ARCH

or LARCH 60 Cultural History of Designed Places

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Development of two and three-dimensional graphic communications skills and techniques required for the practice of architecture. ARCH 121 Visual Communications I (2)The course is designed to introduce two and three-dimensional graphic communication skills. Assignments will develop the student's understanding and skills associated with the hand-drawing techniques used in the practice of architecture. Exercises provide exposure to the variety of representational techniques available to architects for the visual communication of design ideas and design documentation. Visual Communications I is organized as an interactive studio environment which combines lectures and demonstrations with individual instruction. The basic concepts and theories of documenting, representing, and presenting architecture will be introduced through a series of lectures, seminars, and examples. In studio, skills will be developed through project workshops. Instruction includes working sessions, individual desk reviews, technique demonstrations and group discussions. Students will learn the fundamentals of architectural drawing by hand, introductory-level descriptive geometry, orthographic projection, paraline and perspective drawings. These skills and principles are imparted primarily through studio-based assigned projects. Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: ARCH 131

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Development of two-dimensional digital graphic communications skills and techniques required for the practice of architecture. ARCH 122 Visual Communications II (2)The course is designed to introduce students to two-dimensional digital tools used in the practice of architecture. Assignments will develop the student's understanding and skills associated with digital techniques and software. Exercises provide exposure to the digital tools available to architects for the visual communication of design ideas and design documentation. Skills developed in ARCH 121 (drawing and modeling techniques) will provide the foundation for work performed in this course. ARCH 122 is organized as an interactive studio environment combining lectures and demonstrations with individual instruction. The basic concepts and theory of documenting, representing, and presenting architecture will be introduced through a series of lectures, seminars, and examples. In studio, skills will be developed through project workshops. Instruction includes working sessions, individual desk reviews, software and hardware demonstrations, and group discussions. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in: ARCH 131 and ARCH 121 Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: ARCH 132

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This beginning design studio will prepare students to communicate design ideas through drawing and modeling, promoting analog/traditional techniques, in addition to digital media and processes in design and presentation of design. This course will introduce students to the iterativ process of design, involving constructive & critical feedback from peers and instructors. Students will learn to present evidence of reasoned solutions to design problems and explanation and defense of design decisions in graphic form. They will learn to visually communicate ideas and thoughts. This course will include exercises in precedent research and analysis, site analysis, response to building program and the integration of research into design proposals. The students will design and represent their proposals at various scales in response to analysis and research. They will plan, draw, and model their proposals, and present their design(s) to their peers and faculty. This course will emphasize ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) outcomes: - "an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data," - "an ability to communicate effectively," (ABET/Criteria for ABET Programs, 2007, p. 2). Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: Architectural Engineering majors only

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This architectural design studio is organized around exercises in precedent research and analysis, site analysis, response to building program and the integration of research into design proposals. Students will learn to present evidence of reasoned solutions to design problems and explain and defend their design decisions in a graphic form. The students will learn to visually communicate architectural ideas. The students will design, detail, and represent their building proposals at various scales in response to the analysis and research. They will plan, draw, and model their proposals, in their site context and present their design(s) to their peers and faculty for critical comments, discussion, and review. This course will emphasize ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) outcomes: - "an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data," - "an ability to communicate effectively," (ABET/Criteria for ABET Programs, 2007, p. 2). Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: Architectural Engineering majors only and ARCH 130A

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

An introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and skills of architectural design in a project-based, active learning, studio environment. ARCH 131 Basic Design Studio I (4)This course is an introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and skills of architectural design. As a "studio" it is a project-based, active learning course where the development and evaluation of the work is driven by a critical dialogue with the instructor and one's classmates. This course is the first in a series of design studios that serve as the central thread throughout the curricula of the Architecture program. In ARCH 131, students gain knowledge about the discipline of design, develop skills of design and communication, and foster a capacity for judgment - the ability to make appropriate choices and decisions regarding design questions. As a laboratory, the design studio provides the opportunity to apply and explore the knowledge and experience gained in other courses. ARCH 131 is an intensive course that encourages creativity and industry on the part of the students. Its design projects are open-ended; there are no single "right answers." It demands energy, creativity, the willingness to take risks, and introspection. each student is expected to be open to a diverse range of ideas, values and e solutions. The student is invited to view the studio experience as an opportunity to explore, discover, and invent. The studio is divided into separate sections, each led by one studio instructor. All sections are assigned a series of common projects and exercises; however, each section instructor will establish particular and unique assignments, and criteria for each project. This introduces students to the rich variety of

