Interior Architecture Courses
TOPICS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN & NARRATIVE ENVIRONMENT I
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Topics in Exhibition and Narrative Environments I is the first part in a year-long exploration of a fluid field in which exhibition occurs in museums as well as other environments. This seminar offers various approaches for that exploration and will provide the student insight into different aspects of exhibition: curatorial matters, experience design, narrative creation, graphic design, new media, user participation, installation, site specificity, production, etc. The content may change from year to year to include special projects. The content may change from year to year and may include theory, hands-on installation, curatorial matters, research, design planning, materials, new technology, time based interactions, and, of course, design of the narrative environment.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies Exhibition and Narrative Environments
INTRO TO INTERIOR STUDIES I
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course, the first in a sequence, explores design principles through design problems involving the unique fundamental framework for the reuse of existing structures. The semester is arranged around several projects, providing access to the discipline from as many related perspectives. The project assignments require the student to visually and verbally convey clear design intent, think visually in two and three dimensions, formulate and develop abstract design concepts, discern relationships between design interventions and their physical and contextual setting and develop presentation skills to effectively communicate propositions and positions.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies
STRUCTURES & MATERIALS FOR ADAPTIVE REUSE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This lecture course is designed to familiarize students with structural principles and systems as they relate to the study of interior architecture and adaptive reuse. The course will examine the performance and composition of various structural systems, including wood, lightweight metal, steel, masonry, and concrete structures. Local examples in the built environment will be explored to gain an understanding of structures, their materials and components in adaptive reuse. Course work will be complimented by visits to local examples in the built environment.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies Adaptive Reuse
BUILDING MATERIALS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This class introduces the student to different building materials, their properties and characteristics as they relate to the design of interior, sustainable structures. This will include interior finish materials as well as the understanding of wood, metal, masonry and concrete for projects of reuse. The student will visit sites of material production as part of this course. The course structure includes sketch assignments, a midterm, a final exam.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies
BUILDING STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS FOR ADAPTIVE REUSE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
While introducing students to the principal concepts of structural design and mechanical systems, the course will attempt to provide a direct link to the built environment with focus on the rehabilitation, preservation and adaptive reuse of existing structures, both historical and contemporary. The presentation of case studies, focus on the structural and mechanical aspects of students' individual studio projects and the excursion to a construction site will bridge the gap between class room and the world of building.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies
Introduction to Design Studio I: SPATIAL INVESTIGATION/DRAWING & MAKING
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This class will introduce the fundamentals of orthographic drawing through the investigation of an existing object. Working with the object, the student will study and implement the use of plan, section, axonometric and perspective to expose the spatial qualities of the structure. Basic drawing conventions and model making techniques will be introduced. The concept of architectural scale will be explored.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
Introduction to Design Studio I: SPATIAL INVESTIGATION/DRAWING & MAKING
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This class will introduce the fundamentals of orthographic drawing through the investigation of an existing object. Working with the object, the student will study and implement the use of plan, section, axonometric and perspective to expose the spatial qualities of the structure. Basic drawing conventions and model making techniques will be introduced. The concept of architectural scale will be explored.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
Introduction to Design Studio I: SPATIAL INVESTIGATION/DRAWING & MAKING
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This class will introduce the fundamentals of orthographic drawing through the investigation of an existing object. Working with the object, the student will study and implement the use of plan, section, axonometric and perspective to expose the spatial qualities of the structure. Basic drawing conventions and model making techniques will be introduced. The concept of architectural scale will be explored.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
Introduction to Design Studio I: EXISTING CONSTRUCT
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Using a local site in Providence, this studio will focus on the fundamentals of documenting an existing structure. These techniques will include, at a minimum, measuring, surveying, photographing, analyzing of materials and construction details, researching databases for relevant, related information and understanding the existing structural and mechanical systems. This information will be organized to create a full architectural documentation set. Documentation will also be explored in model form, building on the skills acquired in Studio Ia. Upon completion of documentation, the students will learn to analyze the existing structure both as an entity and within the adjacent urban context. The studio will also focus on the presentation of such analysis and the possible uses of it in design transformation.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
Introduction to Design Studio I: EXISTING CONSTRUCT
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Using a local site in Providence, this studio will focus on the fundamentals of documenting an existing structure. These techniques will include, at a minimum, measuring, surveying, photographing, analyzing of materials and construction details, researching databases for relevant, related information and understanding the existing structural and mechanical systems. This information will be organized to create a full architectural documentation set. Documentation will also be explored in model form, building on the skills acquired in Studio Ia. Upon completion of documentation, the students will learn to analyze the existing structure both as an entity and within the adjacent urban context. The studio will also focus on the presentation of such analysis and the possible uses of it in design transformation.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
Introduction to Design Studio I: EXISTING CONSTRUCT
