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The following is a list of courses offered by the program. As always, consult SPIRE for up-to-date registration information and instructor assignment.. For 600- and 700-level courses, consult the Graduate Courses page. Course numbers in brackets are old numbers for our reference temporarily.

ARCH-DES 300 | Design I
(Design Investigations/ART 197E)
This class explores design as an experimental practice where invention and investigation play essential roles. It presents basic concepts and themes that will familiarize stduents with principles of architecture and design.
4 Credits | Pre-requisites:  Foundations course work;  Admission to the major.

ARCH-DES 301 | Design II
(Constructed Space/ART 197F)
This class explores the interrelationships of composition, form, space, light and use. Projects provide a creative framework for investigating and understanding the fundamental elements and ideas necessary to produce meaningful spaces.
4 Credits | Pre-requisites: ARCH-DES 300

ARCH-DES 400 | Design III
(ARCH-DES 300/Design I)
Development of a conceptual basis for design and planning. Basic spatial concepts, design skill development and communications skills applied to presentation of design solutions. Model-making, 2-D presentations of abstract and simple spaces. Enriched by an historic overview of 20th-century architecture and design, including products, furniture and major trends. Students must successfully complete this studio in order to enroll in any subsequent design courses.
4 Credits | Pre-requisites:Limited to BFA-Design Majors

ARCH-DES 401 | Design IV
(ARCH-DES 301/Design II)
Introduction to programming, interior construction and detailing, socially relevant issues and the planning of increasingly complex space results in the completion of a significant planning and design exercise. Major projects considered along with a minor project, written assignment(s) and in-class exercises. Visiting professionals provide basis for critique of design solutions during project juries.
4 Credits | Pre-requisites: Design III.  Limited to BFA- Design majors.

ARCH-DES 370 | Junior Year Writing
Required for all art majors during their junior or senior year. A grade of C or better needed to graduate.
3 Credits | Pre-requisites: none

ARCH-DES 403 | Design V
(ARCH-DES 400)
In-depth exploration of increasingly complex planning with significant emphasis on cost, special detailing, behavioral and architectural programming, social context of design and planning and opportunities to work with actual clients. Problem-solving for mass housing, entertainment, commercial, and institutional environments includes a focus on code analysis, program definition and development, cost and construction issues, creativity and communication and an integration of presentation with construction documentation. Continued exploration of design through written, visual, and dimensional opportunities. Extensive out of class work, portfolio development, advanced presentation techniques, and class participation/attendance required.
4 Credits | Pre-requisites: ARCH-DES, 400, 401. Limited to B.F.A. Design majors.

ARCH-DES 404 | Design VI
(ARCH-DES 401)
Several complex interior planning and design projects selected and explored from commercial, institutional, hospitality and retail perspectives. Emphasis on refined planning and presentation techniques. An interdisciplinary and/or large-scale team project undertaken. Focus on culmination of design experiences in preparation for the B.F.A. Project. Emphasis placed on individual design approach illustrating student's strengths.
6 Credits | Pre-requisites: ARCH-DES 300, 400, 401. Limited to B.F.A. Design majors.

ARCH-DES 540 | Analysis and Representation I
The natural extension of architectural drawing. Mechanical perspective developed into representational drawings suitable for presentation work. Shades and shadows developed more intensely. Various media explored, including the application of color.
3 Credits | Pre-requisites: Consent of instructor. Limited to B.F.A. design majors.

ARCH-DES 541 | Analysis and Representation II
Visual communication skills necessary and related to interior/architectural design presentation. Black and white and color presentations. Techniques include perspectives, axonometrics, and medium exploration.
3 Credits | Pre-requisites: Consent of instructor. Limited to B.F.A. design majors.

ARCH-DES 500 | Graduate Design Studio I
The exploration of how a project is generated through careful attention to program and site is further developed in the context of a larger scale interiors project. Greater attention given to issues of detailing.
4 Credits | Pre-requisites: none

ARCH-DES 501 | Graduate Studio II
Studio projects emphasize the evolution of an interior design project through careful attention to program and site. Students analyze the physical spaces that surround them, paying careful attention to issues of materiality, dimension, color, and light. A series of exercises, including analysis of built projects, encourages understanding of the history of the discipline and the importance of creative thinking. Emphasis on acquiring the skills necessary to communicate design intention.
4 Credits | Pre-requisites: ART 550 or consent of instructor.

ARCH-DES 510 | Furniture Technology and Design
Furniture design in drafting and sketch models only. One-of-a-kind and mass produced furniture, free-standing and built-in architectural woodwork. Advanced drafting and small-scale sketch model making. Three furniture design projects in presentation drawings and/or models, plus materials and methods research, field trips and special lectures.
3 Credits | Pre-requisites: Art Foundations. Limited to BFA-Design majors, MS and MArch majors.

ARCH-DES 520 | Building Physics I
Introduction to energy conservation, as the most cost-effective, environmentally safe method for lowering energy costs and dependence on a finite supply of fossil fuels. Primary discussions involve technical issues, dealing with building methods and materials used to save energy. Political, economical and environmental issues are inextricably connected to conservation, and will factor heavily on classroom dialogue. Lectures will focus on fundamentals of residential energy use involving energy-saving materials and products, energy-efficient design, energy storage, affordable housing, political impact, and regulatory developments.
3 Credits | Limited to B.F.A. Design majors; MS and MArch majors

ARCH-DES 550 | Tectonics I
Provides an understanding of the use of building materials in contemporary light-frame construction applications. Close attention paid to the sequence of events that occur on most construction sites. Review of the entire residential construction process, site preparation through roof shingling. Leading-edge products and technologies and analyzed and compared to conventional ones. Course work is tied closely to the arrival of new products, technologies, and political issues affecting the construction industry.
3 Credits |
Limited to B.F.A. Design majors; MS and MArch majors.