ARCHImaster

Program Information
The Department of Interior Design at the University of Manitoba has a long established reputation for excellence and leads Canada in the development of the first Master of Interior Design program.
Interior Design is uniquely placed in the Faculty of Architecture with professional Master programs in Landscape Architecture, City Planning and Architecture. The interdisciplinary nature of the faculty offers excellent opportunities for extending collaborative perspectives and theoretical understanding.
The department offers two streams within the Master of Interior Design:
A post-professional program with a research orientation for those already holding a first professional degree in Interior Design (21 credit hours)
A professional program with a focus on design, research and critical thinking (48 credit hours)
The interdisciplinary nature of the faculty enables students to draw from a wide range of expertise developing a focus specific to their area of interest.
Upon completion of the Master's course work, all students undertake a visual and/or written thesis or practicum as an independent work on an approved topic to demonstrate knowledge and skills culminating in an oral public presentation.
The research program is designed for individuals wishing to pursue a self-directed program with the opportunity for in-depth research based on a foundation of Research Methods. The research masters requires one and one half years of study for students holding a Bachelor of Interior Design or equivalent design degree.
The professional program will graduate Interior Designers qualified to work nationally and internationally at the forefront of their profession, with a skill set that includes strategic thinking, entrepreneurship, a research orientation and an ethical and environmentally responsible frame of reference. It integrates diverse knowledge both technical and theoretical through the Master's Studio. Professionalism and an understanding of contemporary practice form core curriculum. The program requires two years of study for students holding a Bachelor of Environmental Design (Interior Environment Option) degree. Applicants with other design degrees will be evaluated individually to determine entry level. Students holding a university degree from a non-design related discipline are required to successfully complete the pre-masters year. For details refer to the faculty web site: umanitoba.ca/architecture/id/
Graduates from the department are providing leadership in the Interior Design profession nationally and internationally as principles of leading design firms, heads of professional interior design organizations, cutting edge designers and professors of design education. Many maintain an association with the department through the Partners Program or serve in an advisory role.
Fields of Research
Areas of expertise in the department include: Work Environments, Aesthetics and Ethical Theory, Universal Design, Lighting and Colour, Design Education and Profession-based Research.
Research Facilities
The Faculty is housed in three buildings on the Fort Garry Campus: The John A. Russell Building, the Architecture 2 Building and the new space in the Continuing Education Division Facility. The Russell Building accommodates studios for all graduate programs plus studios for the students in ED3 Landscape Architecture Option, and Interior Environment Option. Architecture 2 building accommodates the foundation program in Environmental Design. The new facility in Continuing Education accommodates students in the ED3 Architecture option.
Architecture Fine Arts Library: The Architecture/Fine Arts Library serves the primary resource needs of all departments within the Faculty of Architecture and the School of Art. The collections of the Architecture/Fine Arts Library are currently housed in adjoining buildings. The main collection (books, journals, maps, plans, videos) and the Slide Collection are housed in the John A. Russell Building. The Product Catalogue Collection is housed in the Architecture 2 Building.
CAD Lab: Computer Laboratories, Operations and Maintenance: Two open area computer laboratories are located on the lower level of the Architecture 2 Building, along with a new media research area and a printer, plotter resource room. Adequate equipment in the form of computers, printers, plotters, projectors, monitor/VCRs are available.
Workshop: Workshop Space: A wood workshop occupies the basement level of J.A. Russell Bldg. Access to this area and the use of machines is monitored by workshop staff. An assembly room is adjacent for students and staff working on assembling components.
Master of Interior Design
Admission
Admission requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. Applicants with degrees other than Interior/Environmental Design will be required to undertake a pre-Master's year of study. Please contact the Department of Interior Design for pre-Master's information or the undergraduate calendar for Interior Environment Option.
The Department of Interior Design has additional application requirements. Contact the department for details.
Application Deadlines
International students - December 1;
Canadian/ U.S. students - February 15.
Students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department by the dates indicated.