College of Architecture & Urban Studies

Architecture (School of Architecture + Design)

Overview

• The professional curriculum in architecture requires five years of study for the first professional degree, the Bachelor of Architecture (Barch). The five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree and the Master of Architecture degree at Virginia Tech are fully accredited for the maximum five-year term of accreditation by the national Architectural Accrediting Board.
• The undergraduate Architecture curriculum is structured as two programs, or stages, of study: the Foundation Program and the Professional Program.

Foundation Design Program – First and Second Year

• These studies develop the student's capacity to experience and gain knowledge through a command of media and methods coupled with an environmental design overview. These studies stimulate a dialogue based on the student designers' attitudes, knowledge and concerns in working with multiple scales of environmental design activity. All architecture, landscape architecture industrial design, and interior design majors take the first year of the Foundation Laboratory sequence over the firs two years. The design laboratory is intended to invite students to experiment intended to invite students to experiment responsibly.

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Professional Program – Third, Fourth, and Fifth Years

• The Professional Program begins with design theory and process, covering building design as an interactive investigation of human factors, environmental forces, and technology. During the fourth and fifth years, the program focuses on building design and the fifth-year thesis project. Areas of special interest such as advanced offering in building technology are also pursued.
• The third year provides for study of fundamental design principles, technical concepts and applications, and measures of quality in architecture. The Architecture I design studio gives the student experience with practical design problems and provides order to the student's gradual exploration and learning of the nature and means of achieving architecture. Associated with Architecture I are lecture series intended to expose the students to accumulated background and practical experience in the design and construction of buildings.
• Fourth Year design offers students the option to participate in one of the off-campus programs: the Extern Program, the Washington-Alexandria Center, or the Study Abroad Program. Fourth year on-campus studio options encourage the student to define himself or herself within the professional to summarize his or her abilities as an architect. It is a time in which practical and qualitative constraints bring the student into a confrontation with standards. At this point the responsibility of development shifts from assignment to formulation by the student.
• Off-campus options for fourth year architecture majors:

  The Center for European Studies and Architecture, located in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland, is a 19,000 square foot complex of buildings centered around a late 17th century villa and private gardens on the southern tip of Lake Lugano. The center has residence and dining facilities for approximately 30 students. Each semester 10-15 architecture students are is residence at the center along with university students from other academic disciplines. Study, research and travel activities in Europe are coordinated within the curriculum structure to global awareness in the student's education.

  The Professional Extern Program allows students to spend a minimum of one semester in an approved professional setting and receive 12 hours of academic credit. This program provides a valuable link between the academic environment and government agencies, museums, architectural offices, industrial design offices, and graphic design offices throughout the world ? educational institutions throughout the world.

  The Virginia Tech-owned Washington-Alexandria Center for architecture allows students from the School of Architecture + Design and related college disciplines to study with students and faculty from an international consortium of schools, all sharing Old Town Alexandria, the center has design studios, classrooms, offices, exhibition spaces and shops for the students and faculty of the consortium. The university owns an apartment and an office; building adjacent to the facility, which creates an economic and convenient housing option for students studying at the Center.

• The fifth year is conducted as advanced independent study with individual faculty advisors in a mode comparable to graduate studies and is intended to provide the student an opportunity to develop depth and expertise within a particular area in the field of architecture. Fifth-year students formulate and accomplish independent work in the form of a terminal project. Working with their advisors, students, prepare programmatic statements, meet informally on a regular basis, and have formal periodic reviews throughout the year. Students are required to leave a portfolio with the school upon graduation.
• The first professional degree programs (Brach, March) in architecture are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, and the degrees are recognized by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards as the necessary educational qualifications for registration examinations.
  • In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes two types of degrees: the bachelor of architecture and the master of architecture. A program may be granted a five-year, three year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on its degree of conformance with established standards.
  • Master's degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree, which, when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
• The four-year, pre-professional degree, where offered, is not accredited by the NAAB. This degree is not offered at Virginia Tech. The pre-professional degree is useful for those wishing a foundation in the field of architecture, as preparation for either continued education in a professional degree program or for employment options in architecturally related areas.

