The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) is the professional organisation for commercial and residential interior designers in Britain.
Contents |
Founded in 1966 as the Interior Decorators and Designers Association, it merged in 2002 with the UK chapter of the International Interior Design Association becoming the British Interior Design Association. In 2009 the Secretary of State awarded it Institute status[1], the only interior design body so honoured, and became the British Institute of Interior Design. It is the oldest society that represents solely interior designers.
The Institute is owned by its members, governed by a Council elected annually by its members and is a not-for-profit body. The Institute is a regulatory body, leading the industry and promoting professionalism. Continuing professional development is considered very important and discussions have now started with interior educators to spread this further.
The BIID aims to promote professionalism in interior design and to this end has published jointly with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)[2] the first standard form of designer's appointment, ID/05 (recently updated as ID/10) which has become the industry standard. The Institute has also sponsored the publication of The BIID Interior Design Job Book (also with the RIBA)[3], the first book to set out the procedures for managing an interior design project.
Members are required to sign up to a Code of Conduct and to continue their professional development throughout their career, thus giving potential clients confidence in their capabilities and professional integrity. The BIID's website allows members to show images of their work, which provides an insight into the interior design profession for potential clients.
The BIID is the only interior design body which is a member of the Construction Industry Council[4] the umbrella body for professional organisations in the construction industry. It is also a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Design Partner[5], the government body promoting British services abroad and a member of the International Federation of Interior Architects and Designers[6], the umbrella body for interior designers worldwide. It is also a member of The Foundation for Science and Technology[7], a body which provides a platform for debate of policy issues that have a science, engineering or technology element.