Architecture (AAS)

The Associate of Applied Science in Design of Built Environments offers an interdisciplinary approach to design and environmental stewardship in architecture or landscape architecture. Students create proposals that protect ecology, reduce environmental impacts, and benefit the community. Evidence-based iterative design processes serve as the foundation for developing proposals for built environments that address diverse needs. Emphasis is placed on clear communication from professional presentations to detailed construction documents. Guided by faculty actively practicing in architecture and landscape architecture, students acquire design and technical skills needed to enter the profession.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) 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 239

Materials and Methods Core/3

Material choices are design decisions. You'll evaluate the unique properties and construction methods of materials, including the social constructs, environmental impacts, and design opportunities they provide.

ARH 240

Site Design and Mapping Core/3

Experience the dynamic interdisciplinary nature of site design. Taking physical characteristics, regulatory parameters, accessibility, and sustainable design principles into consideration, you'll develop a site design that combines your skills and understanding of topography, landscape, and urban design.

ARH 255

Studio 4: Assembly Building and Context Core/6

Theaters are cultural institutions for collective story-telling. Design a theater by developing a critical viewpoint on the role of society, community, and culture. You will develop a design methodology through the analysis of the site as well as a cultural artifact. Iterative use of hand drawing, physical model-making, and digital drawing will lead to a spatial composition.

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.

LAN 223

Digital Graphics for Landscape Architecture Core/3

You'll learn to digitally draft plans, sections, elevations, axonometrics and renderings. You'll become proficient in the same software that today's design professionals use to produce legible, accurate, and well organized digital documents. (This course is cross-listed with LAN 665.)

LAN 250

Landscape Design Studio Core/3

All landscape designs need an organizing concept. Where do these "big ideas" come from? Using diagrams, study models, and scaled drawings, you'll learn to translate your design concepts into design proposals.

LAN 360

Landscape Architectural Construction Documents Core/3

Learn what it takes to put together an accurate set of construction documents. You'll create plans, details, schedules and specifications to communicate your design intent and provide the detailed information required to permit, build and install a project. Strategies for sustainable construction and installation will be emphasized. (This course is cross-listed with LAN 683.)

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Core	18
Sophomore Portfolio	6
Major	15
Liberal Arts	21
Total	60

AAS DESIGN OF BUILT ENVIRONMENTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum grade of C- in all major coursework, LA 115, and LA 117.
Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
1 Art & Design Communication course
1 Applied Math course
1 Fundamental Math course
1 Ecological Systems course
1 History course
1 Architecture Employment Communications & Practices course

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

Additional Information

Liberal Arts

Program Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria.

Design Concept and Process

Use an iterative design process to incorporate feedback and refine proposals.
Articulate and extend conceptual thinking through diagrams.

Fundamental Design

Develop proposals for built environments that address site and program needs.
Apply criteria to compare and evaluate design decisions.
Produce accurate orthographic, isometric, and perspective drawings to convey design intent.
Develop fluency in using digital and analog tools in combination for ideation and iteration.
Demonstrate commitment to a high level of craft and attention to detail.

Presentation

Explain design proposals using professional vocabulary.
Create visual presentations with logical sequencing, layout composition, and a hierarchy of information.

Leadership and Community

Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse lived experiences in the design of sustainable and equitable built environments.

Environmental Stewardship

Protect ecology and reduce environmental impacts in the design of built environments.

Technical Knowledge

Incorporate regulatory requirements and sustainability principles in site design.
Produce construction documents using industry-standard drawing conventions.