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Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

  • 1.  Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 02-24-2016 05:52 PM

    Good evening, 

    I am a graduate student researching the perceptions of the term "interior architecture."  You opinions and feedback are very important to the research on this topic.  This is a completely unbiased survey and as the researcher, I appreciate and respect all views on this issue.  To thank you for your time, $25 Amazon.com gift cards will be randomly awarded to three participants.  Thank you!

    https://www.esurveycreator.com/s/interior_architecture



  • 2.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 02-25-2016 05:53 PM

    I dislike the term "Interior Architecture."  Are there "Exterior Architects"?  To me, the term was invented to avoid the "stigma" of calling oneself an Interior Designer. Before I proceed, let me say that I graduated Architecture school, but have focused most of my professional career in commercial Interior Design. I have NCARB and NCIDQ certificates and am a professional member of AIA and IIDA. I contend that comprehensive Interior Design includes the shaping of the space in functional terms as well as the 3D modeling of the space. Comprehensive Interior Design continues this process by selecting finishes, furnishings and equipment for the space as well as incorporating building systems into the design. That is what Interior Design represents to me. In fact, the term "Interior Architecture" is limiting what comprehensive Interior Design entails as it by inference neglects those final aspects of the solution.

    Not all Interior Designers or Architects may agree with my definition, but I contend that it is the responsibility of the profession of Interior Design to define itself better rather that compromise itself with the term "Interior Architecture." 

    ------------------------------
    James Griffo, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP
    Birmingham, AL

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 02-26-2016 05:59 PM

    Interior Architecture is an inappropriate term for an architect. I am not of a fan of the antiquated term "Master Builder" as well for an architect for similar reasons. Architects create environments.

    We should continue to focus on the title of "Architect" being a licensed profession. I still see examples of references to unlicensed architectural designers being referred to as "Architects".

    ------------------------------
    John Parnon AIA
    President
    BrandPoint Design LLC
    Brookfield WI

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 02-26-2016 06:24 PM

    Here's what the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) says about the term "interior architecture."

    Important Notice! - For marketing purposes, some schools are calling their interior design programs "interior architecture", and unfortunately, graduates from these programs resort to calling themselves “interior architects”. Under California law, there is no such title as “interior architect” or “interior architecture”. You are either an interior designer, or a licensed architect. There is nothing in between. Calling oneself an “interior architect” or saying that you perform “interior architectural services”, unless you are a licensed architect, you are holding yourself out as an "architect" without a license, and, as such, you expose yourself to a citation and an expensive civil penalty from the California Architects Board. Regardless of which interior design program you graduate from, you can only call yourself an “interior designer” or the legal title of “Certified Interior Designer” but only when you have applied to, and been approved by CCIDC. (https://ccidc.org/schools.html#unlawful  Note: emphasis in the original.)

    While perception may be important, use of the term is regulated legally, at least in California.

    ------------------------------
    Richard Morrison
    Architect-Interior Designer
    Redwood City CA

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 02-29-2016 12:37 PM

    FYI……some boards have defined this as follows:

     

    3.2.15 As to interior architecture, the practice of architecture is defined at Miss. Code Ann. §73-

    1-3(c). This statute provides that a person is engaging in the practice of architecture if that

    person is held out as able to perform any professional service such as planning, design, including

    aesthetic and structural designs, and consultation in connection therewith, or responsible

    inspection of construction, in connection with any non-exempt buildings, structures, or projects,

    or the equipment or utilities thereof, or the accessories thereto, wherein the safeguarding of life,

    health or property is concerned or involved, when such professional service requires the

    application of the art and science of construction based upon the principles of mathematics,

    aesthetics, functional planning, and the physical sciences.

    As planning and design, including aesthetic and structural designs, encompass the entire

    structure, both interior and exterior, the Board holds that engaging in only partial aspects of the

    definition of architecture remains the practice of architecture and may be performed only by one

    who is licensed as an architect in conformance with Miss. Code Ann. §§73-1-1 et seq. Thus, the

    practice of interior architecture in buildings is the practice of architecture. Accordingly,

    individuals who engage in the practice of planning and designing any life safety elements of the

    interior of any non-exempt buildings, including any aesthetic element, shall be considered

    practicing architecture.

