A: For securing the definition of the profession itself as well as ensuring the quality and the standing of the profession within the profession and to the public, there should be a standardized curriculum. There needs to be a common standard that integrates framing guidelines in the curriculum to safeguard a professional outcome and qualification, and to serve as protection for consumers as well.

A: We do have such a similar system in Germany. After successfully finishing his or her studies, a graduate will need two years of full-time practice (regular working hours are eight hours per day) within all phases of design and building. It needs to be proven — usually by the principal of the firm, and graduates have to be able to name and describe their projects (See Q4).

A: The Association of German Interior Architects (BDIA) has recently published the “Hamburger Erklärung” (Hamburg Declaration) about our future goals. We are working on public relation and also intensifying contact with educators/universities.

A: We do have this tool implemented as a “must” in our architect’’s chamber, for all registered interior architects, but implementation differs from county to county within Germany. You need to get around 12 points per year, and a one-day seminar counts eight points. Most of them you receive by attending seminars at the chamber’s integrated academies.

Apart from this, some lectures, initiated by firms, count for three points, for instance at a fair. Providers (such as a firm) have to apply for getting the lectures certified officially by the architect’s chamber in advance to offer them to their clientele. Ongoing education isn’t only for registered interior architects, but also for “interior designers” who have not  registered. These programs within the academy are differentiated from members / interior architects, for the latter are under regular control: members who do not show up to these courses, seminars and the like are asked to do so. If they refuse, the cases will even go to court.

A: Not “very”, but it is. We do conceptualize and “build” in an architectural way as well at university studying interior architecture. My Diploma-Engineering title, for instance, is related to humidity in buildings focusing on construction. On the other hand, we do have a whole range of interiors-related topics such as acoustics, light, materials, form, color, sketching, sculpting, photography and furniture design.

We shifted from “Diploma Designer” / “Diploma Engineer” — depending on the universities — to “Bachelor” and “Master”. After studying, you need to have enough semesters and then at least two years of work experience in all phases of practice. You then apply for becoming a registered interior architect at your architect’s chamber.

A: Yes, definitely there are. Depending on the counties within Germany, interior architects are allowed to build to a certain size. But in practice, it is quite difficult to decide what you’re allowed to do and what aren’t, as sometimes the definition is unclear and officials don’t know how to react to interior architects. This is definitely a problem for practicing interior architects within the field of architecture / house building, as it is difficult to cope with these uncertainties while doing your job.

A: Absolutely. I think it is desirable to have a definition, a solid basis and profound knowledge to share, which also means to qualify therefore. You should have a basic knowledge in defining your profession.