Fall 2014 online courses are open to all, in one of the most satisfying and fulfilling professions: green architecture.
Study with famed faculty members of the world’s largest and longest-established professional school of green building, the San Francisco Institute of Architecture (SFIA). See the SFIA Instructors, Student Testimonials, and Student/Alumni Affiliation links on our home page, for a comprehensive overview of SFIA.
The Fall 2014 Semester offers self-directed flexible schedules, to meet individual student needs. All study is self paced, without deadlines.
Start any time, but sign up now for very low tuition: $165 per 3-unit course. This low tuition is good through September 4, 2014; $350 per course after that date.
We’ll mentor you through the courses on a fast track—an enjoyable, enriching, comprehensive learning experience. You can finish the degree program in as few as three to four months of part-time study, or take as long as you need.
See below for the complete list of Fall 2014 Semester courses. You can enroll in the full Master of Architecture degree program, take any individual MArch course, or any combination of courses you choose, or the full Master of Architecture degree program.
The 12-course Master of Architecture degree is $1,750 through September 4, 2014; $4,800 after that date. (Interest-free payment plans are available.)
ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION IN ARCHITECTURE
Architecture is much more than most people realize. It’s problem solving on a high level, using a broad knowledge of history, communication skills, systematic planning methods, construction and financial know-how, and a combination of deep analysis and visionary imagination.
Our SFIA architecture programs cover all the major disciplines required for high-quality architectural design practice.
SFIA also follows the 100+ year-old Boston Architectural College tradition of open enrollment: If you can do the course work, no one has the right to say you shouldn’t be allowed to do so.
SFIA also respects the tradition of many top universities, allowing for full equivalency credit for work experience that incorporates the subject matter of any course. You may apply for an evaluation with a $400 application fee, a summary of your prior education and work experience, and a note of which of our courses would be redundant for you.
See our distance learning program, course list, and enrollment form for the MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (MArch) degree shown below.
FALL 2014 ONLINE COURSES AND MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (MArch) DEGREE PROGRAM
Creative Resources
A 301
Visionary Creativity
3 units
Learn visionary creativity and its sources, from those who do it without compromise.
Textbook: Evolutionary Architecture: Nature as a Basis for Design, by Eugene Tsui. Note: This book is out of print but available through used book dealers. Alternate textbook: Man Between Earth and Sky: A Symbolic Awareness of Architecture Through a Process of Creativity, by Louis Roberts.
A 302
History of Nature-Based Architecture
3 units
Nature-based, organic architecture has always been part of architectural history and culture. This course reviews the fundamentals of designing with nature and the architects who are the leaders in the field.
Textbook: New Organic Architecture: The Breaking Wave, by David Pearson
Media
A 303
Advanced Architectural Media & Composition
3 units
Computers are used to input and display building designs that are first drawn by hand. Hand drawing and rendering skills are as highly prized as ever, and this course demonstrates the best professional graphic techniques.
Textbook: Marker Magic: The Rendering Problem Solver for Designers, by Richard M. McGarry
A 304
Modeling and Model Building
3 units
Although much architectural presentation drawing is now done on computer, many architects and clients prefer to see realistic, small-scale physical models, to better visualize how final building projects will actually look. This course shows the latest and best techniques of model building.
Textbook: Architectural Models: Construction Techniques, by Wolfgang Knoll and Martin Hechinger
A 305
Construction Documents: Coordinated Drawings & Specifications
3 units
Old systems of creating construction documents are highly disorganized and inefficient. This course shows the latest and best techniques for planning, organizing, and creating working drawings and specifications.
Textbook: Working Drawing Format Handbook, by Fred Stitt
Building Design and Site Planning
A 306
Urban Ecology, Bioremediation, and Plantscaping
3 units
Cities are like very big buildings with very big problems to solve. This course reviews the ecological approach to urban design.
Textbook: Sustainable Urban Design: An Environmental Approach, by Randall Thomas
A 307
Building Design and Planning, Advanced Level Part One
3 units
Poorly trained designers try to design buildings before they fully understand the needs of the people they’re designing for — and they sometimes present solutions before understanding the problems. This course reviews the essential points of design problem seeking, analysis, and solution. Includes a building design assignment as provided by SFIA.
Textbook: Problem Seeking: An Architectural Programming Primer, by William Pena and Steven Parshall
A 308
Building Design and Planning, Advanced Level Part Two
3 units
To design a building means to meet the need of building users, owner, and administrator. This course shows how to identify and document all such needs as the prelude to successful building design. Includes a building design assignment as provided by SFIA.
