Participating Faculty

Mary Anne Beecher, architecture

Esther Hagenlocher, architecture

Alison B. Snyder, architecture

Linda K. Zimmer, architecture

The Study of Interior Architecture

Education. In addition to providing a professional education in interior design, the Interior Architecture Program promotes inquiry into theory and design related to the interior environment and the development of design skills. Design studios offer opportunities for synthesis and testing of knowledge learned in lecture courses. The Interior Architecture Program is part of the Department of Architecture, which allows students an interdisciplinary context for study. Course work is shared between architecture and interior architecture, particularly in the first two years of study. The program includes courses in interior construction, materials, and systems, and it provides opportunities for furniture design and construction in a woodshop. An internship may be arranged with a participating professional office during the fourth or fifth year of study.

Preparation. High school and college students interested in interior architecture should prepare themselves by taking courses in the following subjects:

1. Fine arts such as drawing, sketching, painting, sculpture, two- and three-dimensional design, fiber arts, draftsmanship, and the history of the arts, architecture, furniture, and interior-­architecture design

2. Social sciences such as sociology, psychology, individual and group behavior, cultural anthropology, community studies, and human environment

3. Sciences such as environmental studies, algebra, and geometry. Trigonometry and college-level physics are required for anyone who is interested in studying structures

4. Humanities such as literature and writing courses, because interior architecture students must be able to read, write, and think clearly about abstract concepts

To better understand the professional field, prospective students should visit and discuss opportunities with local interior designers and firms practicing interior architecture.

Students are encouraged to travel in order to broaden their experiences related to environmental design.

Careers. Most students prepare for entering professional practice with architecture and design firms. Other opportunities exist in related areas such as product representation, color consultation, space planning, furniture design, and other activities related to the designed environment.

Students graduating from the Interior Architecture Program may elect to apply for the national examination administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Successful completion of this examination is required for professional membership in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

Overseas Study

Students in University of Oregon overseas study programs enroll in courses with subject codes that are unique to individual programs. Special course numbers are reserved for overseas study. See International Programs in the Academic Resources section of this catalog.

See also the Rome Program and the Danish International Studies Program listed in the Architecture section of this catalog.

Summer Architecture Academy. See description in the Architecture section of this catalog.

Curriculum for the Study of Interior Architecture

Students must meet the curriculum requirements published in the UO catalog and the department’s Advising Handbook the year of their admission to the program. Students needing more specific information should see an adviser.

Residence Requirements. For transfer students to earn the B.I.Arch. or M.I.Arch. degree from the university, the following minimum course work must be taken in residence:

1. Design area: 28 credits, including Interior-Design Terminal Project (IARC 488/588, 489/589)

2. Subject area: a minimum of 40 credits from at least six subject areas

3. General electives: 12 upper-division credits selected from courses offered outside the School of Architecture and Allied Arts (B.I.Arch. only)

Leave of Absence. See policy statement in the Architecture section of this catalog.

Accreditation. Undergraduate and graduate professional-degree curricula in interior architecture are accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER).

Undergraduate Studies [back to top]

Potential applicants who have a four-year undergraduate degree in any field must apply to the graduate program (see Graduate Studies later in this section).

The undergraduate programs in interior architecture consist of the bachelor of interior architecture (B.I.Arch.) degree program and a minor in interior architecture.

Bachelor of Interior Architecture: 225 credits

A five-year program leads to the B.I.Arch. degree; the first two years are highly structured. Because of the many opportunities in the profession, the program is designed to allow students and their advisers flexibility in establishing study sequences that satisfy individual interests and needs.

In addition to the principal objectives of the professional curriculum listed below, the bachelor’s degree program includes requirements for a liberal, general education. Beyond the university requirements for interior-architecture majors, students must complete upper-division nonmajor course work as part of the general-­elective requirement. Candidates for the B.I.Arch. degree must satisfy the following requirements, totaling 225 credits:

University Requirements. 44 credits distributed as follows:

1. Group requirements-36 credits in arts and letters, social science, and science (12 credits in each group)

2. College composition-8 credits

3. Multicultural requirement-8 credits (may be included in the groups above)

Major Requirements. 181 credits (see Professional Curriculum later in this section).

