“People ignore design that ignores people.” — Frank Chimero

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the La Roche University Interior Architecture & Design Program is to prepare students to perform as design professionals in our global society with a life-long desire to be at the forefront of the profession. Students are encouraged to become early adopters of current technology while harnessing their own voice through the incorporation of hand sketching and design thinking. This in turn will give students the confidence to be advocates for design excellence and promote the importance of interior design to society.

WHAT DOES AN INTERIOR DESIGNER DO?

Interior designers are creative problem solvers. They use their knowledge of human behavior and technical skills to create innovative design solutions for spaces such as restaurants, retail stores, schools, museums, offices and places of worship. We experience these interior spaces every day, spending hours working in them or relaxing in their comfortable surroundings after a busy day. Interior designers are responsible for creating spaces that are functional, safe, aesthetically pleasing and most importantly, enhance the quality of life for the people using the spaces.

Hundreds of students have earned their interior design degree at La Roche University, since the degreed program was initiated in 1976. These talented interior design professionals are living and working all over the country and remain committed to our interior design program. The design graduates living in the Pittsburgh area provide strong alumni support, offering both internships and employment opportunities in the firms where they work, including DRS Associates, Stantec, The Design Alliance, Astorino, Desmone & Associates, Franklin Interiors, Workscape, KMA & Associates, Radelet, McCarthy & Polletta, Kolano Design, OM Workspace and many others.

ADVISORY BOARD

The Design Advisory Board, established in 2003, is comprised of local interior designers, architects and other industry-related professionals, who support our program. The Design Dialogue Speakers Series is an annual event sponsored by the board. This series brings an internationally known designer to Pittsburgh each fall to speak to the professional design community and students at an evening event in downtown Pittsburgh. The following day, the designer meets on campus with Interior Design and Graphic Design students for an informal discussion.

The Board also awards two annual scholarships to Interior Architecture & Design students. One is presented at the Design Dialogue Series event and the IDEA (Interior Design Educational Achievement) award is presented to the outstanding graduating senior at the Senior Portfolio Show in the spring.

Other professionals, often La Roche University alumni, act as mentors for senior Interior Architecture & Design students during the final academic year; serve as jurors for student design presentations; or share their expertise as guest speakers in design lecture classes.

CURRICULUM

Our broad-based curriculum prepares students to solve problems and create innovative, functional, and aesthetically pleasing solutions for many types of residential and commercial spaces. Interior Architecture & Design is a multi-faceted profession, constantly changing, and our curriculum recognizes the importance of preparing our students to meet new design challenges. The curriculum is routinely evaluated to guarantee that all courses offer the educational preparation necessary for graduating interior designers. Changes in the profession often necessitate changes in curriculum, such as including more emphasis on the most current building and safety codes, environmental sustainability, and advancements in technical skills.

Freshman Review and Sophomore Review
While there is no initial portfolio requirement to be admitted to the Interior Architecture & Design program, students are required to present a portfolio of their design work to advance in the curriculum. Interior Architecture & Design majors submit work for both Freshman and Sophomore Reviews at two key points in their education, after they have completed specific design courses with grades of ā€œCā€ or above.

TYPICAL COURSE PROGRESSION

Freshman

  • Interior Design Graphics I
  • Interior Design I
  • Interior Design Graphics II
  • Foundation Design I
  • Foundation Design II
  • History of ID & Architecture

Sophomore

  • Drawing I
  • CAD for Interior Design
  • Interior Design II
  • History of ID & Architecture II
  • Building Tech I:
    Construction Systems
  • Architectural Rendering
  • Building Tech II:
    Finish Materials

Junior

  • Textiles for Interiors
  • Interior Design III
  • History of ID &
    Architecture III
  • Building Tech III:
    Lighting & Electric
  • Building Tech IV:
    Control Systems
  • Business Practices for ID
  • Interior Design Internship
  • Major Electives

Senior

  • Contract Documents
  • Senior Design Seminar I
  • Senior Design Seminar II
  • Major Electives

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & DESCRIPTIONS

Interior Design Major

MORE INFORMATION

Interior Design Brochure

NASAD & CIDA ACCREDITED

The interior design program leading to the BFA degree in Interior Architecture & Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The BFA degree in Interior Architecture & Design granted by La Roche University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.

The program at La Roche has been continuously accredited by CIDA since 1985, giving us the distinction of achieving and holding CIDA accreditation longer than any other Pittsburgh Interior Design program. In addition to our CIDA accreditation, La Roche University is one of only two schools in the area to be fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD).

To learn more about NASAD, please visit: http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/
To learn more about CIDA, please visit: http://accredit-id.org/
To learn more about NCIDQ, please visit: http://www.ncidq.org

Download La Roche University, BFA, Student Achievement Data