Housing and Community Development

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Perry Cofield AIA
Design Ways & Means Architects
Arlington VA
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Thomas, if you were not informed by the owners at the outset that they would bring on an interior designer in this capacity, I feel for you.  More than a document issue, you must determine if the clients perceive you as an Architect or an architect. You should inform the owners that the Interior Designer should run space planning ideas by you, the principal coordinator of design and documents for construction, before talking to them. There are many fine ID folk out there; but some will try to usurp your role- then propose plan rearrangements that are not feasible, or worse.  Unless roles are clearly defined, you will be in for a heckuva ride, the conflicts may never stop, and ultimately the contractor will become confused as to what his final product is to be.  The contractor will then try to "help"- now you have three project designers- not so bad if you are a masochist and your client has no concern over the delivery date.  One of the few useful functions the AIA performs for the small firm is to keep ID at bay legislatively.  Give 'um an inch, they will take five miles with no awareness of how little they know. Try to keep the owner's ID person confined to tweaking kitchens and baths, selecting furniture and finishes, and maybe lighting.  If the signals look really bad, you may be better off  resigning the commission, depending on your contract terms.  This is not legal advice, merely a voice of experience.

If you do decide to send them your documents, either as a PDF or a native Acad file, (and I would suggest you ask them if the PDF would do), you may wish to consider requiring them to sign a Confidentiality Form that you create (and that your counsel reviews and approves) that acknowledges your copyright to your design and that they will coordinate all efforts with you and receive your approval before doing anything impacting the architecture.
If they or the owner question this, just explain that you are the architect and this is one of your methods of assuring quality control of the project.  You are graciously coordinating and conducting all of the "members of the symphony," to result in a great piece of "music."

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Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Rand Soellner Architect
Cashiers NC
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Look's like there are a couple "other" key questions here, if we want to unpeal the onion a bit more.

Interior Designer or "interior decorator"?

Space planning issues and bifurcated design work or colors and finishes only?

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Stephen Dunakoskie AIA VP
Riordan Construction Group Inc
Leesburg VA
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