Welcome to our world: Spatial & Interior Design

Welcome to Stage 1 of the BA (Hons) Spatial and Interior Design programme at School of Architecture, Design and Planning. 

We have created this page for you, our new Spatial and Interior Design students, to welcome you to the School, and provide you with all the information you need to get yourself suitably prepared to embark on your design journey. 

From our materials and equipment list to your summer task, the information and downloadable PDFs below will provide you with valuable tips and tricks to make your first year at Kent School of Architecture and Planning a huge success. 

I look forward to meeting you all in September!

Professor Gerald Adler
Head of School

The academic year is split into terms during which the student is expected to engage with study. The period between each of the terms is a vacation period. The University will be closed over the Christmas period.

Welcome Week: 20 – 24 September 2021

Autumn Term: 27 September - 17 December 2021

Spring Term: 17 January - 8 April 2022

Summer Term: 9 May - 17 June 2022

Important Information

In order not to be disadvantaged by missing essential critiques, exams and feedback, it is imperative that you attend the University up until the last day of each term. Do not therefore book flights or trains home or arrange holidays, on or before the last day of each term. 

In case you haven't already, it is important that you activate your IT account as soon as possible so you are able to attend any online events that may be taking place during Welcome Week. 

You will be using Microsoft Teams for Welcome Week and during term time. Please see the following Microsoft Teams guide to find out how to use this on your own device.

All new first year students have the opportunity to sign up to our Academic Peer Mentoring (APM) scheme. APM partners you with experienced students to support your learning and transition to university life. This is a great way to meet students from other year groups, who are also studying similar courses/subjects/disciplines to you - they can give you expert advice, as they were in your shoes only a year or two ago! 

APM is run by the Divisional Student Experience team, in conjunction with Student Learning Advisory Service (SLAS). Both teams will be hosting a variety of events throughout the year for APM mentors and mentees.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in getting involved with, please sign up via the Moodle page.

Check out events, competitions, updates and resources on the Arts and Humanities Student Success Moodle page here.

Here's advice from our Student Experience team about what you can do now to prepare for your first term at University from exploring modules to useful apps and resources.         

Please download our recommended  Materials and equipment list to properly equip you for when you join us in September.

You are welcome to make your own purchases, with any suppliers. However, to make things easier for you, we have created an equipment pack containing all of the items listed above, liaising with local suppliers here in Kent. This pack is available to purchase via this link.    

A key part of your developing architectural practice is an informed knowledge and understanding of a range of materials: their properties and possible applications. This personal knowledge bank forms a unique resource that will continue to grow and evolve throughout your career. 

The properties of specific materials, surface, feel, strength, smell etc, often directly inform design - the architect working in partnership with the materials. 

With this in mind, we would like you to start building your own materials library, that you will draw on for various projects and activities throughout Stage 1 (first year), for both working in the studio and at home. Include anything that for some reason you are drawn to, man-made or natural. 

Importantly, consider the potential of discarded and found materials; i.e. collect different types of packaging, old clothes, shoes, bags, hats, parts of old electrical, mechanical & domestic objects, furniture, books etc etc. 

Consider the role of materials in the feel and atmosphere of spaces - and your own feelings, experience and memory of them. Ask what one material does in combination with another? Look at contrast and juxtaposition: hard/soft, rough/smooth, opaque, translucent etc. 

Become aware of the huge growth in sustainable and recycled building materials that will be very much part of the world you are moving into. Perhaps consider developing or growing your own materials! 

Useful Resources

Institute of Making 
Critical Concrete 
Vandkunsten Architects
Earth Architecture 

We understand that it is easy to get disorientated when you first move onto campus, so here is an illustrated map of  School of Architecture, Design and Planning, located in the Marlowe building at the heart of the Canterbury campus.    

We hope the videos and downloadable PDFs in this Summer Pack provide you with all the necessary information for you to get yourselves ready to join us at School of Architecture, Design and Planning in September 2021. If you have any queries, please feel free to email us at artshumsugandpgt@kent.ac.uk.  

Kent Architectural Student Association (KASA) has been an active part of the School since its beginning in 2005. Since then, they have grown to become a large part of the school, with the hope of enriching student experience and community at our heart. Join KASA to get involved with socials, guest lectures, our End of Year Show and more! Follow KASA on Instagram to keep up to date with the latest news and events.