How to Protect and Promote Common Vision of Architectural and Interior Design

A few years ago I thought it would be a good idea to have an in house capability for interior design.

This idea came after an interior designer, not capable of saying no to a client when she should have, destroyed our design for a house and completely undermined our ability to achieve the vision for the house we carefully established, based on our own prime endeavour - (ironically) - listening to our client.

I decided never to have to do that again. I wanted an interior designer to work with me, not against me, in trying to implement a carefully established design vision - whether for a house, a restaurant, a store or whatever.

It took me several tries to find the right partner, who shared my commitment to quality design no matter what the style or budget for a project; one who knew enough to be able to hold his or her own on design issue discussions; one who was not afraid to debate and was willing to learn and grow.

Finally, I found Michele Bertussi, a young interior designer, who had internships with some of the top designers in the city, and who met all my criteria.

Two years later she has proved to have excellent design skills, great client rapport, and able to work with me or on her own, depending on any client's design needs.

Our talents work sybiotically, as she recognises my authority over the architectural designs, but I rely on her input to ensure that her needs will be able to be met when doing her work. Then when she start her interior design phase in earnest, I can still participate in the interior design phase even though she now has the prime authority.

In short, from beginning to end of a project, we work together towards a single vision. It works out much better, with clearer results, for our clients, and for us!

I can positively say that our cooperative work approach produces much more of a holistic design paradigm, more than any independent architect and interior designer could achieve on their own.

At least my designs don't get destroyed any more!

Peter Gabor is an award winning architect and urban designer with over thirty years of experience in residential, commercial, hospitality, and food service sectors. He regrets not having an interior design division in his office since he established his office in 1977.

Peter A. Gabor Architect
2221 Yonge St., Suite 300
Toronto ON M4S 2B4

telephone 416 488-9115 x 22
fax 416 488-4575
toll free 1 866 488-9115
email: peter@pgaborassociates.com
website: www.pgaborassociates.com