MDES.INTST.AR.2YR - MDes Interior Studies Adaptive Reuse (2yr)

2025- 2026 | 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.

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the MDes Adaptive Reuse program are prepared to:

• adopt a clear aesthetic, theoretical and technological framework for interior studies in order to engage in this subject in the design field.

• investigate different aspects of design interventions in the built environment.

• articulate the distinctive nature of interior studies as an effective member of a design team able to interact and collaborate with fellow professionals in related fields.

• develop design strategies that recognize the importance of social and environmental responsibility.

• assess the spatial transformation capabilities of an existing structure.

• formulate an original design concept based on research and evaluate, develop, present and advocate coherent design propositions.

• understand and incorporate related consultant feedback as part of the collaborative process in a professional setting.