History of Art and Architecture

Architecture Concentration

Breadcrumb

Architecture Handbook

Architecture Concentration

The Architecture concentration places greater emphasis on technical training, and allows students to develop a broad understanding of the concepts and methods for the planning and design of buildings, landscapes and cities.

The concentration connects technical architectural training with the humanities and provides an awareness of global, environmental, social and economic issues in the built environment. This approach is meant to provide future architects and urban planners with the tools needed in today’s global, urban society.

Apart from training careful observation, critical analysis and problem solving, students will acquire skills in sketching, drafting, model-making, and digital rendering. By combining a carefully selected range of classes in architectural design, the humanities, engineering and technology, and urban life and theory, students will acquire necessary proficiency for pursuing a graduate degree in architecture after Brown.

See Selected Works for samples of student projects.

overhead view of harrison white building model

Sign up for Intro to Architectural Design Studio (HIAA 0100) Lottery - Fall 2024

During registration, the Department of the History of Art and Architecture will run a lottery for a place in HIAA 0100 Introduction to Architectural Design Studio. All students interested should fill out this lottery form by April 16, 2024 at 5pm.

Sign up for the Lottery

Program Advisors

Architecture Handbook

An in-depth introduction to the program

Written by program advisor Dietrich Neumann and edited by all program advisors, the Architecture Handbook compiles practical information and recommendations about the concentration, including information on courses, study abroad, and preparing for graduate school. The document also shares the philosophy and theoretical framework that support and distinguish the program.

While the handbook is designed to guide students as they consider and plan the path towards a BA in Architecture, it is not a substitute for personal interactions. Concentrators and prospective concentrators are invited to speak often to Professor Dietrich Neumann and their peers.

View the Architecture Handbook

Interdepartmental and RISD Courses

Our program gives credit to classes taken in RISD’s Architecture, Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture Departments, as long as they can work as substitutes for similar classes in our course sequence. Concentrators are also encouraged to take courses related to structural engineering in the engineering department.

Honors

Students in the concentration who intend to go to architecture school after graduation, typically expand on a project from their intermediate or Advanced studio for their honors project in their final semester. Others, who tend towards theory or history of architecture, may complete a year-long honors thesis.

abstract architectural drawing

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our Architecture concentration from Leyla Tara Suyabatmaz.

Architecture Handbook