Communication is key to the successful collaboration of your architectural and design team, but it’s important to know who does what before you launch into a project
Common questions that frequently crop up include:
We tackle all this, and more, in today’s blog post.
Let’s dig into it.
There is often some confusion between the terms 'interior designer' and 'interior decorator'.
In the USA, the terms can be interchangeable, but in the UK and Europe, 'interior designer' is the preferred term. It refers to someone trained to create an aesthetic concept for an interior space and with specialist knowledge of areas such as lighting, furniture and fabrics.
If you’re interested in learning more about the intersection of interior and architectural design, check out our post on the role of a commercial architect.
The phrase 'interior architect' is sometimes used as an alternative to 'interior designer', but in the UK you can only legally call yourself an 'architect' if you are qualified and registered with the Architects Registration Board.
The roles of the interior designer and the architect
Depending on the construction project, an interior designer may well be involved early on in the planning stages to ensure that the overarching design aesthetic comes together from the onset.
The architect is responsible for designing the building itself, including drawing up architectural plans for the construction, whereas the interior designer oversees the design of the internal space.
What does a commercial interior designer do?
In commercial construction, an interior designer comes on board to design the internal space of a building.
They will create design draft drawings, according to their client's brief, which will cover fixtures, fittings, furnishings and colour palettes. These drafts need to address functional requirements, such as addressing the intended use of the architectural space, as well as meeting the client's aesthetic aims for the look and feel of the space.
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The interior designer's role in a commercial design project may see them applying their skills to the internal specifications of an office block, hotel, retail space or even a cruise ship. Their speciality lies in addressing the requirements of a space, whether it’s commercial, public, private, or residential.
Word-of-mouth is often the best way of tracking down the right interior designer for your commercial construction project. Speak to fellow professionals in a similar sector to yours and they are likely to recommend an interior designer with a proven record of accomplishment.
The most important thing when appointing an interior designer is to ensure that their style suits the requirements of your construction project. Looking through their portfolio will help you determine whether there is a likely to be a good fit.
Most interior designers specialise in either commercial or residential work. It's best to select a designer with specialist commercial experience to ensure they will be best placed to meet your requirements.
For our UK readers, the Society of British and International Interior Design is a professional body that offers accreditation to experienced interior designers.
This accolade can be a useful benchmark when looking for a reputable commercial interior designer. The British Institute of Interior Design also has an accreditation system as well as a directory of approved designers.
With your interior designer on board and your architectural team assembled, there are roughly four steps to project completion.
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