Architecture
The Bachelor of Architecture program at Alfred State offers students a comprehensive architectural education emphasizing detailed technical knowledge of building systems and grounding in the art of architectural design, including studies of the poetry of light, of construction, and of expressing the inherent beauty of materials. The program's primary mission is to prepare students for serving society through the practice of meaningful architecture.
Building on the strength of Alfred State’s existing BS in architectural technology program and its focus on integrated project delivery, this new professional BArch program seeks to create exceptionally well-prepared graduates who are set for a successful entrance into the competitive and challenging field of architecture.
Students will gain an excellent general knowledge of the field through the study and immersion into key challenges of our time, including sustainability, adaptive reuse and historic preservation, urban design, housing, and others. Additionally, they will be encouraged to custom-tailor their studies through a series of elective concentrations related to architectural practice, such as business, construction management, digital media and animation, or interior design. Elective courses may be taken in other departments at Alfred State and students may also cross register for courses at Alfred University.
Upon successful completion of the BArch degree, graduates may begin an internship and the other professional steps leading to licensure as a registered, practicing architect.
A laptop computer is required of each entering BArch student to enable the use of cutting-edge, industry-standard software. See laptop specifications.
Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry with an 86 or above average plus high school pre-calculus or a fourth-year math for New York State high school graduates. Students must submit a standardized test score (SAT and/or ACT) with a recommended combined SAT score of 1,100 (critical reading and math) or a composite ACT score of 24. Physics is recommended.
All students applying must submit a portfolio for review and consideration of his/her direct acceptance into the Bachelor of Architecture program.
Portfolio Requirements
All students applying for entrance into the Bachelor of Architecture program must submit a portfolio.
Portfolio must include six (6) to eight (8) examples of the student’s best work. Examples should be copies (not originals) of design work including any work in the two- or three-dimensional visual arts done in academic settings, or as personal work. All work must include the name of applicant, date of work, and an indication of whether the work was an academic, or personal project. If the item is part of a group effort, the specific role of the applicant should be included.
All portfolio material must be bound. Portfolio overall size must not be more than 10" x 12" (25 cm x 30 cm) and 1" (2.5 cm) thick. The applicant’s name must be clearly visible on the binding. The use of slides is discouraged.
The portfolio should be submitted by mail in a padded envelope to:
Admissions Office
Alfred State
10 Upper College Drive
Alfred, NY 14802
The department will keep portfolio materials unless a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope is mailed with the applicant’s portfolio. Portfolios held by the department will be discarded if not retrieved by the applicant in one semester.
Alfred State is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools [3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104; (215) 662-5606].
The Department of Architecture and Design offers all students in the department use of extensive laboratory facilities that enhance each student's learning experience as it relates to his/her chosen program.
The facilities consist of four laptop-ready, 20-station freshman/sophomore studios, and three advanced 15-station "imaging" studios for junior, senior, and fifth year students. Peripheral devices such as scanners, color printers/plotters, and digital camera equipment are available. All entering students in the architecture program are required to purchase a laptop computer. The laptop will enable students to have access to architectural software via the network on campus. In addition, baccalaureate students have access to the studios 24 hours per day.
Articulation agreements for this program are in place with:
- SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
- Erie Community College
- Finger Lakes Community College
- Onondaga County Community College
- Orange County Community College
- SUNY College of Technology at Morrisville
Successfully complete all courses in the prescribed ten-semester program and earn a minimum cumulative index of 2.5, which is equivalent to a "C+" average.
As part of the graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Architecture, students must complete a portfolio according to the following guidelines:
- The portfolio must contain a minimum of six (6) examples of creative academic work. These examples should demonstrate achievements as a designer. A minimum of two (2) examples must be from studio class projects in the last two years of the program. A maximum of two (2) examples may be of non-graphic work (example: written work).
- Each example will be accompanied by a short description of the project and solution, and include the name of the class the project was produced for. If the item is part of a group effort, the specific role of the student should be included.
- Completed portfolios must be submitted digitally in Portable Document Format (PDF) on a CD or as directed by the department chair.
- Portfolios will be evaluated to determine whether they should be graded as "High Pass," "Pass," or "Fail." This assessment will appear on the student's permanent Alfred State transcript.
- The completed portfolio must be submitted to the Department of Architecture and Design Office by April 1. This is an absolute deadline; no portfolios will be accepted after the April 1 deadline. Evaluation will be done on a yearly basis by faculty reviewers. All decisions are final.
