One social network’s California offices have bright, open workstations and conference areas, providing employees with a continual stream of pleasant distractions. At a gallery in Wolfsburg, Germany, a long, neon-green band embedded with interactive exhibits ricochets in all directions, confounding the banal geometry of the space.
     Because it’s not necessary to deal with issues of structure and weatherproofing, interiors can often be conceived with greater formal freedom than a building can. And, precisely because they’re ephemeral, they’re often conceived with less seriousness, allowing for greater whimsy and fantasy. A blank white house in Stockholm is finished as if a lush green lawn were spilling inside of it. An apartment in Porto, Portugal is furnished with bright red and blue-green lacquered millwork, giving it a cartoon-like energy.
     Retrofitting sound, existing structures has become increasingly popular, as it can be more cost-effective and ecologically responsible than constructing new ones. In addition, older buildings often contribute a unique physical character to a space. Architects and planners have typically held interior design projects at arm’s length, arguing that working at a large scale is more substantial and meaningful. The truth is that it’s very difficult to shape a fine interior, and that elements like lighting, color, and texture are difficult to master. As interior design becomes an increasingly vital field of practice, it’s likely that more and more designers will be taking up the challenge to create surprising, innovative spaces.

Staging Space