Skip navigation

Dr Roderick Adams

Associate Professor

Department: Northumbria School of Design

Senior academic, researcher and practicing interior designer at the Design School, Northumbria University.Roderick Adams

About 

Rod joined Northumbria in 2009 and is currently the Associate Head of School of Design. He has an integrated academic practice which combines research, teaching and practice. After working in Interior design practice (Leisure, Workplace, Retail, Exhibition and Theatre design), he has actively researched and taught on spatial design programmes for over 25 years. His academic practice also includes working in many overseas locations, recruiting and developing academic work with international practices and educational institutions.

He completed his PhD in 2017, which explored the new tensions between people, spatial productivity and workplace design. This research helped to strengthens a humanist approach to the academic activity within the school and places the individual at the centre of the design practice. Central to Rod’s academic practice is a continual enrichment of a designed society powered by original creative knowledge. This work is influenced by commercial practice experience and a research-rich academic environment.

Programme Input

Rod actively researches the spatial environment and ensures this work contributes to the currency of modules on the Interior Design programme in year one, two and final year. His work specialises in the development of design thinking and the enhancement of professional practice. Having a strong belief that students need to develop integrated and transferable skills, he encourages students drawing and communication skills as an anchor for more complex interior design visualisations and a dedication to the professional practices of design. By focusing on the human user, students develop projects that demonstrate the organisation of space, materials, colour and light. This enriches portfolio presentations and prepares students for the challenges of employment. 

Research

Rod has conducted many international design masterclass workshops which create fresh interrogation of the design process and develop new research knowledge into professional design practice. This is emphasised by the invited studio workshop on the ‘Proximities of Learning’ at the renowned Bauhaus in Dessau, Germany. Recent research includes a published chapter in the 'Interior Futures' book with the Royal College of Art and Rod is currently working on an international publication with Routledge - 'Interior Design – A global profession' which is due to be published in the Spring of 2020.


Campus Address

School of Design
Northumbria University, City Campus East 2
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST

  • Spatial design anthropology
  • Workplace research
  • Design Theory
  • Agile Interior and spatial design
  • Spatial ethnographic narratives
  • Trans-national design education

  • Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
  • Designing Spatial Culture, Adams, R. 7 Nov 2023
  • Interior hapticity: the empowerment of spatial sensing through an embodiment of the object, Marlor, L., Adams, R. 1 Jul 2023, Sensorial Modernities, Taylor & Francis
  • Interior Design: A Global Profession, Adams, R. 24 Jul 2020
  • Bauhaus Open Studio Teaching Models: Workshop, Exhibition and Publication, Adams, R., Trueman, J. 2 Feb 2019
  • Breaking the Binary Opposition of the Interior: A Momentary Permanence, Adams, R., Marlor, L. 30 Jul 2019

  • Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
  • Organising a conference, workshop, ...: National Saturday Club 2023
  • Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: Bauhaus Open Studio 2023 2023
  • Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: Council for Higher Education in Art and Design (CHEAD) Annual Conference 2022
  • Organising a conference, workshop, ...: Council for Higher Education in Art and Design (CHEAD) Annual Conference 2022
  • Organising a conference, workshop, ...: Bauhaus Open Studio 2020 2020
  • Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: IAFOR Conference on Educational Research and Innovation 2019: Digital Proxemics Workshop 2019
  • Organising a conference, workshop, ...: Bauhaus Workshop - Interior Design 2018
  • Other: Design Education Enhancement Project 2017

  • Andrew Wright Title: ... of dead space and fractured narrative Question: Does the 'urban frame' of the transient marking alter a person's subconscious reading of the communal urban space? Start Date: 10/05/2023
  • Maryam Aljaidah The Impact of Liminal Space on Creative Learners' Learning Experience in Art and Design Schools in Northern UK: An Examination Based on the Supportive Design Theory Start Date: 01/03/2022
  • Simon Walvin An exploration of new creative working environments Start Date: 16/02/2022
  • Emma Kench-Porter Addressing Academic Transition: An exploration into the educational and social evolution of generation Z students and the pastoral and pedagogical response of Interior Design educators. Start Date: 01/10/2018 End Date: 21/05/2021
  • Sean Kelleher Start Date: 01/10/2018

  • Design Studies PhD February 28 2017
  • Design Studies MA September 01 1990
  • Senior Fellow (SFHEA) Higher Education Academy (HEA) 2014


a sign in front of a crowd
+

Northumbria Open Days

Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.

Research at Northumbria
+

Research at Northumbria

Research is the life blood of a University and at Northumbria University we pride ourselves on research that makes a difference; research that has application and affects people's lives.

NU World
+

Explore NU World

Find out what life here is all about. From studying to socialising, term time to downtime, we’ve got it covered.


Latest News and Features

Logo for UNEE
Dr Julia Stawarz
Being Human
Lauren Cunningham won the Best Concept award with her ‘Big Waters Recovery Project: Reimagining Addiction Rehabilitation’ at the Architects for Health Student Design Awards 2024.
RNLI
More news
More events

Upcoming events

Back to top