Interior Architecture

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Materials Exploration (30 credits)

  This module opens the doors to in-depth research and practical experimentation with materials and fabrication techniques, all in the context of spatial design. You will delve into the intricacies of materiality, investigate potential design applications, and craft test models and scaled prototypes that embody your creative exploration.

  Through comprehensive research and hands-on experimentation, you will master the art of selecting, researching, and applying materials for spatial design. You will be equipped with a rich understanding of precedents and manufacturing technologies. Your evolving proficiency will culminate in the production of prototypes and components, showcasing your ability to bridge creative ideation with technical realisation.
   

• Digital Culture (30 credits)

  In this module, you will develop a critical understanding of digital media and its integration into architectural practice and contemporary culture. Through open lectures and workshops, you will explore how digital media influences architectural design and theory, and how it is shaping our cultural landscape. The module will provide opportunities to develop practical skills using 3D design software, allowing you to effectively conceptualise and represent design ideas. Additionally, you will examine contemporary digital art, expanding your knowledge of the intersection between art, design, and digital technology.
   
  By engaging with this module, you will gain a deeper understanding of the creative application of digital media in architectural design projects. You will learn to explore the relationship between interior and exterior spaces, and effectively communicate design ideas using designated software tools.
   

• Interior Architecture 1 (15 credits)

  This module serves as your launchpad into the world of interior architecture, equipping you with essential design strategies and techniques. You will explore the art of analysing and refining spatial elements to meet specific functions, providing a robust foundation for your design acumen. By responding to architectural briefs, you will craft design solutions that harmoniously merge with the given context, enhancing your proficiency in design frameworks. 

  By engaging with this module, you will unravel the theories that shape aesthetics, enriching your designs with contextual depth. Hands-on experiences with various visual media, including models, prototypes, and spatial drawings, will equip you with effective representation skills, a crucial asset in conveying your design visions.
   

• Cities, Culture and Society

  In this module, you will explore key architectural principles that are used in Urban Planning and are longstanding techniques in the formation of cities, communities and the built environment. Steeped in history, this module delivers a comprehensive orientation on methodologies for both technical and design aspects of urban projects. You will also take regulatory and economic factors into consideration. A multi-faceted approach to learning enables you to explore the impact of urban projects in a research-based context as well as in practice. 

  On successful completion of this module, you will have a working knowledge of crucial architectural ideologies in relation to urban design. You will develop critical assessment skills through the examination of case-studies and workshop sessions designed to help build problem-solving skills. Overall, this module will help develop your architectural ability and provide a launching pad for a successful career. 

• Interior Architecture 2 (15 credits)

  This module empowers you to perceive buildings not as isolated entities, but as interconnected elements embedded in a physical and cultural fabric. Prepare to challenge conventional divisions like interior and exterior, embracing a sophisticated understanding of architecture as a harmonious sequence of continuous three-dimensional spaces. 

  By the end of this module, you will learn to develop design briefs into formal propositions, skillfully balancing spatial, aesthetic, technical, and societal considerations in your design solutions. As you propose specific design briefs aligned with your intentions and contextual considerations, you'll create a comprehensive framework for your interior designs, further enriching your professional acumen in the field of interior architecture.
   

• Issues in Architectural History and Theory. (15 credits)

  Through a series of enlightening lectures, you will be introduced to pivotal architectural landmarks, urban plans, and texts that illuminate architectural evolution. The lectures will establish a fundamental chronological framework of architectural history while also introducing contemporary interpretive methodologies. Complementing the lecture series, interactive seminars, practical classes, and workshops will immerse you in key texts, research techniques, and critical analysis of architectural history and theories.

  By the end of this module, you will cultivate a profound understanding of the cultural, social, and intellectual forces that have shaped architectural design. As you explore the influence of arts, both past and present, on architectural creativity, you'll gain insights into their broader relevance. 

• Optional Modules

Optional modules

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation (30 credits)

  In this module, you will embark on an individual research journey within the realm of architecture and its cultural context. You will explore concepts of research practice, develop your critical thinking skills, and learn how to construct compelling arguments based on reliable sources. Throughout the module, you will have the opportunity to refine your research, writing, and presentation abilities, culminating in the production of a well-structured and well-presented dissertation.
   
  Through independent research, you will enhance your ability to analyse and evaluate diverse sources, synthesise information, and present your findings in a clear and coherent manner. These skills will not only contribute to your academic success but also prepare you for professional practice, where research, critical analysis, and effective communication are essential.
   

• Technical Design (30 credits)

  This module offers a unique platform to integrate your technical strategies into design work, fueled by insights from precedent analysis, technology research, drawing, computer simulations, and model crafting. Explore materials and design realisations with an investigative spirit, underpinning your creations with a profound understanding of their technical underpinnings. You’ll express your vision through drawings, diagrams, research findings, and models that resonate with spatial quality and material ingenuity.

  By the end of this module, you’ll have a strong grasp on strategies for building construction, structural theories, and construction techniques, you will seamlessly navigate the intricate web of architectural technology
   

• Management, Practice and Law (30 credits)

  This module immerses you in the multifaceted landscape of architectural and interior architectural practice. It delves into the various dimensions that shape these professions within our diverse society. Through a comprehensive exploration of political, economic, social, technical, legal, and environmental contexts, you will be prepared for a successful transition into professional practice upon completion of your degree.

  Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain insights into the intersection of design and real-world complexities, from planning policies to legal and professional responsibilities. By immersing you in the multidisciplinary nature of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, this module primes you for effective engagement within this dynamic sector. Furthermore, the module nurtures your critical thinking abilities, fostering connections between personal narrative, design thinking, and business modelling. 
   

• Design Practice (30 credits)

  Through this module you will acquire a profound understanding of its primary functions and working dynamics within a wider professional context. You’ll delve into the working methods of design practitioners, gaining insights that will enable you to develop contextual design projects of exceptional quality.

  Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll elevate your professional knowledge and navigate professional architectural space with confidence. You’ll gain key technical skills that will allow you to produce detailed technical drawings, analytical diagrams, models/prototypes, and visually stunning 3D representations. Additionally, you’ll develop a strong command of appropriate terminology, enabling you to effectively communicate the architectural and technical qualities of your design propositions. Lastly, through in-depth research and analysis, you will substantiate your design choices, resulting in compelling and impactful design solutions.
   

• Interior Architecture 3 (15 credits)

  Challenge the norm as you conceptualise, explore, and cultivate an inventive architectural vision within the tapestry of the broader built environment. Develop an acute sense of design principles tailored to the project brief, finely attuned to a diverse constituency of interests, and underpinned by social and ethical considerations that champion sustainability. 

  Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to articulate architectural detailing that resonates with your overarching interior design concept. You’ll also be able to navigate contemporary issues and debates surrounding interior architecture, skillfully manoeuvring through spatial, aesthetic, and social design qualities that seamlessly resonate with the given context.