invitation to apply for

postgraduate course for architecture of interiors

8 weeks in Riyadh (KSA)
4 weeks in Torino (ITALY)
1st edition May – July 2023
Promoted by Studio65 and IAAD Academy

To whom is this invitation addressed?

The Postgraduate Course in Architecture of Interiors is open to young Architects and Interior Designers that are interested in a passioned, human, professional and cultural experience in the design of interior spaces. Applications from undergraduate students in their last year will also be considered.

Course aim

During the 8 weeks in Riyad (KSA), in the spaces of Studio65 office, you will meet with architect Franco Audrito and his Team in free and informal dialogues, you will be guided into the international world of Architecture of Interiors. There you will discuss about the latest trends in design practice and learn about the history and the philosophical theories that guide the works of the most prestigious Interior Designers. You will also learn to judge through critical thinking the actual design productions. In this course you will be free to expand your creativity and find the courage to design the world you have always dream about! Your skills in design will be upgraded using shapes and new materials, stimulating new behaviors and building a unique design language. You will learn to design your future world effectively and to improve the quality of life for your future clients. During the 4 weeks in Turin, (ITALY) you will be guided by Architect Subhash Mukerjee and his staff at IAAD, the prestigious Academy of Italian Design. You will design the Interior spaces of a Historical Italian Villa. You will acquire and improve your knowledge in the use of professional tools to realize your future projects.

Number of participants

Maximum 16 students from Saudi Arabia (after CV selection and interview)
Maximum 4 students from Italy (after CV selection and interview)
Total maximum of students 20 Applications from undergraduate students in their last year will also be considered.

Course schedule

May 2023 in Riyadh KSA for 8 weeks

July 2023 in Turin ITALY for 4 weeks

Total Duration: 3 months

Language: English

Application and information: courseinfo@studio65.eu

promoted by

IAAD – Istituto d’Arte Applicata e Design

One of the most important Higher Education Institutes in Italy and Europe in the field of design. IAAD is a community that cultivates the dialogue between people, respecting individuality and diversity. IAAD nurtures in curious minds the courage to dare, to fail, to seek original solutions and to redefine the rules. It searches the depths of humanistic culture for the principles that guide the art of design and teaches how to apply them. It believes in the power of imagination to redesign reality. The student is at the center of the didactic activity that combines both a cultural and practical approach. The study program concludes with the student’s thesis project as well as group one, aimed at the creation of a portfolio that becomes the passport to enter the professional workplace. Applications from undergraduate students in their last year will also be considered.

IAAD course content

The intensive course includes the development of an advanced Design Project of Interiors starting from a case study located in Italy. The students will work on the same case study. The structure of the course is conceived to allow the students to experiment in a short time, with new approaches, design solutions to develop a personal consciousness of possibilities and the role of the Architecture of Interior. The course will integrate introductory explanations of design methodology with individual and collective reviews of the works. Collective discussions between the teaching team and the students are partly integrated into the course, encouraging constructive dialogues. The design topic of the first edition will be the transformation of an important Italian villa, offering the students the chance and the freedom to imagine innovative spaces in a unique and authentic context. At the end of the course, the students will present their work to a collective jury. The materials will be carefully designed to be shown during the final presentation and to become an important contribution to the professional portfolio of the participants. Applications from undergraduate students in their last year will also be considered.

studio65

Franco Audrito founded Studio65 in Turin in 1965 as a collective that brought together a group of artists, painters, photographers, and aspiring filmmakers- all students of the Faculty of Architecture. In 1975 Franco Audrito and his partner Athena (Nanà) Sampaniotou, along with their Studio65 colleagues, began their adventures in the Middle East, leading the studio to win competitions and build structures in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Egypt, and then Russia, Indonesia, England, China, and the UAE. In 2015 Franco Audrito and his partner Athena Sampaniotou, along with their daughter Valentina Audrito, founded the cultural association “Il Mercante di Nuvole” (The Merchant of Clouds) to promote their activity in the field of design, art, and education and to promote Studio65 Historical Archive. Studio65 offices are currently based in Turin, Italy, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The course will integrate introductory explanations of design methodology with individual and collective reviews of the works. Collective discussions between the teaching team and the students are partly integrated into the course, encouraging constructive dialogues. The design topic of the first edition will be the transformation of an important Italian villa, offering the students the chance and the freedom to imagine innovative spaces in a unique and authentic context. At the end of the course, the students will present their work to a collective jury. The materials will be carefully designed to be shown during the final presentation and to become an important contribution to the professional portfolio of the participants. Applications from undergraduate students in their last year will also be considered.

