Interior Architecture

Mariann Drell. Visual from Master's degree work

We teach interior architecture on Bachelor as well as Master level, both curriculums in Estonian, but of course we welcome visiting students via the Erasmus Programme. At the moment, our international MA programme in English does not accept applications. 

Immediate space

Interior architecture works  with the space that most directly surrounds a person. Here, students will learn how to create inspiring, flexible, economical and contemporary spaces for people at any stage of their life, from childhood to old age.

The best space is built from the inside out

A good space is born from a sharp sense of context, a thorough knowledge of the material and strong technical skills, but also knowledge in the areas that support the creation of space – anthropology, spatial psychology, spatial semiotics. Interior architects are sensitive and attentive to both cultural and spatial contexts, as the best space is born from the inside out, stemming from the interior architect’s knowledge and technical skills as much as their ability to ask the right questions and find inspiration from what exists.

Community engagement projects

Interior architecture students are already working on projects that offer inspiring spatial solutions to different groups in society and connect communities. Graduates include creators of outstanding interiors, but also creators of space that create personal environments by combining architecture, design and technology.

Constantly changing field

The field of interior architecture is always reinventing itself, as the environment and people’s needs are constantly changing. Some of the trends influencing the spatial needs of people are

  • global urbanisation;
  • jobs and work becoming more mobile;
  • people’s lives becoming longer (but also in many cases more lonely);
  • smarter environments on both big and small scale;
  • climate and health related crises.

These and many other major trends are affecting the work of tomorrow’s interior architects, which is why the Department of Interior Architecture at EKA teaches students to design rooms that meet people’s rapidly changing needs, whether its offices, homes or public spaces – but rather than working on a specific type of room, we solve problems for users in different spaces.

Interior architecture Bachelor’s programme

Completion of the BA curriculum in interior architecture takes 3 years, the study is full-time and takes place largely in Estonian, but also in English under the guidance of foreign tutors. The best bachelor’s degree portfolios and exhibition projects have born from a local context, inspired by the Estonian spatial traditions and a true sense of the local world of thought. Student projects born here might have their roots in Estonia, but they tend to spark interest much more widely – it is their locality which makes them engaging. Students are taught by a mix of Estonian interior architects, architects, designers and international tutors from design schools around the world. Within the framework of study projects, students gain experience from other disciplines taught at EKA, which is especially important, because interior architecture is almost always teamwork.

Interior architecture Master’s programme

The master’s degree in interior architecture is attractive in several ways: on the one hand, it can be seen as an integrated extension to bachelor’s degree studies, and on the other hand, it can be a response to a desire to return to the academy whilst still maintaining a professional career. The latter can be seen as a trend among master students.

The master’s theses of the department are increasingly looking for solutions to real problems; over the last three to four years, it has become clear that the work has become more substantive and exploratory. The master’s thesis has developed into a hybrid of space-related designs, requiring a systematic and at the same time creative approach from the author.

The master’s degree in interior architecture is accompanied by an open and interdisciplinary studio culture. The aim continues to be to formulate the identity of spatial creation. Master’s projects show the extent to which the meaning of (indoor) space has expanded and become more multi-layered today: it deals with the object-item, the functions of space, typologies, as well as indoor and public space. An interesting side effect is the awareness of the border between indoor and outdoor space and, at the same time, its conscious avoidance. Acting in border areas and searching for new opportunities is becoming the norm – this is confirmed by the fact that all the topics, research questions and project solutions developed from the Master’s studio are united by the interest in expanding the boundaries of the interior design profession.

Currently, our master’s studies take place in two directions on a studio basis. The studios are distinguished by the themes of the projects and master’s theses undertaken during the year and the research methodology chosen, reflecting the personal interests and goals of the students and the creative and research background of the supervisors. Within the studios, space and the issues arising from the creation of space are raised, formulated and analysed.

