Designing a beautiful home that is appealing and functional can be challenging for many individuals. It is often a great idea to involve professionals who know how to put their knowledge to work in a way that will result in achieving your end goals, particularly if the project is complex. When designing the interior of a home, it may not be immediately clear whether to consult with a residential architect or an interior designer to help you create your ideal living space.
There are a few key differences between these two professions that can help you decide whether you should call a residential architect, an interior designer, or both.
The Role of a Residential Architect
Most people are familiar with the role of an architect and know that they design the building. Residential architects specialize in designing a home that can meet the precise wants and needs of the client. This individual will communicate with the client to discuss their requirements or specific requests for the home. In addition, the residential architect will discuss any concerns that may come into play, such as building codes or local regulations.
Once the client has communicated their vision and budget to the architect, the residential architect will create a plan or design for the home. The client may negotiate certain changes, if possible, and they can finalize the plans. The residential architect then works with contractors to create a timeline and communicate the standards and specifications for materials and the anticipated work quality.
It is also the residential architect’s role to follow up with the construction crews to ensure that the work is being done according to plan and meets the target deadlines. Completed work is inspected for quality and to ensure compliance with any applicable regulations. If there are complications with the project that results in delays, the architect can coordinate communication with the contractor to adjust the schedule. The architect will also closely communicate with the client to convey any changes to the timeline, scope of the project, or materials.
Once the construction and the home inspection are complete, the residential architect’s job is complete. Their primary goal is to create a plan and build a home that is spacially and visually appealing, structurally sound, and functional for the individual or family that will reside in the home. In achieving this goal, residential architects often have strong analytical skills, great communication skills, and excel at solving problems.
The Role of an Interior Designer
Unlike a residential architect (whose job is complete when the home is constructed), an interior designer’s job frequently begins with a constructed – but empty – home. Although the client may communicate their vision and preferences with an interior designer while the home is underway, they often cannot begin actualizing the vision until the home is fully constructed.
Interior designers are less concerned with the technical aspects of a home’s design and tend to focus on the creativity of making living space more appealing to the owner. In achieving this goal, the designer will try to understand the needs, lifestyle, preferences, and budget of the client. With this information, they can begin to pitch ideas to the clients, select furniture pieces, materials, color schemes, wall coloring or design, and other accessories.
At the end of this process, the client should have a fully furnished and accessorized home. While the interior designer’s work is in progress, they may work with painters, cabinet makers, appliance dealers, lighting installers, or other professionals specializing in products for the home’s interior.
Determining Whether You Need a Residential Architect, an Interior Designer – or Both
There are many similarities between a residential architect and an interior designer. For example, both professions require strong communication with the client to understand their vision. Both also interpret that vision to ‘bring it to life.’ And both professions closely coordinate with multiple external providers to meet exact needs.
But this is where the similarities end. Architects focus on the building itself, and their knowledge often includes technical information, such as codes, buildings rules, and strategies to enhance functionality. Interior designers will try to enhance the aesthetics and feelings within the building. They focus on meeting the living needs of the individuals who will reside in the home.
Generally speaking, you need to begin working with a residential architect if you need to construct a new home or renovate an existing one. If you have the home and now want to enhance interior functionality and beauty, you would want to consult an interior designer. It is not uncommon to use both professions at different stages to produce the final outcome with new homes.
To learn more about residential architecture in New York, contact Jeffrey Jordan Architecture.