     

     

    Richard McNeel, AIA

    JBHM Logo 2013

     

    308 East Pearl St.  Ste. 300

    Jackson, MS 39201

    Work 601 352 2699

    Cell 601 927 1129

    www.jbhm.com

    rmcneel@jbhm.com

     




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 03-01-2016 06:56 PM

    As a graduate of a program titled as "Interior Architecture and Product Design" I look at this term from a different perspective. As background the University I attended was Kansas State University. Our program a five year program within the College of Architecture and separate from the four year Interior Design program in our College of Human Ecology. Through my time there I learned just how unique our program really was. If I remember right, there are only a handful of programs near a dozen that are truly comparable. I have since gone on to become licensed in the State of Wisconsin as it is not an NAAB degree. The main reason for that was the two semesters of studio that focused on product design, NCARB recognizes as time not spent on Architectural studio focus. We also had three semesters of Furniture Design Workshop, and were not required to take Structures III and IV. But I am beginning to digress. When I opted to pursue my particular degree after freshman year as aside from the Architecture or Landscape Architecture degree, was having an affinity for adaptive reuse. In fact one of my favorite projects in school was designing a Restaurant to go into an early 1900s Bank shell. Me and my partner elected to do a micro-brew pub, whereas the only exterior items we focused on were simply storefront presence and signage/branding. This is what I always envisioned Interior Architecture to be best described as. There is no shortage of structural complications one could encounter through different scenarios like this, and is beyond selecting finishes. As I made it through the program the emphasis was how to further enhance the Architecture of the Interior, whether that be designing a custom piece of furniture or working with lighting design. One of the few AIA state conventions I have attended featured a speech by one of the former presidents of the Iowa AIA, which has resonated with me since on this topic. She suggested that we ponder all of the different Doctor's we may know. And while they all went to Medical school and came out with the same "Dr." in front of their names, they all end up specializing in many different things. There is a distinct difference between an optometrist, a dermatologist, a cardiologist and so on and so on. She left it rhetorical when she said, perhaps our industry has room to have more titles of what areas we specialize in. I thought it was very good food for thought, however since graduating school nearly eight years ago and becoming a licensed professional now I do not find it near as important to me than I once did. However, I still find this topic quite interesting.

     

    Grant Thome

    AIA, Legacy LEED AP

     

     

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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 03-02-2016 04:48 PM

    All:


    I actually find the distinction to be beneficial to the profession. Our sister organizations of construction and interiors have successfully convinced some of the public and policy makers that Architects are designers of the shell and structure. We know this as an ignorant perception but perception can become reality over time for those who are not accustomed to project delivery. An "Architectural Interior" denotes a higher standard than simply "Interior Design". Depending on the Architect this may only be a perception but the general impression is that it is the highest level of design for interiors. The perception adds value and promotes the Architect as the "Master" or "Leader". I applaud any label that promotes the Architect as the primary leader of design and planning. While we may know that Architects are comprehensive designers of the interior environment and I would further say the interior environment is where we provide the greatest value to society. I would like a new term for architects to be recognized for creating environments that are the greatest places to work/live/play. A term that more reflects the experience of working, living and playing. If it were not for error in perceptions the term "Architectural Interiors" likely would never have been created. We need to address the issue of the perception not the terms created to counter the perception.


    Thanks


    David J. Henebry, AIA NCARB




    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 03-04-2016 07:32 AM

    I would agree with Mr. Henebry to a certain extent.  I too have spent a large portion of my career on the interior architecture side.  While I find that the distinction does have merit there are other issues that are clouding the distinction.

     

    Many undergraduates seeking an architectural interiors degree are not being made aware of the fact that there will not be a possibility of becoming licensed as an architect in most jurisdictions of the US.  Other posts have alluded to the legal implications of not becoming licensed.  No person in those jurisdictions may be able to legally call themselves an Interior Architect since there is currently no state that I know of that has this title registered and codified. Until the states decide (or not) to create legislation for the practice of Interior Architecture (God help us), there is little significance in the title and students should be made aware of such before they get into the curriculum.

     

    Arizona considered allowing anyone to perform tenant fit-out services for buildings without restriction.  How this protects the health, safety and welfare of the public is a mystery to me.  The fact that this bill was being considered illustrates the total lack of understanding of the depths that are required to properly design and construct buildings, inside or out.

     

    I do believe there is a place for this area of practice.  Rather than being taught as an undergraduate program, I could see it being a graduate level degree that would require a first professional degree in order to become licensed. There seems to be no end to the number of descriptions that want to eat into the practice of architecture without having the commensurate education and training.  Buildings are becoming more complex and as such only those trained in a proper methods should be able to lead the process of the design of buildings.

     

    Greg Burke, AIA, NCARB

    President

    2016 AIA Florida Vice President - Communications

     

    GREGORY JOHN BURKE | ARCHITECT, PA

     

    333  17th Street, Suite J

    Vero Beach, Florida 32960

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    gjburke@burkearchitects.com

     

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    This e-mail and any attachments contain Gregory John Burke | ARCHITECT, PA confidential information that may be proprietary or privileged.  If you receive this e-mail in error or are not the interested recipient, you should not retain, distribute, disclose or use any of the information and you should destroy this e-mail and any attachments and/or copies.  All information is protected by Copyright laws of the United States of America

     




    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 03-05-2016 12:18 PM
    The AIA uses the terms "Architectural Interior Design Services" and "Architectural Interior Design" in its contracts, so there is a standard that defines these services and their designation. Furthermore, if the drawings are signed and stamped by architects, the practice is obviously architecture.
     
