The Department of Architecture + Design offers a five-year first-professional Bachelor of Architecture degree (BArch) degree, a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in architectural technology, and a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in architectural technology. These degrees are designed to serve various professional objectives for graduates entering the practice and profession of architecture. The BArch degree is the only fully accredited first professional undergraduate degree program available in the SUNY system.
The department also offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in interior design which provides graduates with fundamental knowledge and skills for entry-level positions in interior design.
The department emphasizes socially responsible design for the social good. This mission is enthusiastically supported by the faculty and the students.
The primary focus of our faculty is teaching – personal instruction that makes meaningful life-long connection with students – that has a powerful professional impact. Instructors bring a diverse blend of advanced architectural education, theoretical inquiry, practical experience, and professional credentials into the studio, making our faculty uniquely qualified to mentor students in design thinking, development, and production.
All aspects of design, building technology, social responsibility, and sustainability are integrated into the program through design studios which focus on the critical examination of the built environment and the role of the architect and designer as an agent of positive change. Students engage tectonic explorations alongside Building Information Modeling software which is situated within a broader digital fabrication continuum. This multi-faceted approach encourages students to create inspiring designs that are grounded in the realities of professional practice, better preparing graduates for the demands of the profession and workplace.
An Alfred State architectural education is a powerful platform upon which to build a career. Our students participate in hands-on opportunities to examine the regional built environment and learn through civic engagement projects in each design studio, which is the cornerstone of the Alfred State experience. Students explore their social responsibility as emerging professionals – to make the world a better place through design and professional conduct – in real-world environments from rural communities in New York’s Southern Tier, across the region and the world including the department's signature study abroad program in Sorrento, Italy.
MISSION
The Alfred State architecture experience goes beyond the design studio - cultivating engaged and collaborative life-long learners who build meaningful connections with the dynamic regional, national and global communities that surround us. Students develop into emerging professionals through a carefully planned sequence of applied learning and civic engagement experiences, and apply sustainable solutions to address social and environmental challenges using intergrated and innovative digital and building technologies.
FEATURES & FACILITIES
Most departmental facilities, workshops, the MakerSpace, and all design studios are accessible 24 hours a day by secure swipecard for student convenience. Each design studio is laptop-ready, and has customizable work stations. Studios also have networked printers, desktop scanners, white marker boards, floor-to-ceiling wallmounted pin-up/display panels, flat file storage, model storage, and high-resolution digital projectors. Students also have access to the department’s MakerSpace, digital fabrication lab, Center for Architecture and Remote Sensing, interior design product library, computer lab, and architecture library, in addition to the plotter room; HOPR, and soils, concrete, and material testing lab, which is maintained by another department within the school.
Please note: All students in both the architecture and interior design programs are required to purchase a computer before the beginning of the second year in addition to other equipment. Typically the costs of these purchases can be covered using financial aid. Please consult a financial aid counselor for further details. Laptop specifications are available at http://www.alfredstate.edu/required-laptops.
Pioneer Quotes
“After receiving my degree from Alfred State, I was hired at a firm that provides both architecture and construction services. The technical nature of Alfred’s program helped me to be productive immediately and to quickly grow and excel at the firm. I was fortunate enough to become president and owner of the company in 2019 and the foundation I received from my education was certainly a big part of that. I am proud to say that we have many Alfred State graduates currently on staff, and when we see Alfred State on a candidate’s resume, we know that they have been well prepared to enter the workforce.” Spencer Read, '05, President, Mitchell Design Build.
DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS
Architecture (BArch)
Architectural Technology (AAS)
Architectural Technology (BS)
Interior Design (AAS)
