Courses

The PABD curriculum is comprised of two types of courses: design projects and support courses. The design projects are modeled after realistic building challenges and are comprehensive in scope, working towards maximum proficiency at each of the four levels. The accompanying support courses help develop the skills and knowledge needed to complete the respective design project.

Support Courses
A variety of technical knowledge- and skills-based subjects are covered in the support courses. In order to achieve the learning outcomes for each course, numerous practice exercises are included within each lesson module. Solutions to the assignments can be found in the videos, but students may also choose to meet online with their instructor for additional tutorials and assistance. (If there is more than one instructor teaching a particular course, students may opt to attend any of the online tutorial sessions offered—not just the ones scheduled by their instructor.) In contrast to the typical 16-week semester, PABD structures its courses to be more streamlined and efficient. Depending on a student’s individual capability, support courses need not fill an entire four-month term—some may take only a few weeks to complete.

Design Project
Each of the four design projects focuses on a specific building typology: small residential, small commercial, large residential, and large commercial. Students are expected to apply the skills and knowledge acquired through the support courses to design all aspects of the project. Because each project dives deep into the design process, students will achieve a high degree of proficiency at each level of the curriculum.

Instead of standard grading, the deliverables from the completed design project will be assessed by a panel of design professionals and instructors for competency and readiness to progress to the next level. In this way, students can be assured that their capabilities are commensurate with the expectations and demands of the design industry

Exam Preparation Workshops
In addition to the standard course curriculum, intensive 1-day workshops are offered for the NCIDQ, ARE, and LEED GA exams by request. These are typically scheduled for the weekend and can be held in-person at the office or workplace. Topics covered in the workshops include: how to qualify and register for an exam, how the exams are structured and graded, content and study materials for the exams, practice exercises, exam strategies, and what to do on the day of the exam. (See Enrollment page for more details.)

Courses (Interior Design):

FOUNDATION [available January 2023]

This course covers the fundamentals of the design process and methodology, elements and principles of design language, as well as design conceptualization (ideation) and design strategy (translation). The five phases of design thinking will also be examined as an approach to innovative problem-solving. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of what design is, and the process of design. (2cr)

LEVEL I [available January 2023]

This course examines the basic steps of the programming and pre-design process, as well as the principles of space planning and applicable building codes, relative to a typical single-family residence. This process includes defining the design challenge (problem definition, constraints, parameters, etc.), identifying client needs, and determining spatial allocations for necessary activities and functions. (4cr)

This course covers the various aspects of textiles and fabrics in interior design, including: types of weaves, manufacturing processes, testing standards, and appropriate applications in residential and commercial design. Exercises will consist of the use of various textiles (fabrics, furniture upholstery, curtains/drapes, carpets/rugs, wall coverings, etc.) in a typical residential design project. (2cr)

This course covers foundational knowledge of AutoCAD, including basic commands, national standards for drawing organization, and standard element sizing. Exercises will be applied to the design of a single-family residence. At the end of this course students will be able to provide CAD drafting support for interior designs. Prerequisites: F-030 Drawing Literacy or equivalent (3cr)

LEVEL II [available May 2023]

Project typology: a small commercial property (restaurant, retail shop, or office)
For this project, students will learn how to comprehensively design the interiors of a small commercial space, incorporating sustainable design elements and other special features that support the activities of the various user groups. Prerequisites: Level I completion; all Level II courses must be taken concurrently

This course covers basic lighting design, including: the characteristics of light, lighting levels and layering, lamp types, fixture types, lighting applications; lighting for interior environments; the effects of lighting (psychological, physiological, behavioral); technical drawings & representation; and lighting specifications. Exercises will focus on the integration of various types of lighting for a small commercial design project. (3cr)

In this course students will learn how to select and integrate appropriate materials, finishes, and products in the design of interior environments (i.e., functionality), as well as how to express a design concept through materiality (aesthetics). Topics include: flooring surfaces, wall surfaces, ceilings, furniture, cabinetry, and kitchen & bathroom finishes. The course will examine material characteristics, materials testing standards (including MSDS) and codes, specifications, installation methods, maintenance requirements, residential v. commercial applications, interior v. exterior applications, and sustainability features, in the context of a small commercial design project. Prerequisite: L-120 Color and L-130 Textiles (3cr)

This course will review the subsystems and components that comprise a building, how they relate to and affect one another, and how to design within the context of those systems. This will also include an introduction to building infrastructure and performance design mandates. Topics that will be covered: building codes and life safety; site analysis; fire protection; egress; structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; wall, floor, ceiling, and stair assemblies; and environmental performance and standards (thermal, acoustic, IAQ). Exercises in systems design will pertain to a small commercial design project. (3cr)