Minor Requirements

The Department of Architecture offers a minor in interior architecture, subject to the following restrictions:

1. Students must notify the Department of Architecture of their intent to seek a minor. The minor is granted on completion of the requirements in effect on the date of the notice of intent

2. Because the department’s first obligation is to its majors, it cannot guarantee availability of courses for minors. Minors may register in required courses if space is available

3. Enrollment in the minor program is limited. If the department is unable to accommodate additional students, it may suspend admittance to the minor program until space becomes available

4. Substitute courses for minor requirements may be approved by the department

Undergraduate Admission

The admission review focuses on creative capability, academic capability, and potential program contribution through diversity of background, experience, and maturity. Students are expected to submit specific materials supporting each of these attributes. First-year applicants must have grades and scores that meet at least three of the following four indices:

1. High school grade point average (GPA)--3.25

2. Verbal SAT I--550

3. Mathematical SAT I--550

4. Total SAT I--1100

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required for students whose first language is not English. Paper-based test: a minimum total score of 575 must be achieved with a minimum of 58 in each subsection. Computer-based test: a minimum total score of 233 must be achieved with a minimum score of 24 in each subsection.

Transfer applicants must have a minimum college GPA of 3.00 and meet the other criteria listed above for first-year applicants.

The university deadline for undergraduate application to the Interior Architecture Program is December 15 (see Application Deadlines in the Admissions section of this catalog). The deadline for completion of the department application is January 15. All applicants must meet both deadlines. Students receive notices about their applications by April 1.

Prospective applicants, write to Undergraduate Admissions, Department of Architecture, 1206 University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403-1206.

New students are admitted into the program only in the fall term, and an accelerated program is not usually possible. More information about enrollment policies and application deadlines is available in the architecture department office.

Graduate Studies [back to top]

The three programs of graduate study in interior architecture--Options I, II, and III--require a minimum of 45 graduate credits, of which 30 must be in interior architecture and 9 must be at the 600 level. There is no minimum requirement for graded credits. Additional requirements for each program are listed below.

Option I leads to the master of interior architecture (M.I.Arch.) as a postprofessional degree. Applicants must have a five-year professional degree in interior architecture or interior design. Students in this program produce a thesis or terminal research project. The program is typically completed in six terms.

Options II and III lead to the M.I.Arch. as a professional degree. The Option II program, typically completed in six terms, is for applicants who have a four-year degree in interior design or architecture or a related design discipline. Applicants with a professional degree in architecture should apply to the Option II program. The Option III program is usually completed in ten terms, and applicants must have a B.S. or B.A. degree at entrance. Option III students begin their program in the summer before their first academic year of study. Students with degrees in related design disciplines (e.g., landscape architecture, environmental design, or architecture degrees from nonaccredited degree programs) may be given advanced standing, up to a maximum of three terms of studio credit for equivalent prior course work. Approximately thirty-five new students for architecture and interior architecture combined are admitted each year to the Option III program.

Professional Degree Program Requirements

Option III students must complete 60 credits of interior-design studio and 87 credits of professional subject-area courses described under Professional Curriculum later in this section. In addition, Option III students must complete 6 credits in Seminar (IARC or ARCH 507 or 607). A minimum of ten terms is required for this option.

Option II students must fulfill the professional curriculum requirements of the Option III program but are admitted with advanced standing. For Option II the minimum residency requirement is six terms. Transfer credit may be given to students who have had academic experience in an interior architecture or design program accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design, Education, and Research. The extent of this advanced standing is determined in consultation with the student’s academic adviser before studies begin. Transferability of course work is provisional pending satisfactory completion of three terms in residence. For more information, refer to The Study of Interior Architecture at the beginning of this section.

