Meet Registered Member Bonnie Leung! For over a decade Bonnie has been working within the dynamic landscape of Toronto’s interior design industry, and she recently embarked on a new educational journey to acquire a masters degree from OCAD University.
Read about her design inspiration, her perspective on creativity, and the ways that being a student has changed her outlook on the world.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself?
I’ve been in the world of interior design since 2010, specializing in multi-residential and hospitality sectors. I am also an advocate for lifelong learning and currently pursuing a masters degree at OCAD for Strategic Foresight and Innovation. I am hoping to shape the future of design with forward-thinking approaches. Outside of the studio and classroom, you’ll find me unleashing energy through kickboxing.
2. Why did you choose to study and practice interior design?
That’s a complicated question. To sum it up, I would say to investigate problems and provide creative solutions to them.
Figure3; Photographer: Sabrina Francescut
3. Can you describe your style in one word?
Warm Modern (I know that’s not one word)
4. How do you approach work-life balance?
This is a daily struggle. I just try everyday to maintain focus and try being present in whichever world I’m currently inhabiting.
5. How do you spark your creativity?
Take a break. Whenever the flow of creativity is stuck, it means that I am too focused on the minutiae of the problem.
Figure3; Photographer: Steve Tsai
6. What are the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
Being introverted. Show people that introversion is not a bad thing.
7. What did you discover that you didn’t know before? How did interior design or your projects shape you personally?
Sometimes beauty is in the details. Walking through a completed project highlights where the details are successful and not.
8. Do you remember the first design that struck you or lingered in your mind?
Sometimes beauty is in the details. Walking through a completed project highlights where the details are successful and not.
Bonnie Leung, ARIDO
9. What is one thing you did for the first time recently?
Go back to school. Being a student again changes your perspective on almost everything.
10. How would you describe your last year?
Exhausting, but at times rewarding.
Figure3; Photographer: Steve Tsai
11. How did you develop your distinctive style?
It is something that has been shaped by interactions with people, places and values.
ARIDO Spotlight
The purpose of the ARIDO Spotlight is to spark meaningful conversations.
We think honest and real conversations are at the heart of community building. Every voice matters and that there is a place for everyone in these conversations.
We feel it’s far more touching and honest to hear from the members who make up our design community – from members at large firms to small business owners, students, newcomers and independent creatives.
Would you like to be featured? Complete this form at the link below:
Meet Regan Leduc, a full time real estate agent who is in her 3rd year of interior design studies at Algonquin college and hopes to one day have her own business that offers both real estate and interior design services to clients. Regan is passionate about sustainable design that incorporates existing structures with new materials. From time to time she loves to disconnect and recharge by spending time with her family, being outdoors with her new puppy, as well as doing yoga, reading and travelling.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a third-year BID student at Algonquin and a full-time real estate agent. I have been in Ottawa for almost 10 years and love the slow pace of the city. I take a slow, holistic approach to my designs that incorporates existing structures with new materials and try to maintain a sustainability component to my designs. I love to read, do yoga and Pilates, be outside and spend time with my family and new six-month-old puppy.
2. Why did you choose to study and practice interior design?
Like many of us, during the pandemic, I started looking for a career change in something that I was more passionate about. I have always loved design, and had recently gotten my real estate license, and decided that it would be the perfect fit to have a business that offered both real estate and design services. I am very interested in sustainable design and ensuring that the work that I put out has as small a footprint as possible. Having a creative outlet is so important, and it makes me excited to show up every day.
I am very interested in sustainable design and ensuring that the work that I put out has as small a footprint as possible. Having a creative outlet is so important, and it makes me excited to show up every day.
Regan Leduc, Student, ARIDO
3. Can you describe your style in one word? Innovative-contemporary
4. How do you approach work-life balance?
I go through phases in my life where it will either be all about school or work or family. I’m still working on how to get a consistent balance in my life. I don’t think it’s realistic to always be fully balanced though, so I try not to be too hard on myself. My husband is a huge support, along with my family and friends, and I find that they really help to balance me out.