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Bachelor of Architecture Program Requirements

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Required University Core Curriculum Courses	32 credits
English 1105-1106; Freshman English: Writing and Discourse	6
Math 1535-1536; Elementary Calculus w/Matrices	6
Society and Human Behavior Option (Social Sciences)	6
Scientific Reasoning and Discovery Option (Lab Science)	8
Ideas Cultural Traditions and Values Option (Humanities)	6
Creative and Aesthetic Experience (satisfied by Arch 3115)
Critical Issues in a Global Context (various Arch. Courses meet this req.)
Required Foundation Program Courses	35 credits
Arch 1015, 1016; Foundation Design Lab (1st year)	12
Arch 2015, 2016: Architecture II (2nd year)	12
Arch 2034: The Art of Building (2nd year)	2
ESM 3704, Basic Principles of Structures (2nd year)	3
Arch 3115, 3116: History of Architecture (2nd year)	6
Required Professional Program Courses	89 credits
Arch 3015, 3016: Architecture III (3rd year)	12
Arch 3045, 3046: Building Assemblies (3rd year)	4
Arch 3054: Building Analysis (3rd year)	2
Arch 4015, 4016: Architecture IV (4th year studio)	14
Arch 4055. 4056: Environmental and Building Systems (3rd year)	6
Arch 4075: Building Structures I (2nd year)	3
Arch 4076: Building Structures II (3rd year)	3
Arch 4034: Building Cities (4th year)	3
Arch 4044: Professional Practice (4th or 5th year)	3
Arch 4515: Architecture V (5th year studio)	9
Arch 4516: Architecture V (5th year studio)	6
Arch 4524: Thesis Documentation (5th year)	3
Professional Elective Courses	9 credits
To be selected from an approved list of courses supplied by the school
Free Electives or additional Professional Electives	12
Can be taken at any time allowed in the student's program of study
Total required for BArch	156 credits

Satisfactory Progress

• Arch 1015-1016, Arch 2015-2016, Arch 2034, Arch 3115-3116, Arch 4015, ESM 3704, with a cumulative in-major grade point average of 2.00 or above.

Graduation Requirements

• Upon successful completion of program requirements of the foundation level of study and the professional levels of study in architecture and with completion of 156 credit hours of study, a first professional degree of Bachelor of Architecture is awarded.

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Course Descriptions (ARCH)

2015-2016: ARCHITECTURE II
Introduction to the discipline of architecture, isolating and intertwining fundamentals that contribute to the complex totality that constitute a work of architecture. Explores how architecture concentrates and conveys natural and cultural forces through means specific to the discipline. Focus on fundamentals realized artistically and practically in works by selected architects. Articulates the unique reality of architecture through the study of basic interrelationships of material, construction, site, and program. Introduces the complex interplay of situation, space and time in the making of places. Examines interdisciplinary sources such as art, science, and philosophy for the purpose of establishing the content architecture shares with other forms of knowledge and how that content, expressed through architecture, contributes to human well-being. Concepts communicated through drawings and models. Emphasis on intellectual discipline, dialogue, assertion of interest, and a self-motivated search for critical issues. Pre: 1016. (2H,12L,6C)

2034: THE ART OF BUILDING
Lecture/seminar introduction to the discipline of architecture, isolating and intertwining fundamentals that contribute to the complex totality that constitute a work of architecture. Explores how architecture concentrates and conveys natural and cultural forces through means specific to the discipline. Focus on fundamentals realized artistically and practically in works by selected architects. Articulates the unique reality of architecture through the study of basic interrelationships of material, construction, site, and program. Introduces the complex interplay of science and philosophy for the purpose of establishing the content architecture shares with other forms of knowledge and how that content, expressed through architecture, contributes to human well-being. Co: 2016. (2H,2C)

