Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) in Architecture
Academy of Art University
Key Information
Campus location
San Francisco, USA
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Duration
10 semesters
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 1,156 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Jun 2024
* per unit for international students | $1,072 per unit for domestic students. Additional fees apply
Introduction
Offered as a first professional degree, the Bachelor of Architecture program provides an intense design education by developing each student's capacity to synthesize critical thought, artistic vision, and responsible leadership. With passionate professional faculty, diverse collaboration teams, emerging technologies and fabrication labs, and sensitivity to sustainable methods – together we will participate in shaping our physical world.
Unit Requirements
Major Coursework | 63 |
Liberal Arts | 45 |
Major Elective | 3 |
Elective | 15 |
Core | 36 |
Total | 162 |
Degree Requirement
Bachelor of Architecture Degree Requirements
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and the following Liberal Arts courses:
LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist
or LA 108 Composition for the Artist
LA 219 History of Architecture 1
LA 249 History of Architecture 2
LA 255 College Math
LA 271 College Algebra with Geometry
LA 292 Programming and Culture
LA 293 Precalculus
LA 296 Applied Physics
LA 319 History of Architecture 3
LA 429 Architecture Theory
LA 449 Urban Design Theory
Bachelor of Architecture Core Courses
ARH 110 Studio 1: Conceptual Design Studio
ARH 150 Studio 2: Spatial Ordering & Form*
ARH 170 Projective Drawing & Perspective
ARH 180 2D Digital Visual Media
ARH 210 Studio 3: Site Operations & Tectonic Systems*
ARH 250 Studio 4: Site Culture & Integral Urbanism*
ARH 399 Building Information Modeling
ARH 475 Professional Practices for Architects
FND 113 Sketching for Communication
Bachelor of Architecture Major Courses
ARH 230 Color, Perception & Space
ARH 239 Materials & Methods
ARH 240 Site Design & Mapping
ARH 310 Studio 5: Assembly Buildings & Context*
ARH 320 Structures: Wood & Steel
ARH 330 Structures: Concrete, Masonry, & Tensile Systems
ARH 350 Studio 6: Site Conditions & Building Performance*
ARH 390 3D Digital Modeling
ARH 410 Studio 7: Tectonics & Structure*
ARH 420 Structures: Systems Investigation
ARH 430 Climate & Energy Use: Sustainable Strategies
ARH 440 Building Systems: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
ARH 441 Tectonics: Code Analysis & Building Envelope Documentation
ARH 450 Studio 8: Housing & Comprehensive Design*
ARH 510 Studio 9: Mixed Use Urbanism & Research*
ARH 529 From Theory to Practice
ARH 550 Studio 10: Final Thesis Project*
*6 unit courses
Bachelor of Architecture general education requirements:
- 1 Written Communication: Composition
- 1 Written Communication: Academic Writing
- 3 History of Architecture
- 1 Fundamental Math
- 1 Applied Math
- 1 Advanced Math
- 1 Applied Physics
- 1 Cultural Influences & Human Behavior
- 1 Urban Studies
- 1 Architectural Employment Communications & Practices
- 1 Historical Awareness
After the above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Program Outcome
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Conceptual Thinking and Process
- Communicate conceptual thinking verbally and in writing
- Articulate and extend conceptual thinking through diagrams
- Develop a rigorous material logic for model-making to test ideas
- Produce diagrams indicating critical analyses of relevant precedent buildings or the built environment recognizing the significance to the discipline of architecture
- Produce critical analyses of contemporary, historical, global precedents inclusive of buildings, urban planning, theoretical texts, or related arts applicable to studio projects and systems
- Develop a design identity which synthesizes critical thought, architectural intent, and urban design strategies by developing decision-making criteria substantiated by research
- Fundamental Design & Drawing and Making
- Develop criteria to generate and evaluate an architectural order and formal language
- Develop architectural proposals sensitive to the site context in scale and use based on research
- Produce architectural drawings with appropriate drawing conventions to convey spatial qualities and design intent
- Convey materiality in design projects based on an understanding of construction material properties
- Construct drawings and models with a high level of craft and attention to detail
- Presentation Skills
- Clearly explain and defend design projects in verbal presentations
- Create presentation boards, slides, and/or printed materials which exhibit logical sequencing and a hierarchy of information
- Develop effective visual communication strategies to convey information that build towards an argument
- Determine appropriate representation techniques to describe the spatial qualities and human experience of the design proposal
- Leadership and Community
- Demonstrate a commitment to community building and social equity through programming and organization of an architectural project
- Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse viewpoints of user groups in the design of a building
- Engage a collaborative process in the development of a design, with a range of design and engineering disciplines
- Demonstrate and articulate knowledge of professional practices and contractual conventions
- Integrated Design
- Conduct a user & programmatic analysis
- Communicate analyses of the urban and environmental conditions of a site with clear graphic devices
- Integrate sustainable and energy-conscious strategies into the design of a building
- Communicate analyses of environmental performance systems of the design with clear graphic devices
- Develop an energy-conscious strategy for the design of building envelope systems and material selection
- Integrate structural systems into the design of a building
- Produce technical documentation describing the integration of architecture and building systems
- Accommodate accessibility and life safety requirements in the design of a building
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Career Opportunities
Our students enter the profession well prepared, as we educate them to become critical thinkers and visionary designers with skills and experiences to carry them into their architecture career.