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Continuation of ARCH 131 which further explores basic concepts, methods, and skills of architectural design with an emphasis on craftsmanship. ARCH 132 Basic Design Studio II (4)This course is a continuation of ARCH 131 and shares the same goals, methods, and means of evaluation. However, it builds upon the foundation of fundamental knowledge and skills delivered in the previous course and demands that the students expand their ability to tackle more difficult and complex problems of architectural design. The focus of this course is on "craftsmanship" and the methods and techniques of "making and building." Students are expected to thoroughly consider the implications of materials, construction, and detailing as they relate to their overall design intentions. ARCH 132 is an intensive course that encourages creativity and industry on the part of the students. Its design projects are open-ended; there are no single "right answers." It demands energy, creativity, the willingness to take risks, and introspection. Each student is expected to be open to a diverse range of ideas, values and solutions. The student is invited to view the studio experience as an opportunity to explore, discover, and invent. The studio is divided into separate sections, each led by one studio instructor. Each section instructor will establish particular and unique assignments, and criteria for each project. This introduces students to the rich variety of possibilities in architectural communication and design. When assessing the student work, the instructors will consider the students performance in the following areas: 1. Conceptual Strength: The intentions and ideas that inspire the work. 2. Design Development: The energy, effort, and growth demonstrated throughout the course of the project. 3. Product: The tangible quality of the final product as a demonstration of the student's level of craftsmanship and mastery of the skills introduced in class. 4. Student Preparedness: At desk critiques, pin-ups, and review. 5. Student Participation: Students are expected to actively participate and be constructively engaged in class discussions, critiques, and reviews. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in ARCH 131 and ARCH 121 Enforced concurrent at Enrollment: ARCH 122

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

US buildings account for almost 40% of national CO2 emissions, 39% of the US total energy consumption, and 60% of US electricity alone. Worldwide, buildings consume nearly 40% of the world's energy, 25% of Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3609 its wood, and 15% of its water. Building construction and use contribute significantly to global climate change. The way we design our built environment has a significant impact on consumption statistics, which is why we must consider the global environmental and health effects of buildings during the planning, design, and construction process. This course provides a broad exploration of the art and science of sustainable architecture. Architecture produces cultural artifacts with meaning. Yet, inhabiting and using architecture has a distinct and measurable impact on both local and global environments. Scientifically, this course investigates passive and active energy systems for buildings, environmental components of material production and use, and site and building design effects on the water cycle, clean air, local ecosystems, and food production. Students will calculate energy consumption and generation scenarios, produce a life-cycle analysis of a familiar product, evaluate a building based on current green building certification strategies, and evaluate biological impacts over the local and regional scale. Aesthetically, this course investigates vernacular solutions to physical human comfort, and demonstrates the artistic and cultural place of architecture in society. Part of the course will trace historical aesthetic trends to better understand how the existing unsustainable path began. Students will understand the roles of multiple stakeholders/ social actors in every building project-from owners, to global "neighbors". Together, the course highlights the intersection of building performance and aesthetics. There will be a focus on returning to traditional solutions, as well as capitalizing on new innovations to solve environmental challenges. The underlying theme will be flourishing-both reducing negative environmental impacts as well as celebrating the healthy human condition through artistic expression and aegis of architecture. Bachelor of Arts: Arts Bachelor of Arts: Natural Sciences General Education: Arts (GA) General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies GenEd Learning Objective: Soc Resp and Ethic Reason

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 15 Individual or group instruction conducted in a foreign country.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

15

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Instruction in the design and construction of buildings utilizing wood and steel. ARCH 203 Materials and Building Construction I (3) This course serves as an introduction to common architectural building materials and associated methods of construction. It is the first part of a two-semester sequence to be followed by ARCH 204 in the spring semester. Lectures, readings, and in-class discussions introduce students to the historical development and conventional use of architectural materials and

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course will continue the presentations of ARCH 203 , with a focus on concrete and masonry materials. ARCH 204 Materials and Building Construction II (3) The course is the second part of a two-semester sequence, following ARCH 203 . ARCH 204 is an introductory course in building materials and construction. It is intended for BARCH majors and is designed to prepare students for the professional practice of architecture. The learning objectives for the course can be divided into two categories: 1., developing a sense of materials and construction methods as the media for architecture, and then learning to use these media in creative and appropriate ways; 2. developing basic knowledge of the conventions of current building materials and construction techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of drawings and models to accurately depict construction systems, assemblies and details. The course combines lectures and field trips with design projects, hands-on construction experiences, required readings, drawing and modeling. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in: ARCH 203 and AE 421 Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: ARCH 232 and AE 422

