Interior Architecture and Design

Interior architecture and design is the practice of shaping the spaces that people inhabit, work in, and move through. It sits between architecture and interior design, concerned with the structural and spatial aspects of built interiors as much as with their aesthetic qualities and furnishing. Interior architects consider how spaces can be transformed, how light and material affect the quality of an environment, how people move through and use interior spaces, and how design can serve both functional and experiential needs.

The discipline is as relevant to the sensitive adaptation of historic buildings as it is to the design of contemporary commercial, residential, and public interiors.

At Coventry, this three-year degree builds expertise in conceptual design, two-dimensional visualisation, three-dimensional modelling, and animation, giving you a comprehensive technical and creative toolkit for professional practice. You will develop the ability to generate and communicate spatial design ideas through drawing, model-making, digital tools, and presentation, and will study the history, theory, and cultural context of interior design alongside your practical and technical skills. The degree includes a sandwich year in industry, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, meaning that you gain professional experience in design practice and an international perspective on the field before you complete your final year.

Coventry's industry connections provide access to real studio and professional environments that prepare you for the demands of the workplace.

Interior architecture and design graduates move into careers in interior architecture, interior design, architectural practice, retail design, hospitality design, exhibition design, and design management. The technical skills in modelling and visualisation are also valued in related fields including architecture, product design, and digital design. Many graduates work in design studios, architectural firms, or the construction and property sector, while others develop independent practices or move into design education and research.

Postgraduate study in interior design, architecture, or spatial design is an option for those who wish to develop further specialist expertise.