Discover the need for reforestation and its positive effects on the next generation of interior designers.

Whether it is mission style kitchens or statement walls, woods have been an integral part of any interior design over the years. But, off late, we have witnessed a decline in the wooden material supply for interior designing purposes.

The prime reason for the decline in wooden material supply is deforestation and our inability to grow more trees. It has rather hurt the environment more than we can ever think. The latest bushfires in Australia which killed more than 20 people and millions of animals is an example of how we have created a natural nightmare by ourselves.

The next generation of interior designers needs to understand the concept of reforestation and the use of woods for the latest interior design. Many interior designers who pursue interior design course are from the new generation and they are willing to make a difference to the current environmental issues with their interior designs.

For such, learners reforestation is an important aspect to understand that can mitigate the ill-effects of pollution and greenhouse gases. So, let us understand the concept or reforestation.

What is Reforestation?

Reforestation is the process of regenerating or replanting forest areas that have been destroyed or damaged for the benefit of mankind. Reforestation and a forestation share the same meaning i.e. a forestation is another name given to reforestation.

More often forests have the capability to regenerate due to cross-pollination or due to the dispersion of seeds. However, forest lands that are badly degraded cannot be regenerated unless plants have been planted by using native methods.

Reforestation can not only increase the number of trees, but it will also increase the supply of wood for interior designing. There are several types of interior design courses that focus on the effective usage of woods.

Woods as an Environmentally Friendly Material:

Trees breathe by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing the carbon in their wood, roots, leaves and surrounding soil, and releasing the oxygen back into the atmosphere.

Young, vigorously growing trees absorb the most carbon dioxide, with the rate

slowing as they reach maturity. When trees start to decay or when forests succumb to wildfire, insects or disease, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere.

However, when trees are harvested and manufactured into forest products, the products continue to store much of the carbon. In the case of wood buildings, this carbon is kept out of the atmosphere for the lifetime of the structure or longer if the wood is reclaimed and manufactured Into other products.

Manufacturing wood into products requires far less energy than other materials , and very little fossil fuel energy. Most of the used energy comes from converting residual bark and sawdust to electrical and thermal energy, adding to wood’s light carbon footprint.

This is particularly interesting to policymakers and interior designers alike. They realize the positive impact of forests and work towards them. Forest products have a great impact on greenhouse gases. A collective global effort is required in order to achieve a sustainable and balanced ecosystem.

Optimization of Woods as a Material:

New generation interior designers tend to know about interior design courses and the difference it can make to the environment. So, they are now focusing on the optimization of woods.

Even their choice of interior designing institutes is dictated by environmental concerns envisaged into the interior design program offered by such institutes. Apart from the fact that deforestation has caused control of carbon dioxide, the use of plastics and its related products have caused higher pollution.

Such pollution has created deterioration of the ozone layer protecting the earth’s surface from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. But, if we can focus on reforestation of Indian woods like teak, sal, sag, bamboo, and other such hardwoods, we can salvage our environment to some extent.

Indian hardwoods have certain characteristics that put it ahead of many other international kinds of wood used for interior design.

Characteristics of Indian Hardwoods:

• Aesthetics
• Strength
• Durability
• Finishing beauty
• Good joinery

If you are an interior designer in Ahmedabad, you will be familiar with the usage of Canadian softwoods for interior design. It is a case of ignorance towards Indian hardwoods as Canada has been the breeding ground for optimization of woods as a material for interior design.

Canadian Woods - a Case Study:

According to a recent study, an average human spends almost 90% of their time indoors. Hence, many interior designers now not only focus on the look of the interiors but also explore different ways in which they can enhance the health of the users.

Innovative ideas like designing sustainable spaces and green buildings, using natural building materials, making the most of natural light are actively used to create relaxed spaces which lead to increased productivity, creativity and positivity. The innate wellness that humans feel towards nature is what makes wood a natural choice for creating positive spaces.

Canadian wood, a sustainable alternative, promotes and encourages the inclusion of sustainable and environment-friendly products amongst the construction and interior industry.

Canadian wood species are versatile, unique and they hold an unmatched character. Life cycle assessment (LCA) supports the use of less energy, water, and materials, and minimizes impacts on human health and the environment by providing an assessment of the resource consumption throughout the building’s life.

Canadian wood is a softwood product. Though they confirm it can be a part of an individual structure or any heavy furniture design with good joinery detail. Though they give a guarantee and certificate for the use.

To ensure reforestation and continuous supply, the government has stringent laws on forest land management, where any company or firm using forest woods need to harvest forest lands with certification.

Signing off:

Reforestation is the answer to all the troubles we encounter due to climate change and pollution. It can not only increase the number of wood supplies for interior design but also improve the overall well-being of humankind.

So, if you are looking to make a difference in society with an interior design career path then our interior design certificate programs can help you achieve success with social responsibility.