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course presents a transversal history of ideas, arguments, and visions that shape the built environment within their cultural, technological, and philosophical contexts. Buildings, landscapes, and cities embody ideas about society, culture, technology, and how we should live in the world. Some problems and questions are exemplary of their times; others seem eternal as we continue to grapple with them today. Changes in our ideas and ideals are made visible in our built environment, giving us a unique opportunity to trace their trajectories across time to see 'how we got to now.' The course introduces architectural and urban ideas by exploring and connecting key directions, works, and texts from the Western tradition. By casting a critical eye on where we've been, the course opens new perspectives on what might be next. The course covers a period ranging from ancient Greece and Rome to the present, with emphasis on how the foundations of Western architecture collided with modernity, and how we've dealt with the hereafters of modernity since the mid-20th century. Recurring themes will include the ways in which architectural theory has defined role of the architect, architecture's foundational principles, and the relationships between architectural and urban ideas, aesthetics, and the cultural contexts in which these ideas develop. Major topics will include ancient architectural theory, Renaissance classicism, tectonics and Gothic rationalism, the Beaux-Arts, Neoclassicism and typology, organicism and functionalism, the Modern avant-garde's radical new social and aesthetic visions, the International Style, countermodernisms, phenomenology, techno-utopianism, populism, gender, race, and international post- colonialism. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements for Arts (GA) courses by: expanding knowledge and comprehension of the role of the arts, building competence in analysis, critical thinking and interpretive reasoning through the exploration of creative works; demonstrating the aesthetic, historic, social, and cultural significance of important works of design; and, critically assessing creative works through evaluative processes of analysis and interpretation. Recommended Preparation: Survey course in architectural history Bachelor of Arts: Arts General Education: Arts (GA) GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Design of limited environments within defined constraints. ARCH 231 Architectural Design I (6) The second-year design curriculum introduces the student to the complexity of the architectural whole. The curriculum bridges the abstract design principles taught in the first year and the ability to put together a large building, the focus in the third-year. The objectives are to create an understanding of architectural elements and develop a sensitivity and awareness required for valid interpretations as well as to develop a reflective and critical design process with emphasis on the individual ability to articulate ideas. The major means of accomplishing development is through the design of smaller buildings/ environments. To introduce the pragmatic and expressive aspects of architectural design and integrate visual communication with the design process. The emphasis is on developing comprehensive architectural thought, on the foundations of skill and knowledge essential for designing more "complex" buildings in later years, and making the students aware of the multiplicity of factors involved in the design process and their civic responsibility in making informed choices Thus, the pervasive issue of meaning in architecture is given a high priority and is interwoven in all stages of design exploration. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in: ARCH 132 and ARCH 122 Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: ARCH 203 and AE 421

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Design of limited environments within defined constraints. ARCH 232 Architectural Design II (6) The second-year design curriculum emphasis is on introducing the student to the complexity of the architectural whole. The curriculum bridges the abstract design principles taught in the first year and the ability to put together a large building, the focus in the third- year. The objectives are to create an understanding of architectural elements and develop a sensitivity and awareness required for valid interpretations as well as to develop a reflective and critical design process with emphasis on the individual ability to articulate ideas. The major means of accomplishing the design process is through the design of smaller buildings/environments. To introduce the pragmatic and expressive aspects of architectural design and integrate visual

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 15 Individual or group instruction conducted in a foreign country.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

15

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Architectural theory course with a strong focus on the reading and writing of essays about architecture and related fields. ARCH 311 Architectural and Planning Theories (3) ARCH 311 is a required course in the BARCH curriculum. The central goal of this course is to foster critical-thinking skills, in conjunction with the ability to develop and articulate theoretical positions related to the design, practice, and historical evolution of architecture, both verbally and in writing. ARCH 311 is a writing intensive seminar course fulfilling the University's Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) requirement. Students will be introduced to various topics pertaining to advanced architectural theory. Students will critically read, then discuss significant works with the instructor. Lectures by the instructor will also be presented, discussed and analyzed. Writing assignments are utilized as instruments for learning the subject matter, methods of inquiry, and the types of writing typical of the discipline of architecture. The course format will also involve lectures by the instructor as well as presentations by the students related to past, present, and speculative architectural theories of importance to the field. In addition, students will complete writing assignments that demonstrate the development of a critical stance or idea, proficiency in critical analysis, and the use of established research techniques, citation of sources, and writing formats. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: ENGL 15 or ENGL 30H and C or better in ARCH 210 and ARTH201 and ARTH202 Writing Across the Curriculum Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3611

