ABSTRACT
Attempts at professional distinction for architects in Britain were realized early on in the nineteenth century. In 1834 architects established the Institute of British Architects to distinguish themselves from the ‘building trade’ especially, but they also seem to have alienated themselves from work in the interior. Only four years after the establishment of the Institute of Architects a commentator could write
It is too much the practice with the architects of this country to neglect that branch of their profession which is chiefly concerned with internal embellishment, to such degree, in fact, that they seem hardly to recognize its title to be considered as belonging to their province, but willingly relinquish it to upholsterers and decorateurs, which latter class of artistes would not exist separately as an intermediate grade between architects and upholsterers, but for either the pride or the supineness of architects themselves, who leave others to find the taste, which, be it good or bad, must ultimately manifest itself within the buildings they have merely planned and constructed. 1
