The degree programme focuses on how public urban spaces are designed in which social and political activities take place. How indoor and outdoor spaces interact and create collective meaning through their design, function and narratives.
The development of dramaturgical concepts for the spatial translation of stories in publicly accessible indoor and outdoor spaces, in stage design and in exhibitions, is at the centre of our scenographic spatial practice. The focus is on the examination of space, time, material, light, media and their effect on utilisation by the public.
Students deal with the design of sustainable, future-proof spaces that are closely linked to social processes, the coexistence of people and other actors as well as diversity and inclusion. These topics are jointly developed and discussed in practical, theoretical and research-based teaching units.
Bringing spaces to talk
In Interior Architecture and Scenography, you get to deal with all facets of space: with its dimensions, with the colour and material of its surfaces, with the lighting, as well as with the objects that structure its form. At the core of all considerations are human as well as non-human beings in their role as recipients and users, whom you directly address and involve through your approach and work. You analyse the functional relationships along with the communicative purposes of interior and exterior spaces, and conceptualize and plan time-limited as well as permanent changes to specific spaces. In exhibitions, you get the chance to make content-based themes spatially perceptible, cast exhibits in their right light, and underpin the dramaturgical sequences by means of sound and moving images. Within an architectural framework you create and plan spatial structures that reflect the site-specific and contemporary conditions.
Practical relevance and perspectives
Students engage in collaborations on a regular basis in order to test the actual applicability of models or plans, publicly and on a scale of 1:1. It is only when a design concept is published and implemented, either in a real exhibition, in a proposal for a specific outdoor design, in temporary lightings or pictorial projections, that the conceptual work carried out in the studio or workshop becomes verifiable. Whether it is in the realm of stage design, in exhibition design or in urban scenographies and interventions in the field of hospitality, work and corporate design, students are given the chance to engage critically with high and popular culture and participate in socially relevant discourses. The cross-disciplinary course programme equips students with a comprehensive range of skills – including new media and technologies – and prepares them for a wide scope of practical activities between architecture, interior design, scenography, and theatre.
Connecting to the theoretical discourse
Theoretical discourses interact with social discourses and changes in the design practice. In order to be able to critically contextualise and discuss your own work and position, you will be introduced to different design theory perspectives, knowledge and experiences. Through research-based teaching and learning approaches, the impressions gleaned from collaborating with various knowledge communities, local institutions and interest groups are conveyed and reflected upon in exchange.
Working in a collective
Whether during or after your studies, you will be dealing with professionals from the fields of architecture, theatre, film, fair construction, digital media and the arts, and with experts from a variety of other fields as well. Whatever the task, working as an interior architect or scenographer requires the ability to cooperate, which is why we place such emphasis on the team and communicative skills of our students and help to develop them in the course of their studies.
Interior Architecture and Scenography
Interior Architecture and scenography mutually enrich and reinforce each other. During your BA studies you are called upon to form your own impression and develop an individual approach to both fields before, according to your own skills and preferences, settling for either one or the other in the context of your BA thesis. Both disciplines deal with space from the perspective of the people who apprehend and use it. While scenography concentrates on the spatial composition and dramaturgy of timelines and narrations, interior architecture focuses on the atmospheric impact of space in due consideration of the optimization of functional and operational processes. As far as methodology is concerned all study projects are subject to the same sequence structure: from “research and analysis” to “concept and design”, and from “preliminary project” and “project” to “documentation”. The procedure reflects a combination of scenographic practice and architectural design appreciation.
Study structure
Foundation programme (1st and 2nd semester)
In the ‘Space’ and ‘Scenography’ workshops, you will explore space as a design field and try out various design methods. You will gain experience in dealing with spatial perception, atmosphere and design in context, as well as in presenting your results. You will also practice research techniques and train your argumentation skills in design practice.
In the field of theory, history and research, you will work on relevant creative, cultural and socio-political discourses and strengthen your critical thinking and acting skills through contextualisation, analysis, criticism and interpretation. As we often pursue a theory of practice, we work with applicable theories and, from the second semester onwards, in exchange with institutions in Basel.
Pre-thesis
After the foundation course, you take the pre-thesis, which tests your suitability for the main degree programme. It comprises of an individual design project as well as questions on the theoretical content of the first year of study.
Main study programme (3rd to 6th semester)
In practical projects, you will apply the knowledge you acquired in the foundation course and design interior and exterior spaces, exhibitions and stage sets. You will work on analysing, conceptualising, planning and documenting your projects, with selected designs also being presented to the public. You will choose one of two assignments per semester and deepen your knowledge in supplementary workshops.
Bachelor Thesis
The programme concludes with the theoretical and practical Bachelor's thesis. You apply the knowledge you have acquired during your studies. The thesis is presented to a jury, and successful completion of the programme leads to the title ‘Bachelor of Arts FHNW Interior Design and Scenography’.
Internships
The Bachelor's programme supports year-round internships in renowned offices or studios. An internship improves the chances of starting a career and is generally recommended. The internship year ideally takes place after the 3rd or 4th semester and extends the degree programme by two semesters.
Exchange semester
We support you with an exchange semester domestically or abroad, which is possible in the 4th semester. We have exchange agreements with universities in Europe and the USA. Two to three students from comparable universities are also accepted onto the Bachelor's degree programme in Interior Architecture and Scenography each semester.
- Akademie der Bildenden Künste, München (D), Interior design
- ArtEZ hogeschool voor de kunsten, Zwolle (NL), Interior design
- Beuth Hochschule für Technik, Berlin (D)
- Burg Giebichenstein Hochschule für Kunst und Design, Halle (D), Interior design
- Design Academy Eindhoven (NL), Architecture
- Diputació de Barcelona, Barcelona (ES), Institut del Theatre
- EINA, Centre Universitari de Disseny i Art, Barcelona (ES), Interior design
- Fachhochschule Münster (D), Architecture
- Fachhochschule Hannover (D), stage sets and costumes
- Fachhochschule Kaiserlautern (D), Interior design
- Fachhochschule Lippe und Höxter (D)
- Hochschule für bildende Künste, Hamburg (D)
- Hochschule für Gestaltung, Karlsruhe (D)
- Hochschule Coburg (D), Interior design
- Hochschule Wismar (D), Interior design
- Hogeschool Rotterdam (NL), Willhelm De Kooning Academy
- IEC College of Art & Fashion, Kathmandu (NP), Interior design
- Kunst- og designhøgskolen, Bergen (NO), Furniture and interior design
- Kunsthochschule Kassel (D), Product design
- Ecole nationale supérieure des arts visuels de La Cambre, Brüssel (BE), Scenography
- Muthesius Kunsthochschule, Kiel (D), Spatial planning/scenography
- Scuola Universitaria della Svizzera Italiana, Manno (CH)
- Shenkar College Tel Aviv (IL), Interiors and environment
- Tongji University Shanghai (CN)
- Universidad Veritas - Arte Diseño Arquitectura, San José (CR), Interior design
- University of Technology, Sydney (AU)
- Weissensee Kunsthochschule, Berlin (D), Stage sets and costumes/product design
- Züricher Hochschule der Kunst (CH), Theater: Specialization on scenography
Modules – Courses – Course Catalogue
- Overview Courses (PDF)
- Basic Studies Course, Semesters 1 and 2 (PDF)
- Main Studies Course Semesters 3 till 6 (PDF)