5. How do you spark your creativity?
I’m very fortunate to be both a designer and a real estate agent, so I’m always going through different homes and condos. On real estate showings, I love to see people’s personal style, as well as how homes are staged. I also love going to restaurants, travelling and keeping up with websites like ArchDaily, Dezeen and DesignBoom. Being outside and disconnecting from the rest of the world is also a really great reset, and I often feel really inspired and motivated after taking some time off the internet.
6. What are the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge was starting in two new industries during a pandemic. Learning how to do construction drawings/select finishes/develop design concepts virtually was a challenge at first, especially in an industry that I knew little about. Fortunately, I quickly found friends in my program and we were able to work together through the parts of the process that we needed to lean on each other for. It was a huge learning curve, but so helpful for both careers to learn how to adapt through difficult times.
7. What did you discover that you didn’t know before? How did interior design or your projects shape you personally?
I discovered how much having a space that reflects who you are can impact your overall well-being. I am fortunate enough to have purchased my own home, and my interior journey with my home project has allowed me to experiment with my personal style. I love experimenting with paint (my friends will attest to that!) as well as with different art and light fixtures to give space a more personal feel.
Something I didn’t fully realize before is how much your space impacts your overall mental health and well-being. Taking some time to figure out your personal style and incorporating it into your space can be so uplifting. This also doesn’t have to be super expensive! Some of my best finds were from markets, thrift stores, or just by grabbing a paintbrush and a can of paint and seeing where it takes me.
Taking some time to figure out your personal style and incorporating it into your space can be so uplifting.
Regan Leduc, Student, ARIDO
8. Do you remember the first design that struck you or lingered in your mind?
Maybe not my first, but my most loved is the sunroom in my parent’s home. It gets the perfect amount of light all year round and is our favourite place to hang out and have family time in.
9. What is one thing you did for the first time recently?
I got married in March! It was so special with just a few family members at the new Metcalfe Hotel.
10. How would you describe your last year?
Full of love and learning and truly one of the most special years of my life. So many of my friends and family members got married, are having children, and are doing amazing things in their lives and it makes me so proud to watch alongside them. I was also fortunate enough to start my first job in the design industry and have loved working in a team and learning about different projects that I hadn’t had an opportunity to be part of yet.
11. How did you develop your distinctive style?
I’ve always had a love for colour and drama, and in my first few years of the program, that definitely came out more in my designs. Now I find that, while I still love a strong colour or a bold print, I’m learning to balance it out to create more harmonious spaces. Instead, I tend to start with a more neutral colour palette and then layer colour, pattern and texture in as I go. I also love fashion and experimenting with my personal style, and I think that reflects a little bit into my designs as well.
12. What is a quality you most cherish in your designs?
Long-lasting, meaningful designs with a little bit of a twist that shows the personality of the client.
13. Did social media affect your work? If so, how?
Social media affects all of us, whether we like to admit it a lot. For me, sometimes I have to completely shut it off if I’ve been in a rut and find myself scrolling too much. The best part for me, is the communication and community building that it offers. I have connected with so many industry professionals and expanded my network on social media. It’s equally as easy to be inspired and distracted by social media, so I try to limit my consumption, especially when working on a design project.
I have connected with so many industry professionals and expanded my network on social media. It’s equally as easy to be inspired and distracted by social media, so I try to limit my consumption, especially when working on a design project.
Regan Leduc, Student, ARIDO
14. What advice would you give someone who is interested in interior design?
I think with anything, if you love it, it’s worth trying out. I would always rather try something and have it fail than not try and never know. It’s a more rigorous program than I imagined it to be, but it makes you a better and more informed designer.
15. How can people connect with you? What is your preferred method of communication?
The purpose of the ARIDO Spotlight is to spark meaningful conversations.
We think honest and real conversations are at the heart of community building. Every voice matters and that there is a place for everyone in these conversations.
We feel it’s far more touching and honest to hear from the members who make up our design community – from members at large firms to small business owners, students, newcomers and independent creatives.
