Urban Interiority: Designing interior space through the lenses of shelter, place-making and atmosphere

The discipline of interior architecture suffers from a lack of discipline specific theory, a definitive title and definition, and an understanding by the general public of the role and scope of this area of design. Many definitions view interior architecture (otherwise known as interior design or simply interiors) as existing only within the context of architecture. However a recent growth in interest and discussion around interiors has highlighted the fact that those within the discipline no longer view a fixed physical enclosure or architectural envelope as defining conditions of interior space. Architecture as a prerequisite to interiors has come into question, which also questions our understanding of the conditions that define interiority.  The concepts of shelter, place and atmosphere have been identified as contributing to an understanding of interior space. This research uses these three concepts as ‘lenses’ which contribute to an understanding of alternative ways of experiencing and designing interior space. The program of a bus shelter has been selected in order to test how these concepts can create an experience of interiority in a form that is not conventionally understood as interior space.