IR2048

Faculty: Amal Shah

TA: Dhvani Kanuga

Ecosystem of Materials

This studio project is intended to allow interior design students to design a material library. The project will emphasise construction drawings and prototyping, allowing students to develop their skills in this area while gaining a deeper understanding of the properties of various materials. The project will last sixteen weeks and consist of multiple activities designed to challenge and engage students.
The material library project will be divided into two major components. Research and design will comprise the first phase, while construction drawings and prototyping will include the second phase.
The project’s first phase will involve material and property research. Students will be encouraged to investigate various materials and consider how they could be applied. They will then be required to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing design for a material library. The design should consider the needs of the user, the limitations of the available space, and the materials that will be employed.
The project’s second phase will require students to create construction drawings and a design prototype. It will require making detailed plans, elevations, sections, and details. In addition, students will be required to create a scale model of their design to test its functionality and evaluate its aesthetic qualities.

Studio Unit

The Studio focused on developing and designing a Material Library for Interior Design students while emphasising construction drawings and prototyping to develop their skills in this area while gaining a deeper understanding of the properties of various materials. Through the investigation of various materials, their properties, and applications in an interior space, the process focused on generating a space that catered to both the user’s needs and the aesthetic requirements set forth. The project ran for 16 weeks and involved various activities to challenge and engage students.

Micro interior architecture was an approach that focused on the meticulous aspects of internal environments. This field investigated the interplay between frames and surfaces to provide distinctive spatial experiences, focusing on tectonics, materiality, and structure. This study explored the intricate artistry and design principles that converted little components into noteworthy spatial aspects, enriching interior spaces’ visual appeal and practicality.

Students analysed and applied space planning principles to design a functional and user-friendly material library. Through space planning and layout exercises, students learned how to interpret the requirements of a material library space and applied principles of space planning to design a functional and user-friendly environment. They developed skills in spatial analysis, furniture placement, traffic flow, and other interior design elements that contributed to a well-designed space.

Construction and assembly are integral aspects of the building process, encompassing the integration of various materials and methodologies to establish resilient structures. This approach emphasised accuracy and productivity principles by incorporating novel and conventional methods. This approach also involved strategising, conceptualising, and implementing model-making tasks to satisfy aesthetic, functional, and conceptual criteria.

The fundamental aspect of establishing cohesive and practical spaces lies in utilising interior design elements and their associated techniques for detailing. This particular facet of design emphasised the careful selection, coordination, and precise attention to detail of diverse elements such as colour, texture, lighting, and furniture. The concept underscores the importance of harmonising visual appeal with functionality, ensuring that every component harmonises with the overarching motif while catering to the unique requirements and preferences of the area and its inhabitants.