“There are a lot of hats an interior designer can wear. In some way they are the same as an architect and some ways they are different. I think understanding what hats you're great at wearing and how you fit in is important.” - Michael
“If you don't have good bones, if the proportions of the space aren't right, you're just putting lipstick on a pig.” – Elizabeth
Michael Riscica with his pup
Overview
In this episode we talk about the relationship of architecture and interiors as a practice, we size up the ARE and the NCIDQ, we discuss pursuing a masters in architecture and provide insightful tips to help you elevate your practice.
Guest Summary
Michael Riscica is founder, creator, and show host of Young Architect.
Graduated from the New York School of Technology with a Bachelor of Architecture
Registered Architect with his NCARB Certificate
Volunteered for Architects in schools with Architecture Foundation of Oregon
In 2014 he founded Young Architect - Helping Young Architects navigate the early years of their careers by being more successful in school, work and the Architecture Registration Exam.
Written publications on how to pass the Architectural Registration Exam
Created an ARE boot camp to help architectural designers pass the ARE exams
What is an architect’s role?
The architect is the captain in some ways, the coordinator of all the moving parts. They are the composer of the orchestra. The architect is the generalist that knows just enough to keep all the different pieces moving forward. The architect deals with siting the building in the context, the relationship of the big parts from the exterior to the interior, the shell of the building and works in collaboration with landscape architects, interior designers, structural engineers and other trades to coordinate all the components. An architect can not call themselves an architect until they have taken the ARE exam.
What is the role of interior designers?
Society tends to think of interior designers as decorators however there is a broad range of skill sets that interior designers perform from programming to space planning to project management, to detailing and finish specification, all the way down to furniture, accessories and art curation.
Foremost the role of interiors designers is to understand how humans use the interior environment. All the things that people are touching and feeling and experiencing inside the building.
To read a full description of a Interior Designers role.
What does interior architecture entail?
Interior architecture is the zone between the building shell and the interior environment. If one practices interior architecture, they lead programming and space planning efforts, they collaborate with structural on loadbearing walls and work within the skin of the building. This work entails knowledge of building systems including lighting and interior finish performance qualities for sustainable attributes or acoustic properties. Often times this role is either performed by an architect or an interior designer.
Michael what do you love most about architecture?
It is the people and the community it creates.
What do you despise about architecture?
It's the same thing. It's the people. It is the competition. It is the jealousy. It is when people are shallow. It is the pedigree. I've been in experiences where someone needed to remind me multiple times that they went to some ivy league school to validate what they were saying, and I can't handle that. It is the greed. It is the ego. I think this is the ugly side of architecture.
What is the value in professional examination?
Studying and focusing so intensely on the subject by mastering the information makes you a better designer. It offers an opportunity to reflect on one’s design practice and hone those skills.
Advice for taking professional exams:
The way we think in architecture school versus how one has to think on the architectural exam is completely separate. The goal in school is to think out of the box, create problem solvers and take risks. On the ARE exam there is no creativity, think inside the box, follow the rules and the process. The exam is testing how you can design in a safe way. What really separates the people who get licensed and the ones who don't is time. Time to study and learn that way of thinking.
“One of my frustrations with the architect exam was that all the skills that brought me success in architecture school, they were actually the same skills that handicap me and made it harder for me to pass the architect exam.” Michael
Can graduates from interior architectural (such as BIARCH) programs take the Architects Registration Examination (ARE) or do they need to have a masters in architecture?
There is a process to challenge the standards with NCARB where you compare what you did in school to what is required to sit for the exam. Sometimes, people might only need three or four more courses verse a full-blown master's degree. It is worth it to do the research.
What is the difference between the ARE and the NCIDQ?
The NCIDQ is comprised of 3 exams
Fundamentals (IDFX) has 8 divisions
Programming and Site Analysis
Relationship between human behavior and the designed environment
Design Communication Techniques
Life Safety and Universal Design
Interior Building Materials and Finishes
Technical Specifications for Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment and Lighting
Construction Drawings, Schedules and specifications
Professional Development Ethics
Professional (IDPX) has 7 divisions
Project Assessment and Sustainability
Project Process, Roles and Coordination
Professional Business Practices
Code, Requirements, Laws, Standards, and Regulations
Integration with Building Systems and Construction
Integration of Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
Contract Administration
Practicum (PRAC) four part utilizing case studies to synthesize and integrate knowledge.
Programming, Planning and Analysis
Code, Requirements, Laws, Standards and Regulations
Integration with Building
Contract Documents
The ARE 5.0 is comprised of 6 divisions
Practice Management
Project Management
Programming & Analysis
Project Planning & Design
Project Development & Documentation
Construction & Evaluation
Advice for recent grades when considering firms:
“Sometimes practicing at the flashiest firms that are doing really sexy edgy work can come with a price. It could be they are not going to be supportive of families or a work life balance or collaborative to work with.” - Elizabeth
‘If you want to elevate your practice, set goals to take professional exams such as the ARE, NCIDQ or the CDT exam. These exams test one on practical information and will strengthen ones design practice. This is what we call the “Business of Architecture”.’- Michael
“Focus on becoming a great interior designer. Every time you show up do good work, so you can get better at the craft of interior design. Focus on excellence. If you can look at it from that perspective and make that what you are working towards.” - Michael
To see more of Michaels work head on over to Young Architect!
If your interested in listening to Young Architect podcast. We recommend:
Ep 48 with Ryan Misner An inside look at the NCARB ARE Examination Process
Ep 40 with Enoch Sears The keys to a successful Architectural Practice
EP 34 with Kristine Harding How NCARB is Evolving and Growing
Keep observing, growing as a professional and designing y’all!
Credit
Branding & Graphic Design work by Andrea Schwoebel https://www.andreaschwoebel.com/
Headshot provided by Michael Riscica
Glass façade photo by bantersnaps on Unsplash
Façade with walkway photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash
Stairs photo by Liane Metzler on Unsplash
Window photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash