School of Architecture

 

Enrichment Activities The School of Architecture is dedicated to the enrichment of its students through a number of mechanisms: Lecture Series The School sponsors a lecture series each semester to expose students to a variety of perspectives about architecture. It spotlights designers, artists, lecturers, and critics who give their views on current thought and practices. Selected topics in design, history, theory, and technology are addressed by locally, nationally, and internationally known guest lecturers and by our own faculty. For more detailed information, click on the link on the menu to the left. Exhibitions The School Gallery hosts a series of exhibitions of work by regional, national, and international artists and architects. The Gallery also shows student, faculty, and alumni projects on a regular basis. Master's Symposia Each semester symposia are organized and implemented for the graduate students around a theme of common interest. The topic reinforces and enriches the graduate program themes of inquiry, vision, and intervention. Usually, six guests are invited to speak over the course of each term and to discuss ideas with students in a roundtable setting. The symposia are open to all students and faculty. Travel The education of students is enhanced by field trips. The School has incorporated travel experiences into the curriculum as regular events. Local and regional travel is reserved for first- and second-year students. Upper-division, fifth-year, and graduate students have the opportunity to travel nationally and, in some cases, abroad. The School also supports student travel to conferences, workshops, and conventions. Off-Campus Opportunities Since its beginning, the School of Architecture has promoted and supported a diversity of off- campus educational experiences. The continuing opportunities available to students include: *State of Florida Study Centers in Florence, Italy and London, England: These Centers are operated by the State of Florida and provide structured educational experiences in settings unparalleled in architectural and cultural significance. *FAMU Student Abroad Program in the Dominican Republic: This Title III- sponsored program is an excellent social laboratory for learning about the problems of developing countries, life in a Spanish-speaking culture, and issues of a multi-cultural society. It is coordinated through the Study Abroad Center in Santo Domingo, the country's capital. *Jacksonville Studio: The graduate studio investigates architecture, urban design, and community development issues in Jacksonville, Florida. Supported by A.I.A. Jacksonville, this effort is an integral part of the School's graduate design program. The Jacksonville Chapter of the A.I.A. provides monetary support to the students and is involved in hosting reviews of the students' work. Special Events The School of Architecture collaborates with others in the generation of ideas about art and architecture. *Summer Program for High School Students: CoFA, Connecting to Florida Architecture, is a residential program for high school students that explores Florida's architectural history, design, computer modeling, freehand drawing, oral presentation skills, and the challenges of working in a team. Field trips to historic sites and architecture firms provide a first-hand appreciation of architectural treasures and contemporary professional practice. The program is funded by the SOA, State of Florida Department of Education, and the FAMU Title III Programs Office. CoFA has been an annual summer event initiated in 1993 and directed by Associate Professor Andrew Chin. For more on the program, click on the link on the menu to the left. *Community Charettes: As a part of its service to the community as well as the education of students, the School of Architecture participates in design charettes that assist in community development projects. For example, in the fall term 2002, the School worked with representatives from the City of Tallahassee; the Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation; the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources Bureau of Historic Preservation; local architecture firms; and local residents on the rehabilitation of Tallahassee's Old City Waterworks building. The unique structure was built in 1923 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A two-day design charette was held at the School to develop ideas in keeping with the architectural character of the historic structure. Students were also involved with designs for Quincy, Florida as a collaboration between FAMU School of Architecture's Landscape Architecture Program and Florida State University's School of Planning. A charette with visiting critic Joe Addo (of joe addo studio, Beverly Hills, California and the School of Architecture, University of Southern California, Los Angeles) was held at the School. Design tasks for the semester involving 5th-year and graduate students engaged ideas for the redevelopment of South Quincy and included considerations for both historic sites and new construction. The studio was funded by the City of Quincy, Community Redevelopment Agency. For images from this program, click on the link on the menu to the left. *Projects with Other Institutions play an important role in the education of the student. The School has developed joint projects, symposia, and design charettes with other departments at Florida A&M University, Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Houston, and with regional schools and civic institutions. *The Built Surface Symposium/Workshop and Exhibition was sponsored by the School to address the issue of craft in architectural education and its relationship to current building practice. The purpose of "The Built Surface" was to explore the relationship between design and material quality in the educational context and to establish new (or revisit traditional) teaching models. *The Kinship Symposium was a series of workshops that provided opportunities to study issues related to African-American aesthetics and architecture and an opportunity for students to work closely with African-American role models. *Informal interaction among students, staff, and faculty is encouraged at all levels. The School organizes events such as softball and volleyball games, cook-outs, picnics, B-B- Q's in and out of the School, parties, and banquets. Student Organizations The School supports five national architecture student-oriented organizations: American Institute of Architects Students (AIAS), National Organization of Minority Architects/Students (NOMAS), Alpha Rho Chi (APX) professional architecture fraternity, Tau Sigma Delta (ΤΣΔ) honor society, and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The organizations hold regular meetings and sponsor School and community service activities, fund-raising events, social affairs, etc. Each organization strives to provide events that allow the architecture students' voices and interests to be heard and developed. Governance Opportunities Students' participation in the governance of the School both contributes to their professional development and provides a service to the School. The Dean's Council is made up of representatives elected from each design studio, and these students meet regularly and privately with the Dean to discuss issues of importance to them. In addition, student representatives serve on a number of standing School committees and attend the general faculty meetings. Guest Critics Recognizing the importance of exposing our students to a wide variety of perspectives, the School invites a number of guest critics and visiting faculty to work in studio and offer special electives. The School has brought architects, planners, artists, psychologists, and anthropologists, among others. Alumni and local practitioners are invited on a regular basis to serve in reviews and juries.

Florida A&M University School of Architecture, 1938 South MLK Blvd.,Tallahassee, FL 32307 (850) 599-3244 phone, (850) 599-3436 fax - Privacy Statement Professional Architecture Degrees Are Accredited By The National Architectural Accrediting Board