Fifth Year

The fifth year is the final year in pursuit of the Bachelor of Architecture degree. Students explore the perceived paradox between the natural and technological worlds and in their thesis projects, second semester, they bring the sum total of their academic experiences to focus on resolving philosophical dilemmas. Often the students select a blighted urban area or town that has been crippled by suburban sprawl and offer solutions to real problems. Many of the students’ projects have been published and have won competitions on national and international levels.

Recent first-semester studios have had both a national and international focus. For example, former Associate Dean John Stamper worked with students to design a classical high-rise in Chicago. Professors Samir Younés and Douglas Duany have led a studio to design a new town in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica.

In the second semester of the fifth year, students develop and carry out a self-designed thesis project. With the assistance of a studio professor, students craft their designs and address problems facing the built environment. Many projects are counter-proposals to existing sites while others are entirely new construction.

Fifth-year students are encouraged to take part in the annual Career and Internship Fair in March. Fifth-year students also take a course on professional practice to further prepare for practice and the pursuit of licensure.