A Career In Interior Architecture
Interior architects are responsible for the co-ordination and design of the internal construction of a diverse range of buildings ranging from permanent commercial environments right through to temporary constructions for trade fairs and exhibitions.
Some are temporarily contracted to design one-off interior projects for retail offices and shops while others are employed full-time in hotels and resorts or galleries or major shopping complexes where there is a need to provide fresh environments.
There is a wide selection of universities in Australia and New Zealand that offer undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in Interior Architecture with most initially offering prospective graduates a Bachelor of Interior Architecture.
Like most Bachelor of Arts, Interior Architecture consists of a three-year undergraduate degree with the offer of a fourth year in Honours.
While there are no set pre-requisite personal attributes, the type of people that find interior architecture interesting tend to enjoy creative problem solving and have the capacity to work as a team member.
Entry is generally dependant on a student's ENTER or TER score and mature age students may be asked to produce a portfolio and attend an interview.
Cutin University of Technology (Western Australia)
The University of Curtin in Western Australia is the only university in Western Australia to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture. The course aims to provide students with a substantial architectural education that integrates philosophical and pragmatic knowledge leading to the Bachelor of Arts (Interior Architecture).
If also offers both Masters and Doctorate degrees in both interior architecture related fields with tuition from experienced supervisors.
For more details contact Humanities Student Service Centre on (08) 9266 3400 or email: humanities@curtin.edu.au
The University of South Australia (South Australia)
The University of South Australia offers a Bachelor of Interior Architecture (DBIR) at the Louis Laybourne Smith School of Architecture & Design.
According to the university's website students are provided with a professionally relevant course focusing on the integration of design theory and practice and are distinguished by two minor streams of study in furniture design and exhibition design.
The Interior Architecture program enables students to develop the ability to approach a variety of design problems with creativity, a high level of competence, sensitivity and professional relevance.
For more details and general enquiries contact Campus Central Telephone: (08) 8302 0511 Fax: (08) 8302 0590 email: campuscentral.citywest@unisa.edu.au
Charles Darwin University - School of Engineering & Logistics
Charles Darwin University offers a Bachelor of Design, which is a three year degree course offered at the Casuarina Campus. The course aims to develop practical skills in computer aided design, working drawings, and design drawings. Specialisations available may include architecture and interior design. The skills gained in this course will equip graduates to fulfil roles in the interior design industry and the architecture industry.
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Services on: (08) 8946 7766 or email: courses@cdu.edu.au
Victoria University, Wellington New Zealand
The Victoria University in Wellington offers a Bachelor of Design with a specialisation in interior architecture as one of its major themes. Students gain a basic grounding in design strategies and skills in their first year of their Bachelor of Design and then proceed to specialise with courses closely related to this discipline.
For entry details contact Student Advisor Design on 04463 6256 or email: corrina.coughlan@vuw.ac.nz