Abstract

The world around us is changing rapidly, and the conventional Western view of the built environment as separate from natural systems is no longer relevant. The changing climate has led to more frequent natural calamities and social unrest and exposed the vulnerability of our infrastructure. Although sustainable design is generally accepted as an approach that considers people, planet, and profit equally, it is irresponsible to maintain our current development practices using this standard. Certification systems present a checklist of specific methods focused on the human scale, but ecological principles provide the foundation for an inclusive and responsible design model at all scales. Just as humans engage with and respond to their environment, living systems interact, adapt, and respond to one another. Responsible design acknowledges the active engagement of all living things in their environments and considers ecological systems first in shaping the built environment. It is an approach that is contextual and equitable, considering the well-being of people and the planet as an interconnected system. This study explores the adaptation of a sustainable design course into a responsible design model within the context of an interior design program. A literature review supports the approach, and the data collected includes qualitative observations and student perceptions of an experiential learning case study. The results illustrate how sustainable education and responsible design principles can be adapted to promote a more holistic response to complex ecological and societal challenges.