Breathing Machine by Lisa van Heyden, 2025. Photo by Sander van Wettum.

Main department

Studio for Immediate Spaces

The Studio for Immediate Spaces presents a two-year Master’s programme in art practices in the spatial discourse (MA Interior Architecture) that investigates how ecology, politics and economy influence modes of spatial production and, vice versa, how space shapes life. The term “immediacy” in the course title signifies both physical proximity and a sense of engaged response to urgent universal crises such as the anthropogenic ecological collapse, socio-economic division, and heightened political polarization. The course objective is to make use of artistic freedom, architectural thinking, and design competence to develop critical positions and engaged practices beyond disciplinary boundaries that react with tangible approaches to the everyday, carrying transformatory potential for the future. 

About

Studio for Immediate Spaces invites “undisciplinary spatialists” from backgrounds ranging from architecture, design, and art to urban studies, anthropology, and beyond. The Studio is envisioned as a post-disciplinary laboratory, testing ideas pertinent to our current and future ways of living — specifically, how we collectively manage work, leisure, resources, and the commons. Prospective students are asked to apply with a project, as the programme provides a unique opportunity to develop a deep and lasting engagement with a particular context or theme. During studies, collaborative efforts of making space are encouraged, and individual research trajectories might lead to collective group projects or temporary project partnerships.

The practices cultivated during the programme are informed by current discourses on space, yet they maintain an independence and criticality that enables real-world application on a one-to-one scale, impacting broader contexts. Architectural, design, and artistic perspectives will shape our spatial practice discourse, without limiting it to a single viewpoint. Rather than looking for ways to put on display, the Studio looks for ways to engage. At a time when the world urgently requires uncompromised practices to contribute to a more just and beautiful world, our goal is to foster works not to be exhibited, but to exist.

Use At Your Own Risk. Daphné Keraudren, 2021.

"Capture/Display" Workshop and Exhibition at HNI. Rotterdam, 2021.

Lost, Misplaced or Abandoned. María Mazzanti, 2020.

Prole di Zeno Excursion. Rome, 2022.

Vernagocene. Emilie Bordes and Matteo Viviano, 2022. Photo by Tom Philip Janssen.

A View on Discharge Point NLDP11014 by Jonathan Steiger, 2022.

Graduation 2022, The Chronic Wandering of Dust by Jon Gonzalez De Matauco Perez. Photo by Tom Philip Janssen.

Post-Disciplinary Assembly, learning format, Sandberg Kitchen, 2022.

Juxtaposing, learning format, Tata Steel IJmuiden, 2022.

"Post-Disciplinary Assembly" dish by Sankrit Kulmanochawong, 2022.

Following a studio-based approach, the programme emphasises continuous idea production and development next to scheduled assessments and public moments. For three days each week, participants will actively and independently advance their existing practice, either individually or in small groups, while the remaining two days are structured with lectures, seminars, visits, workshops, dinners, and exercises, including a tutoring session with one of the Studio’s main tutors at least every two weeks.

Each academic year sees two group excursions: one to Berlin in October/November and one “Spring School” in March/April to yearly varying locations. These activities are designed to further enhance the participants’ spatial practices. Most importantly, the program is extended and influenced by the participants through self-organized peer-to-peer sessions, guest lectures, and other formats, supplementing the official curriculum. Participants have access to the SIS studio from Monday to Saturday, as well as to the Rietveld/Sandberg facilities, and are encouraged to partake in the school's numerous extracurricular activities. An overview of the specific program, schedule, and invited guests is provided at the start of each academic year, with a comprehensive introduction during the first week of studies.

Disciplinary Context, Studio for Immediate Spaces.

Prole di Zeno, Excursion, Marseille, 2023.

Approaching Sand by Enno Pötschke, 2023

Graduation 2023, The Great Interior.

Thesis Launch at San Serriffe, Amsterdam, 2023.

Graduation Show 2023. Toponymns by Juri Velt.

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Current participants

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Fedlev building & Benthem Crouwel building
Fred. Roeskestraat 96
1076 ED Amsterdam
Netherlands