Architect or Interior Designer: Which one do you really need? Now that it’s time to start planning your project, you’ll need some help. Your constuction project has to start with a vision. You’ll provide the vision but you need someone to help you make it a reality. You’ll need a professional to ensure you meet your goals and that you don’t run afoul with the Landlord or the City.

Don’t think you can do it yourself either. The road is littered with DIY tenant construction projects gone wrong. Designing your space is more complicated than you think. It’s in both your and the Landlord’s best interests to make sure the space is designed responsibly and safely, but also beautiful and functional.

Some projects are highly complex and need specific expertise in codes and requirements. Others need a softer and more intimate touch.

• Why you need them/What’s their role
• Whats the difference
• How can they help
• What if you pick the wrong one

What’s their role

The Architect and Interior Designer are usually referred to simply as Designers. The designer is the starting point for your project. She is responsible for translating your ideas into a set of instructions a contractor can build.

The first role the designer fills is to be the translator for the people building your project. At first it may seem silly to have to tell a highly specilized trade what to do. But there is a difference between telling them what to do vs. how to do it. Trades-people don’t need to know how to build. They need to know what to build. Every design is unique and your project is no different. You need the skilled trades in the field to have a clear picture of what you want the end result to be.

The city where you build will also want to be sure your project is safe for the occupants and that it will meet code. This is usually a preequisite for a building permit, although if it’s small enough your project may be able to avoid this.

You’ll also want to be sure you’re complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Next the landlord will need to have confidence your project meets their expectations about their buiding. They will want to be sure the image and quality of their building is upheld. They will need to see the drawings of a qualified designer to give them that confidence.

What’s the difference?

Whether to choose an Architect or an Interior Designer depends on your goals.

First, both architects and interior designers are professionals who are licensed to plan, create and organize space for people to live, work and play. They both must have knowledge of how people use and interact with the built environment. They both must also have a mastery of materials, colors, textures and other elements.

Architects are responsible for crafting the space you want. That means placing walls, doors and other building elements where you want them. The architect will issue instructions in the form of drawings. These are the drawings your contractor will use to guide them in the constructon.

Architects work on all different types of projects, from the skyscraper to the humle TI project. In all cases the architect’s primary role is to translate your ideas into a reality.

Interior designers are similar to architects in that they work to communicate ideas. However interior designers are concerned over the aesthtic, feeling and emotion a space brings to a person. The interior designer must pay attention to things inside the space like lighting, furniture, artwork and decor.

Put simply, architects create an environment. Interior designers give that envrionement an emotion.

How can they help?

As I mentioned, each project is unique, including yours. As you start a project you will likely have an intuition about the direction you need to go. Where you start will be predicated on where you need your project to end up. The choice of architect or interior designer will be made on you unique goals

First, you might realize that your project’s complexity obviously requires an Architect. You imagine a grand lobby with art niches and a showpiece reception desk. You have a need for specailized spaces like an xray room in a dentist’s office. Your project may also need to be permitted and built with the current codes in mind.

An Architect will provide you with expertise you need to craft those spaces. Your contractor will be expecting drawings that speak a certain language. Your architect will also speak that language.C

Conversely you may decide an interior designer is appropriate. Maybe your taking over the lease on a small ground floor and you need to create a homey and cozey feel for your new nail salon. An interior designer will give you the best emotion for your space and ensure your guests and clients feel at home.

What if you pick the wrong one?

The good news is that picking the wrong one won’t necessarily be catastrophic. You might end up spending a bit more money than you would prefer. You might spend a bit more time working on a project. But you will be able to get the right expertise when you need it.

Starting off be sure to talk to people about where to start. Oftentimes your landlord will have wonderful thoughts about what professionals can help you. In addition they will have trusted partners they would be happy to share with you. Remember, the landlord wants to be sure you provide a space that is consistent with their overall buiding context.

Conclusion

The selection of the right design professional will make a difference in the space you ulitmately build and is important to get the produc you want.

So. Architect or Interior Designer: Which one do you really need?