Catalog of Courses for Architecture
The study of architecture as a speculation on origins is located at the conjunctive core of any liberal arts curriculum and serves as the physical armature and conceptual foundation of the University. This course is concerned with the contemporary imagination, attempting to make the discipline of architecture meaningful to a wide range of citizens in its public obligation to be constructive and optimistic in the most profoundly ethical, pragmatic, and magical of terms.
In this course we explore the delights and dilemmas of design. With paper, pencils, cardboard, and glue, we draw, sketch, and construct collages and architectural models. As we do so, we ask fundamental questions. What is design? What exactly do designers do when they design? What makes the practice meaningful, and what makes it difficult? To see work from past years, visit: https://web.arch.virginia.edu/designfundamentals/.
The studio course introduces first year students from architecture, urban and environmental planning, and architectural history to the built environment related to scales from the body to buildings, landscapes, and cities. Students explore comprehensive and foundational design principles, skill sets, and critical thinking. Prerequisite: ARCH 1020
The studio course introduces architecture, urban and environmental planning, and architectural history to the built environment related to scales from the body to buildings, landscapes, and cities.Students explore comprehensive and foundational design principles, skill sets, and critical thinking.
Topical offerings in architecture.
The foundations studios involve beginning design students in thoughtful application of fundamental design principles, foundational techniques of representation and fabrication and comprehensive critical design strategies. These courses foster the development of the beginning design student's design methodology founded on thoughtful, creative, ethical and rigorous work practices in service of exploring meaningful formal and spatial propositions. Prerequisite: ARCH 1020, 1030.
Prerequisite: For undergraduate transfer students accepted by the Dept. of Architecture only. This introductory architectural design studio explores comprehensive & foundational design principles, skill sets, & critical thinking. The material covered is presented through a series of lectures, projects, exercises,workshops, symposia & reviews involving the beginning design student in the thoughtful application of comprehensive critical design.
The foundations studios involve beginning design students in thoughtful application of fundamental design principles, foundational techniques of representation and fabrication and comprehensive critical design strategies. These courses foster the development of the beginning design student's design methodology founded on thoughtful, creative, ethical and rigorous work practices in service of exploring meaningful formal and spatial propositions. Prerequisite: ARCH 2010
Prerequisite: ARCH 2011, for undergraduate transfer students accepted by the Dept. of Architecture only. The second architectural studio in the core curriculum fosters the development of the beginning design student's design methodology founded on thoughtful, creative, ethical and rigorous work practices in service of exploring meaningful formal and spatial propositions.
ARCH 2070 (Formally 3070 Foundations in Design Thinking) introduces the fundamentals of Design, actively implementing the methods designers utilize for spaces, systems, and products. Open to the University, students learn interpersonal skills, a designing/making process, stakeholder/project management, and visual communication techniques. The course culminates in a demonstration showcase with opportunities for professional feedback.
This course takes a systems perspective to study and design for sustainability in the built environment at various scales (e.g., materials, buildings, cities, and regions) and for different types of systems (e.g., physical, social, information). Students from SEAS, A-School, and other majors are welcome in this course, which emphasizes interdisciplinary design collaboration and diversity of thought. Grad course will have add'l course requirement.
Earth's ecosystems are unraveling at an unprecedented rate, threatening human wellbeing and posing substantial challenges to contemporary society. Designing sustainable practices, institutions, and technologies for a resource-constrained world is our greatest challenge. This integrated and interdisciplinary course prepares students to understand, innovate and lead the efforts necessary to engage in this task.
With a focus on the interplay between design methods and building practices through history, this course explores the fundamental tectonic principles that shape the work of architecture.
Topical offerings in the subject of Architecture.
A comprehensive hands-on course in three-dimensional computer aided design that ranges from beginning to advanced methods in geometrical modeling, macro programming, and visualization used in design related disciplines. The class explores approaches to design made possible through computer-based methods. Lectures and workshops provide a conceptual and applied framework, examine state-of-the-art techniques today,and speculate on future advances
This course is about architectural design. Approximately twenty-five lecture/discussions span various aspects of design beginning with principles and including topics such as multiple ideas, multiple studies, abstraction, proportion and composition. Final topics include practical and esthetic considerations of design and materials. A class notebook is required for lecture notes and assignments of writings and drawings.
