Spatial Design Major - Bachelor of Design

The Spatial Design major is a contemporary multidisciplinary programme that explores space through interior and architectural design, exhibition, event and performance design, visualisation and virtual environments.

At AUT, you’ll analyse and interpret existing sites and conditions to build a sense of place, visualising immersive spaces and helping others visualise the space. You’ll learn to work with what already exists – refitting, reusing, adapting, and attending to materials, surfaces, patterns, fabrication and connections. You’ll frequently collaborate with others to develop coherent, customised and conceptually driven spaces.

AUT spatial design Facebook page


This is part of the Bachelor of Design.

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If you're a full-time student, you normally complete 120 points each year (360 points for the entire degree). In each year you study core compulsory courses within your major and selected minor.

List of minors

Year 1

Through Fabrication Studio I in the first semester and Spatial Design Studio I in the second semester, you learn conceptual thinking, and the making skills and communication skills to become a spatial designer. The courses Theory I, Digital Techniques I, and Spatial Drawing further your creative thinking ability and visualising skills.

You study the following courses

You also study one course from your chosen minor.

Year 2

You study the following courses

You also study two courses from your chosen minor.

Year 3

You study the following courses

You also study one course from your chosen minor.

Spatial design project

In the second semester you complete a design project in Spatial Design Studio III, integrating knowledge from the minor, Spatial Theory III and the building expertise provided by earlier courses. You have the opportunity to exhibit your design project at the AUT School of Art and Design festival, showcasing your work to key representatives from media, industry and the design professions.

Recent projects included:

  • Test pod science pavilions at Wynyard Quarter
  • New entry design proposals for Auckland Hospital
  • Urban and landscape design proposals for the Aotea Quarter with Auckland Council
  • New reception facilities and wayfinding strategies for Vision West in Glen Eden
  • New gallery spaces at Auckland Museum

More details about courses in this programme

Detailed programme structure and course outlines (Blackboard)

Search for a course (Arion)

Email artbox@aut.ac.nz

Enrolment in courses is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of courses.

  • Interior/building design
  • Design for theatre, film, television or digital environments
  • Urban design
  • Event design
  • Furniture and object design
spatial-design-career-sheet.jpg

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Spatial Design Careers

Key features
  • Hands-on, studio-based learning
  • Includes authentic spatial design projects
  • Work with full-sized prototypes, installations, moving images and emergent technologies
See yourself as
  • Fascinated with the spaces people live, work and play in
  • Someone with a love of exploring and experimenting
  • A thinker, maker or planner
Belinda Tran
Monica Joy Barbosa
Matangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-Francis
Hana Stay
Frank Liu
Belinda Tran
Great graduatesBelinda TranBachelor of Design
Certificate in Science and TechnologyShe would love to use her design skills to make a difference, says Belinda Tran who is currently completing a Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design at AUT.She would love to use her design skills to make a difference, says Belinda Tran who is currently completing a Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design at AUT. Her goal is to be involved in spatial projects that highlight and support those with an impairment. As someone who is hearing impaired herself, she would like to use her design skills to make a difference for others who have an impairment.
Monica Joy Barbosa
Great graduatesMonica Joy BarbosaLighting Designer, Novii LightingBachelor of DesignWhen Monica Joy Barbosa first discovered spatial design, she immediately knew this was the discipline for her and she enrolled in AUT’s Bachelor of Design.When Monica Joy Barbosa first discovered spatial design, she immediately knew this was the discipline for her and she enrolled in AUT’s Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design. After graduating at the end of 2018, Monica now loves applying what she has learnt during her time at university in her role as a lighting designer at Novii Lighting.
Matangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-Francis
Great graduatesMatangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-FrancisBachelor of Design
Master of Architecture (Professional)He was inspired by the vision of AUT’s architecture programmes, says Master of Architecture (Professional) student Matangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-Francis.He was inspired by the vision of AUT’s architecture programmes, says Matangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-Francis who completed a Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design in 2019 and is currently enrolled in the Master of Architecture (Professional). Raised in Rotorua, Matangireia says he is grateful that his parents and whānau made sure that he and his siblings were surrounded by Māori culture and the arts.
Hana Stay
Great graduatesHana StayInterior DesignerMaster of Design
Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours)
Bachelor of DesignThe design community at AUT was the highlight of her studies, says AUT spatial design alumna Hana Stay who is currently working as an interior designer.The design community at AUT was the highlight of her studies, says AUT spatial design alumna Hana Stay who is currently working as an interior designer. Hana has certainly made the most of the many opportunities available to her at AUT, and her passion for spatial design has been recognised at the prestigious Best Awards.
Frank Liu
Great graduatesFrank LiuInterior Designer, Warren + Mahoney ArchitectsMaster of Design
Bachelor of DesignThe studio culture was the highlight of his time at AUT, says art and design alumnus Frank Liu who is now an interior designer at Warren + Mahoney Architects.The studio and community culture was the highlight of his time at AUT, says art and design alumnus Frank Liu who studied a Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design, followed by a Master of Design. After completing his Master of Design in 2018, Frank has now turned his passion for spatial design into a rewarding career; working as an interior designer at Warren + Mahoney Architects.

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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