How can you tell a home’s interior was designed by an architect? What is the tell – if there is one?
That was the question we posed to a handful of accomplished residential architectural designers. Many of their answers discuss the indoor-outdoor relationship and offer insights about the distinct way architects pay attention to proportion. Some of their answers may even drudge up a bit of controversy, but you’ll have to read on to see what they had to say:
Elsa Brown, Principal of MDa Studios on playing with light, editing and leaving room for exploration:
Interiors that are designed by architects often incorporate and highlight the exterior, capitalizing on views and daylight and encouraging one to experience the home’s interiors in relationship to its surroundings, rather than strictly focusing on applied materials. There will likely be a strong organizational structure, along with material logic and clarity.
An MDa Studios interior may initially present a friendly simplicity and a comfortable background for family life, but the richness of the project comes with time and exploration. There is more than meets the eye, and thoughtful details and timeless materials allow the home to carry its inhabitants through many decades of life.
MDa Studios loves a contemporary, timeless architectural interiors style and language that utilizes and exposes materials and structural parts of the construction. Openness, spaciousness, fluidity, light, warmth, and color are essential, with a preference for natural materials and color tones.
We like when you get something surprising and delightful by leaving something out. A well placed skylight can result in a play of shadows and light that can be as effective as a prominent piece of artwork. MDa and other architecture firms play up the discovery and exploration of the interiors and the home’s site with these moments and others.
Architect and designer Lara Apelian on the indoor-outdoor relationship and attention to detail:
One of the most telling signs that an interior has been designed by a quality architect is the seamless relationship between exterior and interior. The transition feels effortless, and the design extends from the larger scale building massing to the refined, intimate details of the interior.
At Lara Apelian Studio, we don’t see architecture and interior design as separate disciplines; they are inherently interconnected. Every element—materials, spatial flow, and proportion—is considered together, creating a sense of cohesion that feels beautiful and effortless. This philosophy is precisely why our practice spans both architecture and interiors; to us, they are inseparable!
Greg Roth, Senior Designer of Home Front Build on the prioritizing the exterior over interior furnishings:
One main tell that often lets us know that an interior was designed by an architect is when doors and windows are located without proper consideration of furniture placement. Often, doors and windows are only considered from the building’s exterior, which can make a functional interior furniture layout very difficult to achieve.
For example, is there enough wall space between or beneath windows to accommodate various bed sizes? Will a television monitor or larger artwork have ample wall space? Does the living room architecture allow for comfortable gathering or television viewing? Do window or door openings in a kitchen space interfere with the ideal cabinetry or appliance layout?
While architects typically excel at creating flowing spaces with natural light and ample outdoor access, the day-to-day functionality of the building’s interiors may not always get the attention it deserves.
The layout of furnishings, TV placement, or details of kitchens and bathrooms are sometimes not so high on an architect’s priority list. And storage is another overlooked area. Closet space and storage solutions for clothing, cleaning supplies, and everyday essentials are frequently given very little priority, which can then present expensive and avoidable challenges.
Alexandra Mangimelli, Partner at STRANG Design on designing seamlessly
How can you tell when an interior has been designed by an architect? Ideally, you don’t. The most successful designs are seamless, where architecture and interiors are so intrinsically linked that they feel like one cohesive vision.
At STRANG, we achieve this by integrating trained professionals in both architecture and interior design, ensuring a result that is both structurally stunning and aesthetically harmonious.
Though STRANG began as an architecture firm, our philosophy has always been rooted in a fully integrated experience. Our studio was built on the belief that great design is holistic—it doesn’t end with form but extends through every detail, material choice, and spatial interaction.
Windows are not just openings—they frame views, harness natural light, and enhance the way a space is experienced. Proportions, sightlines, and circulation paths are carefully calibrated, ensuring that every element contributes to a sense of place and purpose. This comprehensive approach allows us to create not just homes, but experiences that are deeply connected to the lifestyles of our clients.
We don’t just design spaces; we create a feeling, an energy. Every STRANG home is a manifestation of a vision carefully aligned from the beginning. The architectural form, interior details, and functional flow must be executed with precision to ensure an immersive, cohesive experience. By maintaining this synergy throughout the process, we craft homes that are not just visually compelling but intuitively livable.