Would you like to be featured? Complete this form at the link below:
Introducing Mélissa Marchand, an Intern member whose love for plants, gardening, and foraging fuels her passion for creating nature-focused spaces. With a profound appreciation for biophilic elements, she seamlessly integrates this appreciation in crafting interior spaces.
Mélissa Marchand | Intern member
A recent Bachelor of Interior Design grad from Algonquin College, Mélissa’s drive also shows up with her new title, that of Valedictorian for Algonquin’s Faculty of Arts, Media and Design.
Read on about her next steps forward into her interior design career.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Melissa 😊 I am French Canadian, and I was born and raised in Ottawa and have resided most of my life in Ottawa. I have recently accepted a Junior Interior Designer position with an architecture firm in Whitehorse, Yukon and will be relocating at the end of July!
My love for plants, gardening, and foraging is what drives me to design environments that are cohesive with nature in a way that replenishes its surrounding ecological systems. I am continuously pursuing my desire to create spaces that allow us to reconnect with nature through the lenses of artistic pursuits, spatial justice, and sustainability.
I am continuously pursuing my desire to create spaces that allow us to reconnect with nature through the lenses of artistic pursuits, spatial justice, and sustainability.
Mélissa Marchand
Thoughtful and nature-focused design is always at the forefront of my academic, professional, and creative pursuits, and I am always wanting to design with intent and purpose.
2. Why did you choose to study and practice interior design?
Before delving into the world of interior design, I had the opportunity of studying and working in the event management industry. It was during this time that I found my true passion for design. Through my experiences in event management, I honed a skillset in set design and developed a deep appreciation for creating captivating interior spaces that included biophilic elements.
Driven by my innate curiosity and desire to explore the endless possibilities of merging my event design knowledge with my profound love for nature, this invaluable journey led me to pursue a Bachelor of Interior Design. During my studies, my goal became clear: to design biophilic interiors that draw inspiration from our everyday lives and seamlessly integrate with how we inhabit and interact with our interior spaces.
3. Can you describe your style in one word? Biophilic (or biophilia)
4. How do you approach work-life balance?
One of the main challenges I face in achieving a work-life balance is dealing with the expectation of being constantly available outside of my regular work hours due to the accessibility and feasibility of technology. To establish a clear separation between my work and personal life, I have found that effective communication and setting boundaries with clients, coworkers, and employers from the start of any new project or partnership is crucial.
For instance, when it comes to work-related emails, texts, or calls received outside of working hours, I make it known that I will not respond immediately but will do so during the next working hours. There are some exceptions where being accessible after hours is necessary, but as a general rule, I try not to respond during those times.
Additionally, by doing so, I remove the pressure on myself to feel the need or expectation to respond right away or promptly, and can truly allow myself to enjoy my personal life without feeling like I should respond to work related affairs.
5. How do you spark your creativity?
My creativity is ignited through my keen perception and appreciation for the intricate details woven into nature’s tapestry. This profound admiration for the natural world fuels my passion for design and serves as a wellspring of inspiration for all my creations. To spark my creativity, I find it most effective to step away from ongoing projects and any potential distractions.
Instead, I immerse myself completely in nature, seeking solace and inspiration. By connecting with the serene and awe-inspiring aspects of the environment, I allow my mind to roam freely and discover fresh ideas that guide my creative process.
By connecting with the serene and awe-inspiring aspects of the environment, I allow my mind to roam freely and discover fresh ideas that guide my creative process.
Mélissa Marchand
6. What are the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
One of the significant challenges I encountered was navigating a world primarily designed for neurotypical individuals while being neurodiverse myself. However, I have come to realize that my neurodivergent brain provides a valuable advantage.
It enables me to perceive and engage with the world from a distinct perspective, which proves beneficial in my industry. This unique vantage point allows me to tackle challenges within the built environment in innovative ways that may have otherwise been overlooked.
By leveraging my neurodivergent strengths, I strive to create inclusive and diverse environments that cater to the needs of neurodivergent individuals like myself. Overcoming these challenges has been a journey of embracing my differences and harnessing them as assets in my professional endeavors.
