Architecture and Interior Architecture - Term Paper Example

Architecture and interior architecture Introduction. Building forms the bulk of architectural history. According to Rice, interior architecture evolved from an understanding of the constructional, decorative and surface that were architectural (Rice, 2007, p. 3). Interior architecture has been the finish of architecture. A demand for comfort in modern era has greatly influenced the development of interior architecture (Rice 2007, p. 3). Interior blossomed as a response to emerging modernization Rice 2007, 10. As cities grew and imposing structures increased, the rich began to look inwards and turn away from it. The malleable interior comforts thus became a way of resisting the hard 19th century architecture materials (Rice, 2007, p.10).  Another contributing factor is the demand for functionalism of architecture and notion of style. Interior architecture borrows heavily from architecture in the organization of space (Rice 2007, p. 11). Rice points out that since the age of bourgeois interior architecture is considerably geared towards human need for their space. The interior offers to the human an experience that architecture does not readily offer. Beginning with the bourgeoisie had a need to interact with their space and interior architecture provides that experience. Interior architecture protects human experience against the momentary experiences of city (Rice, 2007 p.11).  Interior architecture caters to the inhabitation concerns. The Stonehenge is an indication of the need for structures that can serve human need for interior space (Pile, 2004.p. 13). Architecture can reveal the cultural and history of people. It is often used to understand historical civilizations. Architecture in ancient civilizations was a way to depict and honor divine powers. The construction of the pyramids for example was as a result of Egypt’s religious beliefs. The pharaoh was connected to the god Ra. His symbol which was a cone was used for the construction of pyramids by the pharaoh (Moffett, 2003. p. 24). Architecture and Interior Architecture It is during the industrial age that architecture began to have a distinct branch of interior architecture. Developments in scientific areas contributed to better technology and to new resources. Architecture began to be viewed comprising of engineering and aesthetics. Interior architecture began to encourage innovative designs to cater for new economic and social order in early 20th century (Pile, 2004.p. 240). Functionalism became aesthetical in itself. Architects began to concentrate on engineering while interior design began more and more to be a discipline by itself. Interior architecture considers the principles of architecture and how they apply or can be applied to interior space. Interior designs result from those considerations (Pile, 2004. p.10). Interior Architecture is the organization of interior space. The function of the space is utilized based on three dimensions. The design of the interior must coordinate with the architecture creating its enclosure and fulfill the needs of those who will utilize the space while offering aesthetic value. Interior architecture caters to the projects with human occupation.  Interior architecture has to conform to the general principles of architecture (Heynen, 2000. p. 8). Architecture can be summed up as the discipline and skill of designing constructions. Architecture can use natural or manmade material. However, the integrity of the building must not be compromised. With the availability of new construction material, architects have more choices. But the fundamentals of safety and durability remain. Although architecture serves the need of humankind, it does not concentrate on spaces of human occupation alone.  The designing of bridges for example uses the same principles that might be used in designing a house. However, the purpose of the two constructions differs. While one is for the direct occupation of human, the other is for human use. Another difference is that in interior architecture, beauty is centered on aesthetics of ornamentals. In general architecture beauty comes primarily from proportion of the structures or the general proportion of the space being designed. However, ornamental beauty can be employed in architecture (Moffette, 2003. p. 415). For example in construction of bridges, churches etc. Architecture in its initial stages looked at beauty as something integral to the structure. Architecture involved engineering, and designing buildings, overseeing the construction and mostly ended at the interior walls. It has been mainly concerned with making ideas buildable and compliant with architectural requirements. Interior architecture has added on to the meaning of beauty not just as something that is part of the structure but rather something that can be added and increase aesthetic value of the structure (Abercombie, 1990. p. 10). Architecture and interior architecture offer unique service roles. Interior Architecture is viewed as a continuation of exterior architecture. Where the exterior architecture stops, interior architecture continues to provide the exterior structure with proportional details of the space organization and use. Interior architecture thus gives meaning within the building (Moffett et al. 2003. p. 414). However for a flow between architecture and interior architecture, interior architecture must follow the principles of architecture and its architectural work (Abercombie, 1990. p. 58). Interior architecture is therefore not reduced to mere interior design which is not constrained by demands architecture. Interior architecture must uphold legal and ethical responsibility of architecture. Interior architecture however can accommodate the interior design. This can be seen in instances where interior particulars do not have to connect to the exterior architecture (Moffette, 2003. p. 476). While interior architecture works with architecture, interior design can challenge the architecture. Although designers and architects aim for unity between outer and inner elements, interior architecture needs extra skills to complete its work and bring aesthetic value of the outside to the inside. While architecture can incorporate individual tastes, interior architecture accounts more for the tastes and functional requirements of the inner space (Moffette, 2003. p. 476). Interior architecture shares a lot with interior design. However interior architecture is concerned with construction. For example while architecture would be concerned with safety of the entire building structure, interior architecture would be concerned with people’s safety while inside the structure ( Moffette, 2003. p. 440). The goal of interior architecture goal is to create safe and functional inner spaces that are also aesthetically pleasing (Coles & House, 2007. p. 88). While architecture will be concerned with the integrity of a building, an interior designer will be concerned with the objectives of the space. Such an architect will use unique techniques and principles to achieve the ideal space for a client. Thus, although two buildings might look identical on the outside, the inner architecture will be unique to the purpose of the space. The interior architecture prepares the stage for interior design by giving the inner space a layout (Abercombie, 1990. p. 24). An architect draws building designs and plans as well as selecting building methods. An interior architect must understand the purpose of the inner space and the structure of the inner space. As an architect balances the outer practicability with beauty, the interior architect must balance inner practicability with beauty (Moffette, 2003. p. 440). While an architect uses skills and set codes to ensure the building does not endanger the environment, interior architecture uses environmental psychology. Architecture requires particular training and practice to create architectural plans that execute sound constructions which are compatible with their environment. Interior architecture in Australia Interior architecture is not recognized in Australia since the legislation Act of 1939 restricts the use of the word architect to registered persons who have trained as architects (1.6.2007 Architect Act 1939. p. 8). A person who wishes to be an interior architect has to be trained as an architect and registered as such. From then on the architect can specialize in interior designing. According to the legislation, a person may carry out the duties of an interior architect provided they do not use that title on themselves or apply the word architectural to their work (1.6.2007 Architect Act 1939. p. 9). A firm may not advertise its members as architects unless at least two thirds of its members are registered architects. Any interior architectural work under taken by a non registered member of such a firm can not be called interior architecture.   Conclusion While architecture and interior architecture share principles and a lot of history, modern needs put them on diverging paths. Interior architecture continues to move further into a discipline all on its own. There is more specialization between the two. Training in interior design today reflects the increasing value placed on interior space. Today almost every aspect of a building needs its specialist. However, exterior architecture is not irrelevant in interior architecture. For wholistic architectural work, architecture and interior architecture must complement each other.   References Charles Rice. (2007). Emergence of the interior : Architecture, Modernity and Domesticity. New York: Routledge. Hilde Heynen. (2000). Architecture and Modernity: A Critique. Massachusetts: MIT Press. John Coles and Naomi House. (2007).The fundamentals of interior architecture. UK: AVA Publishing. John F. Pile. (2004). A history of interior design. London: Laurence King Publishing.   Marian Moffett et al. (2003). A world history of architecture. London: Laurence King publishing Ltd. Stanley Abercombie. (1990). A Philosophy of Interior Design. New York: Icon Editions. South Australia. (2007)1.6.2007 Architect Act 1939. Read More