In the field of interior design, there are several different roles that may be fulfilled within a broader interior design team, with the role of the interior design architect standing out from the rest for the comprehensive nature of the position.  An interior design architect—also simply referred to as an interior architect—is somebody that assumes the role of finishing the interior of a given building (whether commercial or residential) after the general architect and construction team have finished their work, imbuing the space not only with functionality but guaranteeing safety as well.

The interior architect can be easily distinguished from other peers in the field of interior design and decoration because of the fact that the job entails more than merely taking aesthetic (some might say superficial) decisions.  That is not to say, however, that an interior architect does not make aesthetic decisions: they most surely do, but that is only a part of their role.  Interior architects need to be able to guarantee a wide range of properties for an interior space, including but not limited to safety, heating/cooling issues, functional floor plan designs, and the appropriate use of space.

As is the case with “ordinary” architects, interior architects can only use the title on their business card (at least in most jurisdictions) if they have been accredited by the relevant regulatory body.  Hence, an interior architect needs to meet or exceed the educational requirements imposed on the field as well as perhaps demonstrate a certain amount of experience in the field.  In certain cases, licensing is necessary and is achieved independently of general accreditation.

Ideally, an interior architect will be somebody that has a scientific mind but that also has a strong passion for creating pleasant environments and has a refined sense of taste—at least those are the ones that are getting the most and biggest contracts!