Research Inge Somers

Abstract

This study executed for the European Council of Interior Architects ECIA, examines the differences in the degree of professionalisation between European countries. Second, it investigates what kind of knowledge professional organisations in Europe need to professionalise the discipline. It does so by looking how the discipline is regulated in the various European countries by three components, education, professional organisations and by the law. This research is a subproject of the European funded ECIA-BCSP project: Building on connections for a stronger profession.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Vos Els
• Co-promoter: Michels Marjan
• Co-promoter: Somers Inge

Research team(s)

• Henry van de Velde

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This study executed for the European Council of Interior Architects ECIA, examines the differences in the degree of professionalisation between European countries. Second, it investigates what kind of knowledge professional organisations in Europe need to professionalise the discipline. It does so by looking how the discipline is regulated in the various European countries by three components, education, professional organisations and by the law. This research is a subproject of the European funded ECIA-BCSP project: Building on connections for a stronger profession.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Vos Els
• Co-promoter: Michels Marjan
• Co-promoter: Somers Inge

Research team(s)

• Henry van de Velde

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This preliminary research focuses on the regulation of the profession of Interior Architect in Europe - regulation by education, by law and national professional organisations. It has been conducted on behalf of ECIA, the European umbrella organisation of interior architecture national professional organisations. The aim of this short term study is to develop a research methodology - by studying the situation within three member countries (France, Norway and Germany) - that can be applied in a follow up study on the professionalization process of all ECIA member states. The study comprehends three phases: (1) a descriptive study, (2) a normative study and (3) writing the final report and recommendations.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Somers Inge
• Co-promoter: Michels Marjan

Research team(s)

• Henry van de Velde

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In a complex society that deals with many contemporary society-related challenges (e.g. social cohesion, multiculturalism, poverty, sustainability and migration) societal awareness has become an important competence for the designer in general and for the interior architect in particular. Triggered by these challenges and influenced by evolutions within the behavioural sciences, there is a growing attention for the interior as 'a social/shared space' and for the 'ethical position' of the interior architect. Both concepts are directly related to the prior more general concept of societal awareness. The central research question of this STIM research project is threefold: to investigate within the discipline of interior architecture (i) what are the alternative meanings of the concept of societal awareness, (ii) what are the implications for the design process of interior, and (iii) what are the required competences of future interior architects to guarantee a societal aware design process? As far as the research method is concerned, we choose for an explorative approach in line with the key features of qualitative research. Four complementary research techniques will be used: (i) an explorative literature study, (ii) a case-study research on a design practice, (iii) a case-study research on an academic design method and (iv) approximately 10 half-structured interviews with academic and vocational experts. This STIM research proposal corresponds with the overall research perspective of the research group Henry van de Velde (HvdV, Faculty of Design Sciences). In particular it does not only relate to recently launched research initiatives of Nathalie Vallet, Inge Somers and Michelle Bylemans, but also to research initiatives conducted over the last five years in several interior design studio's FOW (i.e. research-teaching nexus). Finally, this STIM research proposal corresponds also with the Antwerp University research priorities on the metropole and the social-economic policy and organization. The output of the STIM project consists of a paper voor het IDEC conference (2021), 2 discussion memos, 1 publication in a peer-reviewed journal in the discipline of interior architecture and an input for a FOW proposal Aspirant Fundamenteel Onderzoek (2022).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vallet Nathalie
• Co-promoter: Somers Inge

Research team(s)

• Henry van de Velde

Project type(s)

• Research Project