The CAPLA Student Experience
At College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, you'll find the tight-knit, supportive community you need to thrive.
Though you may join us at CAPLA because you want to become an architect, designer, landscape architect, real estate developer, urban planner or sustainability manager, you'll find much more to the student experience than just classes and career prep.
As a small college in a large Research 1 university, we offer a unique, collaborative and hands-on environment for learning how to plan, develop, design and create a more sustainable future. Are you ready to build a changing world?
At CAPLA, you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself, which encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
Emma Nakpairat '24 BLA
Design Your Experience
No matter your major or your areas of interest, you'll be sure to find a club that suits your needs. CAPLA's student organizations facilitate cross-disciplinary activities, provide leadership for greater student involvement in service projects, organize an array of events and work with professional affiliates on local projects and networking.
Our world-class Materials Lab allows students to explore, model, fabricate and test design ideas in a state-of-the-art environment with equipment accommodating a wide range of materials, including metal, wood, concrete, ceramics, glass and plastics. With CNC tools, the labs support digital as well as analog fabrication.
We think you’ll agree that Tucson—a quirky, authentic community that is the multicultural heart of the Sonoran Desert—is the coolest desert city in the world. Named one of the 12 best places to live by Outside magazine because of our striking natural setting, Tucson is not easily defined but is easily loved.
Design Reviews: Inside the Critique Process for CAPLA Students
Reviews and critiques are an essential component of the design thinking and learning process for many CAPLA students. We've put together a series of videos from students and faculty that will help you learn about the importance of critiques, what they look like, how to prepare, tips for after a critique and how reviews have been adapted for a post-pandemic world.
CAPLA Student Profiles
Meet a few of CAPLA's students by viewing their student profiles. You'll find a rich mix of backgrounds and experiences create a diverse and dynamic student community:
Building Inclusive Spaces: Lescilia Panzarella '28 B.LA
Lescilia Panzarella '28 B.LA is a first-generation college student and active leader at CAPLA, serving as vice president and secretary of the Indigenous Society of Architecture, Planning and Design, where she fosters Indigenous voices in modern design and pursues her passion for sustainable public housing and city planning.
Anthony Rascon '26, B.Arch | Exploring Themed Entertainment and Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture undergraduate student Anthony Rascon shares how CAPLA has helped him explore themed entertainment design, leading to an internship with Universal Creative in Orlando. With a unique blend of architecture and immersive arts, he emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary learning and advises future students to embrace diverse experiences within their studies.
Class of 2024 | Harnessing AI for Architecture
Masters of Science in Architecture graduate Asif Zeshan feels that the architecture community is due for a transformation to keep up with emerging technology. The MS.Arch program provided him the opportunity to dive into research on the topic, bringing his passions to life.
CAPLA Student Work
View a sampling of the design work and class projects created by CAPLA students:
Gather Light: Ava Beveridge & Katie Sweiven ‘28 B.Arch
For the ARC 201 Design Studio, students worked on defining a shadow caster threshold in a publicly accessible space. The "Gather Light" project was led by professors Christopher Domin, Oscar Lopez, Stefan Mostert, Mike Silver, and Siri Trumble.
School of Architecture Announces 2023-24 Design Excellence Awardees
The 2023-2024 Design Excellence Exhibit showcases the best studio work from all levels and programs in the School of Architecture.
Museum of the All Souls Procession: Merle Weisshaupt '26 B.Arch
The architecture of Tucson's Museum of the All Souls Procession serves as a daily reminder of multicultural strength, bridging past and future. The museum's design embodies the procession, uniting history and modernity with weathered steel and wood, mirroring the cyclical renewal of tradition.
Ask a Student About Their CAPLA Experience
Find out what it’s like to be a CAPLA student first-hand. Reach out to any of our student ambassadors, who are glad to answer your questions about the studio experience, faculty interaction, student life and more: