.iida.org/content.cfm/the-future-of-evidence-based-design. Accessed 19 Sept. 2017.