#340 - WHO SHOULD I HIRE? The differences between architect, interior architect, interior designer, designer, and decorator
SUMMARY
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design clarify the distinctions between architecture, interior architecture, interior design, and decor. They also explain the variations between the responsibilities of an architect, an interior designer, an interior architect, a designer, and a decorator. Enjoy!
Download a chart of the different scope of services here.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Introduction.
(03:17) Defining the scopes of architecture, interior architecture, interior design, and decorating.
(03:17) - Architecture
(05:24) - Interior Architecture
(15:14) - Interior design
(16:58) - Decorating
“If there's an interior-scope project, as soon as we move a wall, technically we have ventured into interior architecture. If we shift an opening location from here to three feet over, that's interior architecture. Obviously, though there are a lot of interior designers who do that kind of work. And this gets to another point which is that someone could have the capacity to do interior architecture, but that capacity could vary greatly. Having the ability or expertise and knowledge to shift a few walls around to make a space bigger is very different from designing the entire floor plan of a house. Those are very different things and that's where I think clients get into trouble because you have professionals who do mostly surface-level work and of course, on occasion move a doorway or wall, so they say, "I can do interior architecture". Then the client hires that person to do way more than moving a few walls and that's where trouble takes place.”(10:18)
“What does it mean if someone's an interior architect? What it means is that they're an architect, a full-fledged licensed architect. The same license, same exams, and same registration as any other architect. The only difference is that they have decided to focus their efforts on the interior aspects of buildings as opposed to anything else. That's the only difference. But they're an architect. Can an interior designer be an interior architect? Yes. If they are legally both interior designers and separately an architect, then yes. But you can't just claim to be an interior architect because you "do Interior architecture". It doesn't work that way.” (12:06)
“There is this perception that architects mainly do the exterior of buildings. And a lot of architects, again, not so much in this residential space, but in other project types, focus on the big gestures of the building and they do a lot of exterior facade work. But if you're an architect and you focus on the exterior of the building, you are not titled 'exterior architect'. You're just an architect. So I think because of that there has trickled down this misconception that architect means only exterior [and not interiors].” (13:54)
(17:55) - The responsibilities of the different professionals.
(17:55) - Architect
(24:22) - Structural Engineer
(25:40) - Interior Architect
(27:02) - Interior Designer
(30:34) - Designer
“How do I know if I should use an architect for interior design? Generally, if we're talking about modern or contemporary homes, there are more likely to be architecture offices that will do all of the interiors because architects tend to see structures, buildings, living spaces, and working spaces a certain way - To them that line between interior design and architecture, is much less important and it basically does not exist in a lot of contemporary or modern homes. Architecture and interiors are all one in the same thing. I do think that in more classical or traditional styles of homes, you are less likely to find an architecture office that will do full-fledged interiors.” (20:29)
“Architects generally are not huge fans of wallpaper. Architects like real materials because we are trained to understand the value, integrity, and philosophy behind these different materials. Stone means something, and metal means something. We like to honor the materials and use them for their inherent qualities. We don't just throw stuff on a wall because it looks good. I'm not saying wallpaper's bad, but that's why a lot of architects don't like wallpaper and they shy away from it because it's a superficial application just for appearances, and architects don't think that way.” (21:22)
“If an architect designs a kitchen, the kitchen will most likely be very much part of the interior architecture rather than being a kitchen that you could find in any other house. It's much more about blurring the lines between interior design and architecture, rather than thinking about them as two different entities. Interior designers tend to approach a room as a blank white box and we can do anything in that white box. The white box approach might work pretty well for an apartment. A powder room is a very good example [for the white box approach] because it is one of those spaces that are typically much more interior design focused because it is oftentimes just a four-wall enclosed box. It has no spatial relationship to anything else versus a great room. In a great room, try drawing a line between interior architecture and interior design... you can’t.” (22:18)
(33:17) The professionals’ responsibilities for each part of a fictional project include site planning structure, facade, doors, windows, floor plans, mechanical systems, walls, interior wall finishes, millwork and built-ins, architectural lighting, decorative lighting, lighting plans, plumbing fixture locations and selection, equipment, furniture, and decor.
