Architect or Interior Designer?

4 years ago

We are soon to be moving house and will want to renovate and modernise most rooms. We would like to reconfigure the layout to make it more suited to modern family living and I’m wondering which is best to engage with for help - an architect or an interior designer?

Interior Designer

Architect

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Victoria

4 years ago

Concept planner, Karen at OnePlan on here

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Comments (16)

PRO
i-architect
4 years ago
It really depends on how much you want to reconfigure. It also depends on the interior designer and the architect.

Generally the difference between architects and interior designers is that an architect reimagines the physical space - as in the position of walls, doors, windows - and reconfigures that to make it work, while an interior designer works with a floor plan and makes the spaces that exist work by choice and positions of furniture, and then aesthetics of colours, patterns, textures of the finishes and fittings.

There is some overlap between the two profession.

Some interior designers will advise you on repositioning some elements like a door, or part of a wall, but this isn't generally what they focus on primarily even though some do this a lot.

Some architects will choose long term finishes, like exposed brick walls, or floor finishes - things that are a more permanent part of the fabric of the building, and may choose some colours for you or design your kitchens and bathrooms as part of their service... it really depends on the practice and how they work.

If you are looking more for help with the layouts of rooms, and maybe making some structural alterations and you plan to decide your own furniture and decorating choices, then probably an architect is your better bet.

If you want help with making the space work better more through furniture positions and selection, plus design and selection for decorating - wallpaper, paint colours, etc.. then an interior designer is more what you need.

Hope this helps!

Jane

www.i-architect.co.uk
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Definitely hire an architect or architectural technologist. You will save you money and time if you employ a good one plus they will think of things you won't have done. Ask to see their portfolio and speak to past clients. A structural engineer may be required but let the architect / technologist coordinate as they should understand what works best and will also help you appoint an engineer who they've worked with who they know is good. The architect / technologist should be able to do the interior design aspect also but if the interior design is exceptionally important yes hire an interior designer. If you hire both it'll obviously cost more money. Ideally use a qualified professional, ARB, MCIAT, BIID, IStructE, etc. Not just planning and building regulations but other legislation to consider such as party wall act and shared drains. Whoever you hire should know what to do here and advise you accordingly.. Most of all hire someone who listens to you and delivers what you want. Hope it goes well.
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Hi, it sounds like a great project and it's clearly a really important decision for you as this will be your forever home. Our experience is that you need a team with a combination of space planning, interior design and then project management/contracting to get the work done. We'd be happy to advise further if required, best wishes, Mike
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Preferably an architect local to you who can come and spend some time with you discussing and sketching your options as part of their service. Check that they are really an architect and registered with the ARB though, if you decide an architect is what you want. You don't have to get an architect to do a full architectural service - instead you can ask for a partial service and just for sketch designs and advice if the budget is too tight. However, I find that I frequently save my clients a lot more than my fee costs them and this is true for most good architects.
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I really like the design but it will need to be reverse. where the sofa needs to be on the side of the tv and tv needs to be on the side of the sofa. there is a tv cabinet the landlord wants to keep in the apartment so the tv will be put on top of that. besides for that everything looks good. also I want to have coffee table that rises up to be a dining table. I am planning to use a green carpet to have more of a natural feel. if possible I want the other furnitures in the living room to be more natural. so I would say more of a wooden design for furnitures.
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PRO
Studio Vonne
4 years ago
Hi Claire, Like Jane said above, it really does depend on the interior designer or architect. The aim for both would be to create a layout that flows and works best for you, so either way the person will need to be concerned with how you use the space as well as aesthetics. Some interior designers have architectural experience some are mainly concerned with furniture, fittings and soft furnishings. Some architects just work with creating buildings some want to be involved with the tiniest of details and interior finishes. Probably best to look at your local architects and designers and see who seems better for what your looking for. When it comes to removing walls you will need to get a structural engineer and local building control officer involved either way to ensure it is doable and safe. Good luck with your house move and renovations.
Claire
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you both so much for such a comprehensive explanation- hugely helpful! We initially planned to engage with an architect and I’m reassured now that it is what we need. Thank you!
PRO
Tiziana Meciani Interior Design
4 years ago
Hi Claire, I second Studio Vonne's opinion, it mostly depends on the individual architect/interior designer as areas of expertise can overlap, especially when it comes to internal layout and flow of spaces. It is more clear cut with regards to the design of the external envelope (architect's domain) and furniture and fittings (interior designer's).

