The interior elements of a home or commercial building are designed by an interior design architect. An interior designer, unlike an interior decorator, must ensure that the space is optimized to allow occupants to perform their intended functions. Interior designers use elements from architecture, psychology, sociology, and decorating to create aesthetically pleasing, safe, and well-organized spaces.
After an architect has designed a building’s basic shape and structure, an interior design architect will take over and finish the interior design. This includes arranging walls to create functional and efficient floor plans. He or she will consider the space’s intended use, whether it’s a home, office building, medical facility, or school, and use that information to create a functional design.
The interior design architect must follow strict safety and building codes when designing the interior of the building. This includes providing safe fire escape routes, ensuring that the walls are structurally sound, and making the building handicap accessible. They must also follow all applicable state and local building codes.
The interior design architect is usually in charge of determining the placement of doors and windows, as well as creating lighting plans. They will frequently choose furnishings and finishes, including everything from floor coverings to paint colors. The task of choosing furniture and colors is sometimes delegated to an interior decorator, freeing the interior design architect to concentrate on structure and layout.
Interior design architects must be licensed due to the technical nature of their work. Over half of the states in the United States require interior designers to be licensed by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification as of 2009. (NCIDQ). To be licensed by the NCIDQ, applicants must first earn a four-year degree in interior design and then complete two years of work experience. Even in states where licensing is not required by law, most firms will insist on an NCIDQ license for an interior design architect.
Licensed interior design architects are typically employed by architecture firms as part of their staff. An interior design architect may also want to start their own business. They can then work with individuals or businesses to complete renovations and improve the layout and design of their homes or offices. Even if it is not required, those who choose this path will often obtain a license because it gives them more credibility and makes clients feel more comfortable hiring their design firm.