The conference Substance, held on April 24–25, 2025, in Oslo and online, was a landmark event in the field of interior architecture and design. Organised by the European Council of Interior Architects (ECIA), Kristiania University College, and the Norwegian Association of Interior Architects and Furniture Designers (NIL), the hybrid conference brought together professionals, academics, and students from across Europe to explore the evolving landscape of interior research.
Over two days, participants engaged in dynamic presentations and discussions on evolving methodologies and key themes in interior architecture. The conference highlighted the growing role of research in shaping innovative, responsive interior spaces and emphasized how interior architects can address contemporary societal and environmental challenges.
The event was concluded with the first-ever ECIA Interior Award ceremony, celebrating exceptional interior architecture projects across Europe. The award aimed to identify and disseminate good practices, showcasing the relevance of interior architects in contemporary challenges within the built environment.
he success of Substance has inspired plans to make it a recurring event, either annually or biennially, further solidifying its role as a vital platform for advancing interior architecture research and practice in Europe