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course focuses on the design and analysis of cities from ancient to modern time periods in the U.S. and the world, taking into account the cultural and historical ways human settlements develop, how cities relate to one another, and the wide array of built forms and material culture that make up built urban environments over time ¿ from arcades, squares, and streets to gardens, monuments, and more. If you have a genuine interest in learning more about how cities evolved and the historical and modern issues confronting the many diverse individuals and groups who thought about and influenced the planning of cities, this should be an interesting semester. One broad goal of this course is to enhance your urban literacy by developing the critical analytic skills needed to understand and appreciate cities in all of their complexity. These issues are not only pertinent to urban designers, architects, landscape architects and others who are directly involved in the planning of cities, but they are also vital to the diverse cultures and social groups who inhabit, experience, and also shape urban environments. The design and development of cities is a useful barometer for also understanding the political, economic, ethical, and other forces that guide and shape their development over time. This makes cities challenging to analyze because they are not static forms. They are ever changing and evolving. Bachelor of Arts: Arts

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Introduction to the development of modern Japanese architecture from the Meiji Restoration of 1868 to the present day. ARCH 317 Theory of Modern Japanese Architecture (3)ARCH 317 outlines a lineage of ideology in Japanese architectural discourse in order to examine reciprocal interactions between Japan and the West in the development of modern Japanese architecture from the Meiji Period (1868-1912), through the Metabolism of the 60's, to the present day. The concept of "tradition" itself is an invention of the Meiji (modern) era. Through this notion, the course will introduce students to crucial moments in the development of Japanese architecture, while making parallel references to the key developments in the West. Inversely, examples of traditional Japanese architecture will be introduced as counterpoint for the modern. Several topics such as the evolution of Japanese symbolic and spatial traditions in art, architecture, and landscape architecture (gardens) will be discussed. While discussing the evolution of Japanese culture, aesthetics and religions, the influences of China and Korea will be introduced, thus increasing students' familiarity to the East. A brief examination of Western architects paralleling the course content will also be presented. The key figures to be discussed during the class include Kenzo Tange, Kisho Kurokawa, Arata Izozaki, Fumihiko Maki, Tadao Ando, Shin Takamatsu, Toyo Ito, Kazuyo Sejima and Shigeru Ban. Key Western architects, including Bruno Taut, Walter Gropius, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Le Corbusier, will also be discussed. In addition, several broad themes such as geography, climate culture, and symbolic and spatial traditions in art will be introduced. Eastern values and ethics very incongruent from those of the West and their impact on architecture will be presented

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

‡

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Development of the design process through organizational methodologies, based on physical, functional, and social-behavioral determinants. ARCH 332 Architectural Design IV (6) Development of the design process through organizational methodologies, based on physical, functional, and social-behavioral determinants. Emphasis is placed on "The Building Thoroughly Considered." The second semester of the third- year design studio course is a continuation of the rigorous development of the architectural process started in the third year, first semester studio ARCH 332 extends and deepens the understanding of the "thoroughly considered" building begun in ARCH 331. Students will strive to develop an architectural totality, search for thoughtful decisions and sound judgments. Students continue the process of integrating the abstraction of the basics with the pragmatics of the built world. The student at the completion of this year should understand what a building is and how it responds to human needs in terms of cultural meaning, physical reality, operational prerequisites and construction. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in ARCH 331 and ARCH 380. Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: ARCH 381

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

students to the topics of building thermal environment, and passive and mechanical heating/cooling systems. Thermal environment topics include thermal comfort, natural environmental impacts, heat transfer through the building envelope, heating and cooling design, mechanical systems, and building energy consumption. Building mechanical system topics include heating, ventilating, and airconditioning systems. Emphasis is placed on building design in response to the technical, environmental, and societal challenges, with a focus on sustainable design principles and guidelines applied to achieving thermal comfort in buildings. The course utilizes lectures, practicums, examinations, projects, and presentations to deliver and reinforce the technical content. The course offers students the opportunity to work in a team setting and to present their work orally to their peers. The broad coverage of the technical and social issues and professional skills challenges the architecture students to incorporate technical issues as an integral part of the overall building design. The course is required for students enrolled in the bachelor of architecture program.