City and Urban Planner Master planning environmental design decisions at the scale of a neighborhood, district, city, or region, architects can be part of an urban or design team improving urban environments. Construction Manager As construction managers, architects contribute their knowledge of building design and coordinate the design delivery of a project from conception to final closeout. Design Consultant Graduates from an architectural school are qualified outside of architectural practice, to consult across disciplines; from building envelope design, historical preservation, industrial design, furniture design, color, branding, business and product consulting, among many other possibilities. Project Architect Collaborating on large or complex architectural projects, project designers are crucial member of a design team. Self-Employed Architect Operating as a sole practitioner, firm principals run small to mid-sized offices sometimes in partnership with other principals. Firm principals are responsible for signing and stamping construction documentation sets, and must be licensed in the state in which a project is being built. Sustainable Design Consultant Specializing in sustainability-driven design projects, sustainability consultants may be architects or other design professionals.
Gallery
Curriculum
Semester 1
- ARH 110: Studio 1: Conceptual Design Studio
Core / 3 Units
- FND 113: Sketching for Communication
Core / 3 Units
- LA 123: Design Philosophy: Aesthetics, Logic, and Ethics
Liberal Arts / 3 Units
- LA 255: College Math
Liberal Arts / 3 Units
Semester 2
- ARH 150: Studio 2: Spatial Ordering & Form
Core / 6 Units
- ARH 170: Projective Drawing & Perspective
Core / 3 Units
- ARH 180: 2D Digital Visual Media
Core / 3 Units
- ARH 230: Color, Perception, and Space
Major / 3 Units / Recommended for summer
- LA 108: Composition for the Artist
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer
- LA 271: College Algebra with Geometry
Liberal Arts / 3 Units
Semester 3
- ARH 210: Studio 3: Site Operations & Tectonic Systems
Core / 6 Units
- ARH 390: 3D Digital Modeling
Major / 3 Units
- LA 219: History of Architecture: Ancient to Gothic
Liberal Arts / 3 Units
- LA 293: Precalculus
Liberal Arts / 3 Units
Semester 4
- ARH 240: Site Design & Mapping
Major / 3 Units
- ARH 255: Studio 4: Assembly Building & Context
Core / 6 Units
- LA 249: An Artistic and Intellectual History of the Renaissance
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer
- LA 292: Programming & Culture
Liberal Arts / 3 Units
- LA 296: Applied Physics
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer
Semester 5
- ARH 239: Materials & Methods
Major / 3 Units
- ARH 310: Studio 5: Assembly Buildings & Context
Major / 6 Units
- ARH 320: Structures: Wood & Steel
Major / 3 Units
- LA 319: History of Architecture: Modernity
Liberal Arts / 3 Units
Semester 6
- ARH 330: Structures: Concrete, Masonry, & Tensile Systems
Major / 3 Units
- ARH 350: Studio 6: Site Conditions & Building Performance
Major / 6 Units
- ARH 399: Building Information Modeling
Core / 3 Units
- LA 115: The Natural World 1: The Base Layer
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer
- LA 359: Urban Sociology
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer
- LA 429: Architecture Theory
Liberal Arts / 3 Units
Semester 7
- AEL 399B1: Breadth 1: Music & Art Influences
Humanities / 3 Units
- ARH 410: Studio 7: Tectonics and Structure
Major/ 6 Units
- ARH 420: Structures: Systems Investigation
Major / 3 Units
- ARH 430: Climate & Energy Use: Sustainable Strategies
Major / 3 Units
Semester 8
- ARH 440: Building Systems: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
Major / 3 Units
- ARH 441: Tectonics: Code Analysis & Building Envelope Documentation
Major / 3 Units
- ARH 450: Studio 8: Housing & Integrated Design
Major / 6 Units
- COM 208: Dynamic Aerial Imagery: Fundamentals of Drone Production
Humanities / 3 Units
- LA 449: Urban Design Theory
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer
Semester 9
- AEL 399B3: Breadth 3: Language, Culture & Humanities
Humanities / 3 Units
- ARH 475: Professional Practices for Architects
Core / 3 Units
- ARH 510: Studio 9: Mixed Use Urbanism & Research
Major / 6 Units
- ARH 529: From Theory to Practice
Major / 3 Units
Semester 10
- ARH 550: Studio 10: Final Thesis Project
Major / 6 Units
- GR 460: Senior Portfolio
Humanities / 3 Units
- LA 435: The Power of Signs: Semiotics & The Visual Arts
Liberal Arts / 3 Units
Admissions
Facilities
English Language Requirements
Certify your English proficiency with the Duolingo English Test! The DET is a convenient, fast, and affordable online English test accepted by over 4,000 universities (like this one) around the world.