This studio course emphasizes conceptualization and synthesis of complex programs in contemporary contexts at multiple scales. Prerequisite: ARCH 2020
This studio course emphasizes conceptualization and synthesis of complex programs in contemporary contexts at multiple scales. Prerequisite: ARCH 3010
This class examines major themes & methodologies found in or taken up by twentieth century architectural theory. The course considers architecture through a wider set of cultural studies that include critical theory, phenomenology, semiotics, structuralism, post-structuralism & psychoanalysis. Questions involve the associations constructed between architecture & autonomy, technology, perception, art, theory & practice. Prereq: ARH 1010 &1020
A first course in structures for undergraduates to develop analytic and critical skills through both mathematical and visual investigation. Topics include statics, mechanics of materials, computer-based structural analysis, and the design and behavior of basic structural elements and systems.
Explores and evaluates the properties of basic building materials and construction assemblies. Introduces building construction from a variety of viewpoints, with emphasis on ecological thinking in architectural decision-making. Students will analyze and critique materials and construction systems, and how they correspond to aesthetic, technical, financial and ethical issues.
New integration of structural analysis into standard design software links design with immediate analysis and feedback, allowing architects to extend their structural intuition. This course covers basic structural systems, their historical development, design considerations, and analysis through physical and parametric modeling. Prerequisite: ARCH 3240 or permission of instructor
Topical offerings in architecture. For a one-page course description and recommended baseline academic experience, please be in touch with the faculty member or academic advisor.
This course provides the opportunity to offer new topics in the subject Architecture.
This studio course emphasizes conceptualization and synthesis of complex programs in contemporary contexts at multiple scales. Prerequisite: ARCH 3020
Students pursue a semester long advanced design project. Prerequisite: ARCH 4010.
Architectural research methods are introduced and applied to the development of an undergraduate thesis in Architecture. Students develop and investigate research questions, research methods, and data sources.
Topical offerings in architecture. For a one-page course description and recommended baseline academic experience, please be in touch with the faculty member or academic advisor.
Independent research on topics selected by individual students in consultation with a faculty advisor
Independent Design Research Studio for 4th year students in their final year. Prerequisite: ARCH 4010 and ARCH 4100, permission of the chair.
This studio-based course introduces students to foundational elements and methods of architectural design and representation. The course provides incoming M.Arch students the basic skills required for the successful completion of the program's core studio sequence.
A complimentary workshop to the studio component, this course introduces students to foundational concepts and techniques of architectural visualization and its relation to software and digital technologies.
This seminar is a forum for discussion and debate on contemporary architectural topics. The seminar addresses the instrumental and methodological diversity of architectural practice and the role of design in larger societal debates.
The notion of minimum living spaces and what these entail has been an intensely debated issue in recent years. Extreme environmental conditions (earthquakes) or political instability (wars) makes us question how can we construct a form of domesticity that inhabits the most minimal dimensions. Yet, this topic has a much longer historical arc. For example, in Soviet social housing with the "Kommunalkas", in post-war housing. Graduate students will have additional requirements.
Just as physics and math inform design, so can behavioral sciences, which offer rigorous and rapidly advancing insight into how people interact with their environments and with each other. This project-based course will expand students' design repertoires by connecting to psychology and related fields. This course is for "designers" broadly construed: those who wish to influence areas such as architecture, engineering, policy, and business.
This course takes a systems perspective to study and design for sustainability in the built environment at various scales (e.g., materials, buildings, cities, and regions) and for different types of systems (e.g., physical, social, information). Students from SEAS, A-School, and other majors are welcome in this course, which emphasizes interdisciplinary design collaboration and diversity of thought. Grad course will have add'l course requirement.
Which is the role of publications in the contemporary architectural debate & in a school of architecture? The seminar has the purpose of experimenting the critical edition of contents, reflect on the instruments & educate in the related skills. It will combine the research on themes & other publications, the presence of experts & the editorial staff meetings, & will include short exercises, the definition of an editorial line.
