Interior Architecture Courses
INTAR 2326-03
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
INTAR 2331-01
DIGITAL REPRESENTATION & VISUAL NARRATIVES
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The objective of this class is to employ digital techniques in spatial design. Students successfully completing this course should be able to develop sophisticated digital layouts with image processing software, create 2D architectural drawings and 3D models, and develop a 3D visualization of a design. In this course, we will also discuss the integration of 2D and 3D data, digital materials, as well as the basics of digital lighting and camera work.
Open to Sophomore Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies
INTAR 2341-01
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.
Open to Sophomore Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies
INTAR 2353-01
SPATIAL PERCEPTION: LIGHT & COLOR
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of color and light as they apply to spatial and visual perceptions in the built environment. It is an opportunity to study color theory in conjunction with light, lighting systems and the effect of light on color and form.
Open to Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies, MDes Interior Studies
INTAR 2353-02
SPATIAL PERCEPTION: LIGHT & COLOR
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of color and light as they apply to spatial and visual perceptions in the built environment. It is an opportunity to study color theory in conjunction with light, lighting systems and the effect of light on color and form.
Open to Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies, MDes Interior Studies
INTAR 2356-01
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
INTAR 2357-01
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
INTAR 2360-01
APPLIED BUILDING SYSTEMS FOR ADAPTIVE REUSE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course approaches the subject of adaptive reuse through environmental issues, economic analysis and design. These fundamental concepts are applied in real-world projects of reuse to reduce negative impacts to the built environment. Course objectives include an understanding of energy and environmental context, the ability to develop schematic designs for energy efficient interventions in an existing building, the ability to perform basic analyses of the energy and economic performance of building measures and to apply course material to case studies of completed buildings. Students should develop familiarity with energy and environmental impacts associated with the built environment and the rationale for responsible design, energy modeling and calculations, passive and active lighting systems (including daylighting techniques and fenestration) and the thermal performance of buildings including the thermal envelope and passive and active heating systems. The course structure includes a midterm examination, case studies, an individual research paper and a final design project.
Open to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MA Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse
INTAR 2361-01
PRINCIPLES OF ADAPTIVE REUSE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course approaches the subject of adaptive reuse through the understanding of the methods of design interventions. Students will explore the subject through the analysis and synthesis of construction methods, structure, use and scale as they pertain to existing structures will be explored. Building on the framework of the International Building Code for Existing Structures, this course also examines the feasibility of reuse as defined by construction regulations and practice. The semester will be based upon case studies of completed projects in adaptive reuse to demonstrate the principles of design and construction within the context of existing structures. Through this course, students develop an understanding for the design process necessary in the implementation of adaptive reuse in the design profession. Assigned papers and projects through the semester require the understanding and implementation of these methods and regulations.
Please contact the instructor for permission to register. Preference is given to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies Adaptive Reuse
INTAR 2362-01
ADAPTIVE REUSE DESIGN STUDIO
SECTION DESCRIPTION
As the final studio in the year-long sequence of studios and seminars focusing on the practice of adaptive reuse, the student will have the opportunity to demonstrate these principles and theories in a complex design project of reuse. With a local site as the setting for the project, students have access to the site and are able to observe and experience firsthand the constraints of an existing structure. Students will also have the opportunity to use city resources such as the Department of Planning and Development, Historic District Commission, RI State Council on the Arts, etc. This project will serve as a model for engaging other real-world adaptive reuse applications. This studio will be taught in conjunction with the 3-credit Adaptive Reuse Seminar: INTAR-2363.
Please contact the instructor for permission to register. Preference is given to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MA Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse
INTAR 2363-01
GRAD ADAPTIVE REUSE SEMINAR
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This seminar will be taught in conjunction with the 6 credit Adaptive Reuse Studio (INTAR-2362) in which the students explore design innovation and its relationship to the constraints of an existing site. A topic of research in conjunction with the design project will be explored. Students will formulate propositions and develop them with a team of advisers. Evidence of such research will culminate in written and designed form as part of the design proposal.
Please contact the instructor for permission to register. Preference is given to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies Adaptive Reuse
INTAR 2364-101
ADAPTIVE REUSE STUDIO: HIGH-RISE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
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
INTAR 2366-01
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.
Open to Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Elective
INTAR 2370-01
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.
Open to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MA Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse
INTAR 2372-01
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.
Open to Senior Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies
INTAR 2374-01
HUMAN FACTORS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The psychology of the client/user influences the design of the environment and the practice of interior architecture. This course will explore issues of anthropometrics (the study of the characteristics of the human body), ergonomics (the application of anthropometric data to design), and proxemics (the study of the effect of cultural/psychological factors on design). During the semester the student will gather facts about the interaction of the environment and a user's culture, gender, stage of life cycle, and physical characteristics. These ideas will be implemented in the design and construction of an object.
Open to Junior Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies
INTAR 2377-01
ADVANCED DRAWING & COMPUTING TECTONICS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on the drawing as it serves to convey different design intentions. As a continuation of the basic drawing coursework in the MDes Summer Program, this course will explore advanced techniques in digital representation. Students successfully completing this course will be able to understand the construction of 3D drawings, develop sophisticated digital layouts with image processing software, create CAD based 2D architectural drawings and 3D models, and develop a 3D visualization of a design. The integration of 2D and 3D data, digital materials, as well as the basics of digital lighting and camera work will also be discussed.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
INTAR 2377-02
ADVANCED DRAWING & COMPUTING TECTONICS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on the drawing as it serves to convey different design intentions. As a continuation of the basic drawing coursework in the MDes Summer Program, this course will explore advanced techniques in digital representation. Students successfully completing this course will be able to understand the construction of 3D drawings, develop sophisticated digital layouts with image processing software, create CAD based 2D architectural drawings and 3D models, and develop a 3D visualization of a design. The integration of 2D and 3D data, digital materials, as well as the basics of digital lighting and camera work will also be discussed.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
INTAR 2377-03
ADVANCED DRAWING & COMPUTING TECTONICS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on the drawing as it serves to convey different design intentions. As a continuation of the basic drawing coursework in the MDes Summer Program, this course will explore advanced techniques in digital representation. Students successfully completing this course will be able to understand the construction of 3D drawings, develop sophisticated digital layouts with image processing software, create CAD based 2D architectural drawings and 3D models, and develop a 3D visualization of a design. The integration of 2D and 3D data, digital materials, as well as the basics of digital lighting and camera work will also be discussed.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies
INTAR 2378-01
HISTORY OF ADAPTIVE REUSE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course will examine the development of adaptive reuse practice in the context of its social, political, technological, and economic circumstances, as it pertains to the design culture of the period. Special emphasis will be given to interior renovations, additions, transformations and other interventions of adaptive reuse. Attention will also be given to design theory, and the evolving doctrines relating to heritage. This course will be conducted in seminar form with graduate level discourse and discussion. Requirements include midterm, final exam and research presentation.
Open to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies Adaptive Reuse