09 Jul 2023

Interior architects are not regulated by the Architects’ Registration Act of 2008  and the Architects’ Registration (Amendment) Act of 2014, says Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale.

He said under the act, there was no provision relating to the discipline of interior architecture, and that people with the qualification were not eligible for registration and prohibited from using the title “architect or registered architect.”

He said currently the only professionals that were qualified to register should possess a professional degree in architecture, a degree or diploma in architecture or construction technology and a certificate in architectural or building technology and draftsmanship.

Mr Molale said as much as the act provided for the registration of architects and provided for the regulation of the practice of architecture, individuals possessing the qualification of interior architecture were able to register as architectural technologists rather that architects.

“The reason is that at the time of promulgation of the law, the discipline of interior architecture had been considered to be the equivalent of architectural technologist and they were expected to register under that category,” he said.

He said his ministry was currently undertaking a review of legislation for regulatory bodies to allow for registration of all professionals and quasi professionals in appropriate categories.

This, he said, was in order to ensure the inclusion of all requisite classes of personnel in the construction industry.

Mr Molale said the reason for including other professionals and quasi-professionals in the act was to advocate for professionals possessing the appropriate qualifications to be engaged to do specific work.

He said it would allow the act to regulate the activities and conduct of all professional by ensuring integrity of the profession and compliance with the set standards.

The MP for Maun West, Mr Dumelang Saleshando had asked the minister if interior architects were regulated by the Architects Regulatory Council Act and to state the provision of the act relating to the discipline, and if not, to state how their operations were regulated. ENDS