Interior Design Architecture
From LoveToKnow Interior Design
When we talk about interior design, most of the time we talk about styles and trends, picking the right colors, furniture, rugs, and accessories to complement your room and style. But what if your project requires more than aesthetic design - what if want to remodel the room by taking down a wall - or what if your space is simply unusual, and you need some advice about how to make the best use of it? An interior architect might be just the right person for the job.
Interior Architecture - What Is It?
An interior architect receives much of the same training as an interior designer - they study the relationships between color, texture, lighting, and all the aesthetic details a interior designer must understand. An interior architect, however, is also trained in the principles of architecture. They approach designing the interior of your home the same way an architect would approach designing the exterior of a building, with an eye towards factors like space, environment, scale, and location.
Though certified interior designers must know the basics of room construction and be able to identify walls that are safe to knock down, etc, interior architects will be much more well-versed in areas like building codes, construction methods, construction materials, and internal wiring.
What Can an Interior Architect Do For You?
If you are considering reconstructing the interior of your home, an interior architect will help you determine:
- Which walls are safe to remove
- How much rewiring/re-plumbing will be involved
- The best lay out for your new floor plan
- The best materials to use in your new construction, and the best suppliers
- What local building codes need to be met/any permits for which you will to apply
- A reasonable budget
Your architect should have a construction team with whom they have a working relationship to do the physical labor, and the architect should oversee the progress every step of the way. Once the construction phase is over, your interior architect should be able to provide the same functions you would expect from any interior designer, in helping you choose furniture, lighting, etc, that complement the space. (One note about this last function, though - keep in mind that interior architects are trained to balance the aesthetic and scientific/mathematical aspects of room design much more than interior designers. Some interior architects talents are in the internal reconstruction process and you may find you want to hire a different designer for creative decoration process.)
How Can You Find an Interior Architect?
A number of online resources can help you find an interior architect in your area:
You can also contact your state board of architecture and interior design for advice about firms in your area.
When hiring an interior architect, you should ask many of the same questions that you ask when hiring an interior designer. Additionally, ask about educational background, architectural certifications, and references. Unlike interior decorators, who may be self-trained or uncertified, never allow an interior architect to work on your home who does not have a degree and certification in the field.
Want a Career in Interior Architecture
If you are thinking of interior architecture as a career, find a school that specializes specifically in that field (interior architecture degree programs are becoming more common at all schools that offer design programs). Make sure your school is certified by FIDER and ideally from tha National Architecture Accreditation Board (NAAB).
This page has been accessed 1,726 times. This page was last modified 16:49, 23 July 2006.
© 2006-2008 LoveToKnow Corp.
