The Concentration in Built Environment Studies allows interested students to study the architectural environment from a veriety of perspectives, with the possible intention of pursuing a professional degree in the future. Architecture is a social art concerned with fine building. It was Vitruvius, a Roman architect, who proposed a number of tests to determine whether a building might aspire to be called architecture. These tests are: firmness or structural soundness; commodity or convenience and utility; and delight or the ability to please the eye and the senses.

This Concentration allows students the opportunity to study firmness, commodity and delight in archiecture, as well as the larger context of the built environment, through knowledge of the following areas:

1. Aesthetics: a) exploring the nature of space and building materials, b) looking at basic design theory - scale, proportion, light and shade, etc., c) the design of simple structures or landscapes, d) the relationships between buildings and their contextural environment, whether these be in rural, suburban, or city situations.
   
2. Human Experience: a) relating spatial experience to the needs of human beings in a complex modern society, b) the cultural and psychological aspects of space, c)human relationships with the natural environment.
   
3. History of Architecture: a) introduction to the history of building, b) its relationship to the aspirations and practical needs of various societies in history, c) overview of the history of architectural taste as represented in the various styles.
   
4. Design of Space: a) the physical dimensions of people, b) functional standards that allow adequate space to meet specific needs, c) relating spaces to functions and functions to the convenience of a larger organizational whole, d) building environmentally-sound structures.
   
5. Technology and Technique: a) lighting, heating, ventilation, insulation, bcomputer programs and hand-drawn graphic communications, c)mathematics sufficient to perform basic calculations relative to acquiring a familiarity with the strength of materials and an understanding of simple structures, d) introduction to the basic techniques of construction of buildings and landscape elements, e) understanding the physical and aesthetic properties of materials used in buildings and landscapes, f) familiarity with the building codes and zoning regulations, g) designing for sustainability and environmental protection.

Suggested Curriculum - Junior Year

Fall Semester	Credits
EnvrDes 543 History I	3
EnvirDes 574 City Planning	3
Concentration course #1	3
Concentration course #2	3
Elective	3
Total Credits	15

Spring Semester	Credits
EnvirDes 291A Inro to Envir Design or Elective	3
EnvirDes 394A Writing in Environmental Design	3
EnvirDes 544 History II	3
Concentration course #3	3
Elective	3
Total Credits	15

Suggested Curriculum - Senior Year

General Notes:

1. All courses noted * are required and cannot be waived or substituted. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of a C or better.
2. Electives may be used for Internships (through the Independent Study Option) in the spring semester of your Junior year and in both semesters of your Senior year provided, a) you have an overall cumulative average of 3.0; b) your internship has the approval of your Advisor and ED Director; c) you sign the necessary Independant Study Contract.
3. Students must take 7 Environmental Design Core courses (see Handbook page 3) and 9 courses in their area of concentration (see Handbook page 19). Available concentration courses vary from semester to semester. Check with your Advisor for the current list.
4. If students have not taken EnvirDes 205 and EnvirDes 291A in their freshman and sophomore years, they must take them in their junior and senior years.