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By Aphrodite Knoop, Editor-Writer
The perception of interiors practice has changed over the past 30
years, reflecting the evolution of the profession of architecture
as a whole. In a recent interview, William L. Pulgram, FAIA, first
chair of the Interiors Committee, shed light on changing attitudes
and the evolution of interiors and architectural practice that led
to the creation of the AIA Interiors PIA.
During the 1960s, Pulgram, who was running an interiors practice
(Associated Space Design?then a subsidiary of Finch Alexander
Rothschild and Pascal), was already developing his own contract
documents for the firm?s projects. Rothschild, a partner with Finch
Alexander, was a heavy hitter on the AIA Documents Committee and
was pushing the AIA to develop the appropriate documents for
interiors work.
Pulgram said that he started out as a ?regular architect,? but
circumstances within Finch Alexander propelled him into interiors.
However, at that time, interiors work was looked down upon. Pulgram
said, ?In those days, interiors were just something architects
didn?t do. It was beneath them.?
Initially, Pulgram held serious reservations about getting involved
with interiors because he ?didn?t want to be a decorator.? His view
changed as his firm saw that their buildings were not being handled
holistically to include interior spatial design that would result
in comprehensive architectural design solutions.
?The interiors of our buildings were not being developed in a
manner that would complete architectural design intent,? Pulgram
said. ?To achieve holistic design, we needed to do it ourselves.?
Thus, Finch Alexander formed the interiors aspect of their
practice, which, in 1963, became an independent entity.
In 1972, Pulgram was appointed chair of the task force for the AIA
Documents Committee with the purpose of developing much needed
interiors contract documents. At that time, not many architects
were involved with interiors, and the task force was a joint
committee comprised of members from The American Institute of
Architects (AIA) and The American Society of Interior Designers
(ASID).
For three years, the task force worked to develop various contract
documents for use by AIA members and, with some modification, by
ASID members. The task force underwent several organizational
transformations. Finally, minus ASID participation, a full-fledged
AIA committee was established in 1975. Five years and several name
changes later, it finally became the Interiors Committee.
Within two years of its inception as a full-fledged committee,
Interiors expanded beyond developing contract documents and began
to address other aspects of an interiors practice. It also began
publishing information on such issues as starting a new practice,
the differences between an interiors and an architecture practice,
client relationships, and obtaining new work.
As the committee?s functions expanded, so too did its membership.
Pulgram said that in the early days, the committee had an average
of 50 members; today that number has soared to 1500.
It is evident, Pulgram said, that economics have driven the success
and growth of interiors practice and of the committee. Interiors
work has become a viable and much sought after aspect of
architectural practice, and often, it provides an avenue to new
work during lean periods when architecture-only firms are
scrambling for jobs.
Pulgram added that, unlike 30 years ago, he no longer considers it
necessary to create an interiors practice that is separate from a
primary architecture practice. Architects have moved beyond the
point where they are ?just architects? and are more open to
expanding their scope of practice.
There is a recognized need to create interiors that relate to the
overall organization of a building. Interiors specialists, Pulgram
said, want to be part of the planning process from the very
beginning for seamless design. The goal, ultimately, is to build
good buildings that provide good environments.
Pulgram opined that titles of the individual participant on the
design team are irrelevant as long as that person produces quality
work that satisfies client needs. He said, ?we need to be cognizant
of each design team member?s strength and give them the opportunity
to contribute in a holistic design attitude. We need more
collaborative efforts.?
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