At the heart of the spatial interventions proposed in the master ‘s projects is a person, ie a user – an individual or a social group with their own needs, values ​​and goals. The nature, scope and justification of spatial interventions are confirmed through research carried out in the course of the work, the main goal being the maximum harmonisation of theory and practice.

The imaginary axis of the division into studios is the context, which is denoted by the word pair environment / object. In relation to space and spatial problems, such a division can be conditionally described as the direction of movement defined by the choice of the starting point – on the one hand in the context of the environment (outside) and on the other hand in the context of the object (inside).

As always, the final content of the studios is the result of a mutual bounce of opinions and ideas between students, faculty and their diverse opinions. The studio is on the one hand a round table and a space for experimentation, but as successful master’s projects are at stake, it is also a place to share experience, advice and trust.

More info:

Interior Architecture Department
interior@artun.ee

News and events

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Open Architecture Lecture: Keith Murray

In autumn 2023, the open architectural lectures will take place under the title Mobile Masters. The theme brings architects and theorists to Tallinn, who analyse architecture’s flexibility and the mobile practices of architects, spatial designers and artists. Gregor Taul, the curator of the autumn lectures, introduces the program with the following words: “Architecture stands at a ...
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Opening of the floating smoke sauna “Püha Viha”

Dear cooperation partner, colleague, and community member! We would like to invite you to the opening of the floating smoke sauna “Püha Viha” (Holy Anger/Holy Whisk) made by the students of Interior Architecture of the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Antsla municipality and the community on Tuesday, September 29 at 14:00 by the Tsooru lake in the Antsla municipality. A bus leaves for the ...
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Open architectural lectures 2023 autumn

In autumn 2023, the open architectural lectures will take place under the title Mobile Masters. The theme brings architects and theorists to Tallinn, who analyse architecture’s flexibility and the mobile practices of architects, spatial designers and artists. Gregor Taul, the curator of the autumn lectures, introduces the program with the following words: In his book Mechanization Takes ...
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2023 BACHELOR’S DIPLOMA WORK

In 2023 the diploma work consists of a portfolio and a creative project developed during the last semester. The diplomas were supervised by Anna Kaarma (portfolio), Grete Tiigiste (text), Ville Lausmäe (public space, project), Veiko Liis ja Marko Uibo (object, project). *** Triin Kampus Vimka Vimka (Estonian for “trick”) is a dining table designed for the author’s own home. ...
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2023 MA THESES

Kristiina Puusepp Healing Space – On the example of the ward of Tartu University Neurology Clinic My thesis originates from a personal experience, when I had to spend quite some time at the hospital. There was a moment when I found myself all alone with hand full of pills and pain relievers. With every next dose of medicines, the doctors suggested to pray and hope for the best. There ...
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New publication: Veljo Kaasik’s memoirs

You are invited to the presentation of architect Veljo Kaasik’s book Maal Linnas Tänaval Majas (In the Countryside, in the City, on the Street, in the House) on July 22 at 12:00 at Dirhami Kalakohvik, where Eik Hermann, Carl-Dag Lige, Margit Mutso and Gregor Taul will talk with the author. In the summer of 2023, the Estonian architect, member of the legendary Tallinn School and professor ...
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Supervisors and BA student Kairi Mändla part of Estonian pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale

The Estonian Pavilion for the 18th Venice Architecture Biennale is curated by the team consisting of Aet Ader (long-time supervisor of Building Practice at our department), Mari Möldre (co-supervisor of Educational Space studio this spring) and Arvi Anderson from the architecture office b210. Besides Aet and Mari who teach at our department, our 1st BA student Kairi Mändla is the scenographer ...
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Mariann Drell is the winner of Tallinn – European Green Capital urban installation competition

Tallinn Strategic Management Office organized an installation competition as part of the “Green Footprint” spatial interventions project, the aim of which was to enliven the seaside with urban spatial art within the framework of Tallinn – European Green Capital 2023.  The winning proposal City-Machine co-auther by our lecturer Mariann Drell was selected from 13 participating ...