School of Architecture

The School of Architecture is a progressive design laboratory of highly passionate students and a distinguished faculty of practicing architects, who work together to explore the boundaries of one of the most compelling professions you can enter today.

Our highly diverse and international community enables us to cultivate a unique culture from which we address questions for the future of our globalized world.

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Our Curriculum

Architecture graduates are critical thinkers and problem solvers who develop a diverse range of skills and qualities during their academic studies. Supported by the insight of practicing faculty, we strive to educate future architects who are able to bridge artistic vision with technical comprehension. Through our programs, we enable our students to become responsible leaders in their field, who have the skills to envision, design and construct a viable future built on innovation.

Architectural Exploration

In the first year, you will be taught fundamental design skills to provide the foundation to pursue your architectural interests.

Conceptual Design Thinking

As one of the best schools for architecture, we can provide the academic guidance necessary to elevate your architecture design process. Through an analysis and understanding of type, program, and site, you will explore the synthesis of an architectural concept from its early design schematics to its final physical manifestation.

Independent Investigations

In your final project, you will formulate a research topic, and investigate concept, context, and typology such as physical site characteristics, environmental, and programmatic factors including cultural and societal developments that influence your architectural design.

Tectonic Understanding

You will develop a high level of competence in the technical aspects of architectural design through thoughtful integration of structure, building systems, and envelope design, as well as sustainability and future technologies.

School of Architecture Introduction Video

Interested in schools for architecture? Get to know the Academy of Art University, see faculty and students in action and hear them speak about our collaborative approach and our philosophy of engagement.

Start Your Career Now

Your dream is within reach. Follow your heart and get started on the career of your dreams.

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Our Facilities

Experience sophisticated physical building design with our emerging digital fabrication tools, our fully equipped professional wood shop, and design studio spaces that reflect the culture of contemporary architectural practice.

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Alumni Success

Mary Telling

Part of being an Architect includes thinking in a disciplined way about the experience of those who will use the design. That’s the approach School of Architecture graduate Mary Telling takes as she focuses her design skills on creating affordable housing. Working as a project designer for affordable housing projects across the Bay Area, Telling applies all the lessons and tools she’s learned through our architecture school’s program to benefit the lives of those in the communities she serves. Check out her video!

Our Faculty

Our faculty of practicing architects accumulates a wealth of experience in the design and execution of outstanding buildings across the globe. Their diverse backgrounds and personal expertise are providing you with invaluable knowledge, as well as networking opportunities that can lead to internships and rewarding careers. The following slides exhibit recently completed buildings and designs by our faculty.

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Mark Mueckenheim | Contemporary Design Methods n Architecture

Mark Mückenheim

Contemporary Design Methods Mark Muckenheim

Mark Mueckenheim

Mark Mückenheim

Mark Mueckenheim (MCKNHM) CMYK House Moers Germany

Mark Mückenheim

Student Work

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Arthur Strahin

Architecture

Cristo Staedler

Architecture

Jessica Trevino

Architecture

Jon Harrah

Architecture

Qiyang Xu

Architecture

Luka Radovic

Architecture

Valeryia Haletskaya

Architecture

Xiaoman Sun

Architecture

Alireza Arabshahi

Architecture

Benny Flores

Architecture

Dennis Levy

Architecture

Jingyuan Shi

Architecture

Kiarash Filsouf

Architecture

Oliverl German

Architecture

Tara Abedinitafreshi

Architecture

Yiyue Chen

Architecture

Featured Alumni

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Samantha Buckley

B.Arch Architecture

Associate,

Gensler

My classmates and I have felt that our education has proven to be invaluable as we step into the profession. The program prepared us for a seamless transition between my education and career. I am so thankful for the support from my faculty in and outside the classroom.

Tara Abedinitafreshi

M.Arch Architecture

Junior Designer,

Bjarke Ingels Group

I got an excellent education, and I was able to build up a strong portfolio at the School of Architecture. The supportive faculty guided me through each step of the transition from a student to a professional designer. The school invites diversity and the design studio culture embraces students and their creativity.

Mary Telling

MA Architecture

Associate,

Mithun

Working in affordable housing in San Francisco has changed the way I think as a designer, because I’m thinking about the experience—how does the tenant feel when they’re walking into the space? It’s not about me anymore, it’s about the community I serve.

MARY'S STORY

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Special Programs

Our international lecture series brings a diverse mix of highly distinguished guests and interesting young practices to our school to engage with faculty and students and to talk about their work.

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Careers in Architecture

As one of the top art and design schools in the country, Academy of Art University architecture graduates have a range of opportunities to choose from. Our facilities, faculty, and hands-on learning approach are designed to provide you with the tools you need to succeed as a professional architect.

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Your career starts here.

Take the first step.

Or call 415-274-2222 to request more information about this program.

City and Urban Planner

Master planning environmental design decisions at the scale of a neighborhood, district, city, or region, architects can be part of an urban or design team improving urban environments.

Design Consultant

Graduates from an architectural school are qualified outside of architectural practice, to consult across disciplines; from building envelope design, historical preservation, industrial design, furniture design, color, branding, business and product consulting, among many other possibilities.

Project Architect

Collaborating on large or complex architectural projects, project designers are crucial member of a design team.

COMPANIES THAT HAVE HIRED OUR GRADUATES

Learn Online

As one of the best architecture schools in the nation, we offer an architecture program with accredited undergraduate and graduate online degrees taught by practicing architects. Our online classes have been modeled to teach contemporary processes of architectural design, from an initial idea to the technical complexities of building construction. Since 2002, Academy of Art University has helped thousands of online students from all over the world realize their professional and creative ambitions.

Find Out More

There are many architecture schools that offer programs in architecture. However, not all colleges for architecture are created equal.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in architecture, it’s important to choose a school that offers the right type of program for you. Good architecture schools will offer standard curriculums, while exceptional programs, like the ones available at the Academy of Art University, have more granular areas of study to propel students toward a successful future.

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