Overview

ARCHITECTURE (Validated by SACAP and recognised by the CAA, 2012)
Architecture entails the design of buildings and the spaces between those buildings. It is the art and science that is employed in order to create a liveable environment, thus contributing towards the spiritual and material prosperity of the country. Architects are often independent thinkers, individualists and innovators. Although they are employed by organisations involved with development, investment, research, marketing, the industry or even education, many architects prefer to be independent consultants and entrepreneurs.

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE (Recognised by the IID)
‘Interior architecture’ is a category of the broader discipline known as ‘Interior design’. Interior design refers to all work concerned with the design of interior space within built environment enclosures. This ranges from interior fit-out to the adaptive re-use of existing buildings (including additions). Interior designers engage with, and respond to, existing or proposed structures within the built environment. They are particularly concerned with shaping and questioning the triadic relationship that exists between space, objects and the users that occupy these structures.

The programme in interior architecture is one of only four similar programmes in South Africa with educational membership at the International Federation of Interior Architects / Designers (IFI). The Department has been instrumental in the recent establishment of professional designations in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act (Act 67 of 2008).

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE (Validated by SACLAP, 2012)
Landscapes are the represented expressions of the dynamic interaction between the technological and cultural activities of human societies with the physical environment. Landscape architecture is a profession and academic discipline concerned with the design of rural and urban outside places on various scales informed by this interaction. It considers change over time and mediates art and science; artefact and nature; city and region; and private and public interests. Landscape architects therefore synthesise knowledge from the humanities and the sciences to sustainably design meaningful and beautiful places that are grounded in material and immaterial culture, and ecology of their local contexts.

The programme in landscape architecture is the only undergraduate course of its kind offered in South Africa. Locally there is a great demand for practitioners in both the public and private sector.