Deadline for applications: January 31, 2014
Piet Zwart Institute
Master Interior Architecture & Retail Design
P.O. Box 1272
3000 BG Rotterdam, the Netherlands
The Master of Interior Architecture & Retail Design (MIARD) at the Piet Zwart Institute is an international postgraduate programme that is part of the Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam University. The programme is full-time and structured over two years.
At MIARD, we view the production of the interior as a multidisciplinary practice. Our programme is motivated by a design-research methodology that views interior architecture as an applied synthesis—integrating critical design practice, history, theory and technical skills through both digital and analogue means, specialized modules and self-directed research on the basis of a ‘bottom-up’ strategy towards learning and innovation. We investigate making as a research and design process by mixing parameters, such as strategies and systems, techniques and tools, materials and technology, as well as other relevant and unexpected programmatic and cultural issues. As the practice of interior architecture continues to mature, we examine its performance and potential in the build environment at various scales and conditions to shape and advance the future of cities, neighborhoods, buildings and their spaces, and for the communities and people that live in them.
Our students are trained to excel as a new generation of designers. Projects are researched in a dynamic atelier setting with highly equipped facilities working together with a diverse faculty of established architects, interior architects, designers, scholars and other specialists. Entrepreneurial practice and networking is encouraged throughout the programme to support and launch a student’s design career. Intrinsic to this Masters is a specialisation in Retail Design.
Based in Rotterdam, a dynamic European capital of architecture and design, we plan projects directly with and for the city and local affiliations, as well as actively participate at well-known international design platforms. We offer public events in the form of lectures, exhibitions, field excursions, and interdisciplinary workshops. Our students have access to extensive university and outside resources, fostering collaborative opportunities with specialists from peripheral disciplines.
Core teaching staff, visiting tutors and guest lecturers:
Ruth Baumeister, Bart de Beer, Herman van Bergeijk, Jan Boelen, Sander Boer, Silvio Carta, Amélia Desnoyers, Bob Dinwiddy, Gabriella Fiorentini, Nuno Fontarra, Ulf Hackauf, Deborah Hauptman, Kai van Hasselt, Lisa Hassanzade, MarkDavid Hosale, Jos de Krieger, Maartje Lammers, Edwin Larkens, Sang Lee, Marta Male-Alemany, Michiel van Malenstein, Ilaria Mazzoleni, Lutz Mürau, Cristina Murphy, Yukiko Nezu, Mauro Parravicini, Brian Peters, Frank Schoeman, Gerrit Schilder, Tanja Smeets, Catherine Somze, Alex Suarez, Eline Strijkers, Aynav Ziv, Cristina Murphy, Mauro Parravicini, Frank Schoeman, Eline Strijkers, Robert Thiemann, Füsun Türetken, UXUS, Thomas Vailly, Dries Verbruggen, Francesco Veenstra, Robbert de Vrieze, Petar Zaklanovic
Thematic design projects:
Over the course of two years, students will take four Thematic Design Projects that are the core of the curriculum. These projects explore and open up themes relevant to the field of interior architecture and other related and contemporary forms of design practice. One of four of these main design projects will be dedicated to the specialisation of Retail Design.
Thematic Design Projects are lead by either a core tutor, a team of core tutors, and/or guest tutors, who come from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. Whether an architect, designer, interior designer, artist or retail expert these specialists offer advanced insights into contemporary design practices and issues relevant to the professional field.
The Thematic Design Project structure offers students a framework for reflection, discussion, joint research and production. In other words, the particular selected theme serves as a matrix for exploring and scrutinizing specific interior and built environment practices and broader design challenges. This module aims to develop the students’ understanding of their work in relation to others in the professional field and to help them define their design practice/profile within a broader cultural, technical and social context.
Complementary courses, public events, excursions and guest lectures are integrated with the design projects each trimester to provide historical, theoretical, technical, material and industry knowledge, skills and expertise.
Some links:
Facebook / Altered Appliances / Fabrikaat