Subject

ARCH

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

complement to ARCH 380. All environmental control systems other than thermal environmental systems are covered in this course. ARCH 381 introduces architecture students to building illumination, acoustical, fire protection, electrical and plumbing design issues. Emphasis is placed on building design as a response to the technical, environmental, and societal challenges. The course utilizes lectures, practicums, examinations, projects, presentations, and field trips to deliver and reinforce the technical content. The course offers students the opportunity to work in team settings and to present their work orally to their peers. The broad coverage of the technical and social issues and professional skills intentionally involves students in discussion and application of social and ethical responsibilities. ARCH 380 is a prerequisite for this course. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: ARCH 380 Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: ARCH 480

Subject

ARCH

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest. . ARCH 399: Foreign Studies 1-12 Credits/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course is a very hands-on, project-based seminar focusing on the theory and practice of building material salvage and recycling. Through active and applied learning, students will gain experience in handling, preserving and adding value to salvaged building materials. The course will consist of a variety of small-scale design-build projects, where students will learn and practice the methods and techniques of reclamation and explore the design possibilities of reused material. In addition to being a practical hands-on seminar, this course is also intended to explore and examine the broader historical and theoretical context for the activity of building material reclamation and reuse.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Concepts and strategies for the environmentally conscious design of the built environment.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

ARCH 419 prepares undergraduate Architecture students with the skills and tools to conduct research contributing to the pursuit of an architectural idea in a rigorous, in-depth manner, and then subsequently utilize the acquired knowledge in the development of the idea through the completion and presentation of a thoroughly considered architectural design project (building, component or system). This course will help students prepare for their independent or directed design research studio through the exploration of foundational approaches and methodologies in the field. It will foster in-depth design inquiry and research; build upon and reiterate design awareness, skills, and methods introduced in previous years; and introduce, discover and develop new ones. This course will help prepare students to identify significant design project topics, select the proper methodology, and engage in independent or directed research. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: ARCH 332 and ARCH 311W

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Studies in principles and elements of design; planning for human use; the relationship of space to physical and social environment. Architectural Engineering majors only. ARCH 441 Architectural Design Analysis (3) Studies in principles and elements of design; planning for human use; the relationship of space to physical and social environment.The objective of this course is to explore various approaches to architectural design and to reinforce the concept that there is no "right" or "wrong" answer to a design problem. "Design" is decision-making in itself -- the key to a successful project lies not only in the final product, but in the process leading up to it as well. In order to be successful, design solutions must respond to both formal ideas as well as human, environmental and technical realities. Thus, the interaction between art and technology becomes imperative. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: ARCH 130A

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Continuation of ARCH 441, with emphasis on functional relationship of space, form, structure, and building groups. Architectural Engineering majors only. ARCH 442 Architectural Design Analysis (3) Continuation of ARCH 441, with emphasis on functional relationship of space, form, structure, and building groups.The objective of this course is to explore Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3613 various approaches to architectural design and to reinforce the concept that there is no "right" or "wrong" answer to a design problem. "Design" is decision-making in itself -- the key to a successful project lies not only in the final product, but in the process leading up to it as well. In order to be successful, design solutions must respond to both formal ideas as well as human, environmental and technical realities. Thus, the interaction between art and technology becomes imperative. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: ARCH 441

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

A study of architectural practice in today's society: education, registration, office practice, codes, standards, construction industry, contracts, and legal documents. ARCH 451 Architectural Professional Practice (3) ARCH 451 is a required course in the BARCH curriculum. It is intended to prepare students for the professional practice of architecture. The course explores the historical influences and current trends that shape the relationship between the architect, client and builder in contemporary society. This course provides an overview of the changing roles of the architect through history as well as a detailed examination of the architectural profession in today's rapidly changing world. ARCH 451 reviews internship, architectural licensing procedures and requirements, professional development (life-long learning), architectural practice including office organizational structures, the architect's administrative role, construction cost control, professional organizations, the architect's professional, legal and ethical responsibilities (including life-safety and accessibility), leadership in the profession and the community as well as alternative architectural / design related careers. Enforced Concurrents at Enrollment: ARCH 491 or ARCH 533

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Presentations of buildings' analyses from a multiplicity of viewpoints: architectural, spacial, environmental, mechanical, construction assembly.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Advanced course in digital modeling, rendering, animation and non-linear video for architectural investigations. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: Approval by instructor

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Shape grammars are a powerful formalism for the generative description of designs and a key discourse in design computation. The formalism is distinctive for its interest in developing a mathematics of design through visual computations described directly with geometry. By foregrounding visual representations and visual processes, the formalism lays the foundation for shape computations that aid in explaining, understanding, and developing designs specified by rule-based, generative systems. These computations provide the basis for the generative description, interpretation, and evaluation of visual designs. This course provides a broad exploration of shape grammar theory, implementations, and applications in a variety of disciplines. More specifically, it investigates the theory of shapes, shape rules, parametric shape rules, rule schemata, languages of designs, and more, providing students with a foundation in the rule-based analysis and specification of designs as well as a fundamental understanding on design computing. It considers the history and logic of spatial systems in the arts, architecture, and engineering to build an awareness of rule-based approaches in design, especially in relation to the theories underlying contemporary design software. Critical and creative applications in the arts, architecture, landscape, urbanism, product design, and engineering will be discussed to understand shape grammars as a visual approach to rule-based analysis and synthesis with broad potential for design and research. Building on these insights, students will learn to analyze designs with rules and use those rules to generate new design configurations. Students will also be challenged to develop their own rulebased interpretations of design processes to study how shape grammars can be understood as a generative design methodology.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 18 Problems in architectural planning and design; and/or programming, implementation methodologies and applications for various environmental design scales. ARCH 491 Architectural Design Research Studio (6) It is the goal of this program that, upon completion of ARCH 491, each student will have the ability to pursue an architectural idea in a rigorous, in-depth manner and be able to express the knowledge of and implication of that idea through the completion and presentation of a "thoroughly considered building design project." It is the intent of the Design Research Studio component of the Bachelor of Architecture program to foster the spirit of in-depth design inquiry and research, and to build upon and reiterate design awareness, skills, and methods introduced in previous years; and to introduce, discover and develop new ones. To these ends the primary educational vehicle is the use of a propositional thesis as a way of directing the study toward the linking of theory and building in a meaningful manner. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: Students must earn a C or better in ARCH 311W and ARCH 332

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

12

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Continuation of select ARCH 491 sections with concentration and specialization options. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in ARCH 491 Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: ARCH 480

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Construction Work Experience II

Subject

ARCH

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Courses available to Architecture majors only. Courses available to Architectural Engineering majors only. Requires instructor approval. May require instructor approval.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Individual or group instruction conducted in Rome, Italy. ARCH 499A Foreign Study - Architectural Design VI (6) The semester abroad design work will focus on the difficult problem of creating new construction in the presence of an historic structure. This is an inevitable problem

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Supporting Courses and Related Areas Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better Select 3 credits in non-Western traditions in architecture from approved department list Select 15 credits in consultation with an academic adviser This category of course work gives students the freedom to explore a range of academic interests, develop concentrations, or pursue minors.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Analysis of architectural precedents of modernism from its multiple, disputed points of origin through the late twentieth century. What is "modern" architecture? What conditions gave rise to the various movements that have come to dominate design since the industrial revolution? What sort of design did these theoretical works and movements produce, and how did it contribute to architecture's development? An understanding of modernism and its legacy is crucial to a thorough understanding of the architectural culture of the 21st century. By examining buildings from early modernism to today, this course will introduce the theory of modern architecture from its multiple, disputed points of origin through the late twentieth century. Our operative term will be modernisms, in the plural. "Modernism" is a convenient and important label, but its suggestion of unity can camouflage the complexity of a phenomenon that spans decades, cultures, continents, and ideas.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 501; Concurrent: ARCH 532

