Architecture (B.Arch)

Fundamental design, ethical awareness, and liberal arts prepare students for the upper division courses in which students engage with the profession within and beyond the classroom through a rich array of field trips, firm visits, networking events, and internship opportunities. Our rigorous design studio curriculum prepares students to contribute meaningfully to the built environment. Students gain critical thinking and research skills, in addition to design and technical skills, to be prepared for the evolving profession.

The Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) program, accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), offers a path to architectural licensure accepted in all US states. The program adheres to the learning outcomes and unit requirements mandated by NAAB.

There are two pathways for the B. Arch program: B. Arch and B. Arch IPAL (Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure). In Northern California, Academy of Art University is the only Architecture School that offers the IPAL program.

The B. Arch IPAL (Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure) is the shortest path to architectural licensure in the states that accept the IPAL program. Students simultaneously complete requirements for Education, Experience, and Examination by accruing work experience in architecture and taking licensing exams while taking classes. Students are supported in applying for paid internships through coursework and mentorship.

Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) Degree
Core Classes

This program is available online and on campus

School of Architecture

ARH 110

Studio 1: Conceptual Design Studio Core/3

Learn design principles for creating spaces for people. You will utilize design, methodology, and space-making principles to gain fundamental knowledge and skills in environmental design and prepare for future architecture and landscape architecture studios.

ARH 170

Design Communication Core/3

Create architectural drawings that convey design intent. Draft and model architectural spaces moving fluidly between 2D and 3D to create orthographic and isometric drawings. Learn the fundamentals of architectural drawing conventions and develop an efficient workflow incorporating Rhino and Adobe Suite.

ARH 180

2D Digital Visual Media Core/3

Learn to make digital images and architectural drawings. Using industry software, lecture information, case studies, and tutorials, you will create digital collages, diagrams, and drawings to represent an idea.

ARH 315

Studio 5: Advocacy in Design Core/6

Take a stance on the role of architecture in our urban environments. Through the design of a public building, you'll advocate for and engage with under-served communities. Your honest inquiry of the urban fabric and the diversity of its inhabitants will create a responsive, empathetic program and a building proposal. In this Midpoint Review Studio, you will develop your academic portfolio to highlight your skills and progress.

ARH 390

Storytelling in 3D Core/3

What if you could develop and represent your architectural idea at the same time? In this class, you will learn how to digitally model spaces—real and imagined,—represent them as compelling architectural drawings, and evoke emotional responses in your audience through the use of real-time rendering software. Along the way, we will draw from, and analyze how computational designers, avant-garde architects, visualization artists, graphic designers, and cinematographers tell their stories.

ARH 399

Building Information Modeling Core/3

Become confident using industry-standard Autodesk Revit to design a building. You will learn to create technical drawings and presentation images and learn the basic principles of compiling and organizing a construction drawing set.

ARH 550

Studio 10: Final Thesis Project Core/6

Architects can be agents of change. With the guidance of faculty, you will select a unique site and program to test your thesis and address topics that matter to you. Through your architectural response, you'll challenge the status quo and envision new opportunities for architecture to solve problems.

FND 113

Sketching for Communication Core/3

Communicate your ideas through drawing. Learn to draw objects, figures, and environments to scale and in perspective and to create drawings using compositional strategies and camera angles that can be used in sequential imagery.

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Core	18
Sophomore Portfolio	6
Senior Portfolio	6
Major	27
Studio	36
5th Year Research Methodologies	3
Liberal Arts	42
Elective	12
Total	150

B.ARCH ARCHITECTURE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum 2.0 GPA
Minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and the following Liberal Arts courses:
LA 219 History of the Built Environment 1: Ancient to Gothic
LA 249 History of the Built Environment 2: Renaissance to 1900
LA 255 College Math
LA 271 College Algebra with Geometry
LA 292 Programming and Culture
LA 296 Applied Physics
LA 319 History of the Built Environment 3: 1900 to Present
LA 429 Architecture Theory
LA 485 Tell your Story: Personal Statement, Portfolio, Resume

And the following general education requirements:
3 History of the Built Environment courses
1 Architectural Employment Communications & Practices course
1 Written Communications: Academic Writing course
1 Art & Design Communication course
1 Fundamental Math course
1 Applied Math course
1 Applied Physics course
1 Cultural Influences & Human Behavior course
1 Historical Awareness course
1 Urban Studies course

B.ARCH ARCHITECTURE CORE COURSES
ARH 110     Studio 1: Conceptual Design Studio
ARH 170     Design Communication 1
ARH 180     Design Communication 2
ARH 390     Storytelling in 3D
ARH 399     Building Information Modeling
FND 113     Sketching for Communication

B.ARCH ARCHITECTURE SOPHOMORE PORTFOLIO COURSE
ARH 315 Studio 5: Advocacy in Design*
*6 unit course

B.ARCH ARCHITECTURE SENIOR PORTFOLIO COURSE
ARH 550 Studio 10: Final Thesis Project*
*6 unit course

B.ARCH ARCHITECTURE MAJOR COURSES
ARH 239     Materials & Methods
ARH 240     Site Design & Mapping
ARH 320     Structures: Wood & Steel
ARH 330     Structures: Concrete, Masonry, & Tensile Systems
ARH 420     Structures: Systems Investigation
ARH 430     Sustainable Design
ARH 440     Design Technology: Environmental Controls
ARH 441     Tectonics: Code Analysis & Building Envelope Documentation
ARH 475     Professional Practices for Architects

B.ARCH ARCHITECTURE STUDIO COURSES
ARH 150     Studio 2: Spatial Ordering & Form*
ARH 255     Studio 4: Assembly Building & Context*
ARH 350     Studio 6: Site Conditions & Building Performance*
ARH 410     Studio 7: Tectonics & Structure*
ARH 450     Studio 8: Housing and Integrated Design*
ARH 510     Studio 9: Thesis Preparation and Development*
       *6 unit courses

B.ARCH 5th YEAR RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES COURSES
CHOOSE ONE:
ARH 512 Participatory Design
ARH 529 From Theory to Practice

After above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.

Additional Information

Liberal Arts

Accreditation Information

For information on the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE) and Intern Development Program (IDP) requirements go to: www.ncarb.org.

Program Learning Outcomes

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