Interior Architecture (BIArch)

In interior architecture, we offer a broad professional curriculum that combines robust shared design courses with specialized study in interior design to create big picture design thinkers. Our aim is to help students develop research and design skills they will need to revitalize, reuse, and adapt existing buildings and interior spaces to enhance quality of life for users. Throughout the curriculum we focus on making spaces and objects that resonate with users and provide uplifting, healthy, and sustainable interior environments. 

Our department has a long history of interdisciplinary collaborative learning. Interior architecture students are immersed in a rich mix of faculty, students, and courses in other design majors while earning a professional degree accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Our unique curriculum is project based and student driven. Interior architecture studio courses allow students to propose design solutions to real-life problems that focus on the critical issues of our time. A comprehensive project in the final year allows each student to conduct in-depth study and research into their specialized areas of interest.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Analyze complex design issues and develop meaningful and creative design solutions while addressing theoretical, historical, behavioral, cultural, economic, technological, ecological, social, cultural, and political aspects of the design problems, and applying evidence-based knowledge of human experience/behavior, building construction/systems, light/color theories, products/materials, and building codes.
• Employ all aspects of the design process with various media recording and communication and space-making tools to create convincing design solutions and effectively communicate them visually and verbally, as well as in writing. Students understand the principles, processes, and responsibilities that define the profession and the value of interior architecture to society and social changes.
• Collaborate and participate in interdisciplinary teams and are prepared to maximize their effectiveness in leadership roles or as contributing team members.
• Understand that thinking critically and applying these thoughts in their design development is essential for taking on initiative and pushing boundaries for themselves and the professions.

Interior Architecture Major

The curriculum of the five-year professional BIArch degree program is highly structured the first two years and more flexible the last three. This flexibility allows each student to establish a study sequence according to individual interests and needs. Transfer students should be aware that an accelerated program is normally possible only for students who transfer from an accredited interior architecture or interior design program.

Courses used to fulfill the major requirements must be taken for a letter grade of C- or better or a mark of Pass (P or P*).

¹

Repeatable studio, to be taken four times.

²

One course from Site Planning and Design (LA 489)/Site Planning and Design (LA 589) or Architectural Design (ARCH 484)/Architectural Design (ARCH 584) may be used to substitute for six IARC 484 credits.

Five-Year Degree Plan

Most students graduate in the spring term of their fifth year. However, students who enter the program with a year or more of required university credits may be able to accelerate through the curriculum and graduate in spring of their fourth year.

¹

Core-education and subject area electives can be taken any term and in any order.