Architectural Design

There is an interesting history behind the intertwinement of design and architecture that is predominately related to the design of interiors, lighting, and housewares. Given that architecture has been historically understood as a closely associated but distinct practice to design, this entry deals with architects working in design and not the field of architecture itself.

The reason for architects' interests in design is clear. They usually tried to design more than the enclosed space and be responsible for at least a part of the interior as well and so extended their practice to design furnishings and to commission tradesmen to realize these ambitions. As architecture had existed long before the other design fields, craftwork and trade skills had for a long period been architecture's only true competitors.

This fact in turn established a tradition and influenced the beginnings of the development of design. It also inspired or seduced architects to dabble in design. Mies van der Rohe...