The Interiors Theory Primer

In a world where life is increasingly defined by the spaces we inhabit, understanding interiors is essential to understanding ourselves. The Interiors Theory Primer maps the intellectual terrain of interior design and spatial experience, introducing readers to key concepts that shape how people occupy interior spaces.

Organized into three parts, this book begins with foundational concerns, such as place, identity, materiality, and atmosphere, and then examines the boundaries and expertise of the discipline, before turning to critical and emerging topics like biophilia, virtuality, and social justice. Each chapter presents a focused literature review of a major theme in interiors theory, supported by key design precedents and suggestions for further reading. Drawing on a wide range of scholarship, The Interiors Theory Primer offers a coherent framework for understanding interiors as a distinct, interdisciplinary field deeply embedded in the human condition.

Accessible to students, useful to professionals, and provocative for scholars, The Interiors Theory Primer argues that the designed environments in which we live, work, and gather deserve greater attention--not only for their aesthetic and functional qualities but also for their powerful role in shaping contemporary life.

William Mangold is an assistant professor in the Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism at Drexel University, and director of the graduate program in Interior Architecture and Design. William received degrees in Fine Arts and Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). In New York City he completed architectural renovation and restoration projects and taught at Pratt Institute, while working on a PhD in the Environmental Psychology program at The Graduate Center, CUNY. He is an editor of The People, Place, and Space Reader (2014). William is NCIDQ certified and with his partner, a textile designer, he currently maintains a small design studio in Philadelphia.