Architecture & Sustainable Design

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)

About this program

When you define your future at Penn College, you’re investing in yourself. With a degree in Architecture and Sustainable Design, you’re taking that impact to a whole new level. Explore alternative building methods and technologies that promote energy efficiency, preserve natural resources, and reduce negative environmental impacts.

The architecture labs are undergoing major renovations for the Fall 2024 semester. Check out the details. →

See Student Work

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

Graduate School Pathways

24/7

Access to Design Studios

Sustainability Careers are Rapidly Growing

Careers

  • Sustainable designer
  • Sustainability contractor
  • Detailer
  • Architectural project team member
  • Graduate school
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Introduction to Architecture (ACH101)
  • Architectural Graphics (ACH111)
  • Architectural History (ACH112)
  • Building Materials I (ACH119)
  • Architectural Computer-Aided Drafting (ACH135)
  • Building Materials II (ACH129)
  • Construction Documents - Residential (ACH139)
  • Building Codes & Accessibility (ACH141)
  • Architectural Design Studio I (ACH181)
  • Architectural Graphics II (ACH211)
  • Construction Documents - Commercial (ACH239)
  • Structural Principles (ACH243)
  • Architectural Design Studio II (ACH261)
  • Sustainability: Building & Living Green (ACH262)
  • Computers & Estimating (ACH264)
  • Environmental Systems (ACH240)
  • Structural Applications (ACH253)
  • Architectural Design Studio III (ACH281)
  • Specified Architecture & Sustainable Design Elective (ASD)
  • Architectural Design Studio IV (BSD332)
  • Detailing & Applications (BSD340)
  • Historic Preservation (BSD410)
  • History of Modern Architecture (ACH272)
  • Sustainable Community Planning & Design (BSD322)
  • Architectural Design Studio V (BSD352)
  • Renewable Energy Technologies (BSD420)
  • Architectural Design Studio VI (BSD432)
  • Architectural Theory (BSD442)
  • Sustainable Rating Systems (BSD450)
  • Architectural Design Studio VII (BSD452)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Physics Survey (PHS103) or
  • Physics with Technological Applications (PHS114)
  • Core Global & Cultural Diversity Perspective (CDP)
  • Core Social Science Perspective (SSP)
  • Science Elective (SCI) or
  • Science Elective with lab (SCL)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • College Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH181)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Speech Elective (SPC)
  • English Composition II (ENL121) or
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
  • Introduction to Geometry (MTH172) or
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry II (MTH183)
Featured Video

Q & A

Meet Naim Jabbour, architecture and sustainable design professor. In this video, he dives into some of the most commonly asked questions about architecture.
Guaranteed Momentum

Pursue your Master of Architecture at RIT

Penn College and Rochester Institute of Technology have established an articulation agreement that grants students in the Architecture & Sustainable Design major advanced placement into the second year of RIT's master's program. And the best part? RIT will offer up to three annual scholarships equivalent to at least 25% of tuition costs. 

Learn More
Collaborative Studio Space
Facilities

Collaborative Studio Space

Mixed use studios carve out space for design presentation, computer work, and layout table with designated model-building areas. 

Maker Profiles
Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Apr 7

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 7 8:30 AM - 3 PM

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

Tomorrow is in the Making

The Dr. Welch Workshop

The makerspace is an open workshop for all students. Take hands-on learning to the next level. Explore your creativity. Bring your ideas to light. Collaborate with other students, faculty and staff, or work independently to test theories, explore ideas, and gain real-world skills to power your career. 

Read About What Happens Here

Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your know-how in the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand. 

Learn More
Industry Partners

Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) at Penn College

American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) at Penn College

Appreciate architecture with friends and make connections that last a lifetime. This organization focuses on building leadership skills and community outreach. 

Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Penn College News
02.21.2024

Local builders association supports students’ upcoming travel

Pennsylvania College of Technology students who are set to compete at the International Builders Show this month were hosted recently by the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association, which presented the students with a check for $3,500 to offset the cost of their competition and travel expenses. The students are members of the Penn College Construction Association. Each year, the association sends students to the show, where they compete in the National Association of Home Builders Student Competition.

01.24.2024

Coterra Energy presents $1.4 million check to Penn College

Representatives from Coterra Energy, Pennsylvania College of Technology and elected officials from the region gathered on Jan. 24 for the presentation of a $1.4 million check in conjunction with the company’s Neighborhood Assistance Program donation to the college. The funds will pay for renovation and expansion of labs and instructional spaces in the college’s electrical and architecture & sustainable design programs, as well as generate Camp Freedom scholarships for veterans and first responders.

12.11.2023

Architecture students create, display educational wall mockups

Third-year architecture students created and, on Thursday, presented their final projects: physical mockups developed from the best-drawn wall sections created using SketchUp design software. "A great experience it was," said Rob A. Wozniak, associate professor of architecture, whose 18 students in his Detailing & Applications class (BSD 340) were divided into three teams.

Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

Learn More

Student Experience
Sitting idly by? Not these students!

Sitting idly by? Not these students!

Six teams of third-year students in Architectural Design Studio V pursued the literal “seat of knowledge” in fashioning functional furniture out of corrugated cardboard on each side of the recent Spring Break. Offered annually since at least 2016, the creative exercise gives the groups two weeks each to design and build full-scale chairs from sheets of the recyclable material that integrate the concepts of function, aesthetics, ergonomics and detail.

Read More

More Information

In addition to the transfer standards established by the College, students seeking transfer credit from another institution for architecture program courses may be asked to submit examples of coursework to the architecture department head.

Determination by the department head as to whether transfer credit is given will be based on alignment of the transfer course with Penn College course content.

View general transfer information

View the Architectural Technology Tool List

Architecture Related Software and Computer Specifications

Students in the Architecture Department programs are required to purchase their own laptop computers for use during our courses and labs. The minimum computer specifications below are based on the hardware requirements needed to run the software that we utilize including:

  • Autodesk AutoCAD®
  • Autodesk Revit®
  • Adobe Photoshop®
  • Act-3D Lumion®
  • Microsoft Office®

Minimum Laptop Computer Requirements

  • 64-bit Windows 10 or higher (recommended).
  • Multi-core Intel Core i7 or i9 CPU running at 2.5 GHZ or higher (recommended).
  • 32+ GB RAM (required).
  • 1+ TB M.2 NVMe Drive (recommended).
  • Dedicated 8+ GB graphics card (required).
  • Video Display Resolution 1920 x 1080 (could be higher, but will impact Lumion® performance).
  • Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
  • Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
  • Broadband Internet connection when working off campus.
  • Additional plug-ins for software may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
  • Multi-year support plan including accidental damage protection (recommended).
  • The specifications above are based on requirements for Revit ® 2023 “Performance” system recommendations and Lumion® 12.5 “Recommended requirements”. Please review those sites to ensure your laptop meets the requirements.
  • *Apple computers and Chromebooks are prohibited.

Tools are available for purchase through The College Store.

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

  • Mr. Larry Basile, '91, Executive Vice President, Supply Source, Inc.
  • Mr. David W Daneker, '81, Construction Project Manager, UPMC Susquehanna
  • Mr. Robert J Gehr, AIA, NCARB, '86, Vice President, Retail Design & Buildings, Larson Design Group, Inc.
  • Mr. Jeff A LeFevre, '75, President, LeFevre Wilk Architects, LLC
  • Ms. Erica Schreffler, '12, Architecture Project Coordinator, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates
  • Mr. Brent A Stebbins, '88, Partner/Architect/Designer, RLPS Architects
  • Mr. Anthony H Visco, Jr., '69, Owner, Anthony H. Visco, Jr., Architects
  • Mr. Daniel Willis, Emeritus Professor of Architecture, Penn State University
  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair