Today, World Interiors Day, is a day for reflection on how interior designers apply creativity and innovative solutions for the benefit of both aesthetics and functionality, and on how space matters.

Interior designers must apply their imagination to a structure and enhance it for the best human experience possible. As a society, we tend to take our living areas for granted, yet we must realize the intensity and dedication an interior designer undergoes to make our lives comfortable. The interior design profession is constantly evolving, through education and programs, to enhance the built environment.
On a daily basis, interior designers find new ways to create spaces that are functional through all stages of a person’s life, from cradle to grave. As life expectancy increases, we need spaces that will last as long as our lifetimes. Interior designers must make decisions that provide a safe and healthy environment for individuals of all ages and abilities, including specifying furniture, fabric and finishes that meet or exceed building and fire codes.

Interior designers are also at the forefront of sustainable design. With more than 40 percent of energy usage coming from buildings, designing sustainably has a major impact. Through programs such as LEED and REGREEN, interior designers advocate for safe products and services, create healthy interiors, protect the biosphere, responsibly use resources such as water and energy, and reduce waste.
This day is an opportunity to celebrate an annual worldwide event to promote the importance of the interior design profession. ASID has collaborated with IFI in marking this special event in major metropolitan areas throughout the world. Cities such as Miami, New York, Seattle, Guangzhou, Shenjin, Taipei, Montreal, and cities throughout Nigeria have all recognized and proclaimed May 25, 2013, as World Interiors Day. Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado stated in the city’s proclamation: “Local authorities on behalf of our citizens commend IFI, ASID & IIDA for their critical contributions to the industry of architecture and design in the City of Miami and support the global forum for collaboration among professional interior architects and designers.”

Please join us as we celebrate World Interiors Day and recognize those who have enhanced the building and design environment for the better of the profession, community, and the world. #SpaceMatters

Pictured above: IFI President Shashi Caan, Allied ASID and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who on May 9, proclaimed May 25, 2013, as World Interiors Day, further affirming the IFI Interiors Declaration. (Photo courtesy of The Shashi Caan Collaborative.)

Alexis de Armas is government and public affairs specialist for ASID. She can be reached at adearmas@asid.org.