Courses and classes

The profession of interior architect has, in recent years, changed a great deal and gained in importance. Architects and interior architects are becoming more and more complementary and working increasingly together.

Some interior architects now also design furniture and objects, which is quite a recent development. They have become interior designers in the broader sense.

Their role is to organize and transform public, commercial and private spaces. They also design furniture, objects, lighting systems, fabrics used in signs, exhibitions, sets for theatres, films or commercials, as well as scale models and/or computer images.

A shrewd observer with an inquisitive, synthetic mind, the INTERIOR ARCHITECT/DESIGNER is also a creator. He or she manages the other professionals involved in the project, from suppliers to subcontractors, oversees prices and deadlines and is generally responsible for the smooth unfolding of the works.

Note that the terms INTERIOR DESIGN and PRODUCT DESIGN are increasingly used across Europe.

5 years = 300 ECTS Credit points

At C.A.D., the interior architecture and design workshops are run by architects, interior architects and designers, all of whom have active careers of their own.

At C.A.D., students in interior architecture are expected to get involved in the practical side of things. The school helps them to become aware of their creative potential by involving them in projects such as they are later likely to encounter as professionals.

Theoretical and technical concepts are broached gradually with each new theme. At the end of their fourth year, students have acquired the necessary skills to design theatres, exhibition stands, shops, office spaces, apartments, etc.

He also designs along the entire cursus in the C.A.D., objects and different sorts of furniture.

He becomes a real designer.

 

As part of their final year, students undertake a 6-month internship (or 2 x 3 months) in one or two firms specializing in architecture, interior architecture or design. Meanwhile, they attend a series of classes organized as modules.

In the second and third terms, students complete two final projects, one in interior architecture, and the other in design. These are presented to a jury of professionals who then decide whether to grant them the C.A.D. degree.

The Annick Buchet Prize rewards outstanding achievements completed in the fields of furniture and design by interior architecture students.

1st year

Introductory course

• Study of shapes
• Drawing
• Observation drawing
• The creative process: sources and resources
• Artistic culture
• Art history
• English
• Interior architecture workshop
• Design workshop
• Drawing
• Architecture drawing
• Photo
• Colors and materials
• Building technology

2nd , 3rd and 4th years

• Interior architecture workshop
• Design workshop
• Building equipment
• Perspective in the project
• Architecture, furniture and design history
• Drawing and color reproduction workshop
• Study of materials
• C.A.D. (computer-assisted design)
• Artistic culture
• + various classes on color, stage-setting, feng-shui, displays and visits to shops

5th or Special year

• Seminars
• Professional ethics
• Project management
• Accounting basics
• Professional and social insurance
• Law basics (contracts)

At the end of their Special year, students present a design project and an interior architecture project to a jury of outside professionals. C.A.D. degrees are granted by the jury.

Internships

1st year

• three 3-day internships in a finishing company

2nd year

• 2 weeks in a general contracting or finishing firm during the Easter break
• 4 weeks in an architecture or interior architecture firm during the summer break

3rd year

• 3 weeks in an architecture or interior architecture firm during the Easter break (when not done in the 2 nd year during the summer break)
• 10 weeks in a consultancy firm specializing in design, theatre design, stand design, signs, etc, during the summer break (until end of October).

4th year

• 3 weeks in a firm of the student's choice during the Easter break. Students will choose a firm in line with their future career plans.

5th or Special year

• 6 months in an architecture, interior architecture or design firm from July, after the 4 th -year exams. This internship can take place abroad and be divided into 2 x 3 months.

Note that many students choose to travel abroad for all or part of their final-year placement, as part of the Erasmus program.