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Using a local site in Providence, this studio will focus on the fundamentals of documenting an existing structure. These techniques will include, at a minimum, measuring, surveying, photographing, analyzing of materials and construction details, researching databases for relevant, related information and understanding the existing structural and mechanical systems. This information will be organized to create a full architectural documentation set. Documentation will also be explored in model form, building on the skills acquired in Studio Ia. Upon completion of documentation, the students will learn to analyze the existing structure both as an entity and within the adjacent urban context. The studio will also focus on the presentation of such analysis and the possible uses of it in design transformation.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
Introduction to Design Studio I: TRANSFORMATION & INTERVENTION
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Using an existing site, this studio will introduce the concept of transformation and intervention through a program of new use. The students will propose a design intervention to transform the site for a new program. These interventions will be based on the accommodation of the design program but will also be a response to the analysis completed in Studio Existing Construct. It will require an understanding of the structural system and the issues of egress. The culmination of this studio will result in a design that is conceptually sound and complete in its description as a full architectural proposal in drawings and models. The student will prepare a design proposition including analysis of the existing structure and its inherent existence within the new work.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
Introduction to Design Studio I: TRANSFORMATION & INTERVENTION
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Using an existing site, this studio will introduce the concept of transformation and intervention through a program of new use. The students will propose a design intervention to transform the site for a new program. These interventions will be based on the accommodation of the design program but will also be a response to the analysis completed in Studio Existing Construct. It will require an understanding of the structural system and the issues of egress. The culmination of this studio will result in a design that is conceptually sound and complete in its description as a full architectural proposal in drawings and models. The student will prepare a design proposition including analysis of the existing structure and its inherent existence within the new work.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
Introduction to Design Studio I: TRANSFORMATION & INTERVENTION
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Using an existing site, this studio will introduce the concept of transformation and intervention through a program of new use. The students will propose a design intervention to transform the site for a new program. These interventions will be based on the accommodation of the design program but will also be a response to the analysis completed in Studio Existing Construct. It will require an understanding of the structural system and the issues of egress. The culmination of this studio will result in a design that is conceptually sound and complete in its description as a full architectural proposal in drawings and models. The student will prepare a design proposition including analysis of the existing structure and its inherent existence within the new work.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
DRAWING FOR INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Introduction to means of representation of ideas for Interior Architecture through various types of drawings: orthographics, axonometrics, perspectives, freehand sketching and mixed media. Work will be done on site from existing structures as well as in the studio concentrating on concept development through drawing.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies
SUMMER STUDIO IN SCANDINAVIA
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The studio instruction focuses on the process of Interior Architecture within the context of Copenhagen, a city committed to the issues of the environment and climate change. Students will be asked to address a design problem that deals with the relationship between conceptual design and its application within an existing structure. Issues of natural light, materiality and design process are studied through the assignments.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MA Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse
SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This seminar combines an overview of Nordic architecture and design through lectures, a Visual Journal course - and workshops that engage with local Adaptive Reuse structures of Copenhagen. Through lectures and readings, students will explore the historical and current conditions of architecture, interior design, and planning from architectural, social, and political points of view. Students will further analyze design solutions as well as design and production processes through a visual journal. As an additional component, students will engage in in-depth site specific strategies of reuse within their studio project.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MA Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse
ADVANCED COMPUTING: FUNDAMENTALS OF REVIT
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is defined as a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. Revit is one of the most comprehensive and widely used BIM programs in the world. The software closes the gap between 3D geometry and building component data. This course will introduce students to Revit utilizing a hands-on approach. The class will introduce the essential concepts of the software through weekly class lectures/ tutorials. Weekly assignments will allow students to use their knowledge to complete real-life design tasks. Hands-on exercises will also focus on software interface, creation of parametric families and creation of construction document sets. Participants must have laptop with Windows, w/ Parallels recommended for Mac users. Free student download of Revit available.
Elective
THEORY OF ADAPTIVE REUSE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Defined as transforming an unused or underused building into one that serves a new use, adaptive reuse is defined by its relationship to context. This lecture course examines the pluralism of this practice through weekly lectures that focus on aspects of heritage, conservation, typology & classification and culture. The course will also focus on the differences in the implementation of this practice from countries in Northern Europe with its longstanding regard for reuse to countries with emerging practices. The lectures will include case studies of buildings, unbuilt projects, and urban assemblages, which will be contextualized through the common themes which are critical to understanding reuse. Requirements: weekly lectures and discussions, readings, a mid-term examination and final presentations.
Major Requirement | MA Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse
SCHEME DETAILING
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course explores the principles of construction and design detailing. The student will detail the construction of a previously designed studio project. Finish materials, window treatments, light fixtures, and furniture will be selected. Construction methods and materials will be examined as well as the performance and appearance retention of finishes. Individual presentations will be made on a variety of traditional and nontraditional materials.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies