New Interior Architecture Students

Congratulations on being admitted to the School of Architecture & Environment!

My name is Esther Hagenlocher, and I am the department head of Interior Architecture. On behalf of the interior architecture faculty, alumni, and students, I am excited to welcome you to one of the oldest and premier interior architecture programs in the United States. You are about to start an incredible journey to become a strong designer and leader in the interior architecture industry. Our interior architecture program will teach you highly creative problem-solving skills while addressing some of our planet’s complex issues. While you are considering becoming a new Duck, I would like to give you a few highlights of the interior architecture program that may help you decide.

The Interior Architecture program has a strong design-centered and collaborative curriculum. Design studios are central to investigating design problems and exploring comprehensive design solutions through real-world scenarios. Typically, you will work with actual building sites where students visit and conduct hands-on building surveys. You will also have many opportunities to interact with actual clients. You will hone your design skills in each studio by repeating those problem-solving skills learned in previous studios. Our non-competitive, pass/no-pass grading system and peer-to-peer learning environment will foster creative design explorations that enhance your creative design skills. Many alums and design professionals indicate that our graduates are well prepared for professions in the architectural design industry.

We have a solid making culture, and one of our most popular studios is the Furniture Design Studio, where each student builds an actual furniture piece and learns about furniture prototyping technologies and techniques. We have an outstanding woodshop and digital fabrication lab for your furniture studio. Besides your 24/7 dedicated desk in each studio, you will enjoy our exceptional facilities to assist your studies and design education. This includes our three-story Design Library, the Material Resource Center, the Baker Lighting Lab, three computer labs, and a computer output room for printing.

Responsible and human-centered design is a strong nature of our program. The interior architecture program is dedicated to recognizing designers’ accountability for their impact on environmental, social, and cultural systems. Interior studios are the primary means of integrating all design issues (e.g., cultural, social, behavioral, environmental, contextual, technological, theoretical, economic, political, and professional), resulting in meaningful design achievements. The responsible design issues are incorporated throughout the interior architecture courses and studios. You will have ample opportunities to participate in many activities, events, and guest lectures.

I could say so much more, but you can find additional information on our website. We have a great design culture, and you will find that faculty members and students are very supportive. Please join our great community. Congratulations again!

Esther Hagenlocher, Department Head, Interior Architecture