Interior Architecture & Design course

Language

English

Start date

September 2023

Duration

3 years

Mode

Daytime

Tuition fees

690 000 ₽ per year
Payment by installments is possible

About the course
Programme Structure
Tutors
Student works
How to apply
Cost and terms of payment
Success stories
FAQ

About the course

The Interior Architecture and Design programme centres on the creative improvement of existing and new buildings and spaces. Students learn about how the objects and spaces that make up our everyday landscapes provide pleasure, give meaning to and can enhance the quality of people’s lives. Students develop an understanding of how people and activities interact with the material, environmental, sensory, emotional, functional and cultural qualities of a specific space and situation and how interior architects can design better places.

We focus on studio-based design projects supported by Critical and Cultural Studies. It enables students to learn design through a dynamic process of investigation and analysis, ideas exploration, experimentation, testing and development, realisation and communication. As the programme moves from level 4 to 6, students develop their own ideas through a self-directed design approach. Students increasingly consider some of the key contemporary issues for interior architects, such as the importance of place and site specificity, the role of the designer in relation to common trends, sustainable design and materials, with a consideretaion of cotemrorary approaches in construction. Students are also provided with oportunity to collaborate with various contructors and professionals from the Industry. This process engages the students with direct contact with a client and equips them with the knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in Interior design and construction. Overall, we aim to cultivate a learning environment to enable the development of independent, innovative and responsible designers with a thoughtful and imaginative approach to existing and new buildings and space making.

The teaching team consists of experienced architects from various European countries, including Russia, with a varied vision and rich professional experience in reputable design offices internationally. Importantly all teaching staff continue to practice and are regularly invited by some of the best European Architecture and Design Universities as guest lecturers and critics through the academic year.

Britanka Degree Show 2022

What makes the programme unique

International approach

The course strikes a balance between teaching students to think within an international context whilst also focusing on the locality within which they are based. Students will be challenged with projects that respond to real local problems and conditions whilst being asked to adhere to international standards and practices.

Prestigious collaborations

During the programme, our students regularly participate in projects for well-respected clients, including: the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, the Moscow Department of Culture, the State Library of Foreign Literature, Cinema Illusion, the Winzavod Centre for Contemporary Art, Flacon Design Centre, Artplay Design Centre and others. The resulting works are annually exhibited at well-regarded exhibitions such as Mosbuild and ARCH Moscow.

International Diploma

The Learning Resources Centre at BHSAD is the perfect place to study. It offers access to a broad range of specialist books and journals, DVDs, videos, slides, and all the electronic resources including image and article databases, electronic books, and more.

Overseas field trips

In addition to the core curriculum, our students have additional opportunities to travel abroad with their tutors — to interact directly with cities, their environment and buildings, plus study the socio-cultural ties that help one to better understand the features of individual countries and regions. This allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the motivations of an architect and to create their own innovative and unpredictable designs.

Meetings with experts in the field

The course regularly invites well-known Russian and foreign experts in the field of architecture and interior design. These meetings take place in a variety of formats — from one-off lectures and round tables to series of workshops with practical activities and tasks.

Spacious studios

Each student is allocated a private workspace in one of our spacious art studios for the duration of their studies, where they can experiment with design and the creation of large and small structures. We believe that our students' imaginations should be allowed to run free — unrestricted by the constraints of physical space.

Variety of techniques

In our programme a great deal of attention is paid to the study of modern technologies, construction and materials through the use of manual techniques oriented towards interaction between design consciousness and architectural skills. The 'open-studio' policy provides our students with access to our BHSAD photo studio for digital and analogue photo/video shoots, a screen printing and etchings workshop and the ceramics and sculpture workshop — all of which are designed to expand students' creative vision.

The centre for modelling and prototyping

The Centre is equipped with advanced equipment to work with metal, wood and plastic. We have facilities for turning, milling, drilling, grinding and more. We also have professional hand tools, a 3D printer, a spray booth and powerful computer stations, which allow our student to progress through all the stages of industrial design: from sketching and 3D visualization to prototype manufacturing.