This course examines principles of sustainable design from a systemic perspective, focusing on environmental issues and how they relate to economics, social equity, and human health. Topics in the course include: new design paradigms (cradle-to-cradle principles, biomimetic design, passive building design), renewable energy, water conservation and waste management, sustainable building materials, and indoor environmental quality (air, thermal, acoustic, light). Course culminates with a review of standards in the building industry (LEED, LBC, WELL). Exercises will focus on developing sustainable solutions for a small-scale commercial design project. (3cr)

LEVEL III [available August 2023]

Project typology: a large residential property (dormitory, nursing or elderly home)
For this project, students will learn how to comprehensively design the interiors of an institutional residential space, incorporating universal and sustainable design features that are responsive to, and address the unique challenges of, the specific user group.
Prerequisites: Level II completion; all Level III courses must be taken concurrently

This course explores design of the built environment through a humanistic lens at different scales:
how humans perceive and experience their built environment; how humans interact and behave within the built environment; and how our buildings impact the community, humankind and the planet. Topics of study may include: environmental psychology, XP/XI design, sociocultural design, public interest design, evidence-based design principles, and post-occupancy evaluation. Concepts will be applied to the Level III large residential design project. (3cr)

Universal Design for inclusive environments focuses on equity of use of the built environment and personal independence. This course examines the range of physical and cognitive abilities over an individual’s lifespan; the impact design decisions have on experiencing the built environment; and how to interpret and implement codes and regulations that help to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the public. Content will include barrier-free space planning, building codes and accessibility regulations, appropriate finish materials and products, and wayfinding principles. Exercises will apply UD principles to an institutional residential project. (3cr)

This course will examine the impact of technology, economics, and politics—as well as other factors—that gave rise to new design movements in history, and how architectural styles reflected the ethos and values of its era. This will be followed by an analysis of present-day styles and how current events impact the future of building design. Rather than viewing history as something of the past, the course focuses on evolution and adaptability through the study of futures methodologies. Principles learned in this course will be applied to a large residential design project. (2cr)

In this course students will learn how to assemble a set of design drawings and other necessary project documentation, including: sheet organization (content, sequence), sheet layout, title block, general notes, specifications and schedules. The documentation produced for the course will pertain to a large residential design project. Prerequisites: F-030 Drawing Literacy, L-140 AutoCAD I or equivalent (3cr)

LEVEL IV [available August 2023]

Project typology: a large speculative commercial property (TBD)
This is an open-ended project where students will propose and develop the program for the property, which will then be presented to a corporate client. Working directly with consultants, the project must incorporate sustainable and universal design features, take into account cultural considerations, and be executed using the metric standard. Prerequisites: Level III completion; all Level IV courses must be taken concurrently

This course examines the exhaustive steps of the programming and pre-design process, as well as principles of space planning and relevant building codes, and applies them to a large complex commercial design project. Building on the previous programming courses, additional topics covered include: identification of stakeholders & respective needs, defining scope of work, working with a client budget and value engineering, and developing a timeline for project design delivery. (4cr)

CAPSTONE [available August 2023]

The most important artifact any designer will need in their career is a portfolio of their body of work. In this course, you will learn how to assemble a high-quality professional portfolio that can be used for job applications, interviews, presentation to clients, etc. Emphasis will be on developing graphic skills (e.g., layout, composition, font styles, text, images, etc.) and content (creative work, skill sets, project types). Both print and digital formats, as well as supplemental materials, will be covered. Prerequisites: F-020 Visual Communication, L-260 Presentation I: Visuals (3cr)

This course prepares the student for transition to professional practice and a career in design. General skills reviewed include: resume writing and layout, professional correspondence, job search, interviewing techniques and strategies, contract and salary negotiation, and ethics and etiquette. The course also focuses on design-specific professional credentialing, as well as exam types (NCIDQ, ARE, LEED, WELL, CAPS, NKBA, SEED, etc.), exam eligibility, and exam preparation. (2cr)

In this course students will learn about project management in the context of professional practice and the requirements for operating a successful design practice. Topics include: contracts and the OAC contractual relationship, scope of services (basic, additional), procurement, project accounting, value engineering, fee structures, consultant coordination, legal issues and liability, administrative procedures (e.g., transmittals, change orders, invoicing), business operations, and professional ethics. Prerequisites: L-420 Introductory Project Management I, C-020 Professional Preparation & Credentialing; courses may be taken concurrently (2cr)

