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

Human factors is a field of knowledge concerned with the interaction between humans, technology and the environment. A tripartite set of relations defined along the principles of a system: A more or less organized whole composed of interrelated, interdependent elements. The field concerned in promoting performance and efficiency: Performance as a measuring criteria to analyze how one or a group of elements in the tripartite affects the others at multiple scales; Efficiency as a set of tools to determine whether the three elements in the system achieve the goal on contributing towards human well-being.

During the course of the semester, we will generate questions and speculate on what constitutes the discipline’s core of study and what is its purpose to the field of Interior studies. Our focus will be to situate human movement in space at the center of our study. We will intersect principles of pure human motion to assess how the interaction between humans, technology and the environment achieve human comfort. At the core of our study will be a dissection of the forming of internal movement and the shape form created by body movement in space.

Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies

Drawing in the Architecture and Design disciplines is historically understood as serving two purposes: to simultaneously precede the construction and manufacturing of a building or artifact or; constitute the analytical tool to measure or render the dimensions of a space or a shape. In the former, drawing is a generative tool; while in the latter is a survey instrument. In both cases, information whether real or virtual, is provided through visual representation conventions, more or less subjective, quantified and laid out according to the rules of applicable geometries. 

Nevertheless, beyond serving generative and analytical purposes, simultaneously or independently, drawing can be also the only visual reference of an idea, in the form of a memory representation of a model or a rule: an image of a city or building that no longer exists; a space or fragment that was never built; an inventorial of typological styles or; the visual representation of series of adaptive transformations. This broad spectrum is of great relevance within the disciplines of Interior Architecture and Adaptive Reuse. In our discipline both generative and analysis phases overlap. Our field of operations is based on the transformation of an existing environment. As such, drawing can constitute an efficient process of understanding real and contribute to its adaptability. Therefore, we propose a method that hybridizes analysis and generation, starting from a projective reality never realized.  This approach will be developed from the collection of examples of series of visionary drawings from unbuilt structures archived in publications at RISD Fleet Library collection, whose artistic value, is of important relevance for the Architecture and Design disciplines. Over the period of 12 weeks, we will engage all four means of representation and iteratively purpose a drawing method to combine deductive transformations from the archival drawing by proposing a set of inductive instructions.  Our aim will be to on one hand to focus the class on the need to acquire a personal technique in the representation of visual information and on the other hand to be capable of developing drawing methodologies to face the complexity of an intervention driven by the constrains of an existing structure or artifact.

Throughout the semester the class will develop a process in 7 exercises that include the reconstruction in axonometric projection; the subsequent formal manipulation of tridimensional translation in axonometric projection; introduction to parametric modeling to construct a model for rapid prototyping; and the CNC milling of a panel exploring the technique of bas-relieve. The class will take advantage of the Rhinoceros 3D modeling platform simultaneously, for the construction of orthographic projections, rendering visualization, 3D modeling manipulation, Grasshopper, Paneling tools plug-in for Rhino; Rapid Prototyping, and CNC milling fabrication, while developing knowledge of film editing software.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

Drawing in the Architecture and Design disciplines is historically understood as serving two purposes: to simultaneously precede the construction and manufacturing of a building or artifact or; constitute the analytical tool to measure or render the dimensions of a space or a shape. In the former, drawing is a generative tool; while in the latter is a survey instrument. In both cases, information whether real or virtual, is provided through visual representation conventions, more or less subjective, quantified and laid out according to the rules of applicable geometries. 

Nevertheless, beyond serving generative and analytical purposes, simultaneously or independently, drawing can be also the only visual reference of an idea, in the form of a memory representation of a model or a rule: an image of a city or building that no longer exists; a space or fragment that was never built; an inventorial of typological styles or; the visual representation of series of adaptive transformations. This broad spectrum is of great relevance within the disciplines of Interior Architecture and Adaptive Reuse. In our discipline both generative and analysis phases overlap. Our field of operations is based on the transformation of an existing environment. As such, drawing can constitute an efficient process of understanding real and contribute to its adaptability. Therefore, we propose a method that hybridizes analysis and generation, starting from a projective reality never realized.  This approach will be developed from the collection of examples of series of visionary drawings from unbuilt structures archived in publications at RISD Fleet Library collection, whose artistic value, is of important relevance for the Architecture and Design disciplines. Over the period of 12 weeks, we will engage all four means of representation and iteratively purpose a drawing method to combine deductive transformations from the archival drawing by proposing a set of inductive instructions.  Our aim will be to on one hand to focus the class on the need to acquire a personal technique in the representation of visual information and on the other hand to be capable of developing drawing methodologies to face the complexity of an intervention driven by the constrains of an existing structure or artifact.

