On Earth Day, interior designer Campion Platt dropped by the D&D Building to discuss current environmental problems and solutions, as well as eco trends and products.

“Right now, we are in every way expanding society,” he said. “We have greater needs, and get them at the expense of our environment. Deforestation, pollution, and excess garbage are just a few of the problems we need to address as a society.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), humans have 15 years to solve problems such as rising sea levels, ocean acidification, effects on health and the breakdown of food systems. “Extreme weather events are leading to the breakdown of critical services such as electricity, water supply… and health and emergency services.”

Since 1970, cumulative CO2 emissions have doubled and 33% of that comes from electricity, according to Campion. “We still obviously need it. It makes everything function, but what we need to do is de-carbonize it—use other means to produce electricity.”

Through productivity, he believes new design can help the environment. Campion shared the following tips and facts as a guide for designers:
-made within 500 miles
-FSC, Greenguard or WaterSense certified
-Clean Air Council approved
-No VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
-Natural Materials (cotton, wool, latex, wood and stone)
-Ceiling Fans
-House Plants
-heavy drapes, heavy furniture or rugs,
-Re-use gray (used) water
-Solar Panels
-Use EnergyStar efficient appliances

Appliances and materials to reduce carbon footprint:

• Structural insulated panels (SIPDs) provide a tighter, more insulated building envelope.
• Double glazed windows prevent heat from escaping in the winter and radiated heat from entering in the summer.
• Solar Shingles and panels create solar energy—an alternative to electricity.
• Smart irrigation for the outdoors senses temperature, humidity and time of day and adjusts irrigation according to the conditions.
• Phillips Hue lighting system access lights remotely from smartphone to save energy.
• Cloudwash washing machine provides presets to manage time and water usage.
• Nest thermostats save energy with its programming capabilities.
• P3 International Kill a Watt PS assesses efficiency of appliances hooked up to it.
• Oras Etrna Showerhead monitors water usage.
• Salatube Lighting brings natural lighting to interior spaces.
• Dual flush toilets use less water.
• Low flow faucets use an aerator to save water.
• Natural and recycled materials: bamboo, cork, linen, organic cotton, wool
• Sustainable flooring, insulating panels, denim insulation, green walls, recycled leather, recycled glass, low voc paints.

To finish up his presentation, Campion presented a few of his projects that use eco-friendly products. For the sixth annual Holiday House NYC, he collaborated with Sleep Studio to create a master bedroom suite and used all latex mattresses, renewable plant based materials, no VOCs, organic cotton and linen sleepwear.

He also participated in the Idea House show house where each designer contributed to create sustainable interiors. Many of the materials were recycled while others were bought on eBay or from antique stores. He also used local vendors to reduce his carbon footprint.

Prior to the lecture, Campion spoke with a group of NYSID students about entering the interior design business. “They have to have an inspired idea behind every project and focus on one of the four areas of design—architecture, interior architecture, interior design and decoration,” Campion shared. “The more spectrums they cross over, the more work they will be open to.”

Through his environmental research, knowledge and projects, Campion demonstrated how sustainable design can make a change. His presentation encouraged designers—and students—to be proactive in the design world.

- Go Design Go