By leveraging my neurodivergent strengths, I strive to create inclusive and diverse environments that cater to the needs of neurodivergent individuals like myself.
Mélissa Marchand
7. What did you discover that you didn’t know before? How did interior design or your projects shape you personally?
I believe I make new discoveries almost everyday as I am an active learner. However, if I had to pick one significant realization, I made early in my interior design academic journey is the profound impact that interior design can have on physiological, psychological, and cognitive well-being, and our surrounding environment.
As I dove deeper into Biophilic Design, I discovered how thoughtful design choices can create spaces that nourish and sustain our well-being. This knowledge transformed my perspective and ignited a passion within me to prioritize sustainability and biophilic design principles in all my projects.
As I dove deeper into Biophilic Design, I discovered how thoughtful design choices can create spaces that nourish and sustain our well-being.
Mélissa Marchand
Overall, the past four years of my educational journey in interior design has not only expanded my knowledge and skills to be successful in the industry, but has also shaped me into a more conscious and empathetic designer.
8. Do you remember the first design that struck you or lingered in your mind?
Absolutely! Architect Chris Precht’s designs have had a lasting impact on my memory. Among them, “The Farmhouse” project holds a special place as one of my absolute favorites. This innovative modular building system addresses the pressing challenges of climate change, population growth, and food shortages.
Its aim is to reconnect urban dwellers with agriculture and enable them to adopt a more sustainable way of living.
The concept resonates with me deeply and continues to captivate my thoughts. This design concept also inspired my senior thesis project, in which I developed a residential home that provides nourishment for our body, mind, and earth, called “The Garden Home”.
9. What is one thing you did for the first time recently?
It has not happened yet, but in two days (June 21st), I will be speaking in front of thousands of people for the first time as I deliver the valedictorian speech for the faculty of Arts, Media and Design Convocation for Algonquin College.
The past year has been truly remarkable and filled with significant achievements! So far in 2023, I have accomplished the following:
– Participated in the ARIDO Student Showcase “”Culture in Design”” at the 2023 Summit
– My teammates and I emerged as the winners of the World Design Challenge competition in March, which was organized in collaboration with Algonquin College, UPES University, and The World Design Association.
– I successfully completed my senior project titled “The Garden Home: A home that Nourishes our body, mind, and earth”
– Another remarkable achievement was completing my Bachelor of Interior Design, with my graduation set to take place this Wednesday, June 21st, 2023. Additionally, I feel honored and privileged to have been awarded the title of Valedictorian of the Faculty of Arts, Media, and Design.
Reflecting on the past couple of months, I am filled with a sense of fulfillment and excitement for the months ahead!
11. How did you develop your distinctive style?
By continuously incorporating my love and passion for nature in all of my designs!
12. What is a quality you most cherish in your designs?
The quality I most cherish in my design is creating a sense of connection. More specifically a human-nature connection.
13. Did social media affect your work? If so, how?
Undoubtedly, social media has had a significant impact on my work. It has offered me an alternative platform to establish connections and network with fellow design professionals, not only within Ontario but also on a national and international scale.
The advent of platforms like Instagram has been particularly influential, as it has provided me with a valuable space to showcase my design work throughout my studies, serving as an innovative alternative to the traditional portfolio format.
Through social media, I have been able to reach a wider audience, gain exposure, and receive feedback, all of which have played a crucial role in shaping my work and fostering professional growth.
14. What advice would you give someone who is interested in interior design?
Whenever meeting new BID students, I always highlight the importance of nurturing one’s passion, embracing creativity and individuality, to lead their studies with curiosity, and never stop exploring and pushing the boundaries of design.
15. How can people connect with you? What is your preferred method of communication?
The purpose of the ARIDO Spotlight is to spark meaningful conversations.
We think honest and real conversations are at the heart of community building. Every voice matters and that there is a place for everyone in these conversations.
We feel it’s far more touching and honest to hear from the members who make up our design community – from members at large firms to small business owners, students, newcomers and independent creatives.