Which is the role of publications in the contemporary architectural debate & in a school of architecture? The seminar has the purpose of experimenting the critical edition of contents, reflect on the instruments & educate in the related skills. It will combine the research on themes & other publications, the presence of experts & the editorial staff meetings, & will include short exercises, the definition of an editorial line.
Earth's ecosystems are unraveling at an unprecedented rate, threatening human wellbeing & posing substantial challenges to contemporary society. Designing sustainable practices, institutions, & technologies for a resource-constrained world is our greatest challenge. This integrated and interdisciplinary course prepares students to understand,innovate & lead the efforts necessary to engage in this task. Graduate course will have additional course requirements.
The course emulates the real estate development process in a specific geographic and socio-economic setting. In this studio, students will form small teams assigned to develop a project for a specific site. The students begin with site analysis, develop a proposed "product," conduct all the key financial analyses, and identify and develop the materials that would be necessary to move the project through public approval. Prerequisite: PLAN 5220
This course offers a foundation in understanding climate and energy in buildings and cities, and teaches the tools to parametrically analyze, model, visualize and design for energy impacts. Starting from real energy in real buildings through physical and data exploration, the course then teaches parametric tools to propose interventions and analyze for performance. The course is open to students in both Architecture and Engineering.
Combining tools, spaces, and skills of Arts Grounds, this course explores the design and construction of large moving creatures that culminates in The Stan Winston and Steven Warner Festival of the Moving Creature. Students will gain hands-on experience with materials, craft, and prototyping, and learn lessons from professional designers, artists, and Hollywood creature makers. This is a collaborative course, diving into storytelling and movement to bring each student's vision to life. Graduate students will have additional requirements.
An exploration of moviemaking through exercises in computer animation. Approximately five independently developed short animations constitute the work of the semester, culminating in a one- to five-minute long final movie project. It is anticipated that an interdisciplinary group of students admitted to the seminar will bring perspectives from across the visual & design arts. Movie projects may range in creative subject areas. Instructor Consent
This course recognizes the importance of dealing with landscape as a complex 3D structure that is capable of engaging and even generating sophisticated spatial constructs that are more synthetic, resilient, and exciting. It is designed to include students who want an in-depth introduction to Grasshopper while speeding up their studio workflow for creative site and landform design.
An interdisciplinary workshop and seminar that combines documentary moviemaking and video input with virtual and physical media output. Video and sound recording or a motion capture body suit may be used to collect initial data. The data may be translated to facilitate the making or movement of physical objects. Or, the data may be translated to figure creatively in virtual representations such as used in motion picture production.
Topical offerings in architecture. For a one-page course description and recommended baseline academic experience, please be in touch with the faculty member or academic advisor.
Affords students opportunities to participate in specific faculty's advance research projects.
This course introduces urban design as an area of expertise that deals with the physical form and performance of the city, integrating various scales from a building, to a group of buildings, to entire districts, with particular focus on the open spaces between them. As an interdisciplinary practice it bridges between architecture, landscape architecture and city planning. Its role will be examined through core issues from a global perspective.
Worldwide urbanization processes will increase in the next years reaching a rate of 75% until the middle of the century. Shrinkage, stagnation and rapid growth will be simultaneous phenomena and to achieve urban sustainability it will be important to innovate analytical methods and urban design frameworks. Discussions, lectures, and readings in combination with an urban design group project will introduce students to contemporary urban design methodologies.
This course is about drawing as a necessary component of design. It is conducted as a studio course dedicated to hand drawing skills, particularly as they relate to architectural studies. Classes are held one day each week and consist of drawing exercises. Grades are determined by a submitted portfolio.
This seminar is about architectural design. Approximately twenty-five lecture/discussions span various aspects of design beginning with principles and including topics such as multiple ideas, multiple studies, abstraction, proportion and composition. Final topics include practical and esthetic considerations of design and materials. A class notebook is required for lecture notes and assignments of writings and drawings.
In this course we make paintings and mixed media projects. We stress the process rather then the artistic product and, like artist Sol LeWitt, define painting 'as an activity on a flat plane.' We make plane (and plain) images: configurations of relatively stable, still marks on two-dimensional surfaces. We use traditional methods (watercolor or ink on paper, acrylics on canvas) as well as more unusual tools and materials (sidewalk chalk, earth, trash, recycled materials). Through weekly readings and discussions we explore the relationship between aesthetics and ethics between 'good forms' and forms that in some way contribute or allude to the 'common good.'