Examination of fundamental and advanced building materials, systems and construction technologies associated with their architectural use.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Continuing examination of fundamentals and advanced building materials, systems and construction technologies associated with their architectural use. ARCH 504 Materials and Building Construction II (3) This first-year graduate seminar course will continue to present students with information on fundamental and advanced building materials and systems and on construction technologies associated with their architectural use. Students will also consider the advancements in architectural materials and technologies. It is the second part of a two-semester sequence preceded by ARCH 503. Recurrent course themes include 1) architecture as a product of culture (wisdom, abilities, aspirations), 2) architecture as a product of place (materials, tools, topography, climate), the relationship between architectural appearance presented and the mode of construction employed, 3) materials and making as an expression of an idea and 4) the relationship of a building whole to a detail. This course is motivated by these concerns: a firm belief that architects must know and engage the age they are living in, so as to design and represent it with extreme appropriateness. The course explicitly addresses engagement with society/culture and its appropriate representation by asking students to form opinions about the architectural potential of contemporary and emerging technologies. Their opinions are informed by the presentation of architectural materials and associated construction methods as they evolved - contextualized by human history and by their application in the built environment. In this class students are seeing the material and technological means of making architecture continuously altered by shifting human cultural desires and artistic/scientific/industrial developments. They are simultaneously receiving instruction in their application and use. Through assignments, students also work directly with materials at full scale and learn to represent construction systems through the conventions of drawing and modeling.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 503; Concurrent: ARCH 532, A E 422

Examination of core architectural and urban theories through a critical analysis of key concepts from antiquity to the present.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 502; Concurrent: ARCH 533

The impact of rationalism and romanticism on contemporary developments and theoretical postures in architectural design.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Inquiry into paradigms of critical theory in architecture theory, practice and teaching. Evaluation of central texts, methods, theories, and outcomes. ARCH 512 Critical Theory in Architecture (6)ARCH 512 is composed of six chronologically arranged units of study that examine the major developments in the evolution of discursive practices that ground architecture theory, teaching, and practice. Modern and post- Modern critical theories in architecture have borrowed from a number of tangent disciplines, such as Phenomenology, Positivism, Existentialism, Narratology, Structuralism, Deconstruction, Grounded Theory (social sciences), Cognitive-Behaviorism, Neo-Kantianism, Psychoanalysis, Reception Theory, etc. Historical methodology, Archaeology, Anthropology Art History, and other disciplines have also had their impact. As a result, critical theory in architecture typically lacks uniform methodologies and stable definitions. In recent years, many disciplines have undergone attempts to consolidate discourse around the influence of language and culture within the historical context of evolving world ideologies and their effect on communication, material culture, and the physical environment. Architecture has responded to this general trend in a number of ways that invite cross-disciplinary comparisons and methodological adaptations. The course will take advantage of featuring visiting scholars whose expertise in diverse areas of study will provide participants with direct contact with the widest possible range of theoretical perspectives. The strategy of the course will be a comparison and critical evaluation of what appear to be the most effective research methods within the pressing concerns of environment, population growth, material resource depletion , and international conflict. The aim will be to establish relevance as well as research competence and effective expression. of instructor

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

admission into Ph.D. Program in Architecture or permission

Inquiry into paradigms of theory in architecture and landscape architecture, as pertain to doctoral level research, practice, and teaching.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Research design and methods, sampling strategies, potential biases, confounding problems, and the limits of inference in architecture and landscape architecture research.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 512A

This course prepares M. Arch. students to conduct research leading to their design project by looking at foundational methods in the field. It also trains students to identify significant project topics and engage in individual critical research in order to build the intellectual and scholarly armature sustaining the future design that every student will undertake. The target is to raise critical awareness of the social, cultural, economic, and disciplinary complexities in the context of different spatial practices. The course will engage research in architecture in order to find opportunities to make significant claims contributing to the advancement of the field. The course will explore different methodologies, whether based in the humanities or the sciences, in order to inform research paradigms in the discipline of architecture in academic institutions. In addition, the course will explore the specifics of formal speculation as a , form of knowledge, as well as the relationship between the discipline and its formal, cultural, and economic past, present, and future.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 534

Introduction to the methods of research and inquiry commonly used in architecture and urban design.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Examination of two and three-dimensional graphic communication and modeling techniques for an advanced understanding of visual communication in architecture. Concurrent: ARCH 531

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Continuing examination of two and three-dimensional graphic communication and modeling technqiues for an advanced understanding of visual communications in architecture. ARCH 522 Visual Communications II (2) This course introduces students to a wide range of digital drawing, modeling and output techniques and concepts that are essential for architectural design in order to formulate knowledge and expertise, and investigate their potential in architectural design studio. While providing a theoretical standpoint of contemporary methodologies, knowledge gained in this course will allow students to work rigorously and precisely through conceptual exploration, design development and ultimately meaningful representation of their design intentions. Skills developed in ARCH 521 will provide the foundation for work performed in this course.The course will be conducted in the form of weekly lectures to cover theories and methods, and accompanying weekly working sessions, software and hardware demonstrations with individual instruction in the computer lab. Brief lab assignments will be assigned to ensure proliferation and adoption of course material. The coursework maybe coordinated with design studio (ARCH 532) assignments providing the students with the opportunity to master their digital skills in a meaningful manner.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 521; Concurrent: ARCH 532

