Study options

Interior Architecture - Architecture, Landscape architecture and Interior Architecture, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Interior architecture addresses the close human scale of space and furniture to create meaning and value to people and organisations, and to transform and renew the everyday living environment. Dealing with the design of immediate interior and exterior environments, interior architecture requires understanding on human culture, needs and aspirations, the bodily experience and senses, and the spatial, material and technological means to meet these. A skilled interior architect is capable of integrating diverse elements into functional and experiential design solutions that exceed the users’ and clients’ expectations and are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.
Aalto Learning Centre Interior

Degree:

Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Application period:

30 Nov 2023 – 2 Jan 2024

Language of instruction:

English

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Art and Design

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

Applying to master’s programmes

Description

Interior architecture addresses the close human scale of space and furniture to create meaning and value to people and organisations, and to transform and renew the everyday living environment. Dealing with the design of immediate interior and exterior environments, interior architecture requires understanding on human culture, needs and aspirations, the bodily experience and senses, and the spatial, material and technological means to meet these. A skilled interior architect is capable of integrating diverse elements into functional and experiential design solutions that exceed the users’ and clients’ expectations and are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.

The programme educates interior architects with a distinct design personality. It comprises studies on spatial design and furniture design. Concrete design assignments form a major part of education. The studies emphasise advanced practical design skills combined with conceptual and strategic design thinking and research-driven design. Students are encouraged to expand the frontiers of the discipline by addressing systems level problems and societal challenges across the scale of built environment.
Students graduated from the programme are eligible to work as professional interior architects.

Learning Outcomes

Content outcomes:

Students deepen the skills learned in bachelor's studies and broaden their knowledge in spatial design and furniture design. Students gain knowledge on

  • different design approaches and methods
  • skills to practice interior architecture in the broader operational environment of building and construction, product development, business and culture
  • managing design processes
  • the regulations in construction, and material knowledge
  • skills in 3D composition
  • understanding the spatiality of people and products

Skill outcomes:

Students learn to

  • interpret and transform living environment and culture through their insight, personal design expression, and professional skills
  • develop an artistic and designerly insight
  • master their creative design process
  • understand the discipline’s past and present as a base for curiosity and experimentation
  • develop their practical skills in spatial and furniture design further
  • deepen their expertise in materials, knowledge of design tradition, and cultural discussion
  • develop technical, aesthetic and research skills to support the design process
  • become competent in exploring technologies and visualising, creating and demonstrating innovative concepts and experiences using the latest technology
  • become professionals versed in multidisciplinary teamwork

Academic skills:

Students learn presentation skills in writing and visualisation

Examples of themes learned during the studies:

  • The human experience, body, and senses as basis of interior architecture
  • Experimental, critical, and artistic design practice engaging with the society and instigating change
  • Human-centred, collaborative and conceptual design in interior architecture
  • Strategies for adaptive reuse, sustainability, and flexibility in interior architecture

Language of instruction

In the programme, the language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Aalto University’s tuition fee for master’s programmes taught in English is 15 000 euros per academic year. Tuition fees apply to citizens of countries other than those of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Aalto University has a scholarship programme to support non-EU/EEA citizens who study in a fee-charging degree programme. The scholarship may cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fee.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

The programme is based on an exploratory approach to design-based problem setting, elaboration and solving. It emphasises the skill to manage the entire design process from the beginning to the final outcome. An essential part of the education is project-based hands-on learning. In the projects, the students are encouraged to utilize artistic and experimental approaches and find their personal expression and voice as a designer. This is supported by more analytical, research-driven methods and tools.

The key content in master's programme education is to develop and deepen the skills obtained during the bachelor's phase. Studio-based courses in spatial design and furniture design form the core of education. Other topics include history, theory and methodology of interior architecture and teaching of practical design skills and tools. The student can choose selective courses and a minor according to her interests and professional profile. In the final year, the student completes a master’s thesis on chosen topic.

The programme consists of advanced studies (90 ECTS) and elective studies (30 ECTS)

For further details on the education content, see the study guide 2022-2024

Master’s programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture

Specialisations

Specialisation is built mainly through advanced studies, where students may choose courses.

Internationalisation

Students are encouraged to apply for international exchange studies or internships. They are also encouraged to participate in international competitions, exhibitions, conferences, and trade fairs. The department has international research and teaching projects with different universities.

Further study opportunities

Students are qualified to continue their studies for doctoral research degree. More information on the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture: Doctoral programmes.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities vary from entrepreneurship to expert tasks in private and public organisations. Graduates work as interior architects in design and architect studios, as independent entrepreneurs, and as in-house designers in industry. They also work as designers, managers, researchers and teachers, and engage in artistic practice. The programme prepares its graduates also for doctoral studies.

Interior architects may focus on various areas, such as workspaces, retail spaces or care environments. Their tasks typically include spatial, surface, interior and lighting design in interior renovations and alterations. They also work on exhibition design and the design of other temporary structures, concept design, branding and corporate identity design, and design of furniture, lighting fixtures and other interior design components. Strategic, conceptual and managerial designer roles are increasingly common.

Research focus

The research in this programme is linked to several focus areas in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Additional information about research related to this programme can be found at the Department of Architecture website.

Co-operation with other parties

During the MA-studies the students are introduced with the industry by having chances to co-operate with different types of companies in student projects integrated into the design courses.

Applying to master’s programmes

Study-option-specific evaluation criteria in 2024 Master’s admissions

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to the Master's programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior ArchitectureInterior Architecture will be evaluated based on the following:

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Contact information

Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services

[email protected]

Admissions Services

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services

[email protected]

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