Industry-partnered Sample Room strengthens workplace readiness for TUT Interior Design students

Teaching and learning in the Faculty of Arts & Design’s Interior Design Department has become more hands-on with the launch of a Sample Room, powered by student creativity and industry collaboration.

The new Sample Room at the Department of Interior Design will greatly enhance teaching and learning by making both tactile and digital catalogues available to students. In interior design, a sample room is essential for exploring and specifying materials. It enables informed decisions about material application, sustainability, maintenance and aesthetic qualities, helping students design in response to real client requirements.

The Sample Room initiative began as a student competition within the third-year Building Practice III module in 2023. Following the selection of the winning proposal by the student team The Visioneers, the Department collaborated with industry partners to bring the concept to life.

“The Department worked closely with industry partner Kayreed Board and Timber to complete the project,” said Jaco Steenkamp, lecturer and project coordinator, during the launch on 7 April.

Kayreed Board and Timber contributed materials, time and expertise to refine the final design. Kayreed also worked with Fit Hardware to ensure the cabinetry was fitted with high-quality hardware.

Additional collaborators helped create the space: AkzoNobel Dulux prepared and painted the room, while RAW Modular and Rubio Monocoat developed bespoke signage to strengthen the room’s identity and functionality.

TUT’s Directorate: Teaching and Learning with Technology equipped the room with touchscreen displays, which link directly to the Autospec digital specification system.

Jaco Steenkamp, lecturer at the Department of Interior Design and project leader, speaking at the launch. Steenkamp said: “While the concept aligns with established industry practices, this dedicated space will significantly strengthen the Department’s teaching and learning offering, embedding practical, hands-on engagement with materials and sustainable design approaches. Design cannot only exist on paper. It should be touched, tested and explored.”

Inge Newport, Head of Department, said the room builds on a long-standing vision for a learning space where students can view, interact with and compare materials, supported by integrated digital platforms for cataloguing, specification and sample board creation.

“With the integration of touchscreens, students can engage with both the physical and digital worlds of material and seamlessly share their selected specifications to their devices,” she added.

A proud moment for Inge Newport, Head of the Department of Interior Design, as she cuts the ribbon during the launch of the Sample Room. Newport said the space also aims to strengthen industry connections: “We hope the room will be an inspirational support environment for our students and serve as a communication hub for industry suppliers to stay connected with us.”

Looking ahead, the Sample Room is envisioned as a dynamic space that will continually showcase innovative developments in the ever-advancing landscape of interior design.

The Visioneers team members – Gugulethu Matjeni, Gomolemo Nkoane, Kgubo Moshia, Jeffery Nokeri and Dinah Skhosana – were also in attendance to see their design come to life.

The Visioneers who designed the Sample Room. In the photo, from left to right: Dinah Skhosana, Gugulethu Matjeni, Jeffery Nokeri, Gomolemo Nkoane and Kgubo Moshia. Onkhopotse Motlauthi (Absent). They said they drew on one another’s strengths to ensure the design worked and highlighted that the biggest benefit of the room is that it enables students to explore and specify the materials used in their practical design projects.

All members of the group are currently employed in the interior design industry.

The Department thanked all its team members, industry partners, The Visioneers and the Directorate: Teaching and Learning with Technology for making this project a reality.

The Sample Room would not have been possible without industry collaboration and support. Pictured here are representatives, from left to right: TUT, Rubio Monocoat, Fit Hardware, AutoSpec, Kayreed Board and Timber, Raw Modular and Akzonobel Dulux. Department of Interior Design staff members pictured at the event, from left to right: Jaco Steenkamp, Nomvula Khumalo, Shirley Ledwaba, Rochelle Scheepers, Inge Newport, Hanneri Barnard, Kholofelo Maluleke and Bongani Madonsela.

PHOTOS: Didintle Morudu