Studio studying the core methods of the discipline of architectural design and developing skills related to its expression and communication. This course prepares students to understand fundamental architectural elements and concepts, to develop a sensitivity and awareness required for valid interpretations, and to develop a reflective and critical design process with emphasis on one's individual ability to articulate ideas. The major means of accomplishing this is through the design of simple buildings and environments. The semester is divided into two halves: The first half of the semester focuses on fundamental and abstract principles of architectural design, and the theory associated with design principles. It covers architectural fundamentals such as drawing and making models through a series of abstract exercises, and introduces the principles and methods used at various stages of design analysis and synthesis processes. The second half of the semester makes a transition from abstract principles to fundamental architectural design principles such as function, scale, and structure to concepts of space and form, as they pertain to small scale design projects. The assigned projects explore Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 929 and develop conceptual strategies for fundamental formal and spatial design, emphasizing the role of ordering principles and of fundamental architectonic elements in the implementation of design intentions.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 530; Concurrent: ARCH 503, ARCH 521 , A E 421

Studio focusing on the design of small to medium scale architecture that addresses the complexity of a total work.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 503 , ARCH 531 , A E 421; Concurrent: ARCH 504,

Studio emphasizing the design of multi-functional buildings, and stress the creative synergy among building design, structure, site, and context. 211

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 504 , ARCH 532 , A E 422; Concurrent: ARCH 510, A E

Studio developing advanced designs for comprehensive buildings responding to human needs in terms of cultural meaning, context, and technical requirements.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Total Credits 97 Master of Science (M.S.) Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-600 Research Degree Policies. (https:// gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-education-policies/) The culminating experience of the post-professional M.S. in Architecture program is a Master's Thesis, which requires the student to identify and formulate an area of inquiry within which he or she will be expected to do original research that tests a hypothesis, and to complete a written thesis that presents that research. The master’s thesis committee must be composed of a minimum of three Graduate Faculty members, not less than two of whom shall be members of the Architecture Graduate Faculty. One of these two Graduate Faculty members shall serve as the chair of the committee and thesis adviser. One or more members of the committee may be members from another department.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

12

Credits (max)

12

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

A series of presentations on the development of contemporary architectural theory.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ARCH 511

Community and urban design as an area of design inquiry and interdisciplinary practice. ARCH 542 ARCH 542. Topics in Community and Urban Design (3)The intention of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental elements of community and urban design practice within the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, and planning. An investigation into the diverse traditions of design practice- -technical, esthetic, and theoretical -- will highlight the role that design plays in the urban and community context and also serve as a powerful medium for analyzing the confluence of the social, economic, political, and ecological dimensions that give form to cities and communities. An objective of the course will be to develop a critical perspective in architectural design vis-a-vis the restructuring of urban and community space.Topics to be

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Inquiry into digital design paradigms of architecture and related disciplines; exploration design principles and operations supported in digital/virtual design environments.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

graduate standing or consent of instructor

Ethics In the Built Environment is an applied theory course that uses negotiation strategies to examine issues broadly relating to the creation and use of the built environment, including research practices and professional ethics. The course examines the role of power imbalances as underlying ethical questions, and discusses means of mediating the resulting ethical problems in a sustainable manner. Through readings, discussions, short exercises, and a term paper, students will gain a greater awareness of ethical issues raised through the production and use of the built environment, and will develop tools to asses ethical issues and identify appropriate resolutions. Topics covered in this course include: defining ethical concepts, tools for evaluating ethical issues in the built environment, understanding built power and the role of empowerment, the power of marketing, accuracy in historical research, urban design and planning and the right to the city, gender and the built environment, architectural practices, the ethics of green architecture, the ethics of design computing, as well as research on individual case studies.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Guided research project.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be offered infrequently.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 999 No description.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

15

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

0 Credits/Maximum of 999

Subject

ARCH

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 6 Supervised experience in teaching and orientation to other selected aspects of the profession at The Pennsylvania State University

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Foreign study and/or research constituting progress toward the degree at a foreign university.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 999 No description.

Subject

ARCH

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

15

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu