Introduction
The Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree is a five-year program requiring 160 semester units comprised of required and elective courses in general education, liberal arts, and science. The required courses cover fundamental concepts in art and design, history and theory, building science and tectonics, professional practice, and environmental and human behavior. The elective courses allow students a degree of flexibility and breadth of knowledge and skills, where they can pursue a wider range of specialized interests within the field of architecture. The general education and liberal arts and science courses ensure that students receive essential training and study in written and verbal communication, the sciences, humanities, and art courses that enable them to gain more breadth and depth in architectural design and related subjects. Volunteer local practitioners and a network of international mentors teach in the Department of Architecture at the BIHE.
Vision
Founded in 2004, the Architecture Department of BIHE focuses on certain fundamental principles that have deep roots in precedents and contemporary cultural values, among which is the respect for and cooperation with nature. The architecture program is focused on the physical environment and its effect on people’s lives. BIHE students are trained to design within unique constraints in a collaborative learning environment. Students learn how to capture the power of design and its relevance to society and day-to-day life, far beyond architectural training.
Mission
After completing this program, graduates will be able to:
- Join the teams of practitioners as influential members and public advocates for health, safety and welfare of people and the beauty of the environment
- Function as developed thinkers and problem solvers that can uplift the human spirit by creating and preserving buildings and spaces that are not only inspiring but also hold due regard for nature and its manifestations
- Contribute to the culture of each generation and demonstrate reverence for diverse societies and their values by developing new and creative concepts of designs and building structures that are inclusive
- Demonstrate excellence in architectural design, building technology, constructability, communication skills and visual arts as well as technical know-how
- Demonstrate ability and readiness to join the most advanced graduate-level studies in architectural design and related programs around the globe
Goals and Objectives
The BIHE Architecture Department has identified five broad educational goals aimed towards bridging architecture education and practice and integrating poetics and tectonics:
- To nurture future practitioners as public advocates for beauty by creating and preserving what is inspiring in the built environment. This goal expands on a broad appreciation of the multiple ways that beauty is manifested and valued in global cultures.
- In a balanced curriculum, there will be a commitment to design excellence by emphasizing the artistic dimension of design with a keen eye on technical and practical knowledge. The goal lies in nurturing future practitioners who can create beauty and communicate their values to the public.
- The BIHE architecture program promotes a curriculum that fosters a climate of caring for human needs by encouraging the students to study the effect of the environment on human well-being, health, safety, and productivity for the public.
- By focusing on cultural meaning, the BIHE architecture program stresses not only creating new environments but also nurturing values, skills and knowledge that are essential for preserving and restoring the architectural heritage of the societies within the urban and rural context.
- The BIHE architecture program strives to perpetuate a climate of teaching that promotes the appreciation of professional responsibility, the deep desire to create better environments, and the understanding of the architect’s role as the caretaker of natural and built environments. BIHE promotes interdisciplinary relationships with different fields of study and professions to ensure long-lasting contributions for future generations and societies.
The architecture program of BIHE implements the following methodologies and philosophies:
- following the methodology of “learning by doing”, which connects the studios to real-life projects and problems
- defining “studio” as the forum for the implementation of knowledge and skills
- defining education in architecture as the initiation of a life-long commitment to scholarship, research, learning, and maturation
- defining “architect” as a developed thinker, intellectual, and a team player
- embracing the professional responsibility to build with a view to the future. Preserving the planet requires understanding the principles of sustainability in making architecture and urban design decisions
- Broadening the realm of architecture specialization promotes collaboration between architecture and other disciplines, such as environmental science, ecology, biology, sociology, psychology, neuroscience, technology, and engineering.
Architectural studies at BIHE train students with extensive knowledge of construction as well as critical thinking and technical skills. Students of the BIHE are encouraged to carry out and are provided opportunities for internship and apprenticeship in local firms. They are involved in construction sites, real design projects, surveying, project management, urban design, building planning, and interior design opportunities while engaging in their unique architecture education and training program.
Admission
High school students interested in admission to the Bachelor of Architecture program at the BIHE are expected to have a good level of knowledge in mathematics and physics as well as freehand sketching, perception of three-dimensional geometric objects, and fundamentals of visual arts and art history. The knowledge of mathematics and physics are evaluated according to the students' high school scores in mentioned courses. Students whose knowledge meets the architecture program’s minimum requirements must take the specialized admission test to be evaluated in freehand sketching, perception of three-dimensional geometric objects, fundamentals of visual arts, and art history. Students who gain specified score in mathematics and physics will be invited to take the specialized admission test.