MDes Interior Studies Adaptive Reuse (2yr)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Rhode Island School of Design

Program Overview

The MDes in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse at Rhode Island School of Design focuses on transforming existing buildings and spaces through innovative interior interventions and sustainable design strategies. The two-year, 75-credit program is ideal for students interested in adaptive reuse, architectural preservation, spatial transformation, and environmentally responsible design, combining creative studio practice, technical knowledge, historical research, and advanced design development.

Curriculum Structure

Preliminary Summer – Design Foundations: Students develop essential design and representation skills through Intro to Design Studio I: Spatial Investigation/Drawing & Making, Existing Construct, and Transformation and Intervention. They explore spatial analysis, existing building conditions, and creative approaches to transforming interior environments.

Year 1 – Interior Design and Technical Development: Students advance through Intro to Design Studio II, Advanced Design Studio, Structures and Materials for Adaptive Reuse, and History of Adaptive Reuse. They also study energy systems, drawing and computing tectonics, interiority, spatial perception, light, and colour.

Year 2 – Research and Thesis: Students develop independent research through Design Thesis Preparation, Advanced Design Studio, Human Factors: Ergonomics and Acoustics, and Codes and Details. They complete Design Thesis Studio, producing an original adaptive reuse proposal that integrates research, design development, technical considerations, and environmental responsibility.

Note: The program requires 75 credits, including nine preliminary summer credits, graduate studios, technical coursework, electives, and a final design thesis.

Focus Areas

Adaptive reuse, interior architecture, sustainable design, historic preservation, spatial transformation, architectural materials, lighting and colour, building systems, human factors, design research.

Learning Outcomes

Existing building assessment, adaptive reuse strategies, spatial design development, sustainable design integration, material and structural analysis, lighting and colour application, building code knowledge, ergonomic design, research methodology, professional design communication.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is not presented as a professional architecture licensure degree. However, RISD confirms that graduates qualify to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Examination, subject to applicable examination requirements.

Reputation (Employability & Recognition)

RISD is internationally recognized for its art and design education. Students benefit from interdisciplinary learning, advanced design studios, faculty mentorship, and access to the RISD Museum and its extensive design resources. The university does not publish a specific employment rate or employability ranking for this program.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

RISD emphasizes hands-on studio education, design experimentation and practical research. Students work with existing buildings and develop proposals for their transformation, combining manual and digital design methods with material exploration and technical investigation. The program's degree project includes research, theoretical study and studio development, with each student selecting an existing structure in Providence as the focus of their design intervention. Students also present their work through RISD's annual graduate thesis exhibition.

Program-specific practical opportunities:

Design Studios: Develop adaptive reuse proposals through individual studio projects, exploring the transformation of existing buildings and interior spaces.
Digital Design and Drawing: Use digital and manual methods for design research, architectural representation, drawing and modelling.
Woodworking and 3D Model Making: Access the fully equipped wood shop and 3D model-making facility in the Center for Integrative Technologies (CIT).
Advanced Fabrication: Use shared technology resources, including CNC machines, laser cutters and rapid prototyping machines.
Large-format Printing: Access dedicated studio large-format printers and plotters for design presentations and project documentation.
Thesis Project: Conduct independent design research and develop a comprehensive final project addressing the transformation of an existing structure in Providence.
Group Assignments: The Energy and Systems course includes individual and group assignments requiring students to use departmental shops and computers.
Graduate Thesis Exhibition: Present completed design projects through RISD's annual graduate thesis exhibition.

Additional facilities and resources:

Center for Integrative Technologies: Provides specialist studio and fabrication facilities for design exploration.
Fleet Library: Offers more than 150,000 circulating books, architectural publications, design resources and a Materials Resource Center.
RISD Museum: Provides access to extensive art, design and decorative arts collections for creative and historical research.
Makerspace @ Fletcher: Provides access to maker tools and software for experimentation and prototyping.
Academic Laptop Program: Graduate students must purchase the department-specified laptop and associated hardware and software.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of RISD's MDes in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse can pursue careers in interior architecture, adaptive reuse, sustainable building design and architectural conservation. The program develops advanced design, research and technical capabilities, preparing graduates to transform existing buildings into functional, sustainable and visually engaging environments while collaborating with professionals across related design disciplines.

Career Opportunities:

Interior Architect
Adaptive Reuse Design Consultant
Sustainable Interior Design Specialist
Architectural Conservation Consultant

University Career Services:

RISD Career Center: Provides individual career advising, professional development and guidance for students and alumni.
Portfolio Development: Offers portfolio reviews and support with resumes, cover letters and professional presentations.
ArtWorks Platform: Provides access to internship opportunities, job listings, freelance work and creative industry opportunities.

Employment Statistics and Salary Figures: RISD does not publish a specific employment rate, graduate placement percentage or median salary for the MDes Adaptive Reuse program on its official degree page. Therefore, program-specific salary figures cannot be confirmed.

University–Industry Connections:

Design and Architecture Community: Students engage with professionals and faculty working across architecture, conservation and interior design.
Professional Internships: RISD's Career Center connects students with employers offering internships in creative and design-related industries.
Industry Networking: Internship Connect, portfolio reviews and employer events provide opportunities to interact with organizations and potential recruiters.

Long-term Accreditation Value: Graduates qualify to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination, subject to the applicable examination and eligibility requirements. This provides a professional qualification pathway in interior design. However, the MDes does not independently qualify graduates for professional architectural licensure.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop the ability to evaluate existing structures, formulate original design concepts, prepare research-led design proposals and collaborate with architects, consultants and other design professionals. The degree project also provides students with a substantial body of work to demonstrate their design capabilities to prospective employers.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates interested in advanced research, academic teaching or specialist design investigation can pursue doctoral studies in architecture, interior architecture, sustainable design, architectural history or related built-environment disciplines. They may also explore research-based postgraduate opportunities in conservation, urban studies and environmental design, depending on the university's admission requirements and research focus.