Interior Architecture Technology Requirements

The following hardware, accessories, and software are required for successful participation and completion of studio coursework in Ohio University’s Interior Architecture Program. 

Digital design technologies are an integral part of design learning and design practice. Since the industry standard drafting and rendering software is Windows-based, PC laptops (no Macs!) in combination a wireless mouse are necessary. 

When aquiring your laptop computer, here are the minimum specifications: 

Operating System: Windows 11 on PC 

Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or 3070 (or equivalent) 

Memory: 16 GB 

Storage: 512 GB 

A laptop with this hardware will capably run Revit software for drafting as well as needed rendering software, such as TwinMotion. 

“Oh no! What if I already have lower-quality PC or a Mac computer?” 

While having a functional laptop computer and mouse is essential, we do have an option for people who are new to the major or still deciding and have not yet purchased a more powerful computer. 

All OU IA studio students have free access to a Virtual Desktop, a cloud-based arrangement, which enables students to access and use drafting software from any computer (even a Mac!). In other words, even a mediocre laptop will suffice through first semester of sophomore year. 

By the second semester of your sophomore year, IA studios start requiring the use of rendering software (a really, really powerful program) in addition to the drafting program (a still demanding, but slightly less powerful) software. Since rendering software is not available on the Virtual Desktop, you will need a computer with the hardware described above in order to successfully compete design studio work.

Contact:

Nic Campbell
Associate Professor of Instruction
ncampbell@ohio.edu