History & Significant Events

The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) is a non-stock, non-profit corporation of the Republic of the Philippines, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 30, 1964 with Registration No. 25860. It is the only association of professional Interior Designers in the country and accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Through the years, the practice of Interior Design had flourished, but the profession has also attracted untrained craftsmen, whose practice threatened the prestige of the profession. Thus, on August 14, 1964 a concerned group of practicing Interior Designers founded the PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF ITNERIOR DESIGNERS (PIID).

The founders which included names such as Wili Fernandez, Lor Calma, Ched Topacio, Edgar Ramirez, Tony Zamora and Mel Gana, were part of a group of active interior designers practicing the profession as early as the late 1950’s. Through them the recognition of interior design as an allied profession to architecture became widespread and served as inspiration to the many others who followed.

They envisioned an organization that would uplift an emerging profession and give it the recognition and prestige it truly deserves in the building industry, responsive to the demands of the profession and the public. In 1983 interior design was finally given recognition with the creation of the Specialty Board of Interior Design under the Board of Architecture by Philippine Regulation Commission initiating the licensure examination annually. Today, there are about 1400 registered Interior Designers in the country.

Some of the activities in the early years included design and decoration Shows that gave the public an understanding and appreciation of interior design, the press coverage of which disseminated the activities throughout the country. Works of the designers continued to be publicized as well as design columns and articles written by some of the members. Because of public interest generated, the training of new designers was given importance such as upgrading existing curricula and opening of new schools. The allied industries became activated too, giving our manufacturers an open market for their products, generating activity for at least 65 various trades including furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall materials, lighting, accessories and art works.