Textbook: Architectural Programming: Creative Techniques for Design Professionals, by Robert R. Kumlin
Construction and Engineering
A 309
Alternative Materials and Construction
3 units
The pallette of standard building materials is now being vastly enriched with the addition of materials used for green building. This course shows how to use the many new choices.
Textbook: Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building Methods, by Lynne Elizabeth
A 310
Alternative Structural Systems
3 units
There will be radical changes in building construction and engineering in the years to come. Here’s how to understand the thinking behind these changes.
Textbook: Buckminster Fuller’s Universe: His Life and Work, by Lloyd Steven Sieden
A 311
Environmental and Ecological Design: Regional Planning
3 units
Oddly enough, ecological issues didn’t used to be a part of regional planning education. They are now, however, and this course reviews the best systems for landscape and ecological regional analysis.
Textbook: Ecological Planning: A Comparative and Historical Synthesis, by Forster Ndubisi
Management and Finance
A 312
Real Estate Development and Finance
3 units
“Form follows finance.” Architecture is largely shaped by the requirements of real estate development. This course explains how development works, what’s most on clients’ minds, and why.
Textbook: Architect as Developer, by John Portman * Note: This book is out of print but available through used book dealers or Amazon.com or: Green Development: Integrating Ecology and Real Estate, by Rocky Mountain Institute
A 320
Student-Initiated Independent Study and Thesis Project
Required, 6 units
A design or research project created by the student, to study any specialized area of architecture of personal interest. Can be a building design, a documented construction project, or an extensive report on any new development(s) in any aspect of architectural design or practice.
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ENROLLMENT FORM INSTRUCTIONS
This is not an interactive enrollment form. Simply copy the text, add the required information, and send by email to Director@sfia.net. Or mail to the SFIA Information Office address below. Or call our Information Office to enroll 1-800-634-7779).
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ENROLLMENT FORM
SFIA FALL 2014 ONLINE COURSES AND MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (MArch) DEGREE PROGRAM
Date of enrollment and/or equivalency application:
__ Please enroll me in the course(s) listed below: $165 per 3-unit course through September 4, 2014; $350 per course after that date.
__ Please enroll me in the Master of Architecture (MArch) degree program: $1,750 through September 4, 2014; $4,800 after that date. I understand you will email the study instructions upon receipt and confirmation of my enrollment and that I am responsible for obtaining my new or used textbooks from any source of my choosing.
__ And/or I am paying a $400 application fee for a review of the enclosed summary of my prior education and work experience, to determine which courses I may bypass. (If we can’t grant equivalency credit, the application fee will be refunded.)
(See www.sfia.net for financial aid and interest-free payment plan options.)
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Daytime phone:
Cell phone:
Fax number:
Email address:
__ New student __ Current/previous student __ I’m not a degree candidate at this time.
ARCHITECTURE COURSES
Creative Resources
__ A 301 Visionary Creativity 3 units
__ A 302 History of Nature-Based Architecture 3 units
Media
__ A 303 Advanced Architectural Media & Composition 3 units
__ A 304 Modeling and Model Building 3 units
__ A 305 Construction Documents: Coordinated Drawings & Specifications 3 units
Building Design and Site Planning
__ A 306 Urban Ecology, Bioremediation, and Plantscaping 3 units
__ A 307 Building Design and Planning, Advanced Level, Part One 3 units
__ A 308 Building Design and Planning, Advanced Level, Part Two 3 units
Construction and Engineering
__ A 309 Alternative Materials and Construction 3 units
__ A 310 Alternative Structural Systems 3 units
__ A 311 Environmental and Ecological Design: Regional Planning 3 units
__ A 312 Real Estate Development and Finance 3 units
__ A 320 Student-Initiated Independent Study and Thesis Project Required, 6 units
TUITION PAYMENT
$ __________ TOTAL
___ I am paying by credit or debit card:
Card number:
Expiration date:
Cardholder’s full name:
Credit card statement will show SFIA/GUIDELINES. (Inform your bookkeeper.)
__ I am paying by check or money order in U.S. funds (payable to SFIA).
__ I am wiring funds (international bank transfer); please email wiring instructions.
Refund policy:
After enrollment and receipt of study materials, you’ll have fourteen days in which to decide to withdraw with no penalty. After fourteen days, a $50 per course withdrawal fee will be charged, along with $50 for each month you’ve been enrolled in the program.
Or if you’re enrolled in the full M.Arch degree program, after enrollment and receipt of study materials, you’ll have fourteen days in which to decide to withdraw with no penalty. After fourteen days a $200 withdrawal fee will be charged, along with $100 per month for each month you’ve been enrolled in the program.
SFIA Information Office
207 North Service Rd. East, Box 180
Ruston, LA 71270
1-800-634-7779
Email: Director@sfia.net
