architectural home design

What is the Difference Between an Interior Architect and an Interior Designer?

Eager to have a whole new home built from scratch for you? If so, you might at least vaguely know what kinds of professionals you need to approach for assistance with the project.

For example, if you haven’t nailed the specifics of your new-build home’s layout, you might see the need to approach an interior architect — but is this the same as an interior designer? Not quite, but both can fulfil crucial responsibilities in the realm of architectural home design.

In a Nutshell, What Does an Interior Architect Do? 

What rooms will your new-build home have? You might already know the answer, but how should each room be built to ensure it will be able to effectively serve its intended purpose? An interior architect can provide you with — in the form of a plan — a comprehensive answer to the latter question.

This plan will present, for each room, a layout indicating where permanent fixtures ought to be installed. Those decisions can be made in line with your household’s lifestyle and practical requirements.

So, when drawing up a layout for a kitchen set to be used regularly for cooking, the interior architect could reserve especially large portions of the room for cupboards where ingredients would be kept.

Isn’t the Above Also What an Interior Designer Does? 

While an interior architect is very much concerned with the functionality of a space, an interior designer focuses more on its aesthetics.

Interior architecture can reliably judge where the likes of windows, doors and electrical and plumbing elements should be positioned within the home. Meanwhile, interior design is more about ensuring that the appearance of a given space suits the personality of any individual set to use it regularly.

This means that for each room, an interior designer can assist you in selecting not only colours and stylistic flourishes but also decor pieces like sofas, chairs and curtains. An interior designer can also source you such pieces at discounted rates, allowing the savings to be passed onto you.

Multiple Professionals Can Assist in Your New-Build Project 

If you have already acquired land where you want your next home to take physical shape in New Zealand’s Canterbury Region, we invite you to call us on 03 423 9022. We can introduce you to architectural home design and professional home builders in Christchurch who would be happy to help you with your new-build endeavor.