Savannah College of Art and Design Architecture Course Descriptions

ARCH 101 Introduction to Architecture
This lecture/seminar course introduces students to the theories and profession of architecture and encourages creative and analytical thought. By considering the entire scope of the discipline and the profession, the course focuses on developing an ability to ask appropriate questions in relation to decision making regarding the built environment. Students explore the abstract, spatial, social/cultural, environmental and tectonic concepts that affect the built environment.

ARCH 241 Construction Technology I
This course provides an introduction to building materials and their use in wood and masonry construction. The class also promotes an understanding of the various constructed assemblies, both structural and nonstructural, which, when combined, form a complete building. Prerequisites: ARCH 101 or INDS 110, and DRAW 115.

ARCH 252 Structures I
This course introduces students to the basic principles of the strength of materials, applied mechanics and structural theory as a basis for structural problem solving. Prerequisites: MATH 201, PHYS 201.

ARCH 300 Architecture Design Studio I
This course is the first in a sequence of architectural design studio courses designed to develop students' abilities to create meaningful architectural design solutions. In this course, students solve simple architectural design problems. The course concentrates on the ways in which basic human factors affect and inform architectural design. Lectures include topics such as behavioral aspects of design and human aspiration. Prerequisites: ARCH 101, ARCH 241, ARCH 252, ARTH 110, ARLH 208, DSGN 224, DSGN 225, ELDS 225.

ARCH 302 Architecture Design Studio II
This studio course concentrates on the ways in which a building's site and environmental context influence architectural design. Students conduct simple site analyses and make design decisions on that basis. The ability to create meaningful design solutions and fulfill simple programmatic requirements is also emphasized. Lectures include topics such as environmental and site issues and the meaning of places. Prerequisite: ARCH 300.

ARCH 303 Architecture Design Studio III
This studio course concentrates on the ways in which the nature of structural systems, including long-span structures, affects and informs architectural design. Students design projects that address tectonic and structural issues. Lectures include topics such as structural systems and the tectonic language of architecture. Prerequisites: ARCH 252, ARCH 302.

ARCH 304 The English Landscape Garden
This off-campus course studies the development of the English landscape garden from the early 1700s, when its distinctive features began to emerge, to its decline in the early 19th century. The art of the landscape involved the history of ideas, of taste, of the other arts of painting, poetry and literature; these human endeavors are discussed in class and lecture conducted on site with visits to public parks and gardens in London as well as tours of the great country manor houses such as Stowe, Stourhead, and Blenheim. Prerequisites: DRAW 100, DRAW 101.

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Graduate Courses

ARCH 707 Architecture Design Studio VII
Students combine the principal concerns of Architectural Design Studios IV, V and VI in this studio, which concentrates on urban design. Students are expected to develop the ability to create meaningful solutions to complex and large-scale architectural problems in an urban settings. Such problems may involve the design or redesign of a major urban area. Lectures and discussions center on theories regarding the development of cities.

ARCH 708 Architecture Design Studio VIII: Thesis I
This course is the first part of the final thesis, a two-quarter architectural design project devised by students individually or in small teams. Prior to the start of the studio, students must submit a proposal for approval by the thesis committee. This course is devoted to the conceptualization, research, program analysis, documentation in text and development of a schematic architectural design solution. Prerequisite: ARCH 707.

ARCH 709 Architecture Design Studio IX: Thesis II
This course is the second part of the final thesis, a two-quarter architectural design project devised by an individual student or a small team of students. Prior to the start of the studio, students must have developed an architectural project to the schematic design level. This course is devoted to design and documentation of building systems and the preparation of a major final presentation. Prerequisite: ARCH 708.

ARCH 712 Graduate Seminar in Architecture
This seminar provides graduate architecture students with an opportunity to investigate and understand new and emerging issues in the field of architecture. Such issues may include new research in computer-aided design, architectural technologies, sustainability, design method and urban design. In addition to actively participating in the seminar, all students are required to conduct an in-depth investigation of one emerging issue. Attendance at related professional conferences is strongly recommended.

ARCH 715 Construction Management
This course provides graduate students with the skills and knowledge to plan, estimate, prepare working budgets and contracts, schedule and manage construction projects. The course places a major emphasis on the ability of an architecture student to provide architectural supervision before and during the construction phase of building projects.