the fees

The fee for participation to the 3 months Postgraduate Course is Sar 40000

  • 8 weeks in Riyadh (KSA) coordinated by Arch Franco Audrito and his team
  • 4 weeks in Torino (Italy) on the spaces of IAAD University, coordinated by Arch. Subhash Mukerjee and his team
  • No. 4 eductional visits in Italy (every Friday) guided by Arch. Franco Audrito and his team

Studio65 offers also to the participants for a Fee of 30000 Sar the option to cover the full package of services for travel and accommodation expenses for the 4 weeks in Italy, as per following list:

  • The Schengen visa to Europe
  • Return flight ticket in Economy class between Riyadh and Turin with Saudia or Lufthansa
  • Hotel or Residence Apartment 4 stars accommodation including breakfast for the 4 weeks of permanence in Torino
  • Free subscription for 24 hours taxi services in town up to 30 free services per person during the 4 weeks
  • Shuttle bus service between the accommodation and the IAAD school daily
  • Medical and accidental insurance for the 4 weeks in Torino

how to apply

The candidates must submit their application by 28th February 2023 to the following email:

Materials required: 

  • Curriculum vitae of the candidate (.pdf)
  • Portfolio (.pdf) of selected projects with at least:
  • One 3D render
  • One plan with furniture layout
  • One section /wall elevation

Interview for Saudi applicants:
All the applicants will be invited to an interview conducted by a member of Studio65

Interview for Italian applicants:
All the applicants will be invited to an interview conducted by a member of IAAD

By the end of March 2023 will be communicated the final selection.

course structure and calendar

saudi Module

From May 6th to June 24th. Every Saturday 4 hours of lecturing, and design revisions workshop led by architect Franco Audrito and his Team. From 10.00 am to 2.00 pm

Italian Module

Every day from Monday to Thursday. Lectures, workshops, and discussions in IAAD spaces. Students will develop their projects under the guidance of Arch. Subhash Mukerjee and his Team. Total 16/20 hours per week Fridays will be dedicated to educational visits to factories, exhibitions, and design museums coordinated by the arch. Franco Audrito and his team.

Final presentation Diploma

The postgraduate course will end with a public presentation of all the projects of the students to a Board of Experts composed by arch. Franco Audrito, Arch. Subhash Mukerjee and some other external members agreed with Studio65 and IAAD.

final event

After the final presentation of the projects, an event will be organized to award the certificate of participation and accomplishment of the Postgraduate Course in Architecture of Interior.

course structure

saudi module

Week 1: COURSE PRESENTATION AND RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

Theory Modules

1.1 Introduction of the course 

1.2 Methods and Topics 

1.3 Program and Projects 

1.4 Students’ presentation and designers’ selection (on a given list). Research objective. Selecting one designer and analyzing his/her philosophy and 3 project descriptions, making a critical analysis on each part of his/her projects.

Week 2: RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ON SELECTED DESIGNERS

Theory Modules

2.1 About Styles

2.2 About Concept

2.3 About Research

Practical Modules

2.4 Research Workshop/project reviews and submission 

Output: Designer + Style + Concept

Week 3: RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ON CONCEPT

Theory Modules

3.1 Weekly Theme Introduction 

3.2 Case study on concept and style 

3.3 Students’ presentations and reviews

Week 4: RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION ON CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Theory Modules

4.1 Case study on concept development/ working drawings

Practical Modules

4.2 Research Workshop/project reviews and submission 

Output: Concept Development

Week 5: RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ON MATERIALS

Theory Modules

5.1 Weekly Theme Introduction 

5.2 Case study on Materials 

5.3 Students’ presentations and reviews

Week 6: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: INTERIOR HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

Theory Modules

6.1 Case study on Materials

Practical Modules

6.2 Research Workshop/project reviews and submission 

Output: project implementation

Week 7: RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT: PROJECT COMMUNICATION

Theory Modules

7.1 Weekly Theme Introduction 

7.2 Case study on Project Communication 

7.3 Students’ presentations and reviews

Week 8: PROJECT COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTATION

Practical Modules

8.1 Project final review including case study, topic research, concept, design implementation, project narrative, materials 

8.2 Project submission including case study, topic research, concept, design implementation, project narrative, materials 

Output: project presentation

Design the world you have always dream about!

1st edition
May – July 2023

Next edition
September 2023 – Application until June 2023

For application and info