Interior architecture and design is a collaborative discipline and our resources extend and support a myriad of opportunities.

Graduate Thesis

The curriculum is organized so that students are exposed to global, social, cultural, economic and ecological contexts throughout their education. The studio sequence is structured to increase in complexity, scale, and detail, thereby developing creative and practical skills, and professional level thinking. The coursework culminates in a three-term guided thesis project. Initially students work to identify a topic of interest and prepare a detailed literature review and case study analysis. During the second term students are paired with an adviser and work to identify a site and develop a program before beginning schematic design. In the final term students develop the design and prepare presentation drawings in addition to an archival thesis book. For an archive of digital thesis projects, please visit www.drexelinteriors.work

Study Abroad

Few experiences are more influential in the development of the aspiring designer than studying abroad. For many years, the faculty of the Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism have developed study tours that are affordable, extensive and intensive. We don’t just visit sites, we study them in depth to discover exactly what makes a successful design. The trips generally last about two weeks and are usually scheduled for early September between the summer and fall terms. The destinations are chosen for the richness of their architecture, interior and urban designs, both historic and modern. Past tours have included: Korea and Japan with stops in Seoul, Kyoto and Tokyo; Florence, Italy; Rome, Italy; Barcelona & Valencia, Spain; Amsterdam & Rotterdam in the Netherlands; and Berlin, Germany. Our study tours are not vacations but life-changing experiences—you will work hard but the rewards will be immeasurable!

The Department also offers arrangements with other educational institutions for longer study abroad opportunities. We typically send 3-4 Interior Architecture students each summer to Copenhagen through the DIS program to study furniture design and interior architecture.

• Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism Study Abroad Tours
• DIS Study Abroad Program
• Drexel University Study Abroad Programs

Design Charrettes

Since 2008, the Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism has organized an annual interdisciplinary design Charrette. Drexel students from all majors and departments can participate, be part of a design team, and contribute their expertise and unique point of view. The charrettes typically draw 50 to 100 students and require three to four days of intense, creative brainstorming and collaborative design.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are in demand and employed in a wide range of practices including boutique interior design and large multi-disciplinary firms; facilities management services; as manufacturer's representatives in the furniture and textile industries; and in government agencies and non-profit organizations. Our alumni are principles of their own firms, designers and project managers at major architectural and design firms, facilities managers, and leaders in a number of related industry areas. Most students receive employment offers from prestigious firms before graduation and many hold managerial positions within five years. Graduates are or have been employed in prominent firms such as Rockwell Group, AvroKO, HOK, Jacobs, Stantec, Nelson Worldwide, Blackney-Hayes, Deborah Blair, FAR Studio, Gensler, Perkins + Will, SOM, Loews Hotels and Leo Daly.