Congratulations for the board and all members of the SIO with the 60th anniversary. The importance of a European Network is acknowledged by the Finnish colleagues from the start of ECIA.

For all professionals it is interesting to study and work abroad so for the recognition of the profession it is an absolute necessity that what you can expect from an interior architect / designer is more or less the same all over Europe. In 2007 ECIA published the European Charter of Interior Architectural Training as a step in the process of constructing a system of recognition of schools by ECIA.
 
I wonder if SIO still has members from the first days. The designs of members from the early years is mostly unknown by younger generations for the life of an interior is short. Knowing the history of a profession is important for the consciousness of the new professionals. For that reason the ECIA started the project “Oral History” where students are invited to do interviews with older colleagues about their work and the way they worked and started their practice. This project is going on and I hope that we will receive an interesting response from the Finish.
I whish SIO a future with active members, making wonderful interiors all over Europe.
 
Joke van Hengstum
President ECIA