MASTER OF DESIGN (MDES) IN INTERIOR STUDIES: Adaptive Reuse

2023-2024 | Curriculum | 2+ year program

The 75-credit Master of Design (MDes) in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse program offers students a unique design education in the alteration of existing structures through interior interventions and the practice of adaptive reuse. This course of study focuses specifically on designing interventions for existing structures at many scales—from single rooms to entire buildings as well as the larger urban fabric. While operating outside the confines of professional architectural licensure, graduates of the program qualify to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam.

MDES PRELIMINARY YEAR

On-Campus Summer Program [a]

Summer

course

Intro to Design Studio I: Spatial Investigation/Drawing & Making

3

course

Intro to Design Studio I: Existing Construct

3

course

Intro to Design Studio I: Transformation and Intervention

3

TOTAL

9

MDES FIRST YEAR

FALL

WINTERSESSION

SPRING

course

Intro to Design Studio II

6

Elective

3

course

Advanced Design Studio

6

course

Structures and Materials for Adaptive Reuse

3

course

Energy and Systems

3

course

Advanced Drawing and Computing Tectonics

3

course

Theory Studio: Investigating Interiority

3

course

History of Adaptive Reuse

3

course

Spatial Perception: Light & Color

3

TOTAL

15

TOTAL

3

TOTAL

15

MDES SECOND YEAR

FALL

WINTERSESSION

SPRING

course

Design Thesis Preparation

3

Elective

3

course

Design Thesis Studio

9

course

Advanced Design Studio

6

course

Codes and Details

3

course

Human Factors: Ergonomics, and Acoustics

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

TOTAL

15

TOTAL

3

TOTAL

15

Total Credits: 75

Notes:

[a] Nine-credit on-campus summer program

Students entering the Department of Interior Architecture must participate in its required Academic Laptop Program, purchasing hardware, software, upgrades and insurance.