Would you like to be featured? Complete this form at the link below:
We’re thrilled to present the ARIDO committees for 2023/24. These individuals have stepped forward to advance ARIDO’s current Strategic Plan and build equity, diversity, and inclusion into all that we do.
We’d like to thank everyone who raised their hand to participate and we can’t wait to see how you advance ARIDO’s work this year!
We are continuing our promotion and appreciation of the ARIDO Committees with the Interior Design Week Month Force.
We have a dedicated team of volunteers to help us expand on the scope and reach of Interior Design Month by developing a unified, collective voice for the profession in all jurisdictions!
This group will develop and curate the programming which will include speaker sessions, project tours, collaborations, and more! Using their strategic insight, local perspective, and creativity, we’re expanding the scope of Interior Design Month, and bringing more Ontarians into the conversation on Interior Design.
This group is composed of members, as well as industry partners who are keen to advance the conversation!
Jeremy Cheff, ARIDO (Chair) Aleisha Adams, Student, ARIDO David Moretti, Industry Partner Kevin Pak, Industry Partner Christopher Rowe, Industry Partner Duong Doan, Student, ARIDO Ghazal Akkas, Intern, ARIDO Hani Ahani, Intern, ARIDO Helga Bastiaan, Intern, ARIDO Ilse De Cleene, Industry Partner Jane Henderson, Industry Partner
This committee is focused on sharing the impact of Registered Interior Designers and the importance of hiring a qualified professional to the public and industry.
These members are focused on empowering our community to be advocates and building awareness around the value of design!
It’s about finding new ways to be loud and proud about the title ‘Interior Designer’, and the ARIDO credential.
The 2023/24 Provincial Advocacy Committee is:
Robin Fraser, ARIDO (chair) Brenda Bjarnason, ARIDO Lana Pihut, Intern, ARIDO Tulin Artan, ARIDO Jenn Taggart, Industry Partner Breymann Welch, Intern, ARIDO Irma Kemp, staff Ali Moenck, staff Maia Stamatov, staff
We’re thrilled to present the ARIDO committees for 2023/24. These individuals have stepped forward to advance ARIDO’s current Strategic Plan and build equity, diversity, and inclusion into all that we do.
We’d like to thank everyone who raised their hand to participate and we can’t wait to see how you advance ARIDO’s work this year!
The Emerging Professionals Committee is composed of Interns and Student members who are focused on enhancing our offerings and developing programs and initiatives which lay the groundwork for thriving careers for Interior Designers!
They work to enhance our career support programs and drive our work to address equity for underrepresented students.
The 2023/24 Emerging Professionals Committee also contains the Career Xpress Committee and is:
We’re thrilled to present the ARIDO committees for 2023/24. These individuals have stepped forward to advance ARIDO’s current Strategic Plan and build equity, diversity, and inclusion into all that we do.
We’d like to thank everyone who raised their hand to participate and we can’t wait to see how you advance ARIDO’s work this year!
We’re thrilled to present the ARIDO committees for 2023/24. These individuals have stepped forward to advance ARIDO’s current Strategic Plan and build equity, diversity, and inclusion into all that we do.
We’d like to thank everyone who raised their hand to participate and we can’t wait to see how you advance ARIDO’s work this year!
The Communications Committee is the group of strategic and tech-savvy individuals who want to increase engagement from members!
Using their creative insight, they brainstorm more ways members can provide feedback to ARIDO, facilitate discussion about real experiences, and work to remove barriers to participation for all members.
This Committee is dedicated to sharing more member experiences and thinking about the ways ARIDO can hear from ALL members.
Brooke has a passion for creating designs that leave a lasting impact on people’s lives.
Read about where Brooke finds her inspiration and fulfillment, when she’s most productive, and how the world around her impacts her work.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m an Algonquin College graduate working as a Registered Interior Designer at HOK Toronto. In my spare time I enjoy traveling and keeping active with sports and fitness classes.
2. Why did you choose to study and practice interior design?
Design is everywhere in our everyday lives, and everyone gets to see it! So, I loved the idea that something I designed would be seen, used and enjoyed by people. From a corporate office, to an airport restaurant, to a hospital, they all satisfy this goal of my work being seen.
