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Interior Architecture BA Honours

Architecture and interior design have always been interlinked. Learn why interior architecture is unique, to start on an exciting career path.
Code
K120
Start
September 2024
Duration
3 years full-time
Attendance
Full-time
Fees
£9,250 (UK)*
£16,600 (INT)*
Course leader
Jason Scoot

Why study interior architecture with us

Interior architecture is distinct from the better known field of interior design, though the two are linked. Interior architecture degrees typically focus on the adaptation, remodelling and sustainable reuse of specific existing buildings, rather than the creation of new buildings. Course projects consider a diverse range of characterful buildings, that have reached the end of their current lifespan, across the public, private and commercial spheres.

We will encourage you to develop an individual design approach, independent thinking, and innovative ideas. You will have the opportunity to develop an individual design approach, independent thinking and innovative ideas. You will have the opportunity to develop the skills required to address real-world situations in an imaginative and dynamic way, preparing you for the world of work.

In addition to the three-year full-time course, we offer a four-year sandwich option. This pathway incorporates a one-year professional placement opportunity, recognised by a dedicated Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice: Interior Architecture & Design, which you'll receive at graduation.

Year after year our students produce outstanding industry-standard work and leave the course with an impressive portfolio to launch their career. Take a look at some of the work from last year’s graduates on our Creative Graduates 2022 exhibition site.

How you’ll develop your design skills

During your studies, you will have access to our interior studios, which are specifically designed to mirror the environment of a professional design studio. The studios are equipped with Apple iMacs and an array of design software. You will also be able to access a diverse range of architecture and design books either digitally or physically, held in our extensive library building.

Primarily concerned with the reinvention of the built environment, Interior Architecture is especially interested in the overlap between the public realm and the private worlds that we occupy, and the critical engagement with the social, political and cultural contexts which affect them. Teaching and learning are centred around the design project - ideas and the communication of them are tested and explored through this.

Learning also happens outside the studio and classroom. Our students go on field trips in London and visit the sites that their studies relate to.

Graduates from this course gain valuable and transferable skills the creative industry is looking for. The creative industries sector is currently one of the fastest growing employment markets and graduates take advantage of the many opportunities for design and architecture related roles and activities across the built environment sector. Students go on to work in architecture and design studios and other specialist design consultancies, advisory agencies and the design departments of public and commercial organisations.

Get the support you need

During your course, you’ll get personalised support from your Personal Tutor, Student Learning Assistant, and Graduate Academic Assistant. Their first-hand experience in your subject area means they understand how to best support you.


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What will you study on the BA Interior Architecture?

Learning on the course is based on a sequence of 'integrated design projects', in which you are asked to apply and demonstrate various aspects of your learning, as well as your individual creativity and originality, to specified design tasks. Projects are supplemented by a variety of lecture, seminar and workshop sessions to provide specialist skills and knowledge. Your ideas and proposals will be tested and explored in regular tutorials and reviews, in which critical evaluation, guidance and feedback is provided, and from which you will be expected to develop and improve your work.

The curriculum focuses on seven core learning strands which are developed progressively throughout all years of the course.

  • Research – Cultural, historical, political and socio-economic contexts and how research and analysis of these contexts informs the design process and decision making.
  • Process – How the design of interiors is initiated, from the inception of a design concept through the process of design development to  resolution and communication of the design proposal.
  • Design – The highest standards in design, recognising creative currency, innovation and design quality relative to contemporary Interior Architecture practice.
  • Making – The importance of materiality in interiors and how, and from what, interior environments are formed, fitted-out and finished in order for designs to function and be appropriately experienced with an economic, ethical and ecological conscience.
  • Communication – How the design of interiors is coherently communicated and represented across a range of media and techniques, from freehand drawing to advanced visualisation programmes.
  • Practice – Professional standards and practice procedures applied to Interior Architecture, and how professional skills are deployed in the relationship with audiences, clients, markets, uses, consumers and participants in interior environments.
  • Employability – Self-evaluation and personal career development and employability opportunities within interior Architecture and related professions.

Modules

  • Year 1

    • Fundamental Contexts and Skills (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module will introduce the historical, contextual and critical basis of art, architecture and design and its analysis and interpretation. You will explore the important role of form, materiality, colour and light in the making and experience of interior environments. You will also focus on representation and communication methods in a range of media necessary and appropriate to clearly illustrate design research, precedent and inspirational reference and new interior design proposals.

