Design Studios

Florida Atlantic University’s School of Architecture features a dynamic, collaborative sequence of design studios at the heart of its accredited Bachelor of Architecture program. Design studios are organized by year, each building on skills and concepts from foundational design in the first year to advanced, research-driven projects in the final year.

Studios are located on FAU’s Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton campuses in open-plan, professional environments that foster collaboration and the “learning by doing” ethos. Students have access to cutting-edge technology, including the Creative AI Lab, AR/VR, and digital fabrication equipment. Many upper-level studios also offer domestic and international travel as part of their curriculum, encouraging exploration and broadening architectural perspectives.

This studio structure coupled with strong community engagement, innovative research, and professional integration prepares students for tomorrow’s challenges while nurturing creativity, collaboration, and ethical responsibility in the built environment.

 

FIRST YEAR STUDIO
The first year studio at FAU School of Architecture introduces students to essential architectural concepts, foundational design principles, and visual representation. Through hands-on projects and exploratory exercises, students gain experience in drawing, modeling, and basic design problem-solving. The curriculum emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and the basics of architectural order, forming the groundwork for successive studios. Classes such as Architectural Design I and II combine abstract problem-solving with introductory exposure to cultural, historical, and material considerations.

 

SECOND YEAR STUDIO
The second year studio marks a shift to designing actual buildings, moving beyond conceptual exercises. Students address more complex architectural challenges, focusing on context, site analysis, and understanding user needs. The curriculum integrates technical knowledge such as materials, building systems, and structural principles with creative design thinking. This prepares students to manage real-world constraints and further develops their practical and analytical skills, with coursework like Architectural Design III and IV deepening their expertise in spatial organization and technical integration.

 

THIRD YEAR STUDIO
The third year studio at FAU School of Architecture emphasizes complexity in design, focusing on site specificity, structural expression, and integration of building systems. Students tackle advanced architectural problems and begin to work on projects with greater technical rigor, developing their ability to order space, compose forms, and address real-world environmental and engineering considerations. The curriculum encourages a critical approach to architectural ordering and advances the practical skills needed for more elaborate design tasks.

 

FOURTH YEAR STUDIO
The fourth year studio is distinguished by its interdisciplinary and community-based approach. Students often collaborate on larger, real-world projects sometimes in partnership with external organizations and work on issues such as urban context, social responsibility, and sustainable design. These studios also introduce more research-based or exploratory work, emphasizing teamwork and professional engagement. By the fourth year, students refine their ability to tackle integrated design challenges on a broader scale and prepare for thesis-level or capstone investigations.

 

FIFTH YEAR STUDIO
The fifth year (thesis) studio serves as a capstone experience, where students undertake advanced design research and tackle multifaceted, real-world architectural problems. Projects may involve adaptive reuse, sustainable public spaces, affordable housing, or other significant issues. Students engage with emerging technologies including digital fabrication and AI and address professional practice topics, teamwork, and project management. This studio fosters leadership, innovation, and comprehensive design ability, preparing students for entry into the architectural profession or further academic pursuits.