This course grows from the idea that excellence and innovation in all the arts come from constant practice. Students will commit to making an iteration of a creative project of their choosing every day for 100 days. In class we will evaluate ongoing work and discuss the role of discipline, routine, and iteration in the creative process. Students will be expected to post their work every day on Instagram.
Independent research on topics selected by individual students in consultation with a faculty advisor
Introductory design problems in architecture for First Professional degree students. Emphasizes developing a systemic approach to design on the land and in the city through experience with a constructional kit of parts and an awareness of the role of architectural theory and history in the design process. The faculty reviews all work in ARCH 6010-6020 to determine the progress and potential of each student.
This course introduces a range of design methodologies and techniques necessary for developing projects within the ARCH 6010 Foundation Studio I. Emphasis is on connecting thinking to making with topics on sketching, analytical diagramming, orthographic drawing, rapid physical modeling, presentation physical modeling, and digital workflows for iterative design.
The second graduate foundation studio develops spatial, programmatic, tectonic relationships through the design of a civic, urban institution. Students utilize architectural design as a form of analysis and exploration. Primary modes of architectural design include physical model-making at multiple scales, analytical drawings in plan and section, the study of material tectonic precedents, and the visual and verbal articulation of an argument.
This course introduces a range of design methodologies and techniques necessary for developing projects within the ARCH 6020 Foundation Studio II. Emphasis is on connecting thinking to making with topics on site analysis, material experimentation, innovation through prototype fabrication, digital simulation, and constructive sections.
This is a foundational course introducing the field of architecture and urbanism as it has been historically constructed; it investigates the formulation of canons, contrarian practices, and narratives that frame discourses and practices today. The objectives are to understand the genealogies of the modern tradition, establish a knowledge of the disciplinary milestones, and to articulate critical theoretical frameworks.
Investigates the role that ideas play in the conception, making, and interpretation of buildings and cities, and assists students in clarifying their own values and intentions as designers. Lectures cover a broad range of topics, with special emphasis placed on contemporary issues.
The Building Workshop I addresses building science and technology topics that influence the built environment for safe and healthy human occupation. BIW 1 focuses on the dimension and performance of basic elements of construction, analyzed through a variety of historical, typological, and geographic precedents.
This course offers a panoramic view of today's construction systems from foundation to roof. All common systems of construction will be covered including light frame wood construction, heavy timber, masonry, steel, site-cast concrete, and precast concrete. Lectures and readings address the history, theory, and practice of each type of construction including typical and innovative details of assembly. Graduate version has additional requirements.
The Building Workshop II addresses building science and technology topics that influence the built environment for safe and healthy human occupation. BIW 2 focuses on tactile material practices and innovation through prototype fabrication, digital simulation, and physical performance testing.
Students will attend 6 of the School of Architecture public lecture series and exchange feedback on architectural career paths and architecture's role in cultural, social, environmental, and economic contexts. ARCH 6264 must be taken after ARCH 6262.
New integration of structural analysis into standard design software links design with immediate analysis and feedback, allowing architects to extend their structural intuition. This course covers basic structural systems, their historical development, design considerations, and analysis through physical and parametric modeling. Prerequisite: ARCH 7240 or permission of instructor
Topical offerings in architecture. For a one-page course description and recommended baseline academic experience, please be in touch with the faculty member or academic advisor.
This course introduces a range of conceptual frameworks & techniques that embrace the highly generative agency of narrative and representational media in the architectural design process. Theoretical perspectives, grounded in architecture, situate student learning activities to iterate between different representational techniques, utilizing both analog & digital technologies, skills, & workflows to support a critical & creative design practice.
Intermediate-level design problems, emphasizing analysis and synthesis of complex contextual, cultural, and constructional issues. Prerequisite: ARCH 6020 or chair permission.