    • Fundamental Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module will introduce fundamental principles of design thinking and the design process, relative to the practice of brief-led Interior Design, through the study of fundamental elements of the interior in a series of separate, but inter-related, design projects. You will be able to explore approaches, methodologies and strategies that are appropriate to reflective design practice.

    • Interpreting Contexts and Skills (30 credits) - Compulsory

      Building on prior learning in the Fundamental Contexts and Skills module, this module will allow you to interpret research as a fundamental tool in the design process and introduce research methods and tactics necessary to result in an appropriate response to the design brief. You will evaluate the importance of the historical, contextual and critical basis of art, architecture and design and its analysis and interpretation in the process of designing interiors, as well as evaluate the important role of materiality in the formation of the interior and the experience of interior environments. You will interpret representation and communication methods in a range of media necessary and appropriate to clearly illustrate design research, precedent and inspirational reference and creative proposals in response to briefing material.

    • Interpreting Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

      Building on prior learning in the Fundamental Practice module, this module will allow you to evaluate understanding of underlying principles in design thinking and the design process to produce comprehensive and coherent design proposals for whole interiors. You will also be able to interpret approaches, methodologies and strategies that are appropriate to reflective design practice.

  • Year 2

    • Developing Contexts and Skills (30 credits) - Compulsory

      Building on prior learning in Interpreting Contexts and Skills module, this module will allow you to develop established techniques of research used in the design process and develop research methods and tactics necessary to result in an appropriate response to design briefs set in the Developing Practice module. You will also develop an understanding of the historical, contextual and critical basis of art, architecture and design and its analysis and interpretation. You will enhance your understanding of materials and construction technologies and processes used in formation of the interior and the experience of interior environments. You will effectively develop methods of representation and communication, and acquire new competences in a range of media necessary and appropriate to clearly illustrate design research and creative proposals in response to briefing material.

    • Developing Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

      Building on prior learning in the Interpreting Practice module, this module will allow you to apply developed thinking in design and process into coherent design proposals for a range of commercial interiors, studied and communicated in comprehensive detail at various scales through to 1:1. You will also effectively develop approaches, methodologies and strategies that are appropriate to critically reflective design practice.

    • Interior Architecture: Application (60 credits) - Compulsory

      Building on prior learning in the Developed Contexts and Skills module and the Developed Practice module, this module will allow you to establish the essential role of in-depth research into cultural, historical, political and socio-economic contexts, within site generic commercial Interior Design Projects. You will produce project outcomes that illustrate embedded, contextual research within the design process focused on client needs and user experience, applied to the design of commercial interiors and branded environments. You will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of professional practice standards and procedures, and develop your understanding of employability opportunities, self-evaluation and personal career development.

  • Optional placement year

    • Interiors: Placement 1 (60 credits) – Optional

      Building on prior learning, this module will allow you to utilise employment experience to provide an insight into the work, methods and operation of a professional design practice. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge to personal and professional practice, as well as have the opportunity to advance your professional knowledge and skills by experiencing a professional design practice working on real projects.

    • Interior Architecture: Placement 2 (60 credits) – Optional

      Building on prior learning, this module gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the work, methods and operation of a professional design practice. You will be able to use the skills and knowledge acquired during the course to personal and professional practice, as well as having the opportunity to advance your professional knowledge and skills in the context of a professional design practice working on real projects.

  • Year 3

    • Interior Architecture: Integration - Research and Practice (60 credits) - Compulsory

      Building on prior learning, this module will allow you to evidence advanced research into cultural, historical, political and socio-economic contexts, pertinent to Interior Design study through the production of a comprehensive research portfolio. You will critically review and develop an individual process of design, from inception, through design development, to the production of a coherent, detailed design proposal and portfolio. You will reflect upon creative currency within contemporary Interior Design practice to support the delivery of the design proposals for commercial interiors and branded environments of the highest standards. You will explore the important role of materiality within the experiential quality of interiors with aneconomic, ethical and ecological conscience, within a contemporary context, as well as synthesise your personal and professional approaches to the communication of proposed interior spaces through the use of an advanced range of techniques, and media. Your individual standards and skills, related to professional practice procedures will be reinforced, acknowledging issues of operation, management, advanced literacy and numeracy.

