Bridging multisensory and ud towards compassionate design in Malaysia interior design industry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30822/arteks.v10i1.3581Keywords:
Accessibility, Inclusivity, Interior design, Multisensory, Universal designAbstract
In the field of interior design, creating inclusive and engaging spaces is crucial. Universal Design (UD) and multisensory are supportive approaches that can work together to achieve this, however there is a lack of studies on the importance of universal design within the Malaysian interior design industry and its relationship with multisensory in buildings. UD emphasizes building environments that are practical and accessible to everyone, while multisensory highlights the significance of engaging all senses according to the principles of sensory design. Hence, the impact of multisensory on universal design in creating inclusive and accessible interior design will be discussed in this research. While compassionate design practices mediate the relationship between the principles of universal design and the principles of sensory design, this study has two objectives: To identify the necessity of implementing universal design in different types of buildings; and, to investigate the interaction between multisensory and universal design to promote compassionate design practices. Data was gathered through questionnaires given to people in the built environment industry. It is expected that different types of buildings have varying priorities for sensory aspects, and the integration of UD and multisensory design is both important and impactful.
Downloads
References
Cimier, Amandine, Beatrice Biancardi, Jérome Guegan, Frédéric Segonds, Fabrice Mantelet, Camille Jean, Claude Gazo, and Stéphanie Buisine. 2025. ‘Multisensory Objects’ Role on Creativity’. Journal of Creativity 35 (1): 100092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yjoc.2024.100092.
Dawodu, Ayotunde, Haoyue Dai, Tong Zou, Hongjie Zhou, Wenhan Lian, Jumoke Oladejo, and Felix Osebor. 2022. ‘Campus Sustainability Research: Indicators and Dimensions to Consider for the Design and Assessment of a Sustainable Campus’. Heliyon 8 (12): e11864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11864.
Erdtman, Emil, Kirsten Rassmus-Gröhn, and Per-Olof Hedvall. 2021. ‘Universal Design as Guiding, Striving and Unifying: A Qualitative Study about How Universal Design Is Understood, Practised and Realised in Contemporary Sweden’. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research 23 (1): 158–68. https://doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.770.
Faucheu, Jenny, Benjamin Weiland, Mihaela Juganaru-Mathieu, Arnaud Witt, and Pierre-Henri Cornuault. 2019. ‘Tactile Aesthetics: Textures That We like or Hate to Touch’. Acta Psychologica 201 (October): 102950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2019.102950.
Finnigan, Kathryn Angela. 2024. ‘Sensory Responsive Environments: A Qualitative Study on Perceived Relationships between Outdoor Built Environments and Sensory Sensitivities’. Land 13 (5): 636. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050636.
Firmansyah, Rangga, Tita Cardiah, and Fajarsani Retno Palupi. 2021. ‘THE ASPECTS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN IN INTERIOR DESIGNING’. Pendhapa 11 (1): 39–45. https://doi.org/10.33153/pendhapa.v11i1.3431.
Frutos, Laura de, Luca Pellizzari, and Mette Hvass. 2024. ‘The Influence of Urban Lighting on the Sense of Belonging’. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1320 (1): 012011. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1320/1/012011.
Ghamari, Mehrdad, Suvish, Agaah Ashrafi Dehkordi, Chan Hwang See, Ashkan Sami, Hongnian Yu, and Senthilarasu Sundaram. 2025. ‘Dementia Friendly Buildings—Approach on Architectures’. Buildings 15 (3): 385. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030385.
González-Alonso, María Yolanda, and Beatriz González-Lozano. 2024. ‘Challenges in Housing Accessibility Towards Universal Design’. Architecture 4 (4): 917–29. https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture4040048.
Hong, Joo-Young, and Keng Hua Chong. 2023. ‘Designing Public Soundscapes through Social Architecture and Soundscape Approaches: Reflective Review of Architectural Design Studio’. Sustainability 15 (16): 12399. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612399.
Kim, Dong Hyun, and Kevin Mansfield. 2021. ‘Creating Positive Atmosphere and Emotion in an Office-like Environment: A Methodology for the Lit Environment’. Building and Environment 194 (May): 107686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107686.
