Career Path, into Building Performance: What Skills and Software Should an Interior Designer Learn?

General
1

Hi everyone

I am 24 years old. Have just finished a B.Des in Interior Design. Prior to that I completed a three‑year diploma in Interior Design and Decoration and I have a year of experience as a junior interior designer.

My strongest software skill at the moment is SketchUp. I have basic exposure to 3ds Max and I do not know Revit, Lumion, advanced BIM workflows or AI‑based rendering workflows.

I am now deciding which direction to take for my career. I am especially interested in building performance, sustainability, energy modelling, building science, BIM, daylighting, thermal comfort and climate‑resilient design. I do not have professional experience in these areas.

I would really appreciate advice from people working in these fields:

  • Which career paths are likely to be open for someone with this background?

  • Which career paths would be easier to transition into from design?

  • Which areas are likely to have demand over the next five to ten years?

  • Which career paths have earning potential after gaining experience?

  • Which career paths generally have work‑life balance and lower day‑to‑day stress?

  • What skills and software should I learn first than trying to learn everything at once?

  • Should I start with Revit and BIM. Should I go directly toward building performance, energy modelling or building science?

  • Which entry‑level roles should I realistically search for with this background?

  • If I were 24 had this education and limited software skills. Wanted a stable well‑paid career with long‑term demand, which path would I choose and why?

I am not looking for a shortcut or a job that offers easy money. I want to choose a field where I can build expertise over many years earn well in the future and ideally have a good work‑life balance.

Any honest advice, about the entry barrier, salary progression, stress level and required skills would be very helpful.

2

Hi Uno! I would start to learn building physics and how HVAC systems work. (Building) physics is essential, but since you mentioned energy modelling, it is also important to understand how different HVAC systems work and how they are designed. If you have these basics, then try to start working in a position where there are other energy modelers in your team, that is the best way to learn.

3

Hi Uno, I’m happy to see your enthusiasm for the trade. In addition to building physics/HVAC systems training, I’d highly recommend a few courses on thermodynamics, heat & mass transfer and fluid dynamics. Those will introduce you to many of the core fundamental principles that are essential to understanding the data energy models require and produce.