Architecture Degrees Online

Chalmers University of Technology launches a new Master’s programme in Interior Architecture that will provide advanced knowledge in the design of architectural space. Focus is set on enriched spatial experience and the human interaction with space as well as health and environmental issues and knowledge in physical and technical conditions – acoustics, light, colour, materials, indoor climate and construction.

The programme will start in the autumn semester 2009. The aim is to develop abilities to form high quality spaces in an interior art that can organize functions, acoustic atmospheres, lighting and colour, indoor climate and supporting structures to an artistic entirety.

With the course Research by Design as a starting point, the programme uses a creative, investigative approach where design projects are the main educational form. Projects will focus on themes like Space and sound, Space and climate, Lighting and colour, Space, material and construction, and Extreme environments. Public and collective spaces stand at the centre of the studies. The second year course on Design for Sustainable Development will develop deeper knowledge on energy efficiency, materials and emissions, work climate, ergonomics and ‘design for all’.

The programme is hosted by the Department of Architecture, in collaboration with Civil and Environmental Engineering, the IT University and the Lighting Design Center in Alingsås. Through this co-operation, the education generates a diversity that responds to current and future labour market demands: the need for a professional competence that can move between architectural and interior design; deal with the shaping of spatial sequences, indoor and outdoor spaces, general spaces and spaces for specific use, and take part in teams of advanced, integrated design tasks.

Thirty students will be admitted each year. Prerequisites are a Bachelor degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture or Interior Design. Admission will be made by ranking portofolios. Depending on Bachelor profile, the education will give the degree Master of Architecture (in Swedish, ‘Arkitektexamen’), authorised by the Swedish Association of Architects, or Master of Science (in Swedish, ‘Teknologie masterexamen’), with the specification ‘Interior Architecture’.

Accreditation Information :
Pre Requisite Courses :
Qualifying Exams :

Tution Fees :
Financial Aid / Scholarship Offered :
Courses :

Accreditation Information :
Pre Requisite Courses :
Qualifying Exams :

Tution Fees :
Financial Aid / Scholarship Offered :
Courses :

Entry requirements
A minimum of 300 UCAS tariff points or equivalent qualification. Maths and English GCSE Grade C or above required.

About the course
The links with industry, many generated through placement, greatly increase Nottingham Trent graduate employment prospects. Interior Architecture is an innovative and creative field to study which is demanding, but also rewarding and exciting. The course deals with the design of internal spaces, and to do this successfully the student will be required to consider the relationship between the architectural context and the designed interior. Throughout the course, practice is informed by a study of theory which is presented in both the studio and Critical Studies. Students develop an understanding of human need and how the organisation of the physical design elements including form, structure, colour and light can be articulated to create sound, useful and stimulating environments.

Special features
We have strong links with colleges in South Africa, Malaysia and Japan.

Assessment
The course is expressed as a series of modules, which are continuously assessed through the presentation of project work and written work. All assessment is in a form appropriate to the nature of the study undertaken and all modules have clear assessment methods and criteria.

Your future career
Graduates of this course have gone on to work on a truly international platform of challenging and directional projects and can be found at leading companies within the architectural design field including Fern Green Partnership, Fosters & Co, Lucid, David Jones in Sydney, M&W Zander in Singapore and Skidore, Owen and Merrell in New York.

Application and selection
Selection is through UCAS application form and, where invited, interview and portfolio. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the School during the publicised open days.

Interior Architecture is an innovative and creative field to study which is demanding, but also rewarding and exciting. The course deals with the design of internal spaces, and to do this successfully the student will be required to consider the relationship between the architectural context and the designed interior. Students develop an understanding of human need and how the organisation of the physical design elements including form, structure, colour and light can be articulated to create sound, useful and stimulating environments.

Throughout the course, practice is informed by a study of theory which is presented in both the studio and Critical Studies.

Requirements
First year (48 points)
First semester
DGN1001 Design studio 1 (6 points)
DIS1103 Digital processes for art and design 1 (6 points)
DWG1301 Drawing 1C (6 points)
OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety (0 points)
TAD1203 Introduction to design history and theory (6 points)

Second semester
DIS1912 Virtual space A (6 points)
IAR1112 Interior architecture studio 2 (6 points)
IAR1211 Building construction and materials A (6 points)
IAR1401 Communication methods for interior architecture (6 points)

Second year (48 points)
First semester
DIS2910 Virtual space B (6 points)
IAR2113 Interior architecture studio 3 (6 points)
IAR2303 Structures and services A (6 points)
TAD2214 Critical issues in design (6 points)

Second semester
IAR2114 Interior architecture studio 4 (6 points)
IAR2204 Building construction and materials B (6 points)
IAR2205 The production of space and place (6 points)
IDE2810 Furniture 1 (6 points)

Third year (48 points)
First semester
IAR3115 Interior architecture studio 5 (6 points)
IAR3308 Structures and services B (6 points)
PPR3102 Professional practice for interior architecture (6 points)
TAD3214 Contemporary discourse in design (6 points)

Second semester
IAR3116 Interior architecture studio 6 (12 points)
IAR3205 Building construction and materials C (6 points)
elective (6 points)

Fourth year (48 points)
First semester
IAR4117 Interior architecture studio 7 (12 points)
IAR4406 Industrial experience (0 points)
TAD4503 Advanced art theory (6 points) or TAD4523 Design research methods and seminar (6 points)
elective (6 points)

Second semester
IAR4118 Interior architecture studio 8 (18 points)
TAD4504 Research seminar in art and design (6 points) or elective (6 points)

The course offers a program of education in the discipline and professional practice of interior architecture. It is intended for students who wish to seek professional or executive employment in the field of interior design or related areas of design activity.