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3015-3016: ARCHITECTURE III
First design laboratory for the Professional Program in Architecture. Provides for exploratory investigation and analysis of the fundamental design principles, technical concepts and applications, and the measures of quality in architecture. Pre: 2016 for 3015; for 3016. Co: 3045 for 3015; 3046, 3054 for 3016. (1H,12L,6C)

3045-3046: BUILDING ASSEMBLIES
The designs of building assemblies, elements, systems and sub-assemblies are studied. Building assemblies as controlled by formal idea, geometry, construction, materials, details, structure, function, enclosure, and finish work are considered. Pre: 2016. Co: 3015for 3045; 3016, 3054 for 3046. (2H,2C)

3054: BUILDING ANALYSIS
Study of exemplary built works of architecture through analysis of design documents, interviews, and inspection of actual construction. Course is completed as a group project resulting in both an oral presentation and a written document. Pre: 3015. Co: 3016, 3046. (2H,2C)

3115-3116: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE
A comprehensive review of world architecture and urban planning from Neolithic to recent times, predominantly but not exclusively with reference to Western Civilization. Ideology, analysis, and criticism through reading and writing are important aspects of the course. 3115: Prehistoric times to the Renaissance. 3116: Baroque to Contemporary. (3H,3C)

3514: DESIGN-RELATED MEDIA
Properties and uses of various media, materials and processes as tools for analysis, documentation and presentation of the designed environment. Basic skills and techniques relating to photography, printmaking, and pottery will be explored. Repeatable with a maximum of 6 credits. (3H,3C)

3954: STUDIO-STUDY ABROAD
The Europe Studio offers students the opportunity to make comparative studies of European cultures, as well as to study the relationship of culture to the physical environment, the organization of cities, and the history and behavior of their inhabitants. Exercises include analysis and documentation of elements of the physical environment, exploration of the interface between buildings and the fabric of the existing city, and examination of the professional community's reactions to urban design solutions. X-grade allowed. (16H,6C)

4015-4016: ARCHITECTURE IV
Design laboratory in conjunction with alternative studies in one of the College's off-campus centers. Focus on the evaluation of skills developed in the third year professional studies and emphasis toward individualized topical areas of study leading to the development of a thesis project. (2H,12L,7C)

4034: BUILDING CITIES
Analytical studies in the historical evolution of cities, towns and villages. Comparative studies of urban form in relation to their constructive and imaginative means with an emphasis on modern construction processes. Specific case studies in designing and building cities. Co: 4016. (3H,3C)

4044 (LAR 4124): PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Introduction to scope and diversity of the building enterprise, addressing private and public macroeconomic, industrial, technical, professional, and regulatory institutions. Analysis of historic evaluation of professional roles and practices; emergence of new modes of practice, including innovative facilities procurement methods. (3H,3C)

4055,4056: ENVIRONMENT AND BUILDING SYSTEMS
A design oriented study of environmental forces, environmental impacts of the built environment, and related building environmental control, life safety and service systems, with concern for the human psycho-physical impacts of building form and systems performance. Pre: 2014. (3H,3C)

4075-4076: BUILDING STRUCTURES
Building structures in steel, timber, and reinforced concrete; design of typical components: beams, slabs, columns, beam-columns, connections, and foundations; design of retaining walls; the resistance of buildings to gravity and lateral force action; building stability; floor/roof framing systems; design of simple buildings. (3H,3C)

4144: ADVANCED BUILDING STRUCTURES I
Study of long-span building structures. Introduction to geometry, form, and structure of folded and bent surfaces. Study of space grid geometry, close-packing systems, and cellular tensegrity. Approximate design of folded plate structures, single and double curvature shells, single and double layer space frames, suspension roofs, tents, and pneumatic structures. Pre: 4075, 4076. (3H,3C)

4154: ADVANCED BUILDING STRUCTURES II
Study of high rise structures ranging from building slabs and blocks, terraced buildings, and skyscrapers to towers. The complexity of load action including wind, earthquake, and hidden loads. The effect of building height, form, and proportion on force action; considerations of stability and redundancy. Preliminary design of masonry buildings, core structures, suspension buildings, braced skeletons, rigid frames, interstitial systems, staggered truss buildings, tubes and hybrid structures. Pre: 4075, 4076. (3H,3C)

