"Interior Architecture" or "Interior Design"; Nominal or intrinsic difference?

"Interior architecture" and "interior design" are two titles that refer to the knowledge or profession that deals with the arrangement of interior spaces. The use of name "interior design" is about a century old, but only some decades have passed since the appearance of the name "interior architecture". Today, both of these titles are used both in the field of knowledge and in the profession. The purpose of this article is to address the relationship between interior architecture and interior design. To achieve this goal, the existing definitions of these two have been compared, and by analyzing the similarities and differences between interior design and interior architecture, the nominal or intrinsic difference between these two names has been examined. In the end, the pathology of using these two names has been discussed. The type of this research is qualitative and its method is analytical and interpretive. From this research, it has been concluded that It can be said that there are three types of opinions or three types of approaches regarding the relationship between interior architecture and interior design. The first group is the group that believes in distinguishing interior design and interior architecture. In the definitions provided by this category, interior architecture has a distinct meaning and function from interior design. As a result, the experts of this group, in addition to confirming the legitimacy of interior architecture, have given it an independent identity. The second group of opinions in this regard is related to the group that considers interior design and architecture to be the same. This group does not deny the legitimacy of interior architecture, but they believe that there is no distinction between interior architecture and interior design as if interior architecture was a title that had the desire to replace interior design in order to validate interior design, but it was not successful. As a result, both titles are used today. Therefore, the application of each of these two titles is based on an agreement that is different in different countries, and this matter has an agreement or contractual aspect. The third point of view in this regard is an approach that fundamentally questions the legitimacy of interior architecture and considers it a threat to the professional and academic position of interior design. The experts of this category believe that using the title interior architecture is ambiguous and confusing, because there is not enough distinction between this title and interior design. Considering the above conditions, it is necessary to form a consensus council and make a comprehensive and international decision to explain the definitions and functions of these two titles, which will be the benchmark for the actions of all professional organizations and educational centers; This can help to resolve the existing confusion and raise the status of this area.