About the School
The Department of Architecture at the University of Oregon, with programs in both architecture and interior architecture, has a uniqueness stemming back to its roots in 1914 as an architecture school affiliated with the allied arts, rather than with engineering, and based on a non-competitive, individual approach to learning. The non-competitive approach to learning, although rigorous, results in a sense of community and cooperation within the department that sets it aside from the majority of architectural programs. Students are actively engaged in all aspects of the department; students and faculty alike feel a tremendous sense of ownership in the pedagogical direction of the department.
As the largest department in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts, the department and school offer an incredibly rich array of opportunities for students and faculty. Other units within the school include the programs of Landscape Architecture, Art History, Fine and Applied Arts, and the Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management. In addition to these programs, the school offers programs in Historic Preservation and Arts and Administration. There are many opportunities for students and faculty members to engage in a variety of both intellectual and creative endeavors as a result of this multi-disciplinary environment.
The Department of Architecture at the University of Oregon seeks to provide a well-rounded education, not only through the university and its many offerings and opportunities, but within the various programs in the department. We seek to develop not only future introspective practitioners, but also critical thinkers who will eventually be in significant leadership positions in the profession. Our students and faculty believe it is extremely important to be intellectually prepared to address issues of national and international importance in a meaningful and responsible manner. To achieve this goal, the department's programs focus on providing a comprehensive and holistic approach to learning - one that stresses understanding the uniqueness of an issue or program or site, developing a meaningful intentions, and translating those intentions into a highly resolved and meaningful synthesis of ideas.
The architecture studio is the primary venue where the synthesis of ideas takes place. However, in addition to a wide range of required courses and other general course offerings, the department offers an extremely large number of special topic courses, with focus areas in a variety of concentrations. In addition to its excellent national reputation and ranking, the department has exceptional strengths in a variety of areas, including issues of structures and construction technology, energy conscious design and sustainability, housing and urban design, interior architecture, design process and theory, computer-aided design, lighting and lighting design, environment and behavior, and vernacular architecture.
In our student body and faculty, we have attracted a remarkable group of scholars and designers. The curriculum is designed to promote the best possible synthesis of subject area courses and design studios. All permanent faculty members teach design studios to insure this synthesis. In addition to highly qualified permanent faculty, adjunct faculty members actively engaged in local practices supplement our programs in both Eugene and Portland.
With programs in both Eugene and Portland, the Department of Architecture at the University of Oregon is situated to address the critical environmental, urban, and building design issues needed in the 21st Century. We are committed to providing education in architecture and interior architecture that stresses exploration of critical issues in a learning environment that is conducive to meaningful inquiry and creativity.