ARCH 720 Architectural Research and Methodology
The course provides a comprehensive understanding of research methodology applied in architectural design and study. Topics include architectural design and research methods, research problem assessment and definition, hypothesis formulation, data collection and analysis, as well as program preparation and research writing. Lectures and discussions enable students to improve their research formulation and design development skills.

ARCH 724 Health Care Components
The course provides a comprehensive understanding of health care components as applied to architectural design and study. Topics covered include designing hospitals, long-term care facilities, mental health facilities, ambulatory surgery centers and rehabilitation centers. Methods of research and evaluation are covered. Lectures and discussions enable students to critically evaluate existing health care facilities for efficiency of planning and design.

ARCH 729 Real Estate Financing and Development
This lecture course introduces the facilitation of private development for the city through finance, real estate, historic-certification, equity structuring through various legal structuring, debt financing and property management. Public/private partnerships and co-operative development tools involving grants and funding are explored. Prerequisite: URBA 715.

ARCH 730 Architecture Design Management
Design management???the consideration and allocation of resources through design???is a critical skill for architects in today's construction industry. Examination of the building design process, construction process, design management principles and case studies are employed to develop and apply design management skills.

ARCH 753 Structures III
Students are expected to solve complex structural problems and make informed selections from structural system alternatives. Structural problems involve steel and reinforced concrete systems in large, complex and/or multistory buildings. Special emphasis is placed on designing structures to withstand lateral forces.

ARCH 754 Architecture Seminar
This intensive seminar explores the leading edge of design work and practice strategies that have made New York one of the world's greatest sources of architectural design. Students in this course visit the offices of notable architects and their projects, both built and under construction, as well as the galleries and institutions that inspire and shape designs. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

ARCH 760 Sustainable Design
This course prepares students to be effective leaders and advocates of sustainable design within the Building Arts professions. Critical examination of current and projected future environmental issues, problems and solutions impacting the Building Arts profession are presented through readings, lectures, guest speaker presentations and class discussion.

ARCH 765 Emerging Urban Issues
This seminar examines pressing contemporary technological, cultural, theoretical and economical driven issues relevant to urban design and development. Emerging issues for the 21st century include the sociological impact and infrastructure needs attendant to vast ethnic migrations, the rapid growth and sprawl of mega cities and the creation of new cities.

ARCH 770 Graduate Architecture Portfolio
This course focuses on the development and production of an economically feasible and reproducible portfolio and supports graduate digital portfolio construction.

ARCH 771 Architectural Practices
This course presents a study of professionalism and ethics as they relate to design professionals. A detailed analysis of professional practices includes office and corporate structure, administration, public and client relations, consultant and contractor relations, project administration and procedures and compensation.

ARCH 775 Global Architectural Practice
Specialized knowledge and skills such as the ability to work effectively within cultural, political, economic and professional constraints are necessary for success in today's world of global projects. This course addresses these skills as well as development of cultural sensitivities essential to the collaborative nature of global and intercultural design.

ARCH 777 Real Estate Markets, Feasibility and Economics
This course provides a practical, realistic exposure to understand how marketing, design, financing, environmental issues, and project implementation and management contribute to successful public or private urban design and development strategies.

ARCH 791 Postprofessional Architecture Design Studio: Thesis I
This graduate design studio is the first part of a two-course sequence dedicated to the development and production of a major architectural design project for postprofessional students. Each student is required to develop and submit a programmatic proposal and to obtain approval from the graduate thesis committee during the quarter before intended enrollment in this course. A thesis advisory committee is formed based on the subject of each student's project. This course is devoted to conceptualizing and developing preliminary design alternatives. Final design development, documentation and presentation of the project follow in the second part. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.

ARCH 792 Postprofessional Architecture Design Studio: Thesis II
This graduate design studio is the second part of the thesis project for postprofessional students. Following the successful completion of Postprofessional Architecture Design Studio: Thesis I and approval of the preliminary design by the thesis advisory committee, students proceed with the final design, development, documentation and presentation of their thesis projects. Prerequisite: ARCH 791.

Course numbers and titles are subject to change.