About Us

In the department, we seek to respond to the complexities of the ever-changing cultural condition by engaging in critical thinking and discussions that offer openness, inquisition, rigor and a healthy dose of skepticism. We value diversity of thought and welcome diverging voices into the conversation. One of the most important mode of engaging is by understanding and taking a position in relationship to the processes through which the future of our societies and cities are shaping into their next mode of existence. The University campus being situated in one of the vastly growing diplomatic urban sprawl, Architecture students are perfectly positioned to have the option of engaging their research and work against the backdrop of one of the most fascinating urban conditions.

We believe that teaching should simultaneously encourage the production of highly innovative works of professional caliber from students, promote students’ future careers through community exposure, and promote the institution and its scholarly work within the wider community and hence their curriculum has been developed to match these ever growing criteria. Architecture is fundamentally a three-dimensional discipline, and in teaching students to conceptualize three-dimensional design using two-dimensional tools of expression, we conscientiously analyze how each particular student envisions form and space. We also encourage students to challenge architecture to move beyond traditional three-dimensional conceptualization of form, deriving the essence of architectural design from intimate sensitivity to the human condition, issues of identity, behavior, perceptions and experiences distinctive to a context.

Most importantly, we use research to introduce students to diverse means by which the boundaries of architectural design can be actively challenged to lead toward innovative design response. We aim to teach our students to actively reflect upon social changes and to consider how the creative processes respond to such change. Through our pedagogy, faculty research and creative practice, we engage our students in local and global issues to help them understand the human, ecological, material and technological consequences of design. We encourage students to understand the importance of addressing contemporary social conditions as a means of discovering new avenues of expression, as well as a means of appropriately addressing the needs of contemporary society.