Intermediate-level design problems, emphasizing structure, enclosure, life safety and building systems. Prerequisite: ARCH 7010
This course introduces research methodologies within design and related disciplines. Students gather the appropriate resources and practice applying them to contextualize aspects of the built environment, learning techniques for conducting research and appropriate application of various methods. Students also utilize design processes to develop and refine research questions.
This course will investigate the role that ideas play in the conception, making and interpretation of buildings. As a basis for this inquiry, the course will explore significant architectural and urban theories, design strategies, and architectural projects developed primarily from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. Lectures will cover a broad range of theoretical positions that have influenced or emerged from form making.
This graduate-level course introduces novel workflows for the design of structurally informed architecture using emerging methods in computational structural analysis and parametric design. Students will build upon their understanding of conventional material mechanics and structural analysis to design materially-efficient structures that combine architectural intent with an understanding of how structural action can be manipulated.
The Building Integration Workshop Series addresses building science and technology topics that influence the built environment for safe and healthy human occupation. BIW III focuses on the synthesis of building structure, construction, energy use, and ethical considerations. Students develop a complete architectural project, critical building sections, and construction details using Building Information Modeling and other tools.
A graduate-level introduction to structural design that uses mathematic and geometric principals to inform design tools and methods based upon an understanding of material and structural behavior. The course covers statics, material mechanics, computational analysis and design, and the behavior of structural systems through a framework involving ethics, climate, and culture.
The course involves the study of human comfort, environmental conditioning systems, building systems, daylighting and lighting technology. Students will be exposed to digital simulation tools to assess daylighting and energy use.
Topical offerings in architecture.
Independent Study Prerequisite: Permission of the chair.
Introduces the primary issues involved in the practice of architecture: professional ethics, business practices, project process and management, personnel management, management of the process of producing a building, and the methods available to do so.
Topical offerings in architecture.
Advanced independent research on topics selected by individual students in consultation with a faculty advisor Prerequisite: Permission of the chair.
SARC 1500 is a required 1-credit lecture for first-year School of Architecture students. It introduces key ideas, concepts, and practices in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban and Environmental Planning, and Architectural History/Preservation. Through discussions and workshops, students explore design education past and present, consider academic and career paths, and learn about advising, majors, study abroad, research, wellness, and support services.
Topical offerings in the School of Architecture
New course in the subject of the School of Architecture
Design Research Journal I is an independently driven course focused on the conceptualization and production of a student-developed journal, Lunch. A small team of student editors create a new volume within the journal series, focused on a theme of their selection. It runs as three consecutive courses for a total of 3 credits. SARC 5130 includes thematic development, literature review, outreach, editorial roles, and submission process.
Design Research Journal II is an independently driven course focused on the conceptualization and production of a student-developed journal, Lunch. A small team of student editors create a new volume within the journal series, focused on a theme of their selection. It runs as three consecutive courses for a total of 3 credits. SARC 5131 includes development of the journal's structure, selection of submissions, and editorial feedback to authors.
Design Research Journal III is an independently driven course focused on the conceptualization and production of a student-developed journal, Lunch. A small team of student editors create a new volume within the journal series, focused on a theme of their selection. It runs as three consecutive courses for a total of 3 credits. SARC 5132 includes publication design and layout, execution of production files, and selection of the next editors.
Thinking with Images. People have been looking at data for centuries -- with their eyes -- to discover patterns, meaning, and insight into the most important challenges of their time. This course teaches visual and spatial thinking coupled with visual data tools and interactive web coding to envision information. Far beyond plotting, finding ways to respond to complex problems, we will study and make useful, compelling, and beautiful tools to see.
Topical offerings in the School of Architecture.
Students select from a number of visualization one to three credit modules focusing on all forms of visualization. During this semester, students must select from among the digital visualization choices.
New course in the subject of the School of Architecture
Topical offerings in the School of Architecture.
This course acts an asynchronous reflection and skill-building career development program following an experiential learning opportunity (internship, research, externship) outside of UVA. Students will report and reflect on their experiences within professional practice and in their specific discipline. This course can be used to fulfill requirements for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) Employment.