Interior architecture is concerned with the range of commercial and domestic interiors ranging from the hospitality, entertainment, retail, and health and transport industries to commercial offices and domestic interiors. The interior architecture studio units are supported by specialist units in structures and services, building construction and materials, communication methods and media, furniture design, computer-aided design and professional practice. The course is further supported by units in the theory, history and contemporary discourse in art, design and architecture, as well as by introductory units in drawing and digital imaging.

This four-year professional degree course may be awarded with a level of honours depending upon the grade averages achieved during the course.

Objectives
To educate graduates who have:
knowledge and understanding of the disciplines of design and interior architecture
the skills for design strategy, concept forming, problem solving, detailing and communication
understanding of the socio-economic and cultural contexts of interior architecture and the ethical responsibilities of the professional designer
the capability to practice as a professional designer in the field of interior architecture
understanding of research concepts, strategies and methods and the skills to apply them in the fields of design and the built environment
knowledge, understanding and skills in resolving and communicating technical and constructional aspects of interior architecture projects to a professional standard
knowledge and understanding of the aesthetic aspects of design and interior architecture and a high capability at aesthetic resolutions
knowledge and understanding of the other professions involved in the design, development and construction of the built environment and the capability to work in coordination with them
knowledge, understanding and skills in project and business management relevant to the practice of interior architecture
the capability to critically assess and contribute to contemporary discourse and speculative theory on design.

Structure
The course consists of the following areas of study:

(a.) Design studios (72 points)
This is the major study of the course. There are design studios at each level of the course.

(b.) Studio specialisation (12 points)
These include the following core units: ‘Communication methods’ and ‘Furniture 1′.

(c.) Technology (36 points)
These include construction and materials, structures and services units which provide the core of the technical support studies. The theory covered in these units is also applied in the studio project work.

(d.) Theory of art and design (18 points)
Students study a minimum of three theory, context and cultural units in art and design.

(e.) Drawing and visual structures (6 points)
Students take one 6-point unit in the first year. This study is concerned with the development of perception, communication, and visual concepts, primarily using drawing media. Further drawing is available as an elective unit.

(f.) Digital imaging (18 points)
Students take the faculty’s common unit, ‘Digital imaging’. Students later take two core units in interiors computing.

(g.) Professional practice (6 points)
This study is focused on the business practice aspects of interior architecture and design.

(h.) Industrial collaboration and experience (0 points)
In semester one of the fourth year, the discipline and strategic issues are further elaborated in the research methods unit. A design studio unit and electives are also taken in semester one. During the second semester, students undertake a major studio project that will demonstrate their academic and professional attainment in the discipline and professional practice of interior architecture.

At the commencement of fourth year, students also take a period of approximately six weeks of work in an interior architecture studio or related practice or commercial organisation. In many instances, this will be related to the specialist practice area which they intend to enter as professional graduates. It is intended that in most instances students will establish an ongoing collaboration with an industry partner.

(i) Students select one of the following strands in fourth year (12 points)
Preparation for higher degree strand:
Research methods in art and design
Research seminar in art and design

Professional practice strand:
Design research methods and seminar, and
An approved elective.

(j.) Electives (12 to 18 points)
Elective studies are selected in consultation with the course coordinator. Units will generally be taken from those available within the Faculty of Art and Design, but units offered elsewhere in the University are also available.

(k.) Occupational health and safety (0 points)
A compulsory health and safety unit which deals with issues relevant to art and design.

A critical approach of the Monash Interior Architecture course is its balance between experimental, creative design and building technology.

If architecture is concerned with the large scale issues of the city, the specialisation of interior architecture considers the human scale and experiences inherent in the public and privates spaces of that city; it is an expression of our encounter with the world. As interior architects, we are concerned with authentic architectural experience, and the development of a multi-sensory approach to architectural space which facilitates a sense of belonging and integration. We create spaces from the point of view of the occupant or participant.

Interior architecture owes as much to the theory and practice of art, philosophy and psychology as it does to architecture and design. The Bachelor of Interior Architecture course focuses on cultural, institutional, commercial and domestic architectural space. A strong focus on creative, conceptual design is complemented by work on building construction and design communication skills for professional practice.

The interior architecture studio units are supported by specialist units in spatial theory, behavioural psychology, structures and services, building construction and materials, communication media, ergonomics, model making, furniture design, computer-aided design, professional practice and a strong industry based learning program.

If architecture is concerned with the large scale issues of the city, the specialisation of interior architecture considers the human scale and experiences inherent in the public and privates spaces of that city; it is an expression of our encounter with the world. As interior architects, we are concerned with authentic architectural experience, and the development of a multi-sensory approach to architectural space which facilitates a sense of belonging and integration. We create spaces from the point of view of the occupant or participant.

Interior architecture owes as much to the theory and practice of art, philosophy and psychology as it does to architecture and design. The Bachelor of Interior Architecture course focuses on cultural, institutional, commercial and domestic architectural space. A strong focus on creative, conceptual design is complemented by work on building construction and design communication skills for professional practice.

The interior architecture studio units are supported by specialist units in spatial theory, behavioural psychology, structures and services, building construction and materials, communication media, ergonomics, model making, furniture design, computer-aided design, professional practice and a strong industry based learning program.