Rhetorical analysis of IFI Interiors Declaration

Abstract

In 2011; after a series of workshops, round table discussions, think-tank sessions and meetings with hundreds of professionals from various fields, International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) introduced a striking document coined “IFI Interiors Declaration” as a manifestation of the interiors discipline. This manifesto focuses on the interiors phenomenon through seven predetermined concepts as value, relevance, responsibility, culture, business, knowledge and identity. The IFI Interiors Declaration (IFI ID) is a consensus based vision/mission statement that is manifesting the discipline of interiors through its purpose and value. Rather than trying to come up with a detailed explanatory document like a constitution, it was aimed to provide a more general and brief document for interiors internationally. The study aims to reconsider this historical document through a rhetorical analysis which aims to examine and understand the discourse of the declaration through seven specific concepts in relation with several other discourses and theories. It is concluded that the IFI Interiors Declaration is open for interpretation in relation with cultural and regional means but as a common understanding it is specifically addressing the fact that interior architecture/design supports life and humanity by all its activities, functions and actions.