Academic Catalog 2019–2020

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Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Interior Architecture is a professional program that offers students a comprehensive education. The program may be completed in four academic years, including summer modules, after the freshman year. Students enrolled in this program start with the common foundation year. 

Similar to the BFA in Interior Design, the program focuses on both the theoretical and practical aspects of the profession , which are introduced in the foundation year and then further developed during the following three years.

In addition to the BFA program, the BA in Interior Architecture includes a set of professional courses and electives, that give the students further exposure to the professional aspects of the discipline.  

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Arts Interior Architecture is to give students a comprehensive education based on a humanistic approach to the discipline. The program prepares students to assume their roles as interior architects upon graduation and/or to pursue graduate studies in interior architecture and other related fields.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture is to:

  1. offer students who successfully complete the program the degree of Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture,
  2. provide a platform for graduate specializations in furniture design, product design, interior design, industrial design, fashion design, and other fields in design,
  3. give students a broad base of theoretical knowledge and the necessary practical skills,
  4. assert the role of the interior architect as a synthesizer of the different factors which affect the built environment, and
  5. expose students to the current issues in theory and practice and to the latest technology in the field.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture will be able to

  1. practice interior architecture in various contexts and cultures,
  2. think critically and execute problem solving strategies,
  3. identify design issues, conduct research, and provide solutions,
  4. design and execute projects relating to interior architecture, renovation, restoration and other related projects,
  5. deal, with flexibility, with a large scope of interior design problems and understand different materials and technologies, as well as space planning, furniture design, and other interior design specific tasks,
  6. deal innovatively with projects of different type and scale,
  7. elaborate projects with innovative structural systems, detailing, and material,
  8. engage in critical thinking and problem solving,
  9. operate in a multi-disciplinary environment, and
  10. serve the community in both public and private organizations.

Curriculum

A total of 139 credits are required to graduate, after Freshman Year [or the equivalent Lebanese Baccalaureate Part II], distributed as follows:

  • Foundation Requirements (25 credits)
  • Program Core Requirements (72 credits)
  • History and Theory Elective (3 credits)
  • Professional Electives (9 credits)
  • Art Electives (6 credits)
  • LAS Core Requirements (6 credits)
  • LAS Electives (18 credits)

A senior project is required for all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Foundation Requirements (25 credits)

Program Core Requirements (72 credits)

History and Theory Elective (3 credits)

  • ARCH442 Modern Architecture in Lebanon (3 cr.)
  • ARCH443 Architecture in the Middle East (3 cr.)
  • ART431 Modern Art (3 cr.)
  • IAA375 Introduction to Islamic Art (650-1650) (3 cr.)
  • IAA376 Introduction to Islamic Architecture (650-1650) (3 cr.)
  • INAR471 Modern Interiors (3 cr.)
  • IAA481 Contemporary Art in Islamic World (3 cr.)
  • IAA482 Islamic Art and Architecture in the Age of Empires (3 cr.)
  • IAA491 Special Topics in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA741 Byzantine and Early Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA742 Ayyubid and Mamluk Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA744 Ornament in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA745 Calligraphy in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA746 Geometry in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)

Professional Electives (9 credits)

  • ARCH442 Modern Architecture in Lebanon (3 cr.)
  • ARCH443 Architecture in the Middle East (3 cr.)
  • ART431 Modern Art (3 cr.)
  • IAA375 Introduction to Islamic Art (650-1650) (3 cr.)
  • IAA376 Introduction to Islamic Architecture (650-1650) (3 cr.)
  • IAA481 Contemporary Art in Islamic World (3 cr.)
  • IAA482 Islamic Art and Architecture in the Age of Empires (3 cr.)
  • IAA491 Special Topics in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA595 International Studio – IAA (3 cr.)
  • IAA741 Byzantine and Early Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA742 Ayyubid and Mamluk Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA744 Ornament in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA745 Calligraphy in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • IAA746 Geometry in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
  • INAR441 Lighting Design (3 cr.)
  • INAR442 Textiles for Interiors (3 cr.)
  • INAR443 Stage Design (3 cr.)
  • INAR471 Modern Interiors (3 cr.)
  • INAR591 International Studio (3 cr.)

Art Electives (6 credits)

LAS Requirements (24 credits)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (13 credits)

  • FND202 Drawing for Foundation (3 cr.) OR FND201 Photography for Foundation (3 cr.)
  • FND231 Design Studio IA (3 cr.)
  • FND232 Design Studio IB (3 cr.)
  • FND235 Shop Techniques (1 cr.)
  • FND251 Digital Media (3 cr.) OR FND281 Design Culture (3 cr.)

Spring (16 credits)

  • FND202 Drawing for Foundation (3 cr.) OR FND201 Photography for Foundation (3 cr.)
  • FND236 Design Studio II (6 cr.)
  • FND251 Digital Media (3 cr.) OR FND281 Design Culture (3 cr.)
  • INAR201 Architectural Drawing (3 cr.)
  • LAS (1 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

  • LAS (3 cr.)
  • LAS (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (16 credits)

  • INAR331 Design Studio III (5 cr.)
  • INAR351 Digital Drawing (3 cr.)
  • INAR371 History of Architecture I (3 cr.)
  • INAR361 Theory I (2 cr.)
  • LAS (3 cr.)

Spring (17 credits)

  • INAR332 Design Studio IV (5 cr.)
  • INAR352 Digital Modelling (3 cr.)
  • INAR372 History of Architecture II (3 cr.)
  • INAR421 Design Technology I (3 cr.)
  • Art Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (9 credits)

  • LAS (3 cr.)
  • LAS (3 cr.)
  • LAS (3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (17 credits)

  • INAR431 Design Studio V (5 cr.)
  • INAR423 Environmental Systems (3 cr.)
  • INAR422 Design Technology II (3 cr.)
  • Professional Elective (3 cr.)
  • Art Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (12 credits)

  • INAR432 Design Studio VI (5 cr.)
  • INAR481 Construction Documents (4 cr.)
  • History/Theory Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (7 credits)

  • INAR501 Internship (4 cr.)
  • Professional Elective (3 cr.)

Year Four

Fall (13 credits)

  • INAR531 Design Studio VII (6 cr.)
  • INAR541 Furniture Design (3 cr.)
  • INAR581 Professional Practice (3 cr.)
  • LAS (1 cr.)

Spring (13 credits)

  • INAR532 Design Studio VIII (6 cr.)
  • Professional Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS (1 cr.)
  • LAS (3 cr.)