Evaluation Criteria
Work in student portfolios should demonstrate:
- Understanding of the philosophy of building design and problem solving skills, through original and thorough design thinking;
- Ability to legibly communicate design ideas in graphic and written form;
- A working knowledge of a variety of construction systems and materials and how they affect building design;
- Competence in the use of graphic tools and techniques including freehand drawing, computer-aided drafting, physical models, and computer imaging.
- Architect (after successfully meeting state requirements)
- Model Builders
- Job Captain
- Drafters/Detailer
- 3D Modelers/Animator
Graduates wishing to continue their education may choose to apply to a Master of Architecture program. Length of program is contingent upon program and institutional requirements.
Semester Abroad Option
Alfred State has an agreement with Sorrento Lingue International Language Institute (Sant'Anna Institute) in Sorrento, Italy, to offer an optional semester abroad to its students. Learn more.
A typical day consists of two, one-hour lectures and a two-hour studio in the freshman and sophomore years. At the junior and senior and fifth years, three-hour studios are required.
| First Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 1184 | Design Fundamentals 1* | 4 |
| ARCH | 1013 | Introduction to Design | 3 |
| FNAT | 1303 | Architectural History I | 3 |
| COMP | 1503 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| MATH | 1054 | Pre-Calculus | 4 |
| 17 | |||
| Second Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 2394 | Design Fundamentals 2* | 4 |
| ARCH | 2014 | Computer Visualization | 4 |
| MATH | 1063 | Technical Calculus I | 3 |
| HIST | 1113 | History of Western Civilization | 3 |
| PHYS | 1024 | General Physics I | 4 |
| 18 | |||
| Third Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 3104 | Design Studio 1* | 1 |
| ARCH | 3014 | Construction Technology 1 | 3 |
| ARCH | 3003 | Environmental Controls 1 | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen. Ed. Elective/Foreign Language | 3 | |
| SOCI | 1163 | General Sociology | 4 |
| 17 | |||
| Fourth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 4304 | Design Studio 2* | 4 |
| ARCH | 4014 | Construction Technology 2 | 4 |
| ARCH | 4013 | Municipal Codes & Regs. | 3 |
| CIVL | 4104 | Structural Technology | 4 |
| SPCH | 1083 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| 18 | |||
Entry level of student into math and composition/literature sequences is a function of student’s high school preparation and mathematics and English placement examinations.
Math through technical calculus I must be completed. Students who start at a higher level of math must meet all SUNY general education and campus liberal arts and sciences course credit requirements for graduation.
*Minimum combined GPA of 3.0 is required in Alfred State studio courses (ARCH 1184, ARCH 2394, ARCH 3104, and ARCH 4304) or comparable courses at another institution to guarantee admission into ARCH 5306-Studio 3. A portfolio review is required of all continuing or transfer students not meeting this requirement.
| Fifth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 5306 | Design Studio 3** | 6 |
| FNAT | 5303 | Architectural History II | 3 |
| xxx3 | Concentration Elective | 3 | |
| SOCI | 5213 | Science, Technology & Society | 3 |
| 15 | |||
| Sixth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 6306 | Design Studio 4** | 6 |
| CIVL | 5213 | Foundation & Concrete Construction | 3 |
| xxx3 | Concentration Elective | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Gen. Ed. Elective/Humanities | 3 | |
| 15 | |||
| Seventh Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 7306 | Design Studio 5** | 6 |
| ARCH | 7003 | Sustainable Building Design | 3 |
| xxx3 | Concentration Elective | 3 | |
| COMP | 5703 | Technical Writing II | 3 |
| 15 | |||
| Eighth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 8306 | Design Studio 6** | 6 |
| ARCH | 8003 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| xxx3 | Concentration Elective | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Gen. Ed. Elective/American History | 3 | |
| 15 | |||
| Ninth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 8716 | Design Studio 7** | 6 |
| ARCH | 8713 | Modern Arch. Theory | 3 |
| ARCH | 8753 | Adv. Structural Concepts | 3 |
| SPCH | 5083 | Communication in the Workplace | 3 |
| 15 | |||
| Tenth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH | 8776 | Design Studio 8** | 6 |
| ARCH | 8793 | Professional Development | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen. Ed. Elective/Other World Civ. | 3 | |
| 12 | |||
General Notes:
Students must complete at least one course from seven of the 10 SUNY General Education silos.
**Minimum of "C+" is required for ARCH 1184, ARCH 2394, ARCH 3104, ARCH 4304, ARCH 5306, ARCH 6306, ARCH 7306, ARCH 8306, ARCH 8716 and ARCH 8776.
Also required - One unit of physical education.
