Studying Interior Architecture and Design at degree level

Studying Interior Architecture and Design at degree level is a stimulating journey as you will explore many stages of design that is required in the creative industries. These stages are:

• Theory - A set of principles on which the practice of design is  based.

• Practice - The practice of the relevant and appropriate skills.

• Design - The creation of an interior space working from design briefs.

• Technology - The use of machinery and devices to aid with CAD, (Computer- aided design), and 3D model making. 

• Communication - Producing sketches, models and using digital applications to communicate your design ideas.

From the start of Year 1, I have been discovering different types of drawings such as Orthographic Projection,(using parallel lines to position the front, side and plan/top views), axonometric projection, (To communicate/draw an object in 3D dimensions, but without viewpoints), drawing at different scales such as 1:1-1:50, isometric projection, (similar to axonometric projection but gives a wide angle view of the object and increases the internal angle within the object), the differences between illustrative and construction drawings, sections including hatchings,(detailed drawings of each section of an exterior or interior), and one-point perspective,( a drawing technique which creates a flat surface to a 3D viewpoint from a horizon called a vanishing point.

The architects work I love

Falling Water

Frank Lloyd Wright is one of my favorite architects as his works are rich in organic features. For instance one of his famous works Falling Water in Pennsylvania, USA is located in the Laurel Highlands where the building is surrounded in the beauty of mother nature.

-Talisin Spring Green, Wisconsin, USA










- The Guggenheim Museum, New York City

The Libeskind Villa, Germany

Daniel Libeskind creates amazing architecture with its distinctive features of large-scale angular and geometric shapes. Also Daniel Libeskind uses a great combination of colours such as silvers, white, black, creams and hints of blue which gives the buildings a fresh and ultramodern appearance.

- The Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, Hong Kong













- The Ascent Building, Kentucky, USA

Frank Gehry in front of Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas

What fascinates me about Frank Gehry's architecture is that it is unique. The buildings all have an overlapping form which almost creates large-scale sculptural pieces. He uses masses of steel to create his iconic shapes which also creates the view of movement.

- Walt Disney Concert Hall, California, USA

- The IAC,(InterActive Corp's Building), New York City

What is Interior Architecture and Design?

What is interior architecture and design? Before I didn't understand the difference between interior architecture and interior design and thought that interior architecture and design is exactly the same, but after starting my degree I can now differentiate the two. 
First of all interior architecture sounds like the construction of an interior space and seems like it begins with the use of structural elements. Interior design is more the decorative side where it involves the upholstery.

The image above clearly displays interior design.You can see the fixtures like the small decor such as the photo frames on the wall, the vase, cushions, sofa, coffee table as well as the colour of the walls and the wooden floor. Dictionary.com refers that interior design is involving the decorative elements of an interior space of a house, apartment, office, or other structural space which also includes the colour schemes, fittings, furnishings and sometimes the architectural features,(construction).

Interior Architecture is the creation of space and working to the structural boundaries and the human interaction within these boundaries,(Wikipedia, 2014). To simplify, it is the more in depth analysis of an interior space. This involves examining the structure of an interior space, producing CAD drawings,(Computer-Aided Design) at different scales as well as technical drawings or sketches.