Interior architecture in Australia and Canada, Part One: A comparative study of the development of a developing profession

Abstract

This paper is the first in a series. The series will compare development in Interior Design/Interior Architecture in two commonwealth countries--Australia and Canada. These countries are of a similar population, size, language, mother country and age in terms of western development. And, the countries therefore share, in terms of design development, some of the same opportunities and barriersThe purpose of this first paper is to establish the professions' history as a base--to compare parallels and differences for the purpose of gaining an insight into development. From this base discussions are possible on future directions.The paper's focus is the last twenty years from the seventies to the nineties. The development is put in context to the economic events underpinning the progression both countries. It focuses on Australia and Canada from 1977 to 1999, and provides a background on the influences of time, place and economic factors on the interior design profession A number of the events are global issues, thereby putting the developments into an international context. The paper concludes with possibilities suggested by the current state of the profession.