Interior architecture is all about modifying the building structure to make it more functional and visually pleasing. If you need to build a new wall or want to make your kitchen spacious, an interior architect can help you with proper guidance. And that’s what we’re going to discuss here.
In this article, you’ll learn what interior design architecture is, the roles of an interior architect, and its basics. So let’s get all the details right away.
What is Interior Design Architecture?
Interior architecture is not only about decorating spaces; it also makes the place functional and safe. This field of architecture focuses on adding practical building features and making it beautiful.
In interior architecture, the architect plans where walls, windows, and other structural elements should be built to make the place safe and efficient.
What are the Basics of Interior Architecture?
The basics of interior architecture are about understanding how to create functional and attractive spaces at the same time. You have to make the place welcoming but it should have all the safety features as well.
Here are the basics of interior Architecture.
Space Planning
The interior architect needs to plan the interior space to improve functionality and flow. While designing the layout, it’s essential to consider how people will use the space and move.
Structural Requirements
Every interior space has unique structural requirements depending on the building’s structure. Hence, it’s important to ensure that the design does not compromise the building’s structure. This task includes knowing how load-bearing walls work and whether they can handle modifications.
Safety and Compliance
While creating layouts, the interior architect should be well aware of the building codes and regulations of that area. It will ensure the safety of the people using that space.
Material Selection
Choosing appropriate materials is a must to make the building durable. If the floors, walls, and ceilings are made of high-grade material, they may become a safety hazard. Therefore, the materials should meet safety standards to enhance the integral quality of the space.
Lighting Design
Without proper lighting, any place will look dull, no matter how you decorate it. So, the interior architect needs to install light fixtures and windows to ensure better light flow around the place.
Ergonomics and Comfort
While designing the space, it’s essential to consider the comfort and practicality of the interiors. That’s why the interior architect needs to select furniture and create layouts to support the well-being and productivity of those using that space.
Environmental Sustainability
Every interior architect should use eco-friendly materials and add energy-efficient elements to ensure a safer environment.
What Skills Do Interior Architects Need?
Besides having technical and design skills, an interior architect should be good a project management and communications. Let’s see what kind of skills make an interior architect excel in their field.
Design Skills
As an interior architect, you should be able to plan and visualize the layout spaces based on the client’s preferences and comfort. You have to understand what structural improvement can be done to ensure a natural workflow around the place.
Also, the designed interior space should be aesthetically pleasing and welcoming. So, besides creating the structural layout, you have to gain knowledge about color theory, textures, and materials as well.
Technical Skills
Technical skills are necessary for creating accurate and detailed architectural drawings. Moreover, you should learn about the software that will help you to create 3D models of your layout for a better presentation.
Building Knowledge
An interior architect should have a thorough understanding of building codes, construction methods, and local regulations. This knowledge will ensure that the designs are not only eye-pleasing but also safe to use.
Project Management
While working on a project, an interior architect will have to handle multiple ongoing issues. You’ll have to work on budgeting, scheduling, and ensuring resource allocation. For this reason, you need to have excellent organizational skills.
Communication Skill
Interior architects have to deal with contractors, suppliers, and workers daily. Also, you’ll have to be connected with your clients for regular updates. Hence, you should gain some coordination skills so you can work with everyone harmoniously.
Problem-Solving Skill
Once you start working on a project, unique challenges will start coming up. You may have to face space limitations or budget cuttings. And as an interior character, you have to come up with unique solutions to solve those issues.
To gain the problem-solving skill, you need to work on both creative and technical knowledge. Only then you can make your layout come to life gracefully.
Adaptability
Even if the client agrees with the structural plan, they may not be satisfied with the outcome. In that case, you’ll have to modify plans according to the client’s preferences.
Attention to Detail
Interior architects should pay attention to details such as fixture placement, quality of materials, and the finishing of the layout. Once the project is completed, a little flaw can be the biggest drawback. Hence, precise attention to detail is one of the most important things.
Collaboration Skill
To finish a project successfully, interior architects need to work with a team. They must work with professionals from different fields to finish the interior space. Hence, an interior architect should have collaboration skills and be ready to handle conflicts whenever needed.
What Is the Role of an Interior Architect?
Here’s a breakdown of the roles of an interior architect.
Layout Planning
Interior architects create the layout of spaces within the building. They plan where the walls, windows, and furniture will be placed. Moreover, they must ensure that every inch of the interior space is functional and comfortable for the client.
Ensuring Safety
Besides making the place functional and beautiful, the architects have to make the place safe as well. They need to make sure that the interior space follows all the building codes and regulations to avoid unpleasant accidents.
Material Selection
Every interior architect should pick up the materials carefully while creating an interior space. The materials should be durable, ergonomic, and have a smooth finish. From ceiling to furniture, every element should be safe and maintain aesthetics at the same time.
Lighting Design
Interior architects also decide where the lighting setups will go to maintain an optimal light flow. Additionally, the place should have enough natural light to make the place warm and welcoming. And an interior architect will keep these things in mind while designing the layout.
Technical Documentation
To bring the designs to life, interior architects have to create detailed drawings of the plans. This way, making the layout real will become much easier.
Project Management
While working on a project, an interior architect will have to connect with different professionals to get the job done. They’ll have to talk with vendors, engineers, and clients to work on different aspects of the interior space. Therefore, project management is one of the most important tasks of an interior architect.
