On August 26, several AIA components, including AIA NYS, sent a letter to AIA National concerning interior design regulation. In part, the letter states, “To date, we have not seen any evidence that the standards for certified interior design have advanced to a point where licensure and regulation alone are sufficient to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public… We must question if this national campaign by interior design organizations is truly motivated by the same ethical and professional values that we work to uphold and advance at the AIA.” This letter, and other AIA statements like it, only serve to divide the architecture and interior design professions rather than unite them to work together for the mutual betterment of our communities.

The New York State design community has responded to this letter, and more than 200 architects, interior designers, professional engineers, educators, and industry leaders have joined in our call to AIA NYS: We urge AIA New York State and the other signees to retract the 8/26 letter, and we invite AIA NYS to the table to craft an equitable solution that will support both building occupants and design practitioners.

Read the design community’s full statement and supporting materials on the IDLNY website at idlny.org/aia-response-letter. To support the statement, sign-on to it here!