News Highlights

Architecture

ZU

ZU

ZU

ZU

Program Duration

Location

Credit Hours

Cost Per Credit Hour

10 Semesters (On Average)

Abu Dhabi or Dubai

169

Funded

The Bachelor of Architecture degree at ZU is envisioned as the first-of-its-kind 5-year professional degree, focused specifically on the design of built environments in the Arabian Gulf region. This professional B.Arch. program is unique to the region, contextually grounded and directly responsive to both the environmental and socioeconomic characteristics of the region, particularly the UAE. Its mission is to promote the understanding of this regional context within a global perspective.

The program prepares students with a comprehensive set of skills and the vital knowledge to prepare them for a career in the built environment. The architecture design studio is the central core of the curriculum supported by the four thematic areas: architectural history and theory, architectural technology (construction, structures, environment), architectural communication (skills and techniques) and architectural management and practice. 

The B.Arch program also has specific areas of focus designed to respond to current and future considerations specific to the region.

The three areas of focus are:

Desert Architecture, UAE Progressive Urbanization, and Arab Architecture Heritage, which respond to the below-mentioned considerations:

A. Sustainable design for hot and arid desert climate

B. Responsible design for rapid urban growth 

C: Historical understanding of architecture in the Arab world in a global context.

Program level: Bachelor of Architecture
Chair: Roberto Fabbri
Accreditation

All CACE programs have local accreditation with the CAA. The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) is the first professional program in Zayed University, allowing students to acquire a professional license in the UAE upon graduation. 

Program Learning Outcomes
  1. PO1. Theory and History of Art and Architecture: (Linked to ZULO 02: Global Awareness, and ZULO 04: Language) Comprehend and demonstrate an

    understanding of global and regional history and theory of the built environment and apply those to design and complete conceptual analysis and design development in the context of human habitation in diverse spatial environments, climatic conditions, and cultural settings.

    PO2. Professional Architecture Practice: (linked to ZULO 02: Global Awareness, and ZULO 04: Language) Exhibit the ability to develop architectural design solutions in a manner consistent with professional standards and ethical responsibilities while considering the existing social and urban context, environmental and climatic challenges, and progressive future development trends.

    PO3. Critical Thinking: (linked to ZULO 01: Critical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning) Analyze and define a given design problem, evaluate and test potential sustainable solutions, develop the project through a rigorous and iterative process, and defend the viable outcome orally and graphically to an informed audience.

    PO4. Architectural Design Literacy: (linked to ZULO 03: Information Literacy) Demonstrate the knowledge of design skills, understanding design representations and proficiency in building technology to effectively communicate complex spatial problems and provide responsive, innovative and sustainable solutions, while considering the social, behavioral, environmental, and technical constraints.

    PO5. Architectural Technology Literacy: (linked to ZULO 06: Technological Literacy) Utilize and combine multiple traditional and emerging design and technologies to develop innovative design representations and innovations for the built environment.

    PO6. Teamwork and Leadership: (linked to ZULO 05: Leadership) Exhibit character of enterprise, support, flexibility, trust, empathy and self-reliance in a group setting to engage in the development of a sustainable and successful outcome to benefit the society.

    PO7. Cultural Art and Design Literacy: (Linked to ZULO 01: Critical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning). Interpret principles and elements of art and design in time-based media with relationship to traditions, norms, activities, and historical background of a given region or people.

    1-Theory and History of Art and Architecture:

    (linked to ZULO 04: Language, and ZULO 02: Global Awareness)

    Evaluate and employ historical cases and theoretical analysis as platforms to initiate research design development in the context of human habitation in built environments.

    2-Professional Architecture Practice: (linked to ZULO 04: Language, and ZULO 02: Global Awareness)

    Exhibit the ability to develop architectural design assignments in the context of design practice

    fundamentals supported by internship to test their academic knowledge in the real practice scenarios.

    3-Critical Thinking(linked to ZULO 01: Critical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning)

    Analyze and define a given design problem, evaluate and test potential solutions, develop the project through a rigorous process, and defend the outcome (orally and graphically) to an informed audience.

    4-Architectural Design Literacy: (linked to ZULO 03: Information Literacy)

    Demonstrate the proper design skills and knowledge of drawing and modeling representations to

    formulate complex spatial problems and provide responsive and innovative solutions, while considering the social, behavioral, technical, and physical constraints

    5-Information Technology:

    (linked to ZULO 06: Technological Literacy)

    Determine the limitations of technology to select the appropriate digital media for architectural design development and representation and demonstrate an integrated approach by utilizing multiple technologies for design and portfolio production. .

    6-Teamwork and Leadership: (linked to ZULO 05: Leadership)

    Exhibit character of supportive, flexible, trust, and self-reliance in a group setting to engage in the development of a successful outcome.

Curriculum

The 5-year professional curriculum is properly apportioned to allow a balanced assembly of General Education courses (GEN + required science courses), core studio-based courses (design), lecture-based courses (history, theory, technology), and hands-on workshops. The 1st year Foundation studios aim to provide general design knowledge and skills to incoming freshman students. In the subsequent 2nd to 5th year, student knowledge and skills develop in scale and complexity culminating in the senior design capstone project which addresses a range of deeper cultural, environmental, technological, conceptual and representational subject matters.

The B.Arch. program at ZU is committed to the study of architecture as a socio-cultural discipline where buildings instigate a multiplicity of social formations. Students in the B.Arch. program will investigate environmental influences on inhabitants’ physiological and psychological agencies. The aim of the B.Arch. program is to develop the curiosity, the interest, and the skills required to become visionary architects. 

Click here for more information and details about the program curriculum

Program Delivery

The B.Arch. program requires full-time and onsite attendance to complete the five-year courses of professional degree in architecture.

The program is delivered in English over 10 semesters at Zayed University located in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Additionally, the program  two internships (8 weeks each, total of 16 weeks), which are expected to be conducted during the summer semester between semester 6 and 7 and 8 and 9)

Course Delivery Format

Courses are delivered in 16-week semesters. Classes are generally scheduled from 8:00 am to 5:20 pm Monday to Thursday, and Friday as open studio day.

Faculty

Adina Hempel, Asma Bukhammas, Azza Aboualam, Basem Mohamed, Francesca Sorcinelli, Katarzyna Tracz, Katharina Richter, Lina Ahmad, Marco Sosa, Maruan Halabi, Mohab Karram, Nahed Chakouf, Oorvi Sharma, Riyad Joucka, Roberto Fabbri (Chair of Design), Rock Galpin, Rund Hiyasat, Thorsten Lomker

Other Courses in the program are taught by select professors from the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises who are experts in their fields and possess diverse international research experience.

Knowledge gained during classes is further enhanced by sharing real-world experience with other students, guest lecturers, top professionals and leaders in the field of business.

Program Cost
Funded
Graduation

Students must complete all required courses in the approved program curriculum (169 Credit Hours as well as two internships) as the following:

General Education 30 CHs
Required Program Courses 105 CHs
Electives 12 CHs

Contact
Abu Dhabi Campus:
College of Arts and Creative Enterprises
Zayed University, P.O. Box 144534
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
info@zu.ac.ae
Tel: +971-2-599 3111
Fax: +971-2-443 4847

Dubai Campus:
College of Arts and Creative Enterprises
Zayed University, P.O. Box 19282
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
info@zu.ac.ae
Tel: +971-4-402 1111 #1354
Fax: +971-4-402 1008
 
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