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Teesside University setting the standard for interior design and architecture courses

28 March 2019

 

Teesside University has been confirmed as a National Centre of Excellence for Interior Design and Architecture.

Front - Richard Sober and Diana Celella, Back - Neil McLaren, Leanda French, Tim Thompson, Lauren Ridley, Louise Roberts and Kim Crawford.
Front - Richard Sober and Diana Celella, Back - Neil McLaren, Leanda French, Tim Thompson, Lauren Ridley, Louise Roberts and Kim Crawford.

The University is only the second organisation in the country to be recognised as an official Centre of Excellence by the Society of British and International Design (SBID).

SBID is the standard bearer for the accreditation of professional interior designers, product suppliers and educational institutions and are in the process of conferring nine Centres of Excellence across the UK. Teesside is among the first to be recognised and will be the only SBID Centre of Excellence in the North East.

Both the BA (Hons) Interior Design and the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design courses will be accredited by SBID and all students who are enrolled on either course will receive free student membership to the professional body.

Diana Celella is the current president of SBID and herself graduated from Teesside University in 1986 with an interior design degree. Following a successful early career in design, Diana set up The Drawing Room Interiors, which she has successfully ran for over 30 years. She specialises in healthcare projects, including care homes, dental practices, assisted living and retirement villages.

Diana returned to Teesside to give an inspirational talk to current students before officially certifying the University as a National Centre of Excellence.

'It is a proud day for me to come back to Teesside – I loved my time here and the course gave me a really good grounding for my career,' explained Diana.

'I have a lot of special memories of Teesside University and it fully deserves to be recognised as a National Centre of Excellence.

'The University is already doing everything we needed. SBID Centres of Excellence are a hub of learning, which bring together industry, designers and students to network, share ideas and develop best practice, as well as take part in continuing professional development. We very much look forward to working with Teesside University and building on the fantastic work which is already taking place.'

I have a lot of special memories of Teesside University and it fully deserves to be recognised as a National Centre of Excellence.

Diana Celella

Professor Tim Thompson, Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) in Teesside University’s School of Science, Engineering & Design, said: 'We are delighted to be officially recognised as a National Centre of Excellence for Interior Design and Architecture. It is fabulous recognition for the talent, dedication and expertise of our staff and their continuous commitment to students.'

Richard Sober, Principal Lecturer in the School of Science, Engineering & Design, added: 'We have an outstanding reputation for our Interior Design and Architecture courses and it is fantastic to be named as one of the nine National Centres of Excellence. We look forward to working even closer with SBID in the future and providing additional opportunities for our students, staff and partners.

The Society of British and International Design, (SBID), was founded in 2009 by International Interior Designer Dr Vanessa Brady OBE.

SBID works with business experts, government bodies, trade associations and academics to guide and measure the profession through best practice; setting the standard for the industry at large to develop future growth.

SBID’s accredited members include interior designers, architects, developers, specifiers and construction professionals. They operate across both commercial and residential sectors and represent the range, diversity and international spread of a creative global design industry.


 
 
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