Milan, 24 April 2026 – In a landmark moment for European design, the European Institute for Design and Disability (EIDD – Design for All ) and the European Council of Interior Architects (ECIA) have signed a formal agreement to deepen collaboration and champion inclusive interior spaces across the continent.
The agreement was officially sealed during the Responsible Design event – organized by ECIA in collaboration with AIPI (Associazione Italiana Professionisti Interior Designers ) as part of Fuorisalone and Milan Design Week at Casa Lombardia. EIDD President Rama Gheerawo and ECIA President Thomas Seifert put pen to paper in front of an audience of leading designers, architects, and policymakers, marking a powerful commitment to put people at the heart of every interior.
For years, EIDD has been the driving force behind the Design for All movement, insisting that good design must work for everyone , regardless of age, ability, culture, or background. ECIA, as the voice of professional interior architects across Europe, has long advocated for responsible, high-quality interior design that shapes how we live, work, and connect.
Now, these two influential organisations are officially walking the same path.
Why this partnership matters for the future of inclusive interior space
Interior design is no longer just about aesthetics or luxury. It is about creating environments that welcome, support, and empower every human being. From homes and offices to public buildings, transport hubs, and cultural spaces, interiors touch our daily lives more intimately than almost any other form of design.
By joining forces, EIDD and ECIA are sending a clear message: the future of interior architecture must be inclusive by default. The agreement will:
- Promote shared standards and best practices for Design for All in interior projects
- Encourage joint training, research, and knowledge exchange among interior architects
- Influence European policy on accessibility and universal design
- Inspire a new generation of designers to think beyond “average” users and celebrate human diversity
Rama Gheerawo captured the spirit of the moment perfectly: “We are not just signing a piece of paper. We are committing to a Europe where no one is left on the outside of a door, a room, or an experience.”
Thomas Seifert added: “Interior architects have a unique responsibility and now a unique opportunity , to make every space truly responsible. This alliance with EIDD strengthens our ability to deliver on that promise.”
In an era when Europe is ageing, societies are becoming more diverse, and expectations for accessibility are rising, this partnership could not be more timely. It transforms good intentions into concrete action and turns “Design for All” from a principle into everyday practice.
The signing in Milan is not the end of a conversation – it is the beginning of a new chapter. One where interior spaces finally reflect the rich variety of the people who use them.
Welcome to the future of responsible, inclusive design. It looks like everyone belongs.
PS. During the same inspiring event, an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed by DFA Italia, represented by its President Francesco Rodighieri, and AIPI, represented by its President Antonio D. De Antonis together with Arch. Marco Di Sano of the AIPI Inclusive Department. This MoU marks a new common commitment to Design for All across Italy, bringing the European vision firmly home to national practice.
