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 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.

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.

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 studio course emphasizes conceptualization and synthesis of complex programs in contemporary contexts at multiple scales.Prerequisite: ARCH 2020

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.

This studio course emphasizes conceptualization and synthesis of complex programs in contemporary contexts at multiple scales.Prerequisite: ARCH 3020

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.

Independent research on topics selected by individual students in consultation with a faculty advisor

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.