Hardware & software

All the computers in our digital design labs have access to Adobe Creative Cloud, which gives students the opportunity to learn and use key industry standard applications like InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and AfterEffects. Specialist technicians, including qualified Adobe Certified Instructors, are available to support the students in making the most of the software.

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Programme Structure

Year 1: Modules

Students focus on spatial design starting from compostional analysis and acquisition of techniques that are related to measuring, visualisation and modeling, both through working with physical materials and digital techniques. The set of projects aim to develop knowledge on spatial organistaion with an emphaisis on the user experience and material qualities, with a considereation of modern trends and traditional approaches. Cultural Studies module supports professional development in relation to broad historical and cultural context.

Core modules:

Design Studio 1 (IAD)
Design Skills 1
Introduction to Technology
C&CS L4 History and Theory - Introduction

Year 2: Modules

The second year is devoted to further development of an understanding of the discipline in relation to the built fabric, cultural and social context in parallel to technological elements of the design process. Students are expected to work with greater confidence and initiative at an increasing level of intricacy and scale. This is achieved through comprehensive contextual analysis and investigations into the composition of spaces to facilitate the coherent application of complex design vocabularies.

Importantly the design briefs are located in real public buildings in Moscow, with unique and particular problems that need to be identified and successfully analysed. We believe that a genuine understanding of context leads to progressive and nuanced design proposals.

Core modules:

Design Studio 2 (IAD)
Design Skills 2 (IAD)
Advanced Technology
C&CS L5 History and Theory – People, Buildings and Cities

Year 3: Modules

The third year begins with two self-directed research projects with students taking increasing responsibility for their own learning, with close support and guidance from specialist teaching staff: First, a study of modern design methodologies, digital tools and production techniques. Second, a detailed research report relating to a particular building or space that could act as a host or catalyst for a student-generated complex design brief that addresses a theme shared by all members of the design studio.

These investigations act as the foundation upon which the major design project in the second semester is based. This forms the central component of the portfolio of work completed over the three year Bachelor (Hons) programme.

Core modules:

Final Project (IAD)
Advanced Design Skills
C&CS L6 Degree Essay : Dissertation

Tutors

Teachers

Anastasia Koroto

Co-curator

Gennady Druzhinin

Co-curator

Alexander Ostrogorskiy

Student works

How to apply

Required level of English

IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent certificate). Along with the IELTS results, the following certificates are also accepted:

- CAE (Certificate in Advanced English);
- FCE (First Certificate in English).

If a prospective student does not have an IELTS certificate of the required level but successfully passed BHSAD English test as part of BHSAD entrance exams, he/she needs to obtain an IELTS certificate before the start of the first semester on Year 1.

Required portfolio

The range of work in your portfolio should cover a broad spectrum of media, materials and approaches. Projects may be submitted in different disciplines including but not limited to graphics, drawing, painting, textile, photography, decorative art, design, web-design, animation.

First of all, the admission committee would like to see how you can generate and develop your ideas; that is why, besides finished projects, the portfolio should also include notebooks with sketches, sketchbooks, written works (articles, essays, if any). Please try to present examples of the best and most recent projects which reflect your creative abilities.

Your portfolio needs to be printed (А3 format or larger). Animation and CG works should be presented on CDs or memory sticks. It advisable to show photographs of large works which otherwise would be difficult to transport.

Interview procedure

Prospective students will be asked questions regarding their education and professional background in order to make a final decision about admission on to the course. Please be ready to tell the interview panel about yourself, your design experience and projects in your portfolio.

You may be asked about the history of creation of a particular work and the context of its creation. The panel may ask you about well-known designers to learn about the influence of creative activities of other designers and artists on you, the reason why you follow them and the main incentive for your development in terms of your occupation.

Cost and terms of payment

690 000 ₽ per year
Payment by installments is possible

Success stories