Design is everywhere in our everyday lives, and everyone gets to see it!
Brooke Anderson, ARIDO
3. How do you approach work-life balance?
Strong time management has helped me develop work-life balance over the years. Starting earlier in the morning allows me to have my evenings for myself.
4. How do you spark your creativity?
Long walks with good music while observing my surroundings often allows me to think through my creative ideas.
5. What are the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
Early in my career I would say yes to everything but with time you learn you’re only one person and can’t do it all. You want to put your best foot forward on every project so you can’t take on too many things at once. Time management and strong organization skills helped me ensure I was providing the best possible work every time.
Time management and strong organization skills helped me ensure I was providing the best possible work every time.
Brooke Anderson, ARIDO
6. Did social media affect your work? If so, how?
Social media trends change so quickly, so we have to take into account how this can also affect what social media users want in their interior environments. The Instagram/TikTok moments are important to clients who want their space seen in social media posts. So, depending on the client and sector of work, it can affect our work.
7. How can people connect with you? What is your preferred method of communication?
Professionally I find emails the easiest way to connect. However, Teams has become the ideal form of communication with coworkers.
The purpose of the ARIDO Spotlight is to spark meaningful conversations.
We think honest and real conversations are at the heart of community building. Every voice matters and that there is a place for everyone in these conversations.
We feel it’s far more touching and honest to hear from the members who make up our design community – from members at large firms to small business owners, students, newcomers and independent creatives.
Would you like to be featured? Complete this form at the link below:
In this spotlight, Bryan shares his perspective on cultivating new design talent and his relationship oriented approach as a design leader.
As an established Interior Designer, his focus has expanded to fostering community within the team at LWG and building opportunities for their growth into the design process.
Bryan is also the Secretary of the ARIDO Board of Management.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a Principal/Owner of an Interior Design firm (LWG Architectural Interiors Inc.) based in Ottawa. I’m a museum and art history junkie and collector of all sorts of design ephemera. I can’t live without visual art and music in my life.
2. Why did you choose to study and practice interior design?
I actually started in Architecture at the University of Manitoba. At the time, first year Architecture and Interior Design students shared all of the same design, theory and history courses, including design studio. When I started second year architecture and saw what my interior design friends were doing in their program, I knew I needed to be an interior designer.
Like many, I had NO IDEA what interior design was really all about. I had all of the same misconceptions that still exist today. The day I switched to interior design was the day I started doing advocacy work for our profession. It hasn’t ended!
3. Can you describe your style in one word?
No.
4. How do you approach work-life balance?
Everything in life is interconnected, but everything also has its own time and place. You’ll know balance when you have peace in your life.
5. How do you spark your creativity?
Travel. Reading. Theatre. Concerts. Singing in a choir.
Creativity is sparked in how you live your life. In design, however, the constraints of a project always result in creative motivation.
6. What are the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
I think all designers struggle with time management when they start their careers. Learning to prioritize is important. Communication is equally as important and the two go hand in hand.
7. What did you discover that you didn’t know before? How did interior design or your projects shape you personally?
It’s never my design. Design is a journey you take with the client, and at the end of the project they should feel like they designed it with you.
Design is a journey you take with the client, and at the end of the project they should feel like they designed it with you.
Bryan Wiens, ARIDO
Relationships are crucial to the success of a project. My focus is on relationship building and what role that plays in the design process.
8. Do you remember the first design that struck you or lingered in your mind?
When I first learned about Mies Van der Rohe and saw his Barcelona chair I was forever changed. Elegance, simplicity, economy of high quality materials. Design made to last. Timeless design. We should all strive for that.
9. What is one thing you did for the first time recently?
We celebrated the Lunar New Year at our office for the first time. We’re embracing various important cultural traditions of the people in our firm.
We have a young designer from China and she helped us organize a New Year celebration. It was so much fun and will become a new tradition in our office.
10. How would you describe your last year?
It was a year of growth in our firm. The process of building back capacity and taking on new challenges after the worst of the pandemic was over has been a journey, but ultimately a rewarding one.