In addition, Option II students must complete the following requirements:

1. 6 credits in Research (IARC 601)--may include independent technical study or instructor-directed research

2. 9 credits in Seminar (IARC or ARCH 507 or 607)

3. 36 credits in interior-design studio including 16 credits in Interior-Design Comprehensive Project I,II (IARC 588, 589)

4. 3 credits in Comprehensive Project Preparation (IARC 545)

5. Residence requirements in the design and subject areas as listed above

Postprofessional Degree Program: M.I.Arch.

The Option I program provides an opportunity for advanced study and contribution to knowledge in the field through the M.I.Arch. thesis. Option I students must complete a minimum of four terms in residence. Students in this program are expected to develop an individual research topic within one of the following areas of faculty expertise:

1. Computer-aided design

2. Design process and theory

3. Energy-conscious design

4. Environment and behavior

5. Housing design

6. Interior components and design

7. Light and lighting design

8. Proxemic design and ergonomics

9. Vernacular design

The Option I thesis draws on individual research, professional and general university courses, and meetings between the student and the student’s thesis committee. Students in the Option I program are required to complete 9 credits in Thesis (IARC 503) or Terminal Project (IARC 611). For more information about the thesis, see the Graduate School section of this catalog.

Graduate Admission

Admission to the graduate program is through a selective review that focuses on three attributes: creative capability; academic capability; and potential contribution to the program through diversity of background, experience, or demonstrated motivation. All applicants are required to submit GRE scores; if their first language is not English, they must also submit TOEFL scores of at least 575.

Prospective applicants may request a description of the graduate interior-architecture program and an application packet by writing to Graduate Admissions at the Interior Architecture Program mailing address. The packet describes application requirements. Applications must be postmarked by the first Monday after January 1 prior to the fall term of anticipated enrollment. Notifications of results are mailed by April 1. Option III students begin the program during summer session. Other graduate students are required to begin their work in the fall term. The Department of Architecture does not permit late admissions. A number of graduate teaching fellowships (GTFs) are available to well-qualified graduate students. Applicants who have an interior architectural or design education (Option I or II) may want to request GTF application forms with their packets.

Unless a leave of absence has been approved, students enrolled in a graduate program must attend the university continuously (except summers) until all program requirements have been completed. For departmental policy regarding leave of absence, see the policy statement in the Architecture section of this catalog.

Professional Curriculum

The professional curriculum in interior architecture is composed of three elements: design, studios, interior-architecture subject-area course work, and general electives.

Interior Design: 66 credits for B.I.Arch.; 60 credits for M.I.Arch.

The interior design studio and its activities are at the center of interior design education. Other course work is aimed at supporting the design studio experience. The first studios emphasize the mastery of design tools through development of design skills and content. Later studios emphasize mastery of project content including experience in furniture design and building and in development of construction drawings. In the last two studios, complete integration of skill and content is emphasized through a student-selected comprehensive design project. This covers design phases from project preparation and programming through design at many scales including details, electric lighting, and interior materials.

Up to 6 credits of intermediate architecture or landscape-architecture design studio may be used to satisfy this design requirement.

Introductory Design Studios

Introductory Architectural Design I,II (ARCH 181, 182), a two-term studio for undergraduate majors

Introductory Graduate Design (ARCH 680, 681), a two-term studio for Option III graduate students

Intermediate Interior-Design Studios

Interior Design (IARC 484/584), five terms, 30 credits

Custom Cabinet and Furniture Design (IARC 486/586), 6 credits

Advanced Interior-Design Studios

Interior-Design Terminal Project (IARC 488/588, 489/589), 12 credits

Subject Areas: 86 credits for B.I.Arch.; 83 credits for M.I.Arch.

The subject areas increase knowledge and skill development in interior architecture. Twelve subject areas or categories central to the profession have been identified to assist students’ understanding of the structure of the interior design field. The core curriculum required of majors includes 21 credits in introductory courses and 56 credits in upper-division and graduate-level courses from nine of the subject areas. Courses from two other areas are recommended as part of a minimum of 11 elective credits to be taken from any of the subject areas.

