California College of the Arts is collaborating with the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) (a partner of the International Design Alliance) in its Design Future: Interiors Entity initiative by hosting a regional "think tank" here at the college on the San Francisco campus this Saturday, November 6.

Interior Design chair Katherine Lambert will head the think tank, consisting of 13 selected thought-leaders representing all phases of interiors: students, educators, researchers, large and small firm practitioners of various specialties, manufacturers, clients, environmentalists, and related scientists.

Said Lambert: "We at CCA, along with the many Bay Area leaders and stakeholders in this rapidly evolving field are proud to participate in this global conversation."

The goal of the think tank is to flesh out ideas about the role of interior design in relationship to history, architecture and construction industries, nature, the economy, sustainability, health, politics, education, and human needs. Participants will address multifaceted questions:

• What is the meaning of human-centric design?
• What is the responsibility of interior design to address various basic human and organizational needs such as clean air, adequate light, appropriate ambient interior climate and sound levels, exercise communication, education, etc.?
• What is the role of human senses and emotions in the study and practice of interior design?

CCA is one of nearly three dozen academic institutions in the United States, Canada, and Central and South America listed to participate in this IFI global initiative to more clearly understand the core need for the interiors discipline. The Americas initiative is just one of five parts of similar think tanks being held worldwide. Other regions participating in the in-depth conversation are Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East.

The IFI initiative was born out of a global conversation regarding the general misunderstanding about the interiors industry. Each region’s report will culminate in a symposium and the publication of a report repositioning the interiors discipline on the world stage.

About the IFI's Mission

IFI exists to expand, internationally and across all levels of society, the contribution of the interior architecture/design profession through the exchange and development of knowledge and experience, in education, practice, and fellowship.

For more information, contact Katherine Lambert at klambert@cca.edu.