The Interior Architecture and Design module was designed to provide students with the opportunity to work and engage with their discipline beyond the studio environment.

Around 100 students work cross-year with a wide range of external clients from a variety of industries. All of the clients are initially invited to pitch proposals to the students and the students work in small groups with the clients to deliver 2D or 3D solutions which fit the brief. These are then displayed in a public exhibition at the end of the year.

Students promote their own portfolio on digital platforms and learn to develop business skills, as well as team working skills. Assessment for the project is done via self-assessment and peer assessment.

Sally explains how the CoLAB project was organised and run. It includes two 60-credit modules, which are peer-assessed. First and second year students work with local businesses and put on an exhibition of their work

Sally explains some of the challenges she encountered as the project ran, and how they were overcome

In this video Sally explains the benefits for students, how they developed confidence and built student communities, and how they approached other projects 

Finally, Sally talks about how the project aligns with Highly Skilled Employment, and how social media helped the students to develop business skills, online portfolios and network with employers