Adaptive reuse is an area of study within the Interior Architecture department that involves repurposing existing structures for new uses. The post-professional MA program in Adaptive Reuse at Rhode Island School of Design offers a comprehensive exploration of this practice, integrating aesthetic, theoretical, and technological perspectives. The program culminates in a final studio project that tackles contemporary social issues, such as refugees and homelessness.
In the final studio project, students collaborate with a local organization to adapt two sites in the Boston area into transitional homeless shelters. The project places a particular emphasis on Trauma Informed Design principles to ensure that the shelters provide a safe and supportive environment for those in need. Through this project, students gain hands-on experience in applying adaptive reuse strategies to address pressing societal challenges.
Masters of Art in Adaptive Reuse 2023:
Nida Ansari, Miranda Goldschmidt, Mariyam Kherodawala, Simran Mehta, Aaron Neal, Aishwarya Pavan, and Parvati Vijaykumar.
Studio co-taught by Michael Grugl and Liliane Wong.