The European Council of Interior Architects (ECIA) has announced Thomas Seifert as its new president, following the General Assembly held on 27 September 2025 in Vienna, Austria. Seifert, who previously served as a board member and interim treasurer of ECIA, also holds a position on the board of the Belgian Association of Interior Architects.
© ECIA
Thomas Seifert, the new president of the ECIA.
An experienced interior architect, Seifert has worked across residential and commercial projects, overseeing processes from initial sketches to on-site coordination. As a project manager in major construction firms, he combines technical expertise with creativity to deliver complex projects within corporate structures. Additionally, Seifert works as a fire safety expert at a leading technical control bureau in Belgium.
Commenting on the evolving profession, Seifert said, "The role of the interior architect is increasingly recognised worldwide for its added value, and this growing appreciation as professional is a natural outcome. The challenges of the profession are largely similar across both a European and global level. In the future, socio-cultural evolutions, combined with the rapid digitalisation driven by artificial intelligence, will have a significant impact on the field."
ECIA expressed gratitude to outgoing president Martin Thornblom and his team, noting, "ECIA today has more substance, stronger foundations and broader representation than ever before. They have successfully initiated and completed the network project supported by the European Union. This achievement provides us with a rich foundation and valuable content on which we can continue to build."
The organisation also bid farewell to Sophie Green, Dominique Haag-Walthert, and Loes Bliek, recognising their years of dedication and leadership.
Alongside Seifert's appointment, the ECIA welcomed new board members Andoni Diaz (CGDI) and René Pier (BDIA). Davina Preca (MIDA) was re-elected and will serve as Secretary General, while Kristina Jonasson (SA) assumes the role of Treasurer. The full board now comprises Thomas Seifert (BE) as President, Davina Preca (MT) as Secretary General, Kristina Jonasson (SE) as Treasurer, and board members Milan Illes (SK), May Fawzy (UK), Andoni Diaz (ES), and René Pier (GE).
ECIA emphasised its appreciation for the commitment of its members, noting that the newly formed board will continue to evolve the organisation and address emerging challenges in the field of interior architecture.
More information:
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