ELECTIVES [TBD]

In this course, the basics of 3D printing are covered, giving students a solid understanding of 3D printing options and the pros/cons of the various types of 3D printers. Students will learn to convert common industry file types into 3D printable files and create a model that is 3D print-ready. We’ll also briefly go over the process of turning ideas into 3D-printed objects, including a live demonstration. (2cr)

This course builds upon the basic principles of the introductory lighting course with a more technical focus. Topics covered include: lighting codes; lighting loads and calculations; specialized lamp types, fixture types, and lighting applications; lighting control and quality lighting. Prerequisites: L-140 Introductory AutoCAD I, L-150 Introductory Sketchup I or L-340 Introductory Revit I, L-220 Lighting I; or comparable experience (3cr)

In this course, students will learn the principles of good kitchen and bathroom design, including: standards for layout, fixtures, appliances, and cabinetry; accessibility; and technical shop drawings that can be used for fabrication. Prerequisites: L-140 Introductory AutoCAD I, L-150 Introductory Sketchup I or L-340 Introductory Revit I, L-230 Materiality & Finishes; courses can be taken concurrently (2cr)

In this introductory course, students will learn how to design, draw, and detail a piece of furniture. At the end of the course, students will have produced a set of shop drawings that can be used for fabrication. Prerequisites: L-140 Introductory AutoCAD I, L-150 Introductory Sketchup I or L-340 Introductory Revit I, L-230 Materiality & Finishes; courses can be taken concurrently (2cr)

In this course students will learn how to create a virtual environment using a Revit model and Enscape plugin, as well as create a basic website that will let the user/client navigate a space with 360-degree photos or fly-throughs. When building a BIM model for VR we’ll look at ways to get higher-quality materials using bump maps, custom rich photorealistic content, and lighting. For VR output, we’ll cover how to get a stand-alone .exe file, how to view a model in a web browser, and how to get 360-degree images into a mobile VR headset. Prerequisite: L-340 Introductory Revit I (2cr)

Building on previous visual and narrative presentation skill development, this course focuses on how to gauge and engage various audience types, promote dialogue and respond to critical feedback, and develop persuasion techniques (how to “sell the idea”). Strategies learned in the course will be applied to the formal presentation to clients of a large speculative commercial design project. Prerequisites: L-260 Presentation I, L-360 Presentation II; or comparable experience (2cr)

Courses [Architecture]: [coming 2023]

Foundation
F-010 Design Methods
F-020 Visual Communication
F-030 Drawing Literacy

Level I
L-100 Alpha Design Project (small residential)
L-110 SR Programming/Space Planning
L-120a Site Planning & Design
L-130a Structure I
L-140 AutoCAD I
L-150 Sketchup I

Level II
L-200 Beta Design Project (small commercial)
L-210 SC Programming/Space Planning
L-220a Building Materials
L-230a Structure II
L-240 AutoCAD II
L-260 Presentation I: Visual
L-270 Building Systems I
L-280 Sustainability I

Level III
L-300 Gamma Design Project (large residential)
L-310 LR Programming/Space Planning
L-320a Building Systems Integration II
L-330a Environmental Systems Performance
L-340 Revit I
L-360 Presentation II: Narrative
L-380 Design History & Futures
L-390 Design Documentation I

Level IV
L-400 Delta Design Project (large commercial)
L-410 LC Programming/Space Planning
L-420 Project Management I
L-490 Construction Documentation II

Capstone
C-010 Portfolio Development
C-020 Professional Preparation & Credentialing
C-030 Project Management II

Courses

Courses (Interior Design):

FOUNDATION [available January 2023]

LEVEL I [available January 2023]

LEVEL II
[available May 2023]

LEVEL III
[available August 2023]

LEVEL IV
[available August 2023]

CAPSTONE
[available August 2023]

ELECTIVES
[TBD]

Courses [Architecture]: [coming 2023]

Foundation
F-010 Design Methods
F-020 Visual Communication
F-030 Drawing Literacy

Level I
L-100 Alpha Design Project (small residential)
L-110 SR Programming/Space Planning
L-120a Site Planning & Design
L-130a Structure I
L-140 AutoCAD I
L-150 Sketchup I

Level IV
L-400 Delta Design Project (large commercial)
L-410 LC Programming/Space Planning
L-420 Project Management I
L-490 Construction Documentation II

Capstone
C-010 Portfolio Development
C-020 Professional Preparation & Credentialing
C-030 Project Management II