Architecture focuses on social and environmentally-sensitive designs

Fall ’22 architecture students building a site model for an affordable senior housing complex on Pennsylvania Ave in SE DC. in the professional studio lab course.

With 30 years of preparing students for careers in architecture, UDC is among the universities adapting to the evolving field that is moving away from a celebration of iconic buildings to a focus on inclusion, equity and accessible designs.

“It’s been slow to change as an industry, but it’s getting better with a greater focus on diversity,” said Kathy Dixon, FAIA, associate professor of architecture at UDC. “It’s less about the architect and more about the community that will be served by what’s going to happen. HBCUs have always been focused on getting the community involved.”

Dixon, who is a tenured professor, teaches classes such as Urban and Community Design in the master’s architecture program. While she has taught at UDC for the last 12 years, she is also known nationally for speaking at conferences to get more minority-licensed architects. She was recently presented with the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for promoting diversity within the profession.

“UDC offers students an opportunity to bring their unique experiences to the profession,” Dixon said. “We have international students who are using their thesis project to improve housing in their home country. Our students are winning competitions, attending and presenting at conferences, and gaining experience at large and partner firms.”

Offered under the College of Agriculture Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), UDC offers a Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.Sc.Arch.), with the option of a concentration in urban sustainability.

The Urban Architecture and Community Planning program’s goal is to educate the next generation of architects with an emphasis on developing sustainable infrastructure and urban sustainability initiatives in the District of Columbia and urban areas around the world.

Students can continue to earn a Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) in one of two tracks. The Master of Architecture (Track I) program, is for students with a pre-professional degree in architecture. The program has a duration of three years and requires 49 credit hours, and the Master of Architecture (Track II) is for students with a non-architecture, undergraduate degree. The accelerated program requires 85 credit hours to complete. The program is accredited.

“Our architecture students are doing amazing work and are fortunate to be doing it in the nation’s capital,” said Anna Franz, Ph.D., FAIA, chair of the architecture program. “As an urban land grant institution, our focus is on Healthy Cities, Healthy People. Our Architecture program looks at conserving resources, designing beautiful landscapes and buildings, as well as inclusive design including sensory friendly spaces.”

Beyond the classroom, UDC Architecture students gain real-life experiences through summer internships, jobs and competitions.

Recently, UDC students have received honors, recognition, and job opportunities including:

AIA Medal for Academic Excellence

Juan Espinoza Onofre – 2022 AIA Medal for Academic Excellence (UDC Master of Architecture degree, Spring 2022)

Aurora Konda – 2023 AIA Medal for Academic Excellence (UDC Master of Architecture graduate student)

AIAS CRIT Scholars

2021-2022 AIAS CRIT Scholars – presented at the national ACSA/AIA national conference and published in AIAS CRIT Journal

Juan Espinoza Onofre, graduated in spring of 2022, now working as a Project Architect, at Grimm + Parker Architects

John Young, graduated in spring of 2022, now working as a Project Architect, at Moody Nolan

2022-2023 AIAS CRIT Scholars (Current graduate students)

Moyosore Oguntoye

Cameron Wright

Alex Hagen

DC Department of Buildings Career Pathways Eight-week Internship

Two UDC students were selected for only eight available slots for the eight-week internship that provides a stipend. The program offers students insight into alternative career paths as an owner. It also helps with establishing connections with the DC government.

Greylin Thomas

Joshua Cato

For more information about the program, please click here.