Residential Interiors

This studio course focuses on the advanced development of residential bathrooms and private spaces through lectures, research and field trips as well as individual and/or group assignments. Students will explore the historical evolution of bathrooms, dressing rooms, custom closets, exercise areas and home spas. Building on the design process established in previous residential studio courses, students will conceptualize, analyse and plan functional design solutions based on a detailed client needs survey, NKBA design and construction standards and sustainable design criteria. Students will implement the principles of universal and barrier-free design. Connections with local plumbing fixture suppliers will be established through guest lectures and/or field trips. Students will create working drawings and specifications aligning with NKBA documentation standards, and will present their design solutions through formal presentations.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in COMM 1120 and 65% in INTD 2500

This course will introduce the students to NKBA Graphic Standards to develop the skills required to sit the NKBA Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer exams. Students will review the differences between drawing methods used in the interior design industry compared to NKBA standardized kitchen/bath industries. Using a current release of software commonly used in the kitchen and bath cabinetry industry, students will become familiar with creating 2D and 3D drawings. Overall emphasis of the course will be on using this software to create drawings for a residential project that aligns to NKBA standards.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in COMM 1120 and 65% in INTD 2500

The course will examine the physical and psychological needs of people as they interact with their environment. Study will include physical comfort as well as indoor environmental controls as they relate to residential design. A continuation of topics introduced at the Certificate level, this course will provide an advanced understanding of materials typically utilized in residential interior design, particularly those used in the kitchen and bath. Emphasis will be placed on appropriate and sustainable material choices, indoor air quality, and Life Cycle Analysis. Materials will be researched, explored and analysed in terms of their suitability for design, installation and construction, maintenance and creating a healthy living environment.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in COMM 1120 and 65% in INTD 2500

This course provides students with the fundamental understanding of wood frame and steel stud construction as it applies to residential projects, and how interior design components interface with the building structure in new and existing residential buildings. Topics include foundations, flooring, interior & exterior wall systems, roofing, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, hazardous materials, topics surrounding energy efficiency, windows and doors, base building materials, cabinetry and accessories. Students will further explore best practices in designing a sustainable dwelling. Students will explore the roles of members of the design and building team, and learn standard building terms and processes in order to communicate effectively as a team member.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in COMM 1120 and 65% in INTD 2500

Students will study the current edition of the BC Building Access Handbook and BC Building Code Part 9 - Housing & Small Buildings, to apply a working knowledge of compliance, codes objectives, definitions and appendices as they relate to the residential built environment. Students will locate and interpret the applicable codes to make appropriate design decisions required for topics such as fire protection, occupant safety and accessibility for both new and existing residential applications.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in COMM 1120 and 65% in INTD 2500

This studio course focuses on the design and planning of residential kitchens and adjacent spaces through lectures, research and field trips as well as individual and group assignments. Students will begin by exploring the historical evolution of the kitchen in order to better understand how and why the NKBA standards were established. Building on the design process established in prior studio courses, students will conceptualize, analyse and plan workable design solutions based both on a detailed client needs survey and NKBA design standards. Students will implement the principles of universal and barrier free design while adhering to BC Building Codes. The latest design and technological trends for residential kitchens will be explored in order to produce a set of comprehensive design and construction drawings that incorporate state-of-the-art appliance, cabinetry, lighting and finish specifications. Students will be introduced to local kitchen suppliers on field trips to gain an understanding of design and specification possibilities. Students will create working drawings and specifications aligning with NKBA documentation standards, and will present their design solutions through formal presentations.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in INTR 3020 and 65% in INTR 3030 and 65% in INTR 3040

The focus of the course will be on designing and detailing freestanding and built-in furniture, cabinetry and trim, with an emphasis on residential spaces. Students will examine the various methods, techniques and materials involved in the construction; various types of cabinet and component systems will be discussed, with an emphasis on identifying the appropriate substrate and finish specifications to achieve desired results in terms of aesthetics, performance and budget. Students will analyze and specify various functional and decorative hardware options. This course will introduce students to NKBA kitchen and bathroom cabinet nomenclature as well as AWMAC certification standards and specification methods. Students will learn how to design and specify various ready-made and custom trim options, and produce drawings that can be read and interpreted effectively by both cabinet suppliers and finish carpenters. Course material is enhanced with hands-on experience in millworking through JOIN 4350, which is recommended to be taken at the same time.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in INTR 3000 and 65% in INTR 3030 and 65% in INTR 3100^† (^† may be taken concurrently)

This course encourages students to produce creative, detailed lighting design solutions for residential spaces. Emphasis will be on concepts for lighting, practical applications, specifications and methods to enhance the experience of interior environments. Students will create reflected ceiling plans that incorporates advanced lighting solutions and ceiling details. Photometry will be examined and applied to interior spaces for evaluation, discussion and implementation.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in INTR 3000 and 65% in INTR 3100

