I just read this article by Amanda Kolson Hurley about the top three sustainable design architecture schools.
It made me think of you.
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
College of Environmental Design
Department of Architecture
Pomona, Calif.
csupomona.edu/~arc/
B.ARCH., M.ARCH.
Located on a rolling campus 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Cal Poly Pomona remains committed to the “learn by doing” polytechnic mission, and accordingly, the Department of Architecture is known for producing workforce-ready graduates. But it’s as green as it is pragmatic—housed in the College of Environmental Design, the department rubs shoulders with (and participates in) the John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies, an interdisciplinary institute that researches low-energy architecture and other “regenerative” strategies. The M.Arch. has concentrations in sustainability and historic preservation; courses in these concentrations are open to undergraduates.
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University of Oregon
School of Architecture & Allied Arts
Department of Architecture
Eugene and Portland, Ore.
architecture.uoregon.edu
B.ARCH., M.ARCH., B. Iarc., M. Iarc., Teaching Technology Certificate, Ecological Design Certificate
It’s no surprise that, in surveys, faculty nominated this university in the Pacific Northwest as a sustainable-design leader more consistently than any other. UO’s Department of Architecture, located in both small-town Eugene and big-city Portland, teaches students to become stewards of the future built environment through collaborative inquiry with practitioners; explorations of ecological urbanism; and study of cultural and vernacular traditions. Studio work is evaluated using individualized discussion and written assessments, rather than letter grades. Through the designBridge program, students can take part in design and design/build projects for local nonprofits, and they can study abroad in Italy, Japan, Germany, Finland, or Denmark.
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University of Texas, Austin
School of Architecture
Austin, Texas
soa.utexas.edu
B.S. Arch. Studies, B.ARCH., B.Arch./B.S. Architectural Engineering, B.Arch./B.A., M.ARCH., M.S. Arch Studies
One of the smaller schools in a 50,000-student-strong flagship state university, UT Austin’s School of Architecture reflects the breadth and diversity of that context, with specializations in architectural history, preservation, urban design, interior design, planning—and, yes, sustainable design. New sustainable initiatives include a full-scale thermal lab for investigating light control, ventilation, and direct and indirect use of solar energy. The Center for Sustainable Development integrates the study of design and ecology with economics, policymaking, and social justice issues. UT Austin participated in the Solar Decathlon in 2003, 2005, and 2007, and is preparing a proposal for 2011.
