Collaborating With Architects

January 17, 2009

For the last year and a half or so we have been collaborating on an incredible townhouse renovation in TriBeCa with the architecture firm Office 606, and I am currently working with David Hotson Architects on a spectacular residential project, which is also downtown. I love these collaborative relationships, but sometimes the line between architect and interior designer can become a little blurry. Where exactly is the line that separates the architects’ and interior designers’ roles? In truth, the process is more like a Venn diagram with the middle portion being the place where architecture and interiors become the most collaborative. Working together in a joint intellectual effort can vary enormously. On some projects, the architect assumes complete control of all aspects of the project from built-in cabinetry to specifying, or at least approving, the towel hooks. On other projects, we as interior designers are asked to design built-in cabinetry and introduce the materials and palette of the interior. The assumed roles can be so different and should be addressed in the initial stages of the collaboration to avoid any conflict.

It is sometimes tricky to become involved in projects after the architect has been working independently with the client for some time. I never want to make suggestions that might offend the architect or complicate the design, so I often start the dialogue with a whisper. Once I am more invested in the project, it may be appropriate to squeak a little louder. At the end of the day, both disciplines bring something very specific to the table and with a great team there is no end to the myriad of ideas that can come to fruition.

These images are from a gallery in the Chelsea area of New York City; Mixed Greens is a space that was designed in collaboration with the amazingly talented architects Stella Betts and David Leven of Leven Betts Studio. Not only was it a pleasure to work with them, but we enjoyed each other’s company and had a lot of fun working together.

Images by Michael Moran.

Posted by Ghislaine Viñas on January 17, 2009 | Comments (7)

Industries: Residential

January 22, 2013

In response to: Collaborating With Architects
Lucas commented:

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August 6, 2009

In response to: Collaborating With Architects
Trixie commented:

I think this is a very important topic as well, and one that needs to be discussed up front, as you said. I am finding it difficult to get involved early in the project at my architecture firm. I would be very interested in learning your system of addressing it at the start of the project.

January 27, 2009

In response to: Collaborating With Architects
Sherri commented:

Ghislaine, I enjoy your blog and this discussion caught my eye. I am business partners with an interior designer and our group developed an iPhone application to assist architects and designers alike with buliding rooms. If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, the app is called "Mark On Call." Architects, designers and clients can create floorplans on their phone, render fabrics and flooring, create shopping lists and email back and forth! I thought you might like to hear about it.

January 22, 2009

In response to: Collaborating With Architects
ghislaine commented:

thanks Susan, I am glad you like the project - working with amazing architects like Leven Betts is the reason it was so successful.

January 22, 2009

In response to: Collaborating With Architects
ghislaine commented:

Hello Michele Yes, and that is just the tip of the iceberg - it can actually be a very complex issue. This is a topic that is very important and I am in the midst of creating a system of addressing these issues at the start of a project. thanks for your comment michele - much appreciated.

January 21, 2009

In response to: Collaborating With Architects
Susan Ruiz commented:

I really like this space, it looks very open and clean, I really love the lime green accent wall, I think it's the perfect color against all the white.

January 20, 2009

In response to: Collaborating With Architects
michele mccrary commented:

Hi there - thanks for this - a great way of answering a very complex question!