    Gloria Rasmussen AIA CSI CCS   
    RMW architecture & interiors
    1718 Third Street, Suite 101
    Sacramento, CA 95811
    Tel 916.449.1400 x 415    Fax 916.449.1414
    grasmussen@rmw.com   www.rmw.com



    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 03-05-2016 12:21 PM
    The AIA uses the terms "Architectural Interior Design Services" and "Architectural Interior Design" in its contracts, so there is a standard that defines these services and their designation. Furthermore, if the drawings are signed and stamped by architects, the practice is obviously architecture.
     
     
    Gloria Rasmussen AIA CSI CCS 
      
    RMW architecture & interiors
    1718 Third Street, Suite 101
    Sacramento, CA 95811
    Tel 916.449.1400 x 415    Fax 916.449.1414
    grasmussen@rmw.com   www.rmw.com



    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 03-03-2016 08:40 AM

    Personally, the term “interior architecture” has never made sense to me.  Architecture seems to be an all-encompassing entity—inside space, outside space, transition space and all those systems and materials that go into defining it.  Rather, Interior Architecture seems to have been a tag coined for one of those artificial expediencies born out of the need to define professional service boundaries, turf battles and contract language.  A more apt expression—if we have to-- is probably Interior Design(er)  as it reflects the apparent market need cordon off divisions of labor, work effort and designer boundaries. 

    Similarly, the human anatomy, and all the systems that work interactively, isn’t conceptualized as discrete and independent slices of inside and outside, it’s just one. It’s not unlike the Internal Medicine physician and Dermatologist who need their slice of the anatomy for artificial clarity of service boundaries but unreflective of the reality of the mutual interconnectedness between the two. 

    The end result of such an artificial dissection of the concept of “architecture” into self-serving slices of the pie, just further diminishes the experience of architecture in its totality.   

    ------------------------------
    Richard Hintz
    AIA NCARB LEED AP

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 03-04-2016 07:02 PM

    Over 30 years ago at a time when I was in need of a job, I took a position with an interior design firm here in Denver where I became exposed to and rather proficient at detailing interior woodwork and similar interior features.  I've been on my own now for over 28 years, and about one third of my architectural practice has been designing and detailing interior mill-work, stone, plaster, etc. Much of this work has been traditional in style.  I have found that it is not uncommon for architects preparing plans for new homes to run out of fee or patience before they can fully detail the interiors of the homes they are designing. As a result I have been brought in on many projects to do what I unashamedly call "Interior Architecture" to finish jobs other architects started. I have good working relationships with them meanwhile as we have mutual respect for each others talents, skills and interests. Meanwhile  I have found that some "Interior Designers" are not interested in or capable of preparing the type of fastidiously detailed drawings I do.  The term "Interior Architecture" works for me when it comes to describing this special service which I provide.  For the other two thirds of my practice I refer to myself by the broader and all-encompassing term "Architect".

    ------------------------------
    Robert Larsen AIA
    Principal
    Robert R. Larsen, A.I.A.
    Denver CO

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 03-05-2016 01:28 PM

    We don't use the term 'Nurse Doctor', there is nothing wrong with being an interior designer, it is a good profession.

     

    Robert Arthur King, FAIA

    raking@att.net

    212-926-3270 - Office

    robertarthurkingarchitect.com

     




    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 02-27-2016 11:02 AM

    It’s really semantics; I believe that an Interior Architect is an architect who practices Comprehensive Interior Design. And yes, it is different from those architects who design whole buildings. I am a retired architect who practiced for many years as an Interior Architect. My design and that of the teams of architects and designers that I supervised was constrained but not necessarily defined by the surrounding structures. Depending on the client, function and context of the projects, we created environments that integrated the design of space, color, light, finishes, furnishings, systems and sustainability. During my career the business of architecture became significantly more complicated and the knowledge required to produce the best designs for our clients required more and more specialization. I think the evolution of the Interior Architect was a response to that need and licensed Interior Designers who perform the same roles and responsibilities with the same level of expertise are functioning as Interior Architects without the professional title.

    ------------------------------
    William Reehl
    Mt Pleasant SC

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Opinions on the term "Interior Architecture"

    Posted 03-01-2016 06:49 PM

    I feel the term Interior Architecture blurs the line between Architects and Interior designers and there's already an issue in this regard! As a residential Architect, I battle constantly, more too as a woman unfortunately, with what it means to be an Architect. People often assume I do interiors even when I say "I'm an Architect". Interior designers feel disrespected because we want to differentiate ourselves from them. Blurring the lines between us as professionals continues to erode the profession of Architecture. I think the AIA and we, as professionals, need to fight for what we have worked so hard to achieve.

    ------------------------------
    Lori Schneider AIA
    Studio Blue Design, LLC
    Boulder CO

    Original Message