Comments on: Interior Design vs Architecture

By: j.a.

j.a. — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:52:07 +0000

I don’t think LEED accreditation has anything at all to do with the issue of public health, safety, and welfare. That’s not the issue here. Contractors and building suppliers up until last year could be a LEED AP. Personally, I think interior designers who want to be architects should go to architecture school. I know there are some basics that are similar, space-planning, life safety, etc. but because IDs are not trained in classes such as structures (concrete, steel, etc) and lateral forces, and other technical coursework, from a liability standpoint, they are putting themselves at major legal risk by stamping drawings. I’ve worked with many IDs that knew a great deal about the technical aspects of commercial buildings, so I’m certainly not saying they aren’t capable. But in this lawsuit-friendly world, if I were an ID, I would not want the responsibility to stamp drawings, having not been educated in architecture’s fundamental building/building systems classes.

By: Lesley LEED AP

Lesley LEED AP — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:27:30 +0000

Wow, this is a really interesting struggle. At one time, I would have said that interior design and architecture are rather different fields. Now, with the LEED system put into play, I believe these two fields can come together. There are many interior designers become LEED accredited, and LEED gives individuals the proper education and training for fulfilling the requirements listed above. I think there is work being done to “closely examine” the profession of interior design, especially since LEED is developing a whole system for this profession – LEED Interior Design. Ultimately, interior designers will and should have the same power, if you will, as architects. As long as someone is properly trained, I see no problem with it.

By: Brandi

Brandi — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:01:13 +0000

Thank you for this information. Asa designer working in Georgia, I have worked in several firms that struggled with this same, stamping problem. Many times we were to required to submit special documentation or even bring in an outside architect who wasn`t envolved in the planning process, etc. My thoughts are that the profession of interior design might need to be more closely examined because there are a lot of people who claim and work on profects without the proper licencing,,,,