Courses and classes

The profession of interior architect has, in recent years, changed a great deal and gained in importance. Architects and interior architects are becoming more and more complementary and working increasingly together.

Some interior architects now also design furniture and objects, which is quite a recent development. They have become interior designers in the broader sense.

Their role is to organize and transform public, commercial and private spaces. They also design furniture, objects, lighting systems, fabrics used in signs, exhibitions, sets for theatres, films or commercials, as well as scale models and/or computer images.

A shrewd observer with an inquisitive, synthetic mind, the INTERIOR ARCHITECT/DESIGNER is also a creator. He or she manages the other professionals involved in the project, from suppliers to subcontractors, oversees prices and deadlines and is generally responsible for the smooth unfolding of the works.

Note that the terms INTERIOR DESIGN and PRODUCT DESIGN are increasingly used across Europe.

At C.A.D., the interior architecture and design workshops are run by architects, interior architects and designers, all of whom have active careers of their own.

At C.A.D., students in interior architecture are expected to get involved in the practical side of things. The school helps them to become aware of their creative potential by involving them in projects such as they are later likely to encounter as professionals.

Theoretical and technical concepts are broached gradually with each new theme. At the end of their fourth year, students have acquired the necessary skills to design theatres, exhibition stands, shops, office spaces, apartments, etc. - as well as furniture.

As part of their final year, students undertake a 6-month internship (or 2 x 3 months) in one or two firms specializing in architecture, interior architecture or design. Meanwhile, they attend a series of classes organized as modules.

In the second and third terms, students complete two final projects, one in interior architecture, and the other in design. These are presented to a jury of professionals who then decide whether to grant them the C.A.D. degree.

The Annick Buchet Prize rewards outstanding achievements completed in the fields of furniture and design by interior architecture students.

1 st year

Introductory course

• Study of shapes
• Drawing
• Observation drawing
• The creative process: sources and resources
• Artistic culture
• Art history
• English
• Interior architecture workshop
• Design workshop
• Drawing
• Architecture drawing
• Photo
• Colors and materials
• Building technology

2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th years

• Interior architecture workshop
• Design workshop
• Building equipment
• Perspective in the project
• Architecture, furniture and design history
• Drawing and color reproduction workshop
• Study of materials
• C.A.D. (computer-assisted design)
• Artistic culture
• + various classes on color, stage-setting, feng-shui, displays and visits to shops

5 th /Special year

 

• Seminars
• Professional ethics
• Project management
• Accounting basics
• Professional and social insurance
• Law basics (contracts)

At the end of their Special year, students present a design project and an interior architecture project to a jury of outside professionals. C.A.D. degrees are granted by the jury.

Internships

1 st year

• three 3-day internships in a finishing company

2 nd year

• 2 weeks in a general contracting or finishing firm during the Easter break
• 4 weeks in an architecture or interior architecture firm during the summer break

3 rd year

• 3 weeks in an architecture or interior architecture firm during the Easter break (when not done in the 2 nd year during the summer break)
• 4 weeks in a consultancy firm specializing in design, theatre design, stand design, signs, etc, during the summer break

4 th year

• 3 weeks in a firm of the student's choice during the Easter break. Students will choose a firm in line with their future career plans.

5 th /Special year

• 6 months in an architecture, interior architecture or design firm from July, after the 4 th -year exams. This internship can take place abroad and be divided into 2 x 3 months.

Note that many students choose to travel abroad for all or part of their final-year placement, as part of the Erasmus program.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Admissions

Applicants are selected by interview. The aim is to place on an equal footing students who have studied art at school and those who haven't.

Students must be aged 18 or more and hold a secondary education degree or Baccalauréat.

Exceptionally, the board of directors will admit students who have failed their final-year secondary school exams. These will be expected to retake their exams and obtain their degree while studying at C.A.D.

Registration

Registration fees at C.A.D. cost 300 euros and must be paid at registration. They cover administrative and insurance costs (students are covered on the school premises, on their way to and from the school and during activities organized by the school).

College fees

College fees are 5,700 euros per year and must be paid at registration.

Students who register before June 30 can pay in two installments: one half at registration and the other half by September 15.

College fees can also be paid in three installments (subject to approval). The total cost is 6,000 (3 x 2,000): the first installment is due at registration and the other two on 15/12 and 15/3.

Exceptionally, students can pay in six installments (subject to approval). The total cost is 6,600 euros (6 x 1,100 euros payable by standing order guaranteed by a bank). The first installment must be paid at registration, and each successive one on 31/10, 15/12, 31/1, 15/3 and 30/4.

Notes:

• College fees remain as announced at the time of registration for the three- or four-year duration of the course (except for students who repeat their first year). Should inflation exceed 5 % per year, however, registration and college fees would be indexed.
• Once registered, students are liable for the college fees, whatever happens. These will not be refunded should the student drop out from the course.
• Students who pass their exams in the first session must pay the registration fees and half the schooling fees of the following year by July 15. The second half must be paid by September 15. Students who have applied for and obtained a three- or six-installment payment option should pay by the dates mentioned above.
• Students who have to re-sit their exams will be informed whether they passed by September 10. They will then have to pay the registration fees and full college fees by September 15. Those who applied for and obtained a three- or six-installment payment option should pay by the dates mentioned above.
  
  

Certificates

C.A.D. fills in forms and certificates for family allowances, public transport season cards, etc.

Term start

Classes begin in late September and early October. A two-week preparatory course is organized before term start for interior architecture students with no prior artistic training.