Interior Design (INTD)

This studio examines the elements, principles and theories of interior design within the framework of residential and hospitality design. Students will explore and synthesize conceptual, theoretical, functional, and aesthetic issues. Additional foci include the organization and interrelationship of multi-level interior spaces, elements of enclosure, human behavior issues, symbolism and socio-cultural factors. The craft of making and the role of color, materials, furniture, fixtures and equipment in defining spaces and environmental experience will be emphasized.

Through diverse design projects, this studio introduces students to the conceptual, theoretical, functional, and aesthetic issues related to environments for health and community/civic well-being for contrasting populations. The integration of intuitive and structured design processes will be emphasized. The development of spaces, selection of furniture, fixtures, equipment, and materials will be made in relation to performance and experiential requirements. This course incorporates collaboration, research, analysis, synthesis, and design to explore human behavior and needs in the built environment.

This course focuses on construction and installation as it specifically relates to interior design. Students will be introduced to the nature and characteristics of interior detailing in relation to interior construction such as architectural woodwork, millwork, partitions, floors, ceilings, stairs, custom cabinetry, furniture and specialty elements. The influence of interior finish materials on interior form and detailing will be explored. Additional foci include human factors, building codes, accessibility requirements, fire safety, materials regulations and construction documentation.

This elective course explores several types of rendering techniques for interior design and architectural spaces. It consists of discussion, demonstration and experimentation of freehand and drafted ink work, graphite, color pencils, markers, watercolors, pastels and various reproduction presentation methods.

The primary intent of this course is to use established and emerging digital technologies as an effective tool in the design and presentation process. The course will focus on visual communication of information, particularly design thinking. It includes visualizing design concepts in two and three dimensions in a manner consistent with interior design studio and professional level work. Methods will include graphic composition, digital model construction, creating and applying surface materials, lighting, rendering, and post-processing.

This interior design studio challenges students with increased complexity of three-dimensional interior space, program, concept, and design process in the context of community oriented commercial/retail design. Students will translate their design thinking into comprehensive solutions that address place making, branding, construction technology, materiality, lighting design, human factors, furniture selection/planning, building codes and standards.

This studio concentrates on contemporary issues relating to business/office typologies, building technology, and sustainable design. Design and technological issues are addressed through an understanding of office culture, form making, construction systems, solar considerations, indoor environmental quality, HVAC systems, space planning, material and finish selection, lighting design, and integration of systems furniture and equipment. Solutions emphasize holistic and sustainable design thinking, organization of complex spatial responses, and the understanding that design is inherently constructive in nature.

This integrated community service course is required in the Interior Design major. It is an opportunity for students to use and apply their acquired knowledge in a real world setting and to work in integrated and collaborative teams. Students will experience the reciprocal nature and responsibility of community service work as fully participating citizens within the greater Philadelphia region.

This course in the construction technology sequence focuses on the study of a broad range of building systems including mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, power, lighting, fire suppression, and other systems and their integration with interior construction. Students will be introduced to the issues of acoustical control, indoor air quality, and life safety, and the role that building systems play in the establishment of human comfort and the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants.

This course teaches advanced digital three-dimensional modeling, diagramming, and rendering techniques with a focus on interior environments. Emphasis is placed on compelling representation of interior spaces, forms, materials, furniture, color, and lighting effects. These professional-level skills enhance design representations and presentations. Students complete a series of exercises covering a series of advanced/emerging digital techniques.

This course offers a global view of major historical movements and theoretical constructs that inform the greater context for architecture, interior design, and the allied arts from 1800 to the present. Discussion and critical analysis focus upon socio-economic, cultural, political, ecological, technological, and physical aspects that inform interiors, architecture, art, furniture, decorative arts, and material culture. The course will deepen and broaden student knowledge, perspectives, and awareness of crucial issues that influence design. Writing Intensive.

Following Visualization 1: Digital Modeling, the introductory computer-aided design course, CAD 2 for Interior Design further develops students' design communication and documentation skills utilizing AutoCAD and BIM software. Students will have the opportunity to produce interior design working drawings and advance their knowledge of professional interior design construction and specification documents.

This course focuses on the advantages of building information modeling software (BIM) and related documentation techniques for integrated practice and collaboration. Students will build their knowledge of professional interior construction and specification documentation, produce a set of construction drawings for an interiors project, and explore other uses and plug-ins for this powerful and important type of program.

This course introduces the role of textiles and applied materials in the creation of commercial and residential interiors. Key topics include the selection and specification of textiles, materials, finishes based on their sources, properties, performance criteria, applications, installation methods, maintenance requirements, standards, life safety (codes and regulations) and environmental and human well-being. Students will also be exposed to estimating and life cycle costs of products and materials.

This elective focuses on developing the setting for the action of a play. The set designer develops many of the same skills exercised by architects/interior designers: mastery of design fundamentals, understanding of time and place, knowledge of construction techniques and awareness of how people use space. Steps to creating the stage set will include: careful reading and discussion of selected plays, surveying an existing stage, assisting in the construction of a stage set and attending assigned performances.

This beginning-level elective course is intended to provide students with a basic knowledge of the aspects involved in furniture design. The goal is to expose students to the various means through which one engages in product design. Emphasis is on the fabrication process in addition to proto- typing, testing and revision. The course consists of readings, brief lectures, class discussions and studio projects that cover the range of information that designers need to know to be able to specify, design and evaluate furniture-related products for the built environment. A significant amount of class time will be devoted to the development, design and revision of projects.

This advanced comprehensive studio emphasizes the resolution of design issues in a semester-long specialized project. It spans from schematic design through design development and builds upon the knowledge acquired in all previous design, history/theory, and technical courses. Students synthesize their research and design ideation and apply their knowledge of typology, program, function, form making, planning, human behavior, construction, materials, building systems, acoustics, lighting, FF&E, codes, and standards in a comprehensive final presentation.

Students in this course learn about the managerial, financial, legal and ethical aspects of professional practice, including types of business formations, marketing, contracts, industry relationships and project management. Lectures and assignments cover the range of specialized services performed by design firms, and the role and responsibilities of the designer in different positions and at various stages of their career. Professional ethics and life-long learning, professional development and the value of professional organizations will be discussed. Students will learn about project and contract administration by developing marketing materials, proposals, and other aspects of project administration. Other assignments and guest speakers will add a unique insight into the profession.

This course provides the foundation for the culminating design studio in the final semester and covers methods of research and programming in the field of interior design and architecture. In consultation with faculty, students will select a project type and site, and produce in-depth research, precedent studies, programming, and analysis, embracing relevant issues such as cultural, sociological, political, economic, environmental, anthropometric, human factors, life safety, and construction methods and technologies, amongst others. Students are expected to organize and synthesize this information and document their research in both written and graphic form. This information along with architectural/interior documentation and analysis of the selected site is presented to a group of jurors with expertise in the area of research and/or project type.

The interior design/interior architecture final studio provides students with an opportunity to develop an individual design project based on their chosen area of interest researched and developed the previous semester in the Research + Programming course. In their design solutions students will be expected to integrate and address contemporary design issues such as sustainability, human behavior, well-being, and emerging technologies. They will be expected to deliver an innovative and comprehensive project that integrates design principles, theory, and construction technology and meets applicable codes and regulations that impact the health, safety, and welfare of the public.