I
would like to discuss in this article are the many missed possibilities
in our profession. Possibilities of diversification must never be overlooked
when the demand for our professional services is low. I will start with
something from my own experience since I know this experience is shared
by many of my colleagues. The
interior architect/designer as a product
designer
Many interior solutions require specified product designer due to a lack
of choice or poor quality. Many times we create special solutions that
could easily be transformed into a kind of standard product which we could
use in future applications without having to duplicate solutions. The
solution is of course to offer the innovations or the designs that we
think have got universal value to a manufacturer. We must not underestimate
our skill in judging good products and not underestimate our skills in
being able to create new ones. Unfortunately I have seen many good products
made for a special commission being stored in drawer without any attempts
to further commercialize them. The most obvious products to be considered
in this respect are furniture and fighting’s. Others could be patterns
or colour schemes for the carpet industry. Carpets are in many cases specially
designed by the interior architects who have a natural interest in scale
and colour setting. I was actually commissioned to design a new textile
for curtains not because of my understanding of textile, but because of
my understanding of the space, light and scale.
The interior architect/designer as a signage
planner
In larger projects the signage is a very big issue and involves large
budgets. Projects like schools, universities, official buildings, office,
hospitals, etc. require very careful and particular signage solutions.
The interior architect/designer as a lighting
consultant
Many architects have a deep interest in lighting; they have the experience
or the ability of looking at light issues as a stage setter. Light issues
can be divided into two phases- the conceptual ideas and the purely technical
ideas. I will concentrate on the first one which is an artistic job. In
many countries there is a lack of specialists in this field and few who
have the skill of doing this kind of conceptual scheme. There is also
a lack of knowledge in this field among architects. Many interior architect
seem to be more occupied by the design of the fixtures than the work the
fixtures can do for the environment.
The interior architect/designer as an urban
furnisher
In many places there is still a lack of good urban environment. There
are streets, places, and squares that need a concern regarding planning
and furbishing. I have seen many good example where interior architects
that are trained in looking at space, have been successfully working together
with landscape architects or urban planners, benches, bollards, rails,
bus shelters, bike stands and kiosks are items that many interior architects
could be involved in as planners suggesting the over all schemes, as well
as sourcing the equipment and actually designing the fixtures.
The interior architect/designer as a calculator
and program maker
As know in the design process there are many stages before we actually
start designing. This is the programming phase. An experienced designer
can help the client in making the programme, including all spatial logistics,
standards and rules to be followed in the later design phase. The programming
is often divided from the design task and does not have to be made by
the same architect. I have the experience of interior architects who are
more interested in this part of job than actually designing. It is very
interesting task trying putting together different demands, different
views and wishes to something that will be good for all users and hopefully
for a long time and to an appropriate budget.
The interior architect/designer as a colour
consultant
Some interior architects have developed a certain artistic skill (or making
colour schemes. This is of course something that can be marked and used
although one does not have the total responsibility for the interior lay
out or furnishing.
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