This course will take the student through the business aspects of a typical residential project. Students will discuss how to establish a client’s program, create budgets for residential projects, communicate design intent, establish project schedules, prepare appropriate documentation, review installation of kitchen and bath cabinets and conduct contract administration on behalf of the client. The course will examine topics pertaining to basic accounting, record keeping, human resource management and how to create an environmentally sustainable practice. Students will be introduced to conflict resolution techniques, customer service principles and standards for ethical conduct.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in COMM 1120 and 65% in INTD 2500

This course builds on previous studio courses to provide students the opportunity to design residential interior spaces beyond the kitchen and bath. Students will explore social areas such as entries, staircases, dens/offices, living rooms, family rooms, bars, media and games rooms. This course has an emphasis on volume development - students will explore, design and detail advanced ceiling configurations, staircase tread and handrail options as well as incorporate level changes into a residential space. Project considerations related to design and construction for various types of fireplaces will be explored. Students will develop a detailed client program to apply innovative and critical thinking to respond to human factors, functional and aesthetic considerations. Students will also gain practice and critique in furniture, window coverings and lighting fixture selection in addition to staging with art and accessories. Students will create working drawings and specifications aligning with NKBA documentation standards, and will present their design solutions through formal presentations.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in INTR 3100 and 65% in INTR 3150 and 65% in INTR 3160

COMM 2320 is an applied course building on the skills learned in COMM 1120. The course will enable you to develop the persuasive writing and the presentation skills you will need to succeed in your program and at work.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in COMM 1120

The focus of this course is designed to apply students' prior knowledge of freehand sketching. Photoshop and Sketch Up skills to various forms of visual communication. Through the implementation of the elements and principles of design, students will create well- composed and dynamic layouts using formats such as posters and digital presentations. Students will be exposed to basic concepts of graphic design and branding to enable them to develop promotional material such as sales brochures, business cards and portfolios. The course will provide students an opportunity to build on their quick sketching abilities using interior spaces and buildings as their subject matter. Students will also utilize software programs such as InDesign to assist in the visual expression of their 2D graphic presentations.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in COMM 1120, 65% in INTD 2500, 65% in COMM 2320* (*May be taken concurrently).

Students will study the history of 20th and 21st century design, including architecture, interior design, furniture, decorative and fine arts. The work of key designers and architects of this time period will be examined and discussed to understand the historical reasons for their development and the impact on design today.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in COMM 2320 and 50% in ENGL 1177 and 65% in INTD 2500
• Entrance requirements for the Diploma, including TRPT 0011 and 3.0 credits of General Electives.

This course will focus on the relationship between Cabinetmaking (Millwork) and Design. Students will have the opportunity to interact with professional cabinetmakers. Students will work in BCIT's millwork shop to gain hands-on experience.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in COMM 1120 and 65% in INTD 2500
• TRPT 0011 English (Pre-entry Test)

​Students will acquire advanced skills in digital illustration using SketchUp and rendering software through the application of advanced techniques in lighting, 3-D modeling and texturing to create photo-realistic images of interiors. Students will exhibit their proficiency of a professional presentation using an interior design project.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in ENGL 1177 and 65% in INTD 2500

Students will apply the knowledge, concepts, skills and techniques learned in all previous courses to generate a creative and comprehensive solution to a multi-level new construction residential design project that supports human behaviour within the residential interior environment. Students will conduct research and gather information on a specific client profile that relates to needs that may include age, medical and/or physical limitations, social and/or cultural conditions. Final projects should demonstrate a clear concept and design process, a thorough understanding of design elements and principles, and the ability to provide innovative and practical design solutions that address client requirements. Students will be expected to articulate a project effectively both orally and visually, and integrate current and appropriate technologies into the design of a residential environment. Students will receive guidance from the instructor and/or guest critiques; however, it is a self-directed course where students are expected to arrive at their own design solution that addresses functionality, sustainability, design aesthetics, accessibility and environmental considerations while demonstrating code compliance throughout. Students will also be required to submit a working drawing and specification package.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in COMM 2320 and 65% in INTR 3170 and 65% in INTR 4000 and 65% in INTD 3110 and 65% in INTD 3370 and 70% in JOIN 4350

This course fulfils NKBA’s practicum requirements required to sit the Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer exams. Students who have completed Terms 1 and 2 of the Associate Certificate will be placed for either one 160 hour or two 80 hour placements with a kitchen/bath cabinetry company or residential materials/fixture supplier. Students who have completed Term 3 of the Diploma in Residential interiors may be placed with the aforementioned and/or a residential design firm. Students will perform work-related tasks at the industry sponsor’s place of business during office hours. Students will prepare a portfolio and resume to present to the practicum placement sponsor – students may be interviewed by the sponsor prior to being placed. The first day of class students will be exposed to a variety of design portfolio layouts and formats intended to best market their design work. Information on media software and access to print media will be discussed. Students will be encouraged to prepare their own portfolio and marketing materials for the second day of the course, when they will receive a one on one personal critique of their work. Students will be required to submit weekly assignments and present their experience to peers during the final week of class. Students must also attend a minimum of one Vancouver Chapter NKBA event during the course of their studies in the program – proof of attendance must be submitted during this class.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in INTR 3100 and 65% in INTR 3150 and 65% in INTR 3160 and 65% in INTR 3170