    • Interior Architecture: Integration - Major Project (60 credits) - Optional

      Building on prior learning, this module will allow you to consolidate the key role of advanced research into cultural, historical, political and socio-economic contexts, within responsible commercial Interior Design Projects. You will critically review and develop an individual process of design, from inception, through design development, to the production of a coherent, detailed design proposal and portfolio ready for employment. You will be encouraged to reflect upon creative currency within contemporary Interior Design practice to support the delivery of design proposals of the highest standards, as well as reinforce the important role of materiality within the experiential quality of interiors with aneconomic, ethical and ecological conscience, within a contemporary context. You will focus on synthesising your personal and professional approaches to the communication of proposed interior spaces through the use of an advanced range of techniques, and media. Your individual standards and skills, related to and reflecting upon professional practice procedures will be reinforced, acknowledging issues of operation, management and responsibilities of advanced literacy and numeracy.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

  1. Overview
  2. Teaching and learning
  3. Assessment and feedback
  1. Standard entry requirements
  2. International
  3. Interview and portfolio
  4. How to apply
  1. UK
  2. International
  3. Additional costs

Draft

We've transformed our annual printed magazine to reflect the digital world we (and the industry) find ourselves in. Take a look at DRAFT to see the wonderful work produced by our students across the three Interiors programmes.

Student Awards

Interior Educators:

Every year, Interior Educators holds a show to celebrate the work of Interiors students nationwide, presenting awards to the best students in different award categories. We are very proud to announce that, once again, our students excelled and took home awards in 2020!

Progress Awards: Best sketchbook: Adela Spalenkova (Yr 2) Winner

Progress Awards: Best Orthographic Drawing: Ashna Butt (Yr 2) Winner, Emily Marzocchi (Yr 1) Winner

Progress Awards: Live Projects: Ligia Popa (Yr 2) Winner

Retail Student Design Awards:

Second year students from BA Interior Architecture and BA Interior Design entered the Retail Student Design Awards again this year, tackling a brief set by the high street restaurant chain, Pizza Express. The judges, consisting of retailers and design experts from the The Body Shop, Specsavers, Quinine, Dalziel & Pow, Gensler and AHMH architects, were impressed by the entries, awarding joint winner status to two students from Middlesex – Ligia Popa, BA Interior Design and Ashna Butt, BA Interior Architecture.

Examples of work

Follow us on Instagram or scroll through the images below to see the great work our students have produced.

How can the BA Interior Architecture support your career?

Graduates from the BA Interior Architecture course are equipped to fulfil design roles in interior design and architectural practices, specialist studios and consultancies, building and property companies, advisory agencies, and the design departments of public and commercial organisations. Possible careers with a degree in Interiors include:

  • Interior Designer
  • Interior Architect
  • Interior Decorator
  • Exhibition Designer
  • Space Planner

The creative industries sector is currently one of the fastest growing employment markets and graduates can take advantage of the many opportunities for design-related roles and activities across the built environment sector, as well as in the education, media, retail and entertainment sectors.

The course will also prepare you for further postgraduate and specialised study in interior architecture, interior design, the built environment, design history and theory, visual culture, and design management. You might be also interested in our MA Interiors (Architecture and Design) programme.

Workshops and studios

The specialist resources and facilities available to students in the Grove are extensive and the most up-to-date available, and there is professional technical support in all areas to help you use our workshops and studios to the best advantage.

The library

The Sheppard Library houses computing and audio-visual facilities, a language centre, learning support services and the student help centre. There is an entire floor dedicated to design resources, including the Materials and Product Collections.

The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture

The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture (MoDA) is MLA accredited and houses the important Silver Studio collection of late 19th and early 20th century decorative art and design, designated as of national importance, together with a range of other collections including the J M Richards Archive of books on architecture and town planning.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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Duration: 3 years full-time

Code: W251

Architectural Technology BSc Honours

Start: September 2024

Duration: 3 years full-time, 4 years with work placement, 6 years part-time

Code: W245

Foundation Year in 3D Design

Start: September 2024

Duration: 1 year full-time, + 3 years full-time

Code: See How to apply tab

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