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 papers 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 papers Theory I, Digital Techniques I, and Spatial Drawing further your creative thinking ability and visualising skills.

You study the following papers

You also study one paper from your chosen minor.

Year 2

You study the following papers

You also study two papers from your chosen minor.

Year 3

You study the following papers

You also study one paper 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 papers. 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 papers in this programme

Detailed programme structure and paper outlines (Blackboard)

Search for a paper (Arion)

Email artbox@aut.ac.nz

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

  • 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
Sophie Roberts
Zammia Weatherall
Hana Stay
Yana Nafysa Dombrowsky-M'Baye
Sophie Roberts
Great graduatesSophie RobertsLandscape Designer, Terrain NYC, New York CityBachelor of DesignAUT has propelled her out into the world, says spatial design alumna Sophie Roberts who is now working at Terrain NYC in New York City.AUT has propelled her out into the world, says spatial design alumna Sophie Roberts who is now working at Terrain NYC in New York City. She got the sought-after internship through the AUT Internz International Scholarship Programme. Sophie has always been interested in spatial design, and the highlight of her time at AUT was working in the spatial design studio.
Zammia Weatherall
Great graduatesZammia WeatherallFreelance Scenic ArtistBachelor of DesignShe enjoys the variety of her work, says spatial design alumna Zammia Weatherall who now works on TV commercials and films, including the recent Thor: Ragnarok.She enjoys the variety of her work, says spatial design alumna Zammia Weatherall who now works on TV commercials and films, including the recent Thor: Ragnarok. As a freelance scenic artist she produces props, models and sets for the film industry. She loves that every project is so different, new and exciting, Zammia says.
Hana Stay
Great graduatesHana StayDesigner, Yellow6Master of Design
Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours)
Bachelor of DesignThe design community at AUT was the highlight of her studies, says spatial design alumna Hana Stay who now works at interior design company Yellow6.The design community at AUT was the highlight of her studies, says spatial design alumna Hana Stay who now works at interior design company Yellow6. What she loves most about being a spatial designer is seeing designs come life. Hana 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.
Yana Nafysa Dombrowsky-M'Baye
Great graduatesYana Nafysa Dombrowsky-M'BayeIndigenous Program Intern, Sundance Institute, Los AngelesBachelor of DesignShe was looking for a degree that would challenge her and open up new ways to grow her creativity, says spatial design alumna Yana Nafysa Dombrowsky-M'Baye.She was looking for a degree that would challenge her and open up new ways to grow her creativity, says spatial design alumna Yana Nafysa Dombrowsky-M'Baye. When she was in her final year at AUT, Yana was tossing up between taking on postgraduate study or getting a taste of the real world. Then, she came across the AUT Internz programme and the opportunity to work for the Sundance Institute in Los Angeles.

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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