4164: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN DESIGN
Computer system fundamentals. Very brief introduction to assembly programming. Programming in a high level language. Construction of a simple text editor. Construction of a simple relational file. Computer graphics fundamentals. Geometric transformations. 3-space geometry and projections. (3H,3C)

4204: URBAN TECHNOLOGY AND ARCHITECTURE
Architecture as determinant of urban spaces and urban form; perceptual, morphological, and typological characteristics of urban spaces as expressions of social values, ideals, and technological innovation. Theoretical models of technological, function, environmental, and social determinants of urban configurations are related to their cultural and historic precedents. X-grade allowed. (3H,3C)

4214: TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE HISTORY AND THEORY
Topics in the history of architecture and theory, predominantly with reference to the Western World. Special emphasis on methods of analysis and interpretation. Repeatable with a maximum of 9C. X-grade allowed. Pre: 3115, 3116. (3H,3C)

4304: TOPICS IN DESIGN METHODS
Topics in systematic methods of design and the nature of the design process including application of creative techniques, analogous thinking, analytic methods, computer-aided procedures, and information handling in design. Repeatable with a maximum of 6 credits. X-grade allowed. (3H,3C)

4414: ADVANCED ENVIRONMENT BUILDING SYSTEMS
Advanced studies of environment and building systems, including development in building systems, urban systems, service systems, construction systems, materials and component systems, psycho-physical considerations, systems analysis, and computer technology. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours in varied options offered. X-grade allowed. Pre: 4055, 4056. (2H,3L,3C)

4515-4516: ARCHITECTURE V
Advanced independent architectural research requiring articulation of a conceptual and professional position. This position is realized in a terminal thesis project completed in the second semester of the fifth year. 4515: (2H,20L,9C) 4516: (2H,16L,6C)

4524: THESIS DOCUMENTATION
During the second semester of the fifth year, the student takes a required three hour thesis documentation course where their conceptual and professional position is defined and tested by the documentation of the terminal architectural project. Pre: 4515. Co: 4516. (3H,3C)

4705-4706: QUALIFYING DESIGN SEMINAR
Exploratory overview of selected theories and issues relevant to the design and use of the environment.
4705: Emphasis on history, human behavior, and environmental context as it relates to architecture.
4706: Presentation and discussion of the nature of principal construction materials in relation to building design. Characteristics of primary structural materials: wood, steel, concrete, masonry;environmental control systems; supporting technologies. Not for credit for majors holding a first professional degree in architecture. (3H,3C)

4715-4716: QUALIFYING DESIGN LABORATORY
4715: Design laboratory in which student and faculty teams explore the nature of problems and potentials with which architecture is concerned, and experimentally develop methods and process through which existing contexts are transformed into new conditions.
4716: Provides introduction to basic concepts of building structures, materials, and enclosure systems, and appropriate site and climate responses. Not for credit for majors holding a first professional degree in architecture. X-grade allowed. (3H,18L,9C)

4755-4756: BUILDING ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
This sequence concentrates on defining different intervention techniques available to the architect to articulate the relationship between the outside and inside environment of buildings. These intervention techniques strive towards a fit between built form and the thermal, luminous, sonic, and water/waste environment. Pre: 4706. (3H,3C)

4765-4766: BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
The design of buildings as controlled by geometry, construction, assembly, materials, details, structure, function, enclosure, and finish work. Pre: 4706. (3H,3C)

4775-4776: BUILDING STRUCTURES
Building structures in steel, timber, and reinforced concrete; design of typical components: beams, slabs, columns, beam-columns, connections, and foundations; design of retaining walls; the resistance of buildings to gravity and lateral force action; building stability; floor/roof framing systems; design of simple buildings. Pre: ESM3704. (3H,3C)

4904: PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Pass/Fail only. X-grade allowed. (1H,1C)

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

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