Urgently integrating new technologies and ecological awareness are priorities within creative education, says Javier Fernández Contreras, associate professor and head of the Department of Space Design/Interior Architecture at HEAD Genève.

Dezeen School Shows: Designing the Future explores the challenges facing design and architecture departments, and the changes they are implementing in response.

Recently, HEAD Genève's curriculum has adapted to incorporate a "broader and more inclusive" approach to design, according to Contreras.

Contreras explained that the curriculum has expanded to consider the impact of design on non-human entities and ecosystems, the influence of AI and virtual media on creative practice, and the importance of designing for a diversity of bodies and abilities.

This evolution reflects a growing recognition that interior architecture is not only about shaping spaces but urgently responding to the relationships between humans, technology and the environment.

Dezeen spoke to Contreras about the impact digital technologies are having on human behaviour, the role of design in ecological resilience and the value of maintaining craftsmanship within creative practices.

Ruby Betts: What new courses have recently been developed and why?

Javier Fernández Contreras: Our department has recently introduced a series of courses that address emerging paradigms in interior architecture.

These include courses focused on the 'non-human' – exploring the relationships between human spaces and animals, plants and broader ecological systems – to rethink design beyond anthropocentric perspectives.

New courses on digital technologies such as video games and artificial intelligence (AI) examine how virtual environments and computational tools are transforming spatial experience, design processes and creative collaboration.

Finally, courses centred on inclusivity, plural bodies and disability studies have been developed to ensure that design education embraces diversity, accessibility and equitable participation.

There is also currently a strong demand for courses that combine craftsmanship, technical expertise and ecological awareness. Students are increasingly drawn to subjects that balance hands-on making and material knowledge with sustainable approaches to design.

Courses that emphasise the integration of traditional techniques with contemporary ecological concerns are particularly popular, as they allow students to explore both the artistry and responsibility inherent in creating spaces that respond to environmental challenges.

Ruby Betts: What impact have new technologies had on the courses you run?

Javier Fernández Contreras: New technologies have profoundly transformed both the content and delivery of design courses. Digital modelling, virtual reality and AI have expanded the possibilities of visualisation, allowing students to prototype and test ideas in immersive and interactive ways.

Courses increasingly integrate computational design and data-driven analysis, helping students understand spatial behaviour and environmental performance more deeply.

Moreover, technology has also become a subject of critical inquiry – prompting discussions about digital ethics, virtual embodiment and the ways technology mediates our relationship with the natural world.

This technological shift has encouraged more interdisciplinary, experimental and forward-thinking approaches to interior architecture education.

Ruby Betts: What new skills are vital for students to have?

Javier Fernández Contreras: Students now need to cultivate a combination of technical, conceptual and ethical skills.

They must be proficient in emerging digital tools – from AI-driven modelling to immersive spatial simulation – while also developing sensitivity to ecological and social contexts.

Understanding how materials interact with living systems, designing inclusively for varied bodies, and translating traditional craftsmanship into sustainable practices have become crucial competencies.

These skills enable future designers to navigate complex challenges and contribute meaningfully to a rapidly changing world.

Ruby Betts: Are there any skills that you're focused on?

Javier Fernández Contreras: Yes, there is a greater emphasis on critical digital literacy, ecological design intelligence and inclusive spatial thinking.

More attention is now given to understanding how digital technologies influence human perception and behaviour, how design can support ecological resilience, and how inclusive design practices can foster a sense of belonging for all.

The goal is to move beyond technical proficiency to cultivate reflective designers who can think creatively and ethically about the environments they shape.

Dezeen School Shows: Designing the Future

This article is part of Dezeen School Shows: Designing the Future, a series of interviews exploring design and architecture education.