Herbarium of Interiors: A Milk Bar. HEAD MAIA with India Mahdavi & Youri Kravtchenko. Alcova Milan 2021 © HEAD – Genève, Michel Giesbrecht
M A I A – Master of Arts in Interior Architecture
Interior spaces are nowadays laboratories of modernity. Whether it is through renovation projects, commercial spaces or art installations, the interiors have become an endless arena for experimenting with cultural, social and environmental agendas that transform the contemporary condition from within.
The Master in Interior Architecture M A I A is a two-year professional programme that prepares its students to master the progressive diversification of interiors in the contemporary world, characterized by cross-disciplinary approaches, from design to visual art, from audio-visual culture to digital reality. The programme envisions Interior Architecture as the crossing point between the spaces, objects, and media that construct contemporary societies, addressing urgent issues such as environmental impact, renovation of existing heritage, spaces of shared economy and construction of inclusive communities. In reaffirming the central role of physical spaces, M A I A explores how Interior Architecture operates at the intersection between physical interiors and the parallel narratives of mediated interiors, such as those of publicity, cinema or online media.
Based in Geneva and driven by global ambitions, M A I A prepares its students to intervene in a human-centered reality with advanced technical training, extensive design practice and a humanistic education that helps them develop their critical thinking and engage in a profession that, through individual creativity, is always aware of its collective implications.
M A I A is organized into 4 thematic semesters that envision interior design as a multidimensional practice, articulating the diversity of objects, spaces and media that configure contemporary interiors via many methods and scales, from analogue to digital, and from local to global. The design studio is the core of the program, supplemented by technical courses and theory seminars, as well as interdisciplinary workshops that help students develop a bold and visionary new way of thinking, inspired by creativity and innovation.
M·A·I·A #1 Objects, Space, Scenography
M·A·I·A #2 Sustainability, Environment, Society
M·A·I·A #summer* Creative Residency, Leadership
M·A·I·A #3 Heritage, Materiality, Digital Media
M·A·I·A #4 Entrepreneurship, Personal Project
*Optional
CarEvents - Prix Art Humanité 2020 – HEAD MAIA © HEAD – Genève, D. Champion, K. Pisoni, M. Vergne
M·A·I·A students work with a notable community of interior designers, architects, product designers, curators, filmmakers and experts from different disciplines, constructing interior spaces that are articulated with the parallel narratives of mediated interiors, such as those of publicity, cinema or online media.
M A I A: Professional Projects
Full-size projects form the backbone of the course structure: M A I A students regularly work in cooperation with international designers on professional projects carried out for companies or institutions, leading to a professional career of international impact. The Interior Architecture department has an established reputation of regular collaborations with Salone del Mobile in Milan, Design Parade in Toulon, HEAD’s catwalk Fashion Show in Geneva, and with brands such as Aesop, Hermès or USM.
* The programme will enable its diplomates to apply for registration on the Professional Register of Swiss Architects (REG A, Interior Architecture).
M A I A: Collaborations & Network
M A I A exposes its students to a network of influence and international impact. The programme includes permanent cooperation with the Joint Master of Architecture (JMA) of the schools of Geneva, Fribourg and Burgdorf, and with École Camondo in Paris. Beginning September 2021, the third edition of the programme features temporary collaborations with Volume Magazine and and Scènes de Nuit, an ongoing research project on night and architecture.
Space Duality – Studio Simon Husslein 2019 © HEAD – Genève, Emily Bonnet
M A I A: Community
M A I A students work with a notable community of interior designers, architects, product designers, curators, filmmakers and experts from different disciplines, constructing interior spaces that are articulated with the parallel narratives of magazines, films, exhibitions or publications. This transversal approach creates an arena of experimental condition that proves challenging for teachers, students and real users.
India Mahdavi, Principal at India Mahdavi Interior Design. Paris
Youri Kravtchenko, Principal at YKRA Interior Design. Geneva
Andrea Dalmas, Principal at Ciszak Dalmas Interior Design. Madrid, Hong Kong
Leonid Slonimskiy, Principal at Kosmos Architects. Geneva, Moscow
Dr. Philippe Rahm, Principal at Philippe Rahm Architectes. Paris
Line Fontana, Principal at Fagart & Fontana Architectes. Paris
Ana Luisa Soares, Principal at Fala Atelier. Porto
Ahmed Belkhodja, Principal at Fala Atelier. Porto
Simon Husslein, Principal at Husslein Design. Zurich
Kai Reaver, Digital Technologist and Theorist. Oslo
Michael Jakob, Architecture and Landscape Theorist. Geneva
Vera Sacchetti, Design Critic and Curator. Foreign Legion. Basel
Lilet Breddels, Director of Volume Magazine. Rotterdam
Arjen Oosterman, Editor in-chief of Volume Magazine. Rotterdam
Charles Heller, Researcher and Filmmaker. Principal at Forensic Oceanography. Geneva
Bas Princen, Artist and Photographer. Zurich
Dr. Roberto Zancan, Professor of Architectural History and Theory Research, Geneva – Venice
Dr. Javier Fernandez Contreras. Head of Department
Valentina De Luigi. Scientific deputy
Paule Perron. Teaching Assistant
Damien Greder. Teaching Assistant
Camille Bagnoud. Teaching Assistant
Herbarium of Interiors – Studio Youri Kravtchenko 2019 – HEAD MAIA © HEAD – Genève, Julien Gremaud
