What’s the difference? Do you need both?
Architectural design and interior design, while complementary disciplines, have different sets of expertise. While our architectural design services are what we’re known for, our office also provides full interior design services on our projects. Through examining both design processes below, we can help you decide if both services are right for you!
Understanding Scope of Design Services
Kickstarting a project, our team meets on site with the client to analyze all of the potential design opportunities that can enhance the lot’s characteristics. Site analysis plays a key role in the creation of a successful design, harnessing strategic possibilities a site presents such as natural light, wind direction, terrain levels, and ecological features such as lakes or rivers. Additionally, we prioritize client wishlist items in order to accurately guide the project goals and meet specific design intentions based on a collective vision. Project inception through conceptual design is where a majority of the macro-scale architectural design takes place, shaping big picture items such as roofs, windows, and exterior materials as well as interior ceiling slopes and general flow of interior and exterior spaces. Floor plans and renderings also help to illustrate the architectural intent early in the process, helping communicate information such as materiality, volume of spaces, and flow between different areas of the home.
With our interiors team, a secondary launch meeting helps to hone in on the client’s vision in terms of each room’s atmospheric qualities, materials, design style, and plumbing and electrical details. Renderings of each room assist in guiding clients through schematic options surrounding interior material finish, lighting, and millwork preferences. Interior design delves into the micro-scale details of the design, working to embellish the broader architectural space. In this scope of work, the day-to-day functionality and personal importance of the space to each client is deeply analyzed. The benefits of this process lie in maximizing the usability and comfort of each room to serve the needs and desires of its residents, while maintaining a strong harmony with the exterior design and overall aesthetic intentions.
Key Differences
One of the main differences between architectural and interior design is the scale behind the scope of work. The architectural design phase places a larger emphasis on connection of interior spaces to the surrounding site, compliances and technical components including zoning regulations and structure, and overall spatial relationships. This phase encompasses most of the major design decisions, including architectural style, form, and room locations in relation to the site. These factors can be more difficult to change later in the process.
Interior design is driven from the architectural design of the home, enhancing and adding materials, functionality of millwork and lighting and designing to accommodate specific daily uses of a space. While the architectural design looks at spatial relationships and general flow of spaces, the interior design delves into much more specific decisions in terms of functionality and aesthetics from room to room. Function and aesthetics come together through designing for intimacy; our team considers how a person will move through and use the space, what they touch and see, and the layering and dialogue of these elements. Among various design decisions, some details include tile and flooring layouts, plumbing and electrical layouts, and appliance specifications and placements. This type of specificity requires our interiors team to help you imagine day-to-day routines in the space, and how to make that routine the most seamless and enjoyable experience for you once the house is constructed.
Better Together
While both types of design have their own niche areas of expertise, utilizing both services for the design of your home is a sure way to enhance the customization, usability, and cohesion of the design as a whole. Despite both disciplines working within different scopes of home design, there are several similarities that lend well to the combination and collaboration of the two. Both our architectural and interior design teams are committed to working with you, as the client, to bring your visions to life. Client meetings and feedback are very important in all phases of the project, and help us to achieve the best design results that suit your lifestyle completely. Both disciplines must also manage multiple stakeholders, such as contractors and vendors for materials or fixtures, so we are comfortable collaborating with other industry professionals to meet your needs in all phases of the project as well. Finally, the integration and collaboration of both teams internally in our office ensures seamless integration of the final product, and a cohesive home design that puts your customization and aesthetic preferences at the forefront.
Key Takeaways
When deciding whether architectural services or a combination of exterior and interior expertise better suit your next home design, it may help to assess which areas you need more assistance with the planning or visualization of details. Capabilities of your contractor can play a factor in your choice, as well as the complexity of the project itself. All in all, expert opinion on all facets of the home may benefit your next project to create a universally successful design, enhancing your living routines and home dynamics.
Contact us by phone or email to begin collaborating on your next project, today!
