Interior Architecture and Design

Interior architecture designers are experts in creating experimental, imaginative and stimulating spatial environments. On this course, you learn how to design spaces that are individual and experiential while offering ergonomic and environmentally sound functionality. You discover the latest innovations used to solve contemporary design problems, and broaden your understanding of building, structure and fabric construction, enabling you to take a design from initial research through to detail design and specification.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Spacious studios set in a creative environment, studying alongside students from other creative disciplines.

• High-spec computers using 2D and 3D computer-aided design software including AutoCAD.

• Other industry-replicating software includes Adobe Creative suite, Vectorworks and SketchUp.

• 3D workshop for model making.

• Video production and editing.

Career-powered links

Interior Architecture and Design students benefit from the academic team’s professional connections with the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID); Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA); and BREEAM, the world-leading certification system for sustainably built environments. We have regular, on-going involvement with BREEAM.

Your student experience

Develop both your analogue skills - in areas including sketching, orthographic hand drawing and 3D model making - and digital skills, using industry-relevant software such as AutoCAD, Vectorworks, SketchUp and Adobe Creative suite.

Work on live projects and unique proposals for a range of environments from bars, restaurants and theatres to workplaces, retail spaces and exhibitions.

Work the way you would in the creative industry, collaborating in teams across disciplines, in a studio environment.

Benefit from an experienced academic team: Course Leader Dawn Hesketh-Joslin is an Affiliate member of BIID and RIBA; Visiting Lecturer Anna Stanton is a BREEAM Associate.

Learn to analyse and utilise real sites, and design projects in collaboration with companies such as Caravane Ltd in Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, and PSLab Lighting in Bermondsey.

Final-year students work on a large, spatial design project within a live site, with reference to construction, building regulations, specification and BREEAM considerations.

As part of your developing professional practice unit, attend a weekly presentation by practitioners from the field of interior architecture and design, such as Pradumn Pamidighantam (Barr Gazetas Architects), Paula Murray (Supertonic), and Stuart Newman (Network Career Consultants).

Experience industry-relevant field trips such as the Surface Design Show, Building Centre, Material Lab, Roca Gallery and Chelsea Harbour Design Centre.

Course modules

Year 1
Context and ideas - How interior architecture and design shape society and everyday life. Spatial design: exploring materials and methods – Explore a variety of professional methods and materials used in interior architecture and design. Introducing studio practice – Develop your ability to work independently and with others, sharing and presenting your design ideas. Thinking through making – Experiment with different materials and technology to bring your ideas to life visually.

Year 2
Developing professional practice – Build a portfolio that reflects your creativity and understanding of interior architecture and design. Collaborative enterprise – Work with others on creative projects in real-world settings. Context and meaning – Explore global ideas and theories behind visual culture and interior architecture and design. Spatial design: developing materials and methods – Build on the skills gained in Year 1 by experimenting with new techniques and approaches.

Year 3
Creative futures – Prepare for your career after graduation. Critical and creative contexts – Explore current ideas and debates in interior architecture and design. Final major project: Interior Architecture – Pursue your personal creative interests producing of a body of work for public display.

Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate at the point of publication on the UCAS website. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website.