What’s the Difference between Interior Design and Interior Architecture?
Well, interior design is about decorating spaces while interior architecture works on changing and improving the spaces fundamentally. Let’s discuss the differences in detail.
Scope of Work
Interior design primarily focuses on the aesthetics and functionality of the spaces. The interior designers choose color palettes, decor themes, and furniture.
On the other hand, interior architects work on modifying the structure of the interior space to improve its functionality and make the place safe. They can replace walls, add or remove windows, and alter any structural object according to the layout.
Technical Requirements
Interior design emphasizes the decorative and furnishing touches of the space. For this reason, they need to know about textiles, materials, color theory, etc.
However, interior architecture is about understanding the building codes, construction methods, and structural integrity of the interior spaces. The interior architects have to work with contractors to get all the structural modifications done.
Once these alterations are done, interior designers can take over to decorate the place.
Educational Background
Interior designers might have degrees in interior design to learn about textiles, color themes, furniture types, and decor elements.
However interior architects need to have a background in architecture where they have gained knowledge regarding building structure, environmental systems, and courses in design as well.
Functionality vs. Aesthetics
Interior design mainly works on making a place aesthetically pleasing, welcoming, and comfy. It’s about customizing a space according to the client’s preferences.
By contrast, interior architecture focuses on making structural changes to make the place efficient and safe. It makes changes in the interior space according to the layout by removing a wall or adding a window for better light flow.
Moreover, the interior architect makes sure that the construction is getting done by the book so there’ll be no safety or legal code-breaking issue whatsoever.
Why Do We Need Interior Architects?
Interior architects play an important role in shaping the places where we work, live, or go for refreshments. Here’s why we need more interior architects around us.
Maximizing Space Utilization
Interior architects are skilled in making every inch of your space efficient. They can solve space-related issues by making structural modifications to the interiors. Thanks to the interior architects, you can turn your small rooms into spacious ones without losing their charm.
Increasing Functionality
Interior architects design and build spaces to accommodate your needs perfectly. They can make a studio for you with bigger windows where you can enjoy amazing natural light or a kitchen for effortless cooking.
So if you want to get functional and efficient interior space, you need to go to an interior architect without any hesitation.
Boosting Property Value
When you design a place with top-notch aesthetics and efficiency, people will generally be attracted to that. If it looks good and inviting, the property value will go up in a breath. So to make your place appealing in the real estate market, get a skilled interior architect.
Improving Aesthetics
After buying a place, you may not like the window placements or the closet space. In that case, an interior architect can do modification without harming the structural integrity of your place.
Increasing Quality of Life
When you live in a well-designed space, your lifestyle will be significantly improved. Interior architects can create visually appealing places that will offer comfort and well-being as well. With the help of an interior architect, you can create homes that support relaxation or an office that improves productivity.
What are the Similarities between Interior Architecture and Interior Design?
Though there are some significant differences between interior architecture and interior design, you’ll see some similarities as well. Let’s get to know about these similarities in detail.
Aesthetic and Functional Goals
Both interior design and interior architects work to enhance the visual aesthetics and functionality of the space. Interior design focuses on the decorative side and interior architecture is more about structural improvement. But surely they serve the same goals while working on a project.
Understanding of Materials
While choosing materials, interior architects and designers emphasize their durability and sustainability. Selecting proper materials for the interior project is important in both fields.
Collaborative Efforts
Professionals from both fields have to collaborate with other people connected to the project. Both interior designers and architects have to talk with the suppliers, engineers, and clients to run everything smoothly.
Using Design Principles
In both fields, professionals need to stick to the core design principles such as balance, harmony, and rhythm. These basics guide their decisions and help them to create appealing interiors.
Technical Proficiency
Interior architects and designers should be proficient when it comes to using software and tools. They need to create detailed and accurate layouts so the project can come out just like they want.
Impact on User Experience
Finally, both interior architects and designers focus on enhancing the quality of life of their clients. They need to create layouts according to their client’s satisfaction and make sure they enjoy the full potential of their interiors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does interior architecture include interior design?
Yes, interior architecture often uses elements of interior design. Though interior architecture is primarily about structural changes within the building, it also involves aesthetic considerations.
The goal of interior architecture is not about making the space functional, it’s about making the interiors visually appealing as well. For this reason, many interior architects are trained to handle the basics of interior design such as selecting furniture, fixtures, and colors.
Is an architect or interior designer better for renovations?
Both interior architects and designers can transform your place as you want. So who is the better choice depends on your renovation requirements.
If you need to make decor changes such as choosing a different theme for your rooms or changing the paints on the wall, you need to get an interior designer.
By contrast, if you have to build a new wall to separate areas or make your bedroom spacious, you’ll need an interior architect to finish the renovation strategically. Therefore, choose the professionals according to your requirements to finish your project successfully.
Final Verdict
When it’s about doing renovations, many people get confused and ask, what is interior design architecture, and what makes it different from interior designing? Well, you have your answers now.
Both interior design and interior architecture share some similarities, but there are differences as well. If you need to make a structural renovation, choose an interior architect. And for decorative purposes, you can go to the interior designers. With their skills and creativity, these professionals will transform your place quite smoothly, there’s no doubt about that.