Like a lot of firms, we’ve rethought some of the ways we do things. Our younger employees keep us on our toes and challenge us in all sorts of interesting and good ways.
11. How did you develop your distinctive style?
I don’t have a style per se. When I work with a client, I want the space to reflect them, not me. As I’ve progressed in my career, the conceptual side of projects are developed by younger designers in our office who need to hone their skills – I’ve done lots of design in my career and am happy to relinquish this part of the process.
As I’ve progressed in my career, the conceptual side of projects are developed by younger designers in our office who need to hone their skills
Bryan Wiens, ARIDO
My own personal taste is quite eclectic. I consider myself to be very open minded when it comes to design.
12. What is a quality you most cherish in your designs?
Collaboration. Not really a design quality, but something that results in a good design solution.
13. Did social media affect your work? If so, how?
Not at all. I don’t have time for influencers. Don’t get me started on that.
There are some designers and architects I follow on social media, but this is more for my own interest in knowing what’s going on in other parts of the world in architecture and design.
14. What advice would you give someone who is interested in interior design?
Get a degree from a really good CIDA accredited bachelor program and take the time to really learn the history of architecture and design.
15. How can people connect with you? What is your preferred method of communication?
The purpose of the ARIDO Spotlight is to spark meaningful conversations.
We think honest and real conversations are at the heart of community building. Every voice matters and that there is a place for everyone in these conversations.
We feel it’s far more touching and honest to hear from the members who make up our design community – from members at large firms to small business owners, students, newcomers and independent creatives.
Would you like to be featured? Complete this form at the link below:
Are you thinking about renovating your home or making an addition?
It can be challenging to decide whether to take on the design yourself, hire a contractor or a professional designer.
Many people think that they need an Architect or an Engineer to help them with the drawings and permit application. Still, another class of designers can assist you and help you with all the details of your project: a Registered Interior Designer.
Here are three reasons a Registered Interior Designer is the perfect fit for your next major renovation project:
1. PERMIT DRAWINGS ARE REQUIRED
Whenever a homeowner wants to construct, demolish, or renovate, almost any change to an existing building requires a permit from the City. And when a permit is required, permit drawings are needed.
Homeowners can choose to take this task upon themselves; however, if they do, they are taking on all of the project’s risk and liability if something goes wrong. Also, there is a ton of details and coordination that needs to go into drawings for permit application. So even if you know the construction, knowing design and drafting is an entirely different matter.
A Registered Interior Designer is qualified to create construction drawings and file for building permits on your behalf. Since you need drawings to apply for your permit, why not work with a registered, insured, and educated professional?
2. AN ARCHITECT IS NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION
In 2006 Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing issued Bill 124, allowing licensed designers to streamline the building permit process across Ontario.
A Registered Interior Designer can help you with any project you are planning to do in your home. They can help design and construct a one-storey residential house and up to three storeys, with a building area of 600 square meters (6458 square feet) or less.
Compare to the architects, an interior designer is looking at the building from inside out, thinking through all details and functionality of the space. Working with an architect will be a different experience where some important aspects might be left off for the construction phase, for the owner and a general contractor to sort out.
Design and construction are stressful and time-consuming processes. They bring many changes to your day-to-day lifestyle. Therefore having a detailed and coordinated set of drawings is much safer when construction kicks into your door. A well-drawn and thought-through construction set of drawings will save you, the homeowner, time, money and frustration.
Having experience working on small to mid-size projects, a Registered Interior Designer creates easy-to-read drawings. A general contractor and trades get all their information on the same page; nothing is left for them to assume. Therefore, there are no surprises for the homeowner.
A complete set of drawings always includes details and information about materials, finishes, schedules and construction details. A Registered Interior Designer ensures that the end result matches the signed design concepts presented to the client in the first stages of the project.
In case you are planning an update or renovation that involves construction or demolishing, a Registered Interior Designer may be the best person to help you, and save you time, money and worry. If you are not sure how to go about hiring a Registered Interior Designer, we have plenty of resources and tips about Interior Design!