General Interior-Architecture and Architecture Courses

B.I.Arch: 18 credits in Introduction to Architecture (ARCH 201), Design Skills (ARCH 202), Survey of Interior Architecture (IARC 204), Building Construction (ARCH 470), two design-arts courses

M.I.Arch. Option III: 7 credits in Graduate Design Process (ARCH 611), Building Construction (ARCH 570)

Professional Practice: 3 credits in Context of the Interior Architectural Profession (IARC 417/517)

Other Courses: Practicum (IARC 409 or 609)

Media and Methods: 3 credits in Media for Design Development (ARCH 423/523)

Other Courses: Analysis through Recording of Historic Buildings (ARCH 421/521), Advanced Interior-Design Development Media (IARC 424/524), Advanced Design-Development Media (ARCH 424/524), art courses

Contextual Issues: recommended courses include Architectural Contexts: Place and Culture (ARCH 430/530), Vernacular Building (ARCH 434/534), landscape architecture courses

Human Activity Support: 11 credits in Human Context of Design (ARCH 440/540), Thesis Preparation and Programming (IARC 445/545), Thesis Programming and Research (IARC 448/548), Documentation of Thesis Research, Programming, and Design (IARC 449/549)

Other Courses: Architectural Programming (ARCH 449/549)

Color: 3 credits from Color Theory (ART 350) or Color Theory and Application for the Built Environment (IARC 447/547)

Spatial Ordering: 4 credits in Spatial Composition (ARCH 450/550)

Construction and Materials: 10 credits in Interior Construction Elements (IARC 471/571), Interior Finishes and Design Application (IARC 472/572), Working Drawings in Interior Architecture (IARC 473/573)

Other Courses: Structural Behavior
(ARCH 461/561), Wood and Steel Building Systems (ARCH 462/562), Sructural Systems (ARCH 463/563), Building Enclosure (ARCH 471/571), Preservation and Restoration Technology (ARCH 474/574), Preservation Technology: Masonry (ARCH 475/575)

Design Arts: 4 credits in an approved elective

Furniture: 5 credits in Furniture: Theory and Analysis (IARC 444/544), Working Drawings for Furniture (IARC 475/575)

Lighting: 8 credits in Environmental Control Systems II (ARCH 491/591), Electric Lighting (IARC 492/592)

Theory Seminars: Interior-architecture and architecture special-topic seminars

History of Art and Architecture: 17 credits including History of Interior Architecture I,II,III (ARH 474/574, 475/575, 476/576), 8 additional credits in history of art or architecture

Special Courses: generic courses numbered 401-410, 507, 508, 510, and 601-607 may be developed and approved for credit in subject or elective areas. Unless offered pass/no pass only, any graded course in the architecture department may be taken by interior-architecture majors either for a letter grade or pass/no pass (P/N). The maximum allowable number of P/N credits is set by university regulations.

General Electives: 25 credits for B.I.Arch.

Students are encouraged to take general-subject courses in addition to those used to fulfill university general-education requirements. To ensure the continuation of liberal studies beyond the introductory level, B.I.Arch. candidates must complete 12 credits in upper-division general electives in academic subjects outside the subject areas of architecture (ARCH) and interior architecture (IARC).

Interior Architecture Courses (IARC) [back to top]

See Architecture for descriptions of courses with the ARCH subject code.

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

ARCH 201 Introduction to Architecture (4)

ARCH 202 Design Skills (3)

204 Understanding Contemporary Interiors (4) Introduction to the theory of interior architecture. Design criteria explored through illustrated lectures and projects involving analysis of space.

ARCH 222 Introduction to Architectural Computer Graphics (4)

ARCH 283, 284 Architectural Design I,II (6,6)

383 Interior Design Studio (6) Studio projects for second-year undergraduates. Integration of issues of activity support and spatial order, Emphasis on schematic concept formation and interior design development.

