Interior Architecture
The Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture (IA) program at KU is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, professional education that prepares graduates to be leaders in the interior architecture and design professions. Through career-focused instruction in a collaborative studio environment, students learn to create innovative, equitable, and meaningful interior environments that support the human condition and improve the ecological health of the planet. Research-driven, evidence-based, and human-centered design processes are reinforced by learning experiences that reflect the present and future practice.
With additional coursework and consistent academic performance, Interior Architecture students may complete the requirements for both a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and a Master of Architecture degree. In October 2022, the Interior Architecture Program received the CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) Candidacy status, and in November 2025, the program will be reviewed to receive full CIDA Accreditation.
The mission of the Interior Architecture program at the University of Kansas is to educate future professional leaders of interior design. Students focus on innovative, equitable, holistic, and meaningful interior environments that support the human condition and improve the ecological health of the planet. The program inspires students through research-driven, evidence-based and human-centered design processes, as well as by providing practice-based learning experiences, design-build opportunities and a global perspective.
- Inculcate IA students to become leaders in the interior design profession who promote the value of interior design in the society and become agents for social change through design.
- Provide IA students with a comprehensive undergraduate education built on methodical design processes, critical thinking and high creativity, supported by a wide range of knowledge bases and technological fluency.
- Cultivate an interdisciplinary and profession-based design education, supported by various resources within the School of Architecture & Design.
Curriculum
KU’s Interior Architecture (IA) program offers a shared experience that fosters a vibrant community of creative, rigorous, and inspiring work. Students are guided by dedicated mentors, encouraged to push boundaries, and supported as they grow both in technical skills and critical thinking.
All first-year IA students at KU complete a common sequence of courses. As they progress through the program, they gain confidence and engage in real-world and relevant design projects, solving real-world design problems. Designing projects related to topics such as housing, retail, education, hospitality, and healthcare, IA students learn work ethics and professional responsibility in their projects, understanding how interior spaces meet the needs of both the building's owner and its users.
Students meet with their academic advisors at least once each semester to stay on track for graduation and ensure proper enrollment. Along the way, they gain consistent exposure to industry professionals and new technology—preparing them to thrive as future-focused practitioners in a vital and growing career field.
Facilities and Resources
Inspiring studio spaces and advanced labs allow interior architecture students to explore and create with professional tools in a collaborative creative environment.
- The School's East Hills Design-Build Center, the world’s largest academic design-build facility, allows students to create ambitious projects at any scale.
- Material sample collections provide students with opportunities to discover and test interior finishes and building materials ranging from woods and metals, to ceramics and innovative biopolymers, textiles and more.
- The Pulse Design Group Simulation Lab is a facility unlike any other in the region. It gives students the capability to explore their own digital models in three dimensions and at human scale.
- Digital fabrication labs include CNC routers, laser cutters, robotics, and other machine-driven tools.
Career Preparation
The KU School of Architecture & Design maintains an extensive network of local and global firms, creating pathways for students to gain professional experience through industry-engaged studios, internships, and a wide range of School-sponsored programs. Career preparation is woven into every aspect of the Interior Architecture curriculum, so the journey toward professional life begins the moment students arrive on campus. KU IA faculty—both practitioners and educators—are committed to equipping graduates with the skills and experiences needed to thrive in a profession essential to the health, safety, and well-being of people everywhere.
From building custom furniture to participating in design simulations that involve real end-user feedback, KU Interior Architecture students tackle projects that reflect the challenges of professional practice. These experiences sharpen technical skills, foster creative problem-solving, and prepare graduates to thrive in dynamic design environments.
Virtual Reality Simulations
Physical Mock-Up Simulations