Study profile

The Interior Architecture and Furniture Design bachelor’s programme ‘IAFD Cohabitation’ at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague (KABK) covers the full bandwidth of the spatial domain.

We focus on spatial conditions to shape our daily living environment, being part of the eco-system of planet earth. We use the programme as a research laboratory and experimental space for interaction in the social field, in materials, in techniques and other forms of knowledge. We see architecture and design not as a control mechanism, but companions in developing environments that meet desires and needs of living together on a damaged planet.

What is the relationship between human beings, and other species and materials on their habitat, earth? What types of communication, dependencies and co-operations are possible amongst each other and, last but not least, how can this be addressed and reflected in spatial practice?

Why choose this programme

• Our educational philosophy is learning by doing.
• During the four years of the bachelor’s programme, you will develop skills, knowledge and competences through assignments that run parallel to professional design practice.
• We take an inquisitive look at design and architecture, and describe designs with terms such as provisional, temporary, prototypes, ephemeral, constructions of reality, as found, inventions, improvisation, surprise, the unforeseen, and the unfinished.
• By coining the scientific and knowledge-based part with a poetical, imaginative, and narrative part, we give you the chance to overcome or resist specific ingrained procedures and mechanisms that are in the service of capitalism.
• We do not work with a results-oriented approach, but with an approach that is driven by research.

Is this study for you?

Do you want to study at the Interior Architecture and Furniture Design department of the KABK? Then the following most likely applies to you.

• You are creative and you want to materialise ideas, insights and experiences.
• You have an inherent motivation and want to connect the ‘personal’ to the ‘professional’.
• You have a critical mindset and you ask questions.
• You want to explore new directions for creating/making of work.
• You are socially aware and want to understand your surroundings and want to positively change it.
• You like to work in a team.

In the video below, students, teachers and the head of the department tell you more about thuis study programme:

The study programme of IAFD Cohabitation

The study programme is organised in five domains: Studio, Media & Materials, Independent Practice, Professional Practice and Context. During your studies you will develop an independent mindset, a critical design attitude and strong empathy skills.

By combining the scientific and knowledge-based part with a poetic, imaginative and narrative part, we give you the opportunity to overcome ingrained systems and mechanisms that in the service of capitalism.

We work with professionals from fine arts, architecture and design who teach you with their practical and theoretical experience. They guide you on your way to independent practice. After your first year you can choose elective courses in either Interior Architecture or Furniture Design to further sharpen your designer's profile.

Detailed description of the programme structure