/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
Alan
Cobb, FAIA
B.S.ARCH, 1976
Alan Cobb, FAIA is the President and CEO of Albert Kahn Associates, Inc., an industry-leading and award winning architectural and engineering firm.
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Q: Tell us a little bit about your background.
A: I grew up in the very small town of Holly, Michigan, and watched the design (with architect Dale Hicks) and construction process of my family home. While in high school, I worked as a carpenter, learning much about construction industry challenges. My early years of mentorship with a couple of local architects were instrumental in helping find my passion, the pursuit of a career in architecture and design.
Q: What made you decide to attend LTU?
A: I selected Lawrence Tech because the curriculum began (first semester) with classes on architecture. Learning about a career in the field was extremely important. The advantage with the program at LTU is that there are many practicing architects and other professionals guiding the student through their academic process. This helps LTU students hit the ground running after graduation.
Q: Do you have any favorite memories of your time at Lawrence Tech?
A: Harvey Fererro and Robert Powell, AIA were my advising professors (and practicing architects) for my thesis project and design studio for a self-sufficient community (the Village of the Sun). This project won an international design competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, which provided a fellowship at the AIA Research Corporation in Washington, DC, as the prize.
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 is developed around two degrees - a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and an accredited, direct-entry Masters of Architecture degree - which are designed to provide a broad foundation for the development of design skills and insights, social responsibility, environmental awareness, problem-solving abilities, and professional aptitude.
Urban Design
The Master of Urban Design program is a post-baccalaureate urban design degree program focused on developing healthy, smart, and sustainable urbanism through a balanced and holistic systems approach to design and policy initiatives.
Interior Design
The Bachelor of Interior Architecture program is an accredited, professional baccalaureate degree program that encourages students to explore the field of interior architecture and design in a manner that is practically grounded, critically framed, and deeply invested in cultural relevancy and technical advancement.
Architecture + Interior Architecture
Architecture + Urban Design
Architecture + Civil Engineering
Architecture + Business Administration
Architecture + Media Communication
Architecture + 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.
Certificate in Public Interest Design
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems
