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.

Open to Junior Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies

This seminar is the second of the three-part Design Thesis sequence in the department of Interior Architecture. This course is designed to assist students in identifying a thesis topic and respective design project through discussions that include studies of precedents, site related issues, program, and regulations, all of which are specific to adaptive reuse. Through group discussion and individual interviews, outline proposals will be approved in principle, requiring each student to prepare a feasibility report for their proposed Design Thesis. This completed feasibility report will be submitted for evaluation at the end of the Fall semester. Approved proposals will proceed to the next course in the sequence, where the proposal will be further refined, culminating in the design phase that will take place during the following Spring semester.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

The recent pandemic forced office work to be performed remotely, online and isolated from direct social interactions with co-workers. Over the many months of social distancing required to curb the spread of the COVID virus, people learned to cope with related hardships but also started to appreciate the benefits of working remotely.  Companies have drastically reduced, or even eliminated their physical office footprint or keeping remote work arrangements entirely in place and commercial real estate holdings with a high-rise portfolio feel enormous financial pressure. Globally 36% of desks and office cubicles are unoccupied and in many metropolitan areas even higher percentages of office space remain empty. Given the enormous need for urban housing, particular affordable housing and the depopulation of downtown metropolitan areas as a result from office monocultures, a radical rethinking of existing use models is demanded. When attempting the transformation of high-rise office space into alternative use models – predominately affordable housing and work-life concepts but also mixed-use scenarios including civil services, daily needs retail, care facilities, and public spaces reversing the urban isolation of high-rises, solid technical and systems knowledge is required.  During WS, a number of office towers located in Boston and Providence, will be visited and dissected. Structural concepts, building systems, envelope performance within today's regulatory framework will be explored with the support of structural, mechanical and envelope consultants discussing potential intervention scenarios and strategies in anticipation of changes in use and occupancy.

Elective

Choice of advanced design studios offered by the Department of Interior Architecture. Details & studio descriptions are made available to pre-registered students.

Estimated Cost of Materials: Varies depending on required studio course supplies or related travel. Anticipated costs will be provided in advance, and announced during the lottery studio presentations held in the department.

Open to Junior, Senior or Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | BFA, MDes, MA Interior Studies