Department of Architecture

/Department of Architecture
/CoAD

Department of Architecture

The School of Architecture was established at Lawrence Institute of Technology in 1962 and, with the addition of art and design programs, became the College of Architecture and Design in 1989. The College offers a broad range of professional design programs in addition to architecture, including interior design, urban design, graphic design, industrial design, game art, and other programs. These programs provide aspiring design professionals with a comprehensive education and preparation for careers in design and other relevant and fulfilling public and private sector endeavors.

The architecture program at LTU seeks to develop graduates committed to an articulate and thoughtful approach to socially relevant design. The program supports creative inquiry and critical thinking as the basis for design insight, and clear communication as a design objective. The programs emphasize investigation and collaboration through courses that address relationships among the disciplines, including design, technology, the sciences, and the humanities. Students are expected to maintain high standards of excellence: they are highly respected by employers and win significant design competitions.

Featured Alumni

Mark
Farlow

B.ARCH, 1982
M.ARCH, 2009

Mark Farlow is Director of Design at Hamilton Anderson Associates and a proud alumnus of the Lawrence Tech architecture program. He loves teaching at LTU and cherishes the professional connections he has developed with his classmates, the faculty, and his students.

Q: What inspired you to teach alongside your professional architecture practice?

A: I truly believe that teaching is a civic responsibility. My commitment to the next generation of Architects is manifested through teaching architecture and curating opportunities for their absorption into the profession. I also remind my students that they have a responsibility (as an alum of Lawrence Tech) to give back to those of the next generation.

Q: What sort of work do you do within the College of Architecture and Design?

A: I share my relentless energy with my Lawrence Tech students two evenings per week, teaching in both the graduate-level studios and undergraduate studios. I also serve regularly on student reviews and subsidize the AIAS with scholarships. I really try to stress to my students that they have immense individual potential but that they are, in fact, privileged to have this educational opportunity.

Q: What about your professional work?

A: Both my architectural and academic career have manifested my well-documented love of architecture. Simultaneous to my academic commitments, I have an unflinching passion and tested ability for creating well-designed, award-winning buildings of architectural distinction and beauty for our community.

International Students

The Architecture Program at Lawrence Tech welcomes qualified students from around the world. In fact, we currently have students from at least 45 countries enrolled at LTU. You should also know that your opportunity to continue your professional education through work experience here at LTU now may be extended through the OPT (Optional Practice Training) program under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Enrollment in our architecture degree (BS and M.Arch) and BIM Certificate programs make qualified international students with F-1 visas eligible for the STEM extension such that the standard OPT work internship period of 12 months may be extended for an additional 24 months, for a total of 36 months. This is a great opportunity for students to gain a study and work experience in the United States.

Programs in the Department of Architecture

Architecture

The architecture program at Lawrence Technological University is designed to provide a broad foundation for the development of design skills and insights, social responsibility, environmental awareness, problem-solving abilities, and professional competence.

Urban Design

The increasing diversification of places, populations, and migration flows has been changing urban environments locally, nationally, and internationally. Our college, given its longstanding educational, professional, and community services via architecture, community development, and urban design in Detroit and its larger region, is well positioned to educate students about how to respond to complex urban changes.

Interior Design

Interior architecture stands at the intersection of architecture, design of the built environment, and conservation as it relates to the issues of sustainability. Lawrence Tech’s program focuses on the re-use of existing structures and their subsequent transformation into new space and/or form, always keeping sustainable and technological issues at the forefront.

Architecture + Interior Architecture

In recognition of the need for individuals with a wide-ranging set of professional skills, Lawrence Technological University offers a dual-degree program leading to both a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Interior Architecture. This dual program prepares students to become fully qualified architects who specialize in the design of building interiors.

Architecture + Urban Design

The increasing diversification of places, populations, and migration flows has been changing urban environments locally, nationally, and internationally. Our college, given its longstanding educational, professional, and community services in architecture, community development, and urban design in Detroit and its larger region, is well positioned to educate students about how to respond to complex urban changes.

Architecture + Civil Engineering

The art of building is a multifaceted endeavor that blends design and technology, human comfort and a concern for sustainability, and durability with delight. In recognition of the need for individuals with a wide-ranging set of professional skills, Lawrence Technological University offers a dual-degree program leading to both a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Architecture + Business Administration

Architecture represents a significant investment of time, money, and natural resources. Understanding the wisdom of each investment requires professionals who are able to ascertain the impact and value of each investment type and then use this knowledge to craft a well-considered architectural approach. In recognition of the need for individuals with these skills, LTU offers a dual-degree program leading to both the Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration degrees.

Architecture + Media Communication

In recognition of the need for individuals with this set of professional skills, Lawrence Technological University offers a dual-degree program leading to both a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Media Communications. This dual program prepares students to become fully qualified architects with an extended range of skills in disseminating design information in video, film, and digital formats.

Architecture + Construction Management

The contemporary construction process is necessarily complex, involving approaches both ancient and emerging. It is a multifaceted endeavor that blends design and technology, human comfort and sustainability, durability and delight. In recognition of this process and the related need for individuals with a wide-ranging set of professional skills, LTU offers a dual-degree program leading to both a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.

Certificate in Building Information Modeling and Computer Visualization

The Building Information Modeling (BIM) at LTU is available online, as both an undergraduate and graduate certificate. It covers building information modeling and computer visualization, both of which play an increasingly important role in architecture, specifically building design, construction, and operation.