As its name suggests, the environmental design/architecture major combines aspects of landscape design with architecture. In this program, you’ll learn how to design indoor and outdoor spaces that are in ecological and aesthetic harmony with their surroundings. You’ll study the principles of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning, which involve math, physics, drawing, and computer classes. As an environmental design/architecture major, your task is to consider the larger aesthetic picture when planning and creating your spaces, structures and other projects. Each of four variables (and their relationships to each other) will be considered when engineering your designs: architecture (buildings); landscape (including parks, gardens, and recreational surfaces); interiors (spaces within existing buildings); and environmental graphics (signs and information boards). As an environmental design/architecture major, you’ll also learn how to construct structures and spaces that are both ecologically sustainable and environmentally safe. Environmental designers and architects work on both public and private spaces, used for leisure, recreational, commercial, or living purposes. Examples of their work include parks, garden centers, green roofs, courtyards, and public squares.

Preparation

Programs in environmental design/architecture draw from many different disciplines. Take geometry, calculus and physics, as well as drawing and art history. Finally, computer and computer graphics courses will be helpful, since much of your planning and designing will be done on computer.