The History of Interior Design

Description: The aim of this course is to provide a historical overview of the styles and social movements which preceded and laid the foundation for the contemporary practice of interior design. It includes an examination of related areas and explores a range of scales from micro to macro-that is, from furniture, lighting and decorative arts to architecture, landscape design and city planning. We will discuss some of the discipline's most significant examples as we examine the relationship of the interior built environment to technological and economic development, as well as changes in allied fields of decorative arts and architecture. Projects will be located in the rich contexts of culture, politics, and history, allowing us to examine the intentions of designers and patrons. Class sessions will be a combination of lecture, discussion, and field trips.