Krüger, Britta, Mathias Hegele, and Martina Rieger. 2024. ‘The Multisensory Nature of Human Action Imagery’. Psychological Research 88 (6): 1870–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-022-01771-y.
Mba, Emeka J., Francis O. Okeke, Ajuluchukwu E. Igwe, Chinelo A. Ozigbo, Peter I. Oforji, and Ikechukwu W. Ozigbo. 2024. ‘Evolving Trends and Challenges in Sustainable Architectural Design; a Practice Perspective’. Heliyon 10 (20): e39400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39400.
MIID. 2024. “The Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) or Pertubuhan Perekabentuk Dalaman Malaysia (PPDM) Is the National Institute Representing the Interior Design Profession in Malaysia. It Is an Amalgamation of Two Previous Bodies Namely, Interior Designers Institute of Malaysia (Institut Perekabentuk Dalaman Malaysia or IPDM) and the Malaysian Society of Interior Designers (MSID).” Https://Miid.Org.My/about-Miid/. 2024.
Navaitienė, Julita, and Eglė Stasiūnaitienė. 2021. ‘The Goal of the Universal Design for Learning: Development of All to Expert Learners’. In , 23–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80658-3_2.
Null, Roberta, ed. 2013. Universal Design. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b15580.
Persson, Hans, Henrik Åhman, Alexander Arvei Yngling, and Jan Gulliksen. 2015. “Universal Design, Inclusive Design, Accessible Design, Design for All: Different Concepts—One Goal? On the Concept of Accessibility—Historical, Methodological and Philosophical Aspects.” Universal Access in the Information Society 14 (4): 505–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-014-0358-z.
Rachman, Zulfi, Francesco Aletta, and Jian Kang. 2024. ‘Exploring Soundscape Assessment Methods in Office Environments: A Systematic Review’. Buildings 14 (11): 3408. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113408.
Sarialioglu, Sinem. 2025. ‘ENHANCING COGNITIVE PROCESSES’. Lighting Design + Application 55 (2): 42–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/03606325251318553.
Spence, Charles. 2020. ‘Senses of Place: Architectural Design for the Multisensory Mind’. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications 5 (1): 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-020-00243-4.
Szaszák, Gabriella, and Tibor Kecskés. 2020. ‘Universal Open Space Design to Inform Digital Technologies for a Disability-Inclusive Place-Making on the Example of Hungary’. Smart Cities 3 (4): 1293–1333. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities3040063.
Tabassum, Rafa Ramisha, and Jihyun Park. 2024. ‘Development of a Building Evaluation Framework for Biophilic Design in Architecture’. Buildings 14 (10): 3254. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103254.
Velasco, Carlos, Jessica Vargas, and Olivia Petit. 2024. ‘Multisensory Experiences and Technology in the Context of Wine Experiences’. Journal of Wine Research 35 (2): 85–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571264.2024.2310304.
Velasco, Carlos, and Marianna Obrist. 2021. “Multisensory Experiences: A Primer.” Frontiers in Computer Science 3 (March). https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2021.614524.
Yildirim, Muhammed, Anastasia Globa, Ozgur Gocer, and Arianna Brambilla. 2024. ‘Multisensory Nature Exposure in the Workplace: Exploring the Restorative Benefits of Smell Experiences’. Building and Environment 262 (August): 111841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111841.
Zallio, Matteo, and P. John Clarkson. 2024. ‘A Study to Depict Challenges and Opportunities Building Industry Professionals Face When Designing Inclusive and Accessible Buildings’. Architectural Science Review 67 (3): 268–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2023.2270983.
Zeng, Fangmeng, Guanghua Wang, Jie Qiao, Qicai Wang, Meiqin Wu, Xiangsong Zeng, and Xinghua Hong. 2024. ‘Modeling the Relationship between Fabric Textures and the Evoked Emotions through Different Sensory Perceptions’. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics 19 (January). https://doi.org/10.1177/15589250241248761.

























