dependent on you location an architect may have to get involved to stamp drawings for permits. in many states an interior designer is not qualified to stamp and submit drawings that lead to structural changes.

but it will cost way less to work with a designer on everything up until final documents for permitting.

It depends on the talent and experience of either professional in this case. There are mediocre architects who are formulaic and unimaginative and there are interior designers who are the same- plus they lack the skill set to do a good job on the interior architecture.

You will need to interview people who have undertaken these kinds of projects and their clients to be safe in order to know what can and can't be delivered by said pro.

There is no one answer sadly.

And you will need minimally an architect and possibly an engineer to sign off on anything done by an allied pro like and interior designer (ASID credential.)

I appreciate your guys' perspectives so much! Thank you!

Interior design firms often have architects on staff. I would look for one of those. Architects rarely specialize in interior architecture, although some do have interior designers on staff. Either way, you need specialists for both, either an interior design firm with an architect or an architectural firm with an interior designer on staff. They will then hire engineers as needed.

that's so helpful Lars. Thanks! can you recommend a firm?

I'm in Los Angeles

Almost all of our clients are interior designers, and so I can check our client list. I can also get other references.

Just so you know, I am off from work today and next week, but I will get back to you the following week.

LA has endless options for designers.

Ankroim Moisan and Interior Architects are firms I am familiar with here in Portland that have LA offices.

I started looking through our client database, and it appears that we have hundreds of clients in the Los Angeles area, and so it might be a good idea as suggested that you start a thread asking for experience and recommendations from people who have used designers here. I'm kind of at the other end of the experience, since the designers are our clients instead of vice versa. Also, since I am in product development and design, I really do not get involved with clients, although years ago I used to. My experience now is rather dated, and many of the designers that I've known have retired.

The only one that comes to my mind at the moment is Lisa Merkle, and I did some drawings for her back when I lived in Venice more than ten years ago. I've done freelance drawings for some other designers as well, but I can't remember their names at the moment, as it's been over ten years.

Another one of my clients (who produced tiles) worked with Michael Smith, and I think his work is very good also, but he usually works on fairly large projects, I think.

Another person I could recommend is Suzanne MacPhail, who used to work with me here. She also used to work for my boss Sally Lewis in her interior Design business SSID as SSL's in house architect, I believe. She also used to work on the floor plans for our showrooms, but she is now out on her own, as my boss no longer does interior design work, due to her health. If you do not want to work with Suzanne, she could recommend someone for you.

Jack Lowrance is one of our clients that I can remember, but I've been out of touch for several years. At least he is still alive.

I appreciate all your help and time to respond to my request. So kind and thoughtful to contribute your advice here. I will start a thread soon and see what others' experience has been. Thanks Lars