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Despite recent intensity in discourse surrounding the definition and territory of interior design as a practice and a field of study in professional and academic forums around the world, little consideration has been given to the process and outcomes of contemporary interior design practice, and how analysis of it may (or may not) contribute to interior design’s persistent discussions of contested definition of identity and territory. This paper seeks to find a position within the current literature that allows justifiable discussion of contemporary interior design practice methodologies and projects. Using examples of awarded projects from Australia’s annual peer judged interior design awards program, analysis of contemporary interior design practice is positioned within the context of the main themes of this continuing debate.

Despite significant variation in regional approaches to interior design2 nomenclature, regulation accreditation and research, there is global agreement about the contested and problematic nature of the identity of interior design. Even the name of the discipline’s peak international body, IFI, displays the difficulties of identity offering a selection of options in its title – International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers – and struggles to represent the diverse characteristics of its regional member institutions. In recognition of this, IFI initiated a Roundtable discussion to initiate an international discussion on the identity of interior design. The paradigms presented at the Roundtable provide an opportunity to position interior design in Australia in an international context. The Roundtable discussions also provide a useful basis for analysis of interior design as a ‘field’ encompassing professional practice, education and academic theory and research in Australia at the current time.

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