Depending on your needs for the project you have at hand, sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether you need an architect or an interior designer. That being said, both an architect and an interior designer have a very similar role at a first glance.
However, as we go into more detail, their roles have some clear differences that will help us understand when we should hire an architect and when an interior designer. Now, with that out of the way, let us dive into this article and explain in more detail everything related to hiring an architect vs. an interior designer.
Architect or Interior Designer?
To better understand if you should hire and architect over an interior designer and vice versa, we first need to understand what they do:
Role of an Architect
Architects create buildings such as residences and businesses. They may create these structures’ exterior and internal spaces based on the requirements of their customers. They guarantee that the building is secure and has all the required parts, including wiring, doors, windows, heating, and ventilation. Architects’ duties vary according to their areas of expertise. Architects can differ depending on their specialization:
Residential Architecture
Modern residential architects create residences for real estate developers and private contractors. They may design any number of homes in a community. They guarantee that the residences are both visually beautiful and functional, while still following construction rules and local restrictions.
Commercial Architecture
For their clients, commercial architects create commercial places like malls and office buildings. To decide what features to offer potential consumers, they collaborate closely with them. Commercial architects could concentrate more on the building’s exterior to make it more aesthetically pleasing and draw people inside.
Industrial architecture
Businesses use industrial architects to develop buildings like factories or industrial parks. In order to create a space that is both functional and able to accommodate the required machinery and equipment, they take the company’s industry into consideration. To make sure the building can securely and effectively accommodate the necessary resources, they also take into account the products the business intends to produce.
Landscape Architecture
Parks and playgrounds are examples of outdoor areas designed by landscape architects. They incorporate organic elements, such as trees and flowers, into their designs. When selecting the best plants and leaves, they take the environment and available space into account.
Role of An Interior Designer
The interior of buildings such as family residences and commercial buildings is planned by interior designers. They could remodel old interiors or create brand-new ones. If you’re still wondering why hire an interior designer, consider that their experience will help you make the most of your space and steer clear of expensive missteps.
They decide what furnishings, appliances, and décor might look the best considering the available area. To explain their idea and how to execute it, interior designers collaborate closely with professionals such as carpenters, painters, and electricians. Interior designers may specialize in a particular kind of design or plan an entire area themselves. The following are some specialties from which interior designers might select:
Residential Interior Design
Homes’ interiors are planned and decorated by residential interior designers. Usually, they design places that already exist, which enables them to visit a house and evaluate it to find the best approach to improve it. They may recommend color schemes, lighting setups, wall designs, and furnishings homeowners can get. Residential designers may use suppliers and contractors to carry out the recommended design after the client is satisfied.
Kitchen Design
The goal of kitchen designers is to provide their clients with aesthetically pleasing and useful kitchens. Before placing the order for the required supplies and equipment, they design and create drawings and plans for the clients’ approval. To design a kitchen that meets the needs of their clients, they have extensive understanding of plumbing, appliances, cabinetry, and light fixtures.
Corporate Interior Design
Office space interiors are planned by corporate interior designers for businesses. They establish a welcoming environment that inspires workers to put in extra effort. They guarantee that the design is professional, elegant, and safe in addition to being ergonomic and useful.
Retail Interior Design
The interiors of retail establishments such as malls, restaurants, and shops are improved by retail interior designers. They collaborate closely with management to identify the company’s target market, which enables them to create a more welcoming environment for customers. They design the space’s color schemes, product displays, and overall layout; they may also make adjustments based on what time of the year it is.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the duties of interior designers and architects are quite different. Architects pay closer attention to a structure’s technical specifications, including flooring, ventilation, temperature, lighting, and materials. Their primary objective is to guarantee that a construction is both aesthetically beautiful and safe.
The way their clients want to feel in a finished environment is the primary goal of interior designers. They improve the space’s appearance in accordance with their client’s preferences. Interior designers and architects frequently collaborate to give clients one cohesive space.