401 Research: [Topic] (1–6R)

405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–6R)

406 Special Problems: [Topic] (1–6R)

407/507 Seminar: [Topic] (1–6R)

408/508 Workshop: [Topic] (1–6R)

409 Practicum: [Topic] (1–6R)

410/510 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–6R)

ARCH 421/521 Analysis through Recording of Historic Buildings (3)

ARCH 423/523 Media for Design Development (3R)

ARCH 424/524 Advanced Design-Development Media (3R)

ARCH 430/530 Architectural Contexts: Place and Culture (4)

ARCH 434/534 Vernacular Building (3)

ARCH 440/540 Human Context of Design (4)

444/544 Furniture: Theory and Analysis (3) Analysis of furniture and cabinetry from a theoretical and practical standpoint. Emphasis on use within architectural space as well as free standing elements. Introduction to structure, construction, and construction installation drawings.

445/545 Comprehensive Project Preparation (3) Formulation of individual design projects for IARC 488/588, 489/589. Documentation of project issues, context, site, and building information, research, case studies, and programming. Prereq: eligibility for IARC 488/588.

447/547 Color Theory and Application for the Built Environment (3) Use of color in the built environment including principal color systems, methods of color harmony, effects of visual phenomena, and various psychological, cultural, and historic implications. Undergraduate prereq: ARCH 182; graduate prereq: ARCH 682.

ARCH 449/549 Architectural Programming (3)

ARCH 450/550 Spatial Composition (4)

ARCH 458/558 Types and Typology (3)

ARCH 461/561 Structural Behavior (4)

ARCH 462/562 Wood and Steel Building Systems (4)

ARCH 463/563 Structural Systems (4)

ARCH 470/570 Building Construction (4)

471/571 Interior Construction Elements (3) The properties and detailing of materials used in interior design construction; code issues that affect interior construction. Field trips to supply sources and projects.
ARCH 471 Building Enclosure (4)

472/572 Interior Finishes and Design Application (3) The properties, manufacture, application, and code issues of interior finish materials. Field trips to supply sources.

473/573 Working Drawings in Interior Architecture (4) Preparation of working drawings for project designed in interior architecture studio.

ARCH 474/574 Preservation and Restoration Technology (3)

ARH 474/574, 475/575, 476/576 History of Interior Architecture I,II,III (3,3,3) See Art History

475/575 Working Drawings for Furniture (2) Development of full-scale working drawings and as-built drawings of furniture projects from furniture studio course. Coreq: IARC 486/586 or 487/587.

ARCH 475/575 Preservation Technology: Masonry (3)

ARCH 480/580 Supervised Design Teaching
(1–3R)

484/584 Interior Design (6R) A series of creative projects in interior design; intensive analysis of design; methods of problem solving; individual criticism, review of design projects; group discussion and field trips. Prereq: ARCH 383.

ARCH 485/585, 486/586 Advanced Architectural Design I,II (8,8)

486/586 Custom Cabinet and Furniture Design (6) Projects in design and construction of custom furniture, preparation of detailed shop drawings, shop procedure. Prereq: IARC 444/544, 18 credits in IARC 484/584 or ARCH 484/584.

488/588, 489/589 Interior Design Comprehensive Project I,II (8,8) Student-initiated studies in interior design for the terminal project. Emphasis on comprehensive and integrative study. Undergraduate prereq: 42 credits in IARC design studios; graduate prereq: 36 credits in IARC design studios.

ARCH 491/591, 492/592 Environmental Control Systems I,II (4,4)

492/592 Electric Lighting (3) Principles of lighting with focus on integration of electric illumination and space. Design for lighting, calculations, and available systems and sources tested through models and drawings. Prereq: 24 credits of design studio.

ARCH 495/595 Daylighting (3)

503 Thesis (1–6R)

601 Research: [Topic] (1–6R)

605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–6R)

606 Special Problems: [Topic] (1–6R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–6R)

608 Workshop: [Topic] (1–6R)

609 Practicum: [Topic] (1–6R)

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–6R)

611 Terminal Project (1–9R)

ARCH 611 Graduate Design Process (3)

ARCH 661 Teaching Technical Subjects in Architecture (3R)

ARCH 680, 681, 682 Introductory Graduate Design (6,6,6)

ARCH 690 Teaching Technology in Architectural Design (3R)