Personally, I am an interior designer and I am very involved with working out layouts and shaping spaces, as this is a key area of my skills. Having said that, most professionals will have a network of professional contacts that they will bring into the project (structural engineer, architect etc.) so that all elements of the design are covered.
Claire
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you Tiziana
PRO
OnePlan
4 years ago
Thanks for the mention Victoria !

Alas I’m too late to the party ! (Was busy working on this weeks projects ! )

OnePlan are Concept planners - so not Architects and not interior designers - but a sort of mash up of the good elements of both, mixed with an extra splash of (boring but necessary) common sense, and loads of enthusiasm, inspiration occasionally and where we can, innovation ! Click on my icon or name to see some examples and client reviews!
joanne w
4 years ago
Hi I would research thoroughly, I recently employed an architect who didn't really offer ideas, wanted me to come up with everything. My builder has actually been much better at coming up with ideas.
Claire
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Joanne that’s helpful advice
rinked
4 years ago
In all my jobs I often see/have seen drawings made by architects (be it new or existing builds) and too often they seem to have no clue what 'flow' and 'practical' mean..

Then again interior designers might not have an idea what constructional changes can be made to achieve a little more of this 'flow' and 'practical'.

So if it's called Concept Planning that does both, I'd say find one of those! And have proper measured floorplans made of your house, with loadbearing walls and drainage pipes etc.
PRO
i-architect
4 years ago
I find that often people think they are working with an architect but in actual fact they are just working with someone who says they are, or when pushed will say something like "well I can do the same thing as an architect". I frequently get builders giving me the number of an "architect" they work with as a reference, but when I call to check out the reference I find I'm not talking with an architect at all, but someone who is far less qualified.

While there are good and bad architects, you will find that all real and experienced architects, do understand "flow" and "practical".

So if you are searching for an architect make sure you check that the person you are considering working with is registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
PRO
OnePlan
4 years ago
It’s an offence to use the word Architect if you aren’t one ! You can be taken to court etc !
PRO
OnePlan
4 years ago
( as in, use the word to describe your services or as part of a brand name - not just to say the word ! )
PRO
i-architect
4 years ago
Yes exactly - but so many do it. I find a lot of people come to me really dissatisfied with the work they've had done and really believe that they've worked with an architect. Then when I look at the drawings they have it's really clear that it wasn't an architect at all... People just don't know that architect is a protected title and you can check easily if they really are one or not. It doesn't take an average of 9 years to qualify as an architect for nothing!! :)
PRO
Tholos Architects
4 years ago
it completely depends on the conditions of the house:

does it require structural improvements?

is there any legal constraint?

does it require many trades?

How are plumbing and electricity?

if you are ok with the rooms, windows and floor conditions, you are not into any extension or loft or other construction works, an interior design would suffice.

Not all the Architects do interior, not all the ID have architectural knowledge, make sure you work with someone that understands your wishes!
PRO
Goodwood Fitch
4 years ago
I might be a bit late in responding to this question now, but approaching this from a builder's point of view, we have worked with some very talented Interior Designers and some very talented architects. If you would like me to have a look at your brief, I could point you in the direction that I would go in, knowing what I know.

I look forward to hearing from you

With best wishes

Eugene Crighton

Managing Director

Goodwood Fitch

Architect or Interior Designer?

Victoria

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