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.

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 1010, 1020, 1030.

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

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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/.