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94 courses found

ARCH 1010 Lessons of the Lawn
Fall 2026

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.

3.1
Rating
3.8
Difficulty
3.50
GPA
ARCH 1020 Lessons in Making
Fall 2026

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/.

4.1
Rating
3.7
Difficulty
3.73
GPA
ARCH 1030 Foundation Studio I
Spring 2026

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

3.1
Rating
4.4
Difficulty
3.29
GPA
ARCH 1031 Summer Foundation Studio I
Summer 2026

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.

3.7
Rating
5.0
Difficulty
3.35
GPA
ARCH 1500 Special Topics in Architecture
Fall 2022

Topical offerings in architecture.

Rating
Difficulty
GPA
ARCH 2010 Foundation Studio II
Fall 2026

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.

3.1
Rating
4.1
Difficulty
3.24
GPA
ARCH 2011 Summer Intro to Design Studio
Summer 2026

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.

Rating
Difficulty
3.25
GPA
ARCH 2020 Foundation Studio III
Spring 2026

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

3.7
Rating
5.0
Difficulty
3.31
GPA
ARCH 2021 Summer Intro to Design Studio 1
Summer 2026

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.

Rating
Difficulty
3.43
GPA
ARCH 2070 Design & Thinking
Spring 2026

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.

4.0
Rating
3.5
Difficulty
3.87
GPA
ARCH 2114 Sustainability and Systems in the Built Environment
Spring 2026

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.

Rating
Difficulty
3.76
GPA
ARCH 2150 Global Sustainability
Fall 2026

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.

3.9
Rating
2.1
Difficulty
3.72
GPA
ARCH 2220 Principles of Tectonics
Spring 2024

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.

3.8
Rating
2.5
Difficulty
3.63
GPA
ARCH 2500 Special Topics in Architecture
Spring 2022

Topical offerings in the subject of Architecture.

Rating
Difficulty
3.59
GPA
ARCH 2710 CAAD 3D Geometrical Modeling and Visualization
Fall 2026

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

4.8
Rating
3.0
Difficulty
3.65
GPA
ARCH 2715 Elements of Design
Spring 2026

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.

4.3
Rating
1.0
Difficulty
3.75
GPA
ARCH 3010 Foundation Studio IV
Fall 2026

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

3.7
Rating
5.0
Difficulty
3.42
GPA
ARCH 3011 Design Thinking Studio I
Fall 2024

This is a studio based course on Architectural design thinking with a focus on creative approaches to analyzing and solving diverse problems.

Rating
Difficulty
3.68
GPA
ARCH 3020 Foundation Studio V
Spring 2026

This studio course emphasizes conceptualization and synthesis of complex programs in contemporary contexts at multiple scales.Prerequisite: ARCH 3010

Rating
Difficulty
3.48
GPA
ARCH 3021 Design Thinking Studio II
Spring 2025

This is a studio based course on Architectural design thinking with a focus on creative approaches to analyzing and solving diverse problems.Prerequisite: ARCH 3070

Rating
Difficulty
3.68
GPA
ARCH 3070 Foundations in Design Practices
Fall 2022

This course will introduce a range of design practices with the goal of establishing a set of skills necessary for addressing complex design challenges in the subsequent Design Thinking Studios. Project-based exercises will explore methods of analysis, techniques of representation & systems of assembly at a variety of scales (detail, body, enclosure, systems, etc.). This course is limited to Architecture Majors in the Design-Thinking Concentration.

2.4
Rating
2.7
Difficulty
3.69
GPA
ARCH 3071 Design Practices Lab
Fall 2022

This course is a required, one-credit lab that is coordinated with Arch 3070 and consists of workshops and tutorials to facilitate the development of skills necessary for students in the Design-Thinking Concentration.

Rating
Difficulty
3.80
GPA
ARCH 3120 Theories of Architecture
Fall 2026

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

Rating
Difficulty
3.46
GPA
ARCH 3203 Design Logics
Fall 2021

We will explore the logic model as a theoretical framework for understanding the health impact of the built environment as the basis for evidence-based practices of design. The logic model is a tool for synthesizing and visualizing causal pathways that lead to health outcomes. Students learn to conduct a rigorous literature review, diagram data, visualize environments, and develop logic models of key buildings and urban landscapes.

Rating
Difficulty
GPA
ARCH 3240 Introduction to Structural Design
Fall 2026

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.

4.1
Rating
3.3
Difficulty
3.37
GPA