Throughout the semester the class will develop a process in 7 exercises that include the reconstruction in axonometric projection; the subsequent formal manipulation of tridimensional translation in axonometric projection; introduction to parametric modeling to construct a model for rapid prototyping; and the CNC milling of a panel exploring the technique of bas-relieve. The class will take advantage of the Rhinoceros 3D modeling platform simultaneously, for the construction of orthographic projections, rendering visualization, 3D modeling manipulation, Grasshopper, Paneling tools plug-in for Rhino; Rapid Prototyping, and CNC milling fabrication, while developing knowledge of film editing software.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

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.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies Adaptive Reuse

This course builds on the foundations gained in previous studio and course work to further design development abilities. The studio will require the integration of the student's emerging knowledge of site analysis, mapping & documentation, innovative tectonics and systems, applicable theoretical issues, relevant cultural precedents, and material investigation into a cohesive design agenda.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

This course builds on the foundations gained in previous studio and course work to further design development abilities. The studio will require the integration of the student's emerging knowledge of site analysis, mapping & documentation, innovative tectonics and systems, applicable theoretical issues, relevant cultural precedents, and material investigation into a cohesive design agenda.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

This course will focus on factors influencing the design of the interior environment through exploring 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). It will be complemented by a study of acoustics as it relates to the relationship between the built environment and sound; predicting and designing for the acoustic performance of spaces, and executing acoustic measurements (impulse response, reverberations).

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

This course will focus on factors influencing the design of the interior environment through exploring 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). It will be complemented by a study of acoustics as it relates to the relationship between the built environment and sound; predicting and designing for the acoustic performance of spaces, and executing acoustic measurements (impulse response, reverberations).

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

The Design Thesis is the culmination of the Master of Design studies in the Department of Interior Architecture in both concentrations, Adaptive Reuse [AR] and Exhibition and Narrative Environments [ENE]. A thesis needs to propose a line of research and exploration in the context of each discipline. Throughout the semester students embark on a series of investigations that will lead to a unique set of questions that can be arguable and eventually contribute to the knowledge base in a field. The class provides an opportunity for graduate students to demonstrate their knowledge and acquired skills in that field through personal investigation, leading to the postulation of a hypothesis, and the testing of this hypothesis during the course of the Spring semester.

This course will enable students to focus on both conceptual and applied issues emerging from a critical analysis of a subject matter of their interest and understand how they unfold in the built environment and/or the realm of exhibitions and narrative environments. Work this semester will grow from each student’s unique field of inquiry as explored through the Spring courses Investigating Interiority (AR) and Topics in Exhibitions and Narrative Environments (ENE) and expanded upon during the Summer. This work will be the connection to Design Thesis.

As part of the 2-semester thesis sequence, Design Thesis Preparation focuses on a further investigation of a thesis topic through the articulation of a thesis argument and line of research towards an exploration of context whether physical in the built environment whether a curatorial framework in the disciplines of Exhibition and Narrative Environments. Such explorations will lead to the establishment of a design approach. Each of these areas will contribute to the design process in the following Spring. The design process will conclude at the beginning of May when thesis book production and graduate thesis show design and installation will begin. The successful graduate will enter the professional world equipped with a design thesis, a thesis publication and a designed exhibition.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

The Design Thesis is the culmination of the Master of Design studies in the Department of Interior Architecture in both concentrations, Adaptive Reuse [AR] and Exhibition and Narrative Environments [ENE]. A thesis needs to propose a line of research and exploration in the context of each discipline. Throughout the semester students embark on a series of investigations that will lead to a unique set of questions that can be arguable and eventually contribute to the knowledge base in a field. The class provides an opportunity for graduate students to demonstrate their knowledge and acquired skills in that field through personal investigation, leading to the postulation of a hypothesis, and the testing of this hypothesis during the course of the Spring semester.

This course will enable students to focus on both conceptual and applied issues emerging from a critical analysis of a subject matter of their interest and understand how they unfold in the built environment and/or the realm of exhibitions and narrative environments. Work this semester will grow from each student’s unique field of inquiry as explored through the Spring courses Investigating Interiority (AR) and Topics in Exhibitions and Narrative Environments (ENE) and expanded upon during the Summer. This work will be the connection to Design Thesis.

As part of the 2-semester thesis sequence, Design Thesis Preparation focuses on a further investigation of a thesis topic through the articulation of a thesis argument and line of research towards an exploration of context whether physical in the built environment whether a curatorial framework in the disciplines of Exhibition and Narrative Environments. Such explorations will lead to the establishment of a design approach. Each of these areas will contribute to the design process in the following Spring. The design process will conclude at the beginning of May when thesis book production and graduate thesis show design and installation will begin. The successful graduate will enter the professional world equipped with a design thesis, a thesis publication and a designed exhibition.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

The Design Thesis is the culmination of the Master of Design studies in the Department of Interior Architecture in both concentrations, Adaptive Reuse [AR] and Exhibition and Narrative Environments [ENE]. A thesis needs to propose a line of research and exploration in the context of each discipline. Throughout the semester students embark on a series of investigations that will lead to a unique set of questions that can be arguable and eventually contribute to the knowledge base in a field. The class provides an opportunity for graduate students to demonstrate their knowledge and acquired skills in that field through personal investigation, leading to the postulation of a hypothesis, and the testing of this hypothesis during the course of the Spring semester.

