Profile
The Faculty of Architecture of Peter Behrens School of Arts (PBSA) at HSD offers a combined bachelor’s programme and three specialised master’s programmes in architecture, interior architecture and civic design. The master’s programme in interior architecture focuses on interior design – including e.g. furniture and lighting design, how to breathe new life into existing buildings, spatial communication as well as strategic and social spaces.
Work on theoretical, practical and experimental design exer cises is at the centre of the programme. Beginning in semes ter 1, you explore the general understanding of the interrela tions between interior architecture, architecture, urban design and theory in the context of a curated interior design project. Following this integrative approach, all students work on a common topic simultaneously in different design studios. Fur ther contents of semester 1 include furniture, products, materi als and digital production methods. In semester 2, the focus of the design exercises shifts to include either lighting design or technical construction of interior finishings as well as graphic analysis or digital spatial development. The design studios are accompanied by related subject-specific seminars. In addition, you can choose a design studio supervised by an international visiting professor in semesters 2–3. Or you can spend a semes ter at a partner university abroad.
Semesters 3–4 offer various elective options for individual spe cialisation in design and theory. Topics can include e.g. spatial contexts, spatial communication, social spaces and spatial strategies. The pre-thesis in semester 3 serves to prepare the contents of the thesis. At the end of your studies, you present your final thesis including a design and written work.
Please note: The usual language of instruction is German. In many courses, English is available on demand.
Career Options
With the completion of the master’s programme in interior archi tecture and two years of professional experience, you are eligi ble to apply for registration with the chamber of architects. The degree also qualifies you for admission to higher public service. Potential professional fields include executive positions in e.g. interior architecture, heritage conservation, exhibition and trade fair design, project development, set design (film and theatre) and media design.
Syllabus
Semester 1
- Curated Interior Design with a Focus on Building Construction, Urban Design and Theory
- Furniture, Products, Materials
- Digital Production Methods for Interiors
- Compulsory Elective Module (choose one): Design Theory and Methodology | History and Development of Heritage Conservation | Advanced Architectural Theory
Semester 2
- Interior Design Studio with an Integrated Focus on:
– Lighting Design or Technical Construction of Interior Finishings
– Graphic Analysis or Digital Spatial Development - Lighting Design
- Interior Finishings and Construction
- Technical Construction of Interior Finishings
- Compulsory Elective Module (choose one): Advanced Theory of Design | Graphic Analysis and Communication | Digital Spatial Development and Multimedia
Semester 3
- Interior Design Studio: Individual Focus
- Compulsory Elective Modules (choose two): Spatial Contexts | Social Spaces | Spatial Strategies
- Compulsory Elective Modules (choose two): German Planning and Building Laws and Regulations | Advanced Construction Management | Business Start-Ups and Management | Copyright and Protection of Designs
- Pre-Thesis
Semester 4
- Master’s Thesis
- Compulsory Elective Module (choose one): Advanced Architectural History | Advanced Art History | Theory and Spatial Aesthetics | Sociology of the Built Environment
During semesters 1–4:
1x Intra Muros: Project Week (each winter semester)
1x Extra Muros: Excursion (each summer semester)
1x Lecture Series (Faculties of Architecture and Design