Independent research on topics selected by individual students in consultation with a faculty advisor
This is a foundational course introducing the field of architecture and urbanism as it has been historically constructed; it investigates the formulation of canons, contrarian practices, and narratives that frame discourses and practices today. The objectives are to understand the genealogies of the modern tradition, establish a knowledge of the disciplinary milestones, and to articulate critical theoretical frameworks.
The Design Computation sequence introduces computational thinking and design in the context of long-standing architectural technologies. Design Computation 1 focuses on computational fundamentals, spatial structures, and associative modeling
The Design Computation sequence introduces computational thinking and design in the context of long-standing architectural technologies. Design Computation 2 focuses on cartography, the visual display of information, and spatial data analytics.
This course provides a framework for the comparison of different theories of knowledge relevant to the School of Architecture's four disciplines through a comparative study of research methods in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. The course's goal is to develop critical thinking as the basis for considering the value of specific research questions and to provide a link between research questions and the methods used to explore them.
The shaping, production and analysis of the constructed environment has ethical, political and aesthetic implications that are often inextricably related. Ethics, Politics, and Aesthetics is an interdisciplinary theory course that examines major issues and methodologies in twentieth century theories of history, production, time, space and representation: including critical theory, phenomenology, semiotics, post-structuralism and psychoanalysis.
Topical offerings in the School of Architecture.
The research colloquium focuses on individual research, methods and project development. The course provides a forum for the interaction and learning among graduate students from various disciplines, and at different stages in the progress of research. The objective is for students to learn how to articulate their inquiry, and to critically question and compare their own research and methods of inquiry to those found in other disciplines.
The research colloquium focuses on individual research, methods and project development. The course provides a forum for the interaction and learning among graduate students from various disciplines, and at different stages in the progress of research. The objective is for students to learn how to articulate their inquiry, and to critically question and compare their own research and methods of inquiry to those found in other disciplines.
The research colloquium focuses on individual research, methods and project development. The course provides a forum for the interaction and learning among graduate students from various disciplines, and at different stages in the progress of research. The objective is for students to learn how to articulate their inquiry, and to critically question and compare their own research and methods of inquiry to those found in other disciplines.
The research colloquium focuses on individual research, methods and project development. The course provides a forum for the interaction and learning among graduate students from various disciplines, and at different stages in the progress of research. The objective is for students to learn how to articulate their inquiry, and to critically question and compare their own research and methods of inquiry to those found in other disciplines.
Advanced independent research on topics selected by individual students in consultation with a faculty advisor. Prerequisite: Permission of the Director.
For doctoral research, taken before a dissertation director has been selected.
For doctoral dissertation, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.
Special Topics in Urban Design
The core studio is located in a city along the Northeastern Seaboard as an exemplary megaregion. The studio emphasizes a multi-scalar and interdisciplinary approach, exploring the role of the urban designer as a strategic and systemic designer, ethically responding to shifting ecological, morphological, infrastructural, social, and economic conditions.
This studio will specifically address the pressing challenges of our increasingly urbanized world. Taking on research and design questions raised by UVA's Next Cities research collaborative, the studio typically involves travel to studio sites abroad and workshops to facilitate close collaboration with organizations and partners. Prerequisite: Completion of UD 8010
The urban design thesis studio seeks to deepen students' design research skills to independently engage in an area of professional interest. The studio will include the framing of an urban design challenge, a comprehensive multiscalar urban analysis, the conduction of a related literature review, the analysis of best practice precedents, and the development of an urban design project. Prerequisite: Approval of Graduate Program Director and MUD Committee
This course introduces urban design students to a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods and technologies of spatial urban analysis. Workshops, discussions, and hands-on exploration of design tools allow students to develop an in-depth knowledge of the ways designers document, research, represent and reshape urban space.
This course introduces students to the underlying histories and theoretical dimensions of urban design as a creative spatial practice. By exploring a wide range of urban interventions at multiple scales, the course contextualizes contemporary design practice within the social, environmental, and political forces acting on the urban environment.
While urbanization processes are expected to increase until 2050, shrinkage and growth are occurring simultaneously asking for new approaches to urban regeneration addressing social justice and sustainability. Discussions, lectures, readings, and workshops combined with a design assignment will allow students to engage with urban design strategies and emerging methodologies ranging from regional frameworks to tactical urbanism.