Architecture

A Focus on Studio

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.S. Arch) program is a rigorous course of study centered on the design studio, where students work closely with faculty in their explorations of architectural design across a broad range of scales. Associated courses in visual representation, history, theory, technology, and professional practice inform and enrich students' responses to studio challenges. Student learning is enhanced by two semesters of cooperative work experience as well as study abroad options. All entering freshmen are admitted to the four-year B.S. Arch program. During the junior year, students focus their educational interests by choosing one of the three concentrations outlined below.

Undergraduate Concentrations in Architecture

The undergraduate program in Architecture offers three areas of concentration, which allow students to pursue a particular focus within their study of architecture. The core architectural education is equivalent across concentrations, and all achieve the same learning outcomes. All students are required to select a concentration at the end of their first semester in junior year.

Urbanism

This concentration explores architecture's capacity for engaging urban systems and landscapes within the cultural, ecological and historical contexts of the built environment. It challenges students to examine the relationships between these systems as a form of design research and empowers young professionals to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries and provide leadership in reshaping our cities.

Emerging Technologies 

This concentration builds knowledge and skills in the technologies that are transforming the discipline and profession of architecture. It explores emergent design techniques, materials, construction methods, digital fabrication, computational software, and media of architecture. It offers students an understanding of the principles and applications of technologies that are central to shaping architectural modernity and the future of the built environment.

Adaptive Interventions

This concentration investigates architecture as it relates to design interventions, adaptations, and transformations of existing conditions, communities, and contexts. It explores how built architectural works engage complex social, political, economic, environmental, historical, and disciplinary forces—and how to re-engage those changing forces when adapting or intervening in an existing setting. If the most sustainable building is one that already exists, this concentration establishes strategies for capitalizing on our built fabric while imagining inventive ways to transform buildings and urban environments from past generations.

Over 80% Pursue Graduate Architecture Studies

A significant majority of our undergraduate architecture majors choose to further their education in graduate programs. Many continue in our own highly regarded Master of Architecture program. To learn more about the rewarding career opportunities available to our graduates, we invite you to review our comprehensive Career Outcomes data on our M.Arch page.

For a more in-depth look at career outcomes for the undergraduate degree only, please see below.

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture is a four-year program that begins in the fall of the student’s first year and is intended to be completed in the spring semester of the fourth year. In their third year, students select one of three concentrations – Urbanism, Emerging Technologies, or Adaptive Interventions – as the focus of their advanced coursework during junior and senior years.

View information from the Course Catalog below for program requirements.