As people spend nearly 70% of their time indoors, the quality of interior environments has a significant impact on human comfort, health, and overall well-being. Many indoor spaces are negatively affected by pollutants and toxins originating from construction materials, furnishings, surface finishes, and inadequate ventilation, often contributing to issues such as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Enhancing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) has therefore become a critical concern within sustainable design. This research explores how the integration of sustainable design principles with emerging 3D printing technologies can improve human comfort and contribute to healthier, more sustainable interior spaces. Using a mixed empirical and experimental methodology, the study investigates the thermal and visual performance of environmentally responsible materials suitable for additive manufacturing. Selected bioplastics and recycled materials are digitally modelled and fabricated into 3D prototypes that represent potential interior applications, including partitions, ceiling systems, and furniture components. These prototypes undergo performance simulations and environmental testing to evaluate their thermal behaviour, visual properties, and overall suitability for indoor use under realistic conditions. Initial findings highlight the importance of material characteristics such as thermal conductivity, thermal behaviour, visual perception, and printability in determining comfort and functional performance. The results also indicate that sustainable 3D-printing materials—particularly PLA and recycled composites—offer promising thermal, acoustic, and structural qualities. However, challenges remain regarding their long-term durability, environmental resistance, and full recyclability, which may limit their scalability for high- performance applications. This research contributes to the development of healthier and more sustainable interior environments by identifying material and technological strategies that enhance indoor comfort.
Key Words: 3D printing, additive manufacturing, sustainable interior design, human comfort, bio-composites.

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As people spend nearly 70% of their time indoors, the quality of interior environments has a significant impact on human comfort, health, and overall well-being. Many indoor spaces are negatively affected by pollutants and toxins originating from construction materials, furnishings, surface finishes, and inadequate ventilation, often contributing to issues such as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Enhancing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) has therefore become a critical concern within sustainable design. This research explores how the integration of sustainable design principles with emerging 3D printing technologies can improve human comfort and contribute to healthier, more sustainable interior spaces. Using a mixed empirical and experimental methodology, the study investigates the thermal and visual performance of environmentally responsible materials suitable for additive manufacturing. Selected bioplastics and recycled materials are digitally modelled and fabricated into 3D prototypes that represent potential interior applications, including partitions, ceiling systems, and furniture components. These prototypes undergo performance simulations and environmental testing to evaluate their thermal behaviour, visual properties, and overall suitability for indoor use under realistic conditions. Initial findings highlight the importance of material characteristics such as thermal conductivity, thermal behaviour, visual perception, and printability in determining comfort and functional performance. The results also indicate that sustainable 3D-printing materials—particularly PLA and recycled composites—offer promising thermal, acoustic, and structural qualities. However, challenges remain regarding their long-term durability, environmental resistance, and full recyclability, which may limit their scalability for high- performance applications. This research contributes to the development of healthier and more sustainable interior environments by identifying material and technological strategies that enhance indoor comfort.
Key Words: 3D printing, additive manufacturing, sustainable interior design, human comfort, bio-composites.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.