School of Interior Architecture & Design

Interior Architecture & Design Collaboratives & Internships

Real-World Collaborations

At the Academy, your classroom is also a studio for innovation. Our collaborative program pairs you with students from the School of Industrial Design to tackle real-world challenges for clients like Ford, Stellantis, Volvo, NASA, and Camelbak.

Guided by leading industry mentors, you’ll dive into the full production and iteration cycle—ideating, prototyping, and refining solutions that put people first. By the time you graduate, your portfolio won’t just showcase concepts. It will prove you know how to design human-centered spaces that meet the demands of the industry.

Designing for Change: Five Keys x Home Free

Students in the School of Interior Architecture & Design put their skills to work for real impact—partnering with Five Keys Schools and Programs and Home Free to design transitional housing for wrongfully convicted women and survivors of domestic violence.

Over the semester, students reimagined an apartment complex on Treasure Island, transforming it into a tranquil, restorative space for 12 women rebuilding their lives after incarceration. This wasn’t just a design project—it was design as social justice, proving how creativity can shape a brighter future.

Four Seasons x Academy: Redefining the Hotel Lobby

When the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco wanted to explore the future of hotel lobbies, they turned to our School of Interior Architecture & Design.

Students were challenged to reimagine the lobby as more than just a waiting space—proposing bold, functional, and aesthetic innovations that redefine how guests arrive, connect, and experience luxury. The result? Fresh, future-forward concepts that merge design thinking with real-world hospitality needs.

Initiative 99

At Initiative 99, designers and students from around the world are challenged to push the boundaries of creativity and technology to solve real-world problems. Using ICON’s cutting-edge 3D printing, participants design innovative homes that can be built for $99,000 or less, making affordable housing a reality. Academy of Art students have the opportunity to compete on this global stage, showcase their skills, and see their ideas come to life, all while making a meaningful impact on communities in need.

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Sofitel Design Competition

In celebration of Sofitel’s 60th anniversary, the 2024 Accor Design Awards invited students worldwide to reimagine the future of luxury hospitality. Academy of Art University students participated in this global challenge, designing immersive and sustainable hotel experiences that blend art, culture, and French elegance. Their innovative concepts were showcased at the Maison & Objet Fair in Paris, highlighting the University’s commitment to nurturing creativity and excellence in interior architecture and design.

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