Limited space and disaster awareness: a comparative analysis of curriculum transformation in interior architecture education

The earthquakes of February 6, 2023, have demonstrated the need to revisit topics such as disaster awareness, limited-volume design, and spatial resilience in interior architecture education curricula. This study examines how post-disaster shelter and limited space-focused courses were integrated into the curricula of Interior Architecture and Interior Architecture–Environmental Design undergraduate programs at state and foundation universities following the earthquakes. The research covered the period between 2022 (pre-disaster) and 2025 (post-disaster); Higher Education Council (YÖK) data and universities' online curriculum documents were evaluated using content analysis within a phenomenological approach, in line with qualitative research methods. The findings show a marked increase in courses on limited space, modular systems, and temporary housing after the earthquake. However, it was determined that this increase mostly occurred at the elective course level, while compulsory courses on earthquake or disaster housing remain limited. The results show that, despite the growing importance of small-scale, modular, and flexible space design topics, this awareness has not yet been transformed into a holistic structure in interior architecture education. The development of compulsory courses based on disaster scenarios, focused on sustainability, and supported by interdisciplinary content, is considered critical for a more resilient interior architecture education in the future.