This course will enable students to focus on both conceptual and applied issues emerging from a critical analysis of a subject matter of their interest and understand how they unfold in the built environment and/or the realm of exhibitions and narrative environments. Work this semester will grow from each student’s unique field of inquiry as explored through the Spring courses Investigating Interiority (AR) and Topics in Exhibitions and Narrative Environments (ENE) and expanded upon during the Summer. This work will be the connection to Design Thesis.

As part of the 2-semester thesis sequence, Design Thesis Preparation focuses on a further investigation of a thesis topic through the articulation of a thesis argument and line of research towards an exploration of context whether physical in the built environment whether a curatorial framework in the disciplines of Exhibition and Narrative Environments. Such explorations will lead to the establishment of a design approach. Each of these areas will contribute to the design process in the following Spring. The design process will conclude at the beginning of May when thesis book production and graduate thesis show design and installation will begin. The successful graduate will enter the professional world equipped with a design thesis, a thesis publication and a designed exhibition.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

The Design Thesis is the culmination of the Master of Design studies in the Department of Interior Architecture in both concentrations, Adaptive Reuse [AR] and Exhibition and Narrative Environments [ENE]. A thesis needs to propose a line of research and exploration in the context of each discipline. Throughout the semester students embark on a series of investigations that will lead to a unique set of questions that can be arguable and eventually contribute to the knowledge base in a field. The class provides an opportunity for graduate students to demonstrate their knowledge and acquired skills in that field through personal investigation, leading to the postulation of a hypothesis, and the testing of this hypothesis during the course of the Spring semester.

This course will enable students to focus on both conceptual and applied issues emerging from a critical analysis of a subject matter of their interest and understand how they unfold in the built environment and/or the realm of exhibitions and narrative environments. Work this semester will grow from each student’s unique field of inquiry as explored through the Spring courses Investigating Interiority (AR) and Topics in Exhibitions and Narrative Environments (ENE) and expanded upon during the Summer. This work will be the connection to Design Thesis.

As part of the 2-semester thesis sequence, Design Thesis Preparation focuses on a further investigation of a thesis topic through the articulation of a thesis argument and line of research towards an exploration of context whether physical in the built environment whether a curatorial framework in the disciplines of Exhibition and Narrative Environments. Such explorations will lead to the establishment of a design approach. Each of these areas will contribute to the design process in the following Spring. The design process will conclude at the beginning of May when thesis book production and graduate thesis show design and installation will begin. The successful graduate will enter the professional world equipped with a design thesis, a thesis publication and a designed exhibition.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

Building on the skills and knowledge developed during the first year in the Department, undergraduate students will focus their attention on a project which requires the hypothetical remodeling of an existing building of some complexity for a proposed new use.

Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies

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.

Major Requirement | BFA, MDes, MA Interior Studies

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.

Major Requirement | BFA, MDes, MA Interior Studies

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.

Major Requirement | BFA, MDes, MA Interior Studies

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.

Major Requirement | BFA, MDes, MA Interior Studies

This course will investigate relationships between parametric design strategies and making of physical artifacts. Prototyping will utilize laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC routers as tools of digital fabrication, while an introduction to Grasshopper will simultaneously focus on principles of algorithmic design. The two worlds of digital and physical will merge through very intentional development of geometries that are uniquely suited to each of the differing methods of fabrication. The act of making will be our primary method of knowledge acquisition. A series of weekly prototyping assignments will provide the basis for an iterative design process that is driven by witnessing and understanding unique material behaviors that emerge in each of our prototyping modalities. Entering with a basic working knowledge of Rhino3D is recommended for success in this course. 

Estimated Cost of Materials: $50.00

Elective

This course will examine personalities working in Europe and in North America as well as non-western regions in the period 1400 to 2009. Areas of study will include an examination of interior architecture related issues that will be studied in the context of their social, political, technological, and economic circumstances, as they pertain to the design culture of the period. Special emphasis will be given to interior additions and renovations and other interventions. Other areas of study will include the development of architectural drawing, and the way in which designs often evolved through committees, or ongoing consultations among patrons, designers, administrators, and scholars. Attention will also be given to design theory, and the doctrines relating to site, orientation, proportion, decorum, and the commercial design market. A general background in the history of art and design is desirable but not mandatory.

Major Requirement | BFA Interior Studies