Director's Welcome
Ryan E. Smith, School of Architecture Director and Professor of Architecture
The School of Architecture at the University of Arizona is devoted to professional education, innovative research and community service with a sensibility honed by the conditions of an extreme climate.
We combine place-based design in the exquisite landscape of the Sonoran Desert and our world-class facilities with cutting-edge material and environmental research—all delivered through robust hands-on learning and service to our profession and communities.
School News & Headlines
Design Excellence Showcase
At the end of each academic year, faculty nominate student work across all programs and years for Design Excellence awards, which are sponsored by AIA Southern Arizona and judged by leading architects from around the world. View recent Design Excellence judges, nominations and winners:
View All School of Architecture News & Headlines
School Events
Most Admired School, Architecture Undergraduate Program (#9 public)
DesignIntelligence, 2019-2020
Years in a Row Architecture Students Place in Solar Decathlon Design Challenge
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Ana Astiazaran '22 B Arch Wins 2021 ASCA/AIA COTE Top Ten for Students Award for Sustainable Design Excellence
Our Academic Programs
Minor in Architectural History and Theory
The 18-unit undergraduate Minor in Architectural History and Theory is designed for students who are interested in architectural history, theory and preservation as well as those who are studying to receive an advanced degree in art or architectural history.
CAPLA Design/Build
CAPLA Design/Build involves students in hands-on, real-world projects they design and then build under the guidance of School of Architecture faculty, centered around the belief that learning by doing is a powerful method of gaining knowledge.
Student Work, Awards & Profiles
Student Work

Architecture students create a wide variety of outstanding work in their time at CAPLA. View individual galleries and narratives of work by Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Architecture students.
View Student Projects and Work »Student Awards

Architecture students regularly win a variety of awards, both those offered through the school, such as the end-of-year Design Excellence Awards, as well as esteemed regional, national and international awards. Learn more about our award-winning students and their projects.
View Student Awards »Faculty Research & Practice
Faculty Areas of Expertise

The award-winning faculty of the School of Architecture are leaders in their fields, with expertise in a broad range of topics, from building technologies to urban design, energy and water systems to biomimetics, market transformation to environmentally adaptive design and much more.
View Faculty Areas of Expertise »Architecture Research

Faculty within the School of Architecture conduct a wide array of transformative research related to design and our built environments. From alternative building materials and energy systems to heritage conservation and wellness, learn more about our research.
Explore Architecture Research »Architecture Faculty Profiles
The faculty of the School of Architecture comprise a dynamic community, bringing their expertise to the built environment from across the country and around the world. In these detailed profiles, you'll learn about their teaching, research, practice and much more.
Materials Labs and Model Lab
CAPLA's state-of-the-art Materials Labs comprise 9,000 square feet dedicated to model-building and fabrication using metals, wood, concrete, ceramics, glass and plastics. Equipment includes CNC tools, robotics, lasers, 3D printers and woodworking tools for digital and analog fabrication.
About the School
Black Lives Matter: Statement from the School of Architecture
We condemn racism and all its pernicious effects, and we must root it out. We pride ourselves on being members of a university dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and our students, but we can and must do more.
Accreditation Status and Professional Registration
The Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board and in order to become a registered architect in most U.S. states, one needs a professional architecture degree from a NAAB-accredited program, plus other requirements.
View Our Accreditation Resources and Reports and Registration Information »Studio Culture Policy
The School of architecture fosters intellectual growth and a creative, collaborative and engaged studio/lab community. Our studio culture policy affirms principles of design education and augments the UArizona Student Code of Academic Integrity.
View the Studio Culture Policy »Contact Us
For additional information about the School of Architecture and our programs, please contact contact us.
Connect with the School of Architecture
Header image by Nick Witt 23 B Arch, from Mount Lemmon Outdoor Library, 2021 AIA Design Excellence Merit Award for Excellence in Design Integration.