What’s the Difference Between Interior Design and Interior Architecture?
It’s a question often asked in initial discussions with new clients. We start talking about the architectural design of the new space and we end up in interior design territory. The general consensus is that interior design is mainly decorative and interior architecture is primarily structural.
What is Architecture?
An architect is someone who designs buildings and the structural process of the project. The buildings may be brand new homes or commercial premises, such as shops or office buildings. They may be public buildings such as a church or town hall. An architect also creates new extensions on existing buildings, can reconfigure the interior layout and accessibility of an entire house, or plan conservation and building work on a listed home or building. Architects deal with the exterior design and upkeep of buildings as well, and are concerned with the structural properties and technical aspects of the building, renovation or transformation process. A Chartered Architect is a member of RIBA.
Interior Architecture
Interior Architecture refers to interior building projects. For example, it may include the design of brand new rooms within a home, or the re-configuration of a floor layout, such as changing a ground floor kitchen with a separate dining room into an open plan kitchen space with a sociable family and entertaining area. Interior Architecture embraces the design of structural features such as fitted bespoke cabinetry and wardrobes, stair cases, panelling, skirting boards and cornices, window seats and the joinery that conceals smart technology such as home automation and control systems. All these features must take into consideration that the materials and products used adhere to the required safety standards and building regulations.
Interior Design
Interior Design is concerned with the decorative look and finish of a room. A client can commission an architect to design the new house or kitchen extension, and will then go on to work with an interior designer to complete the decorative aspects – from paint colours to wall coverings, soft furnishings, window dressings, floor coverings and the kitchen and bathroom fittings. However, both interior design and interior architecture can cross over in many circumstances, with the interior designer working with the architect to fine-tune the proportions of the panelling or the position of a bedroom that enables an en-suite bathroom to be included. An interior designer could be designing the entire interior of a house, but will bring in a kitchen designer once the kitchen cabinetry has been chosen, and a bathroom designer once the bathroom furniture and fittings have been chosen. Kitchens and bathrooms are more complex to specify and that’s why the kitchen or bathroom studio or maker, once commissioned, will design the layout and specify each item of cabinetry, brassware, and appliances.
Collaboration
All architectural projects have elements of collaboration with other specialists and consultants. We often collaborate with our partners 31 LDN when working with a client who wants a complex home automation system, or with our partners Rochford Art, who have a bespoke joinery and construction team.
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