Interior Design Materials Lab
The Interior Design Materials Lab, or Mat Lab, is a versatile, hands-on, and essential resource for interior design students that supports their exploration of materials commonly used in the field. Located in room 216 Design, it offers access to a variety of textiles, finishes, and surface materials.
Mat Lab enables students to explore, handle, and test materials used in real-world applications whether working on a class project, experimenting with new ideas, or researching material trends. The space encourages students to engage directly with materials, providing practical skills and deepening their understanding of how surfaces and finishes influence design decisions. Tunable white LED lighting in the adjoining conference room can be adjusted to demonstrate how samples appear in different settings.
All materials in the Mat Lab have been donated by industry partners and are currently in production. This allows students to stay current on trends and work with the same materials they’ll use during internships and after graduation.
The room also serves as the perfect venue for industry professionals to connect with students about their products.
The Mat Lab is staffed by interior design students. Hours vary by semester and are posted on the door of 216 Design.