Department of Architecture

The Department of Architecture in Portland focuses on the influence of urban design and planning on building design. The program builds on more than twenty-five years of teaching in the city, using Portland as a living laboratory for urban architecture. Students learn to design buildings as an integral part of the constructed and natural environmental systems that shape cities. The UO architecture program was rated in the top three for sustainable design education in surveys of U.S. architectural firms published by Design Intelligence in 2010-2012.

The program is primarily a graduate program that is also available to advanced undergraduate students. Our courses address architectural and urban design theory and history, building technology and sustainable design, digital design communication, and professional practice. We give our students the tools, approaches, and connections to build successful careers.  Students in the UO Department of Architecture in Portland actively engage with the city. Their creative design practice and research takes advantage of and contributes to Portland’s reputation as a unique urban center, a leader in green building, and a nexus of interdisciplinary creativity. We foster a supportive, yet rigorous, intellectual community, maintaining our student–centered program through a noncompetitive, individualized approach to learning.

To apply, visit the main Department of Architecture site.

Applications for the graduate program are due the first Monday after January 1. Undergraduate applications are due January 15.

Portland Architecture Program Brochure (PDF)