School of Architecture

Location:	Ralph M. Medjuck Building 5410 Spring Garden Road P.O. Box 15000 Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
Telephone:	(902) 494-3971
Fax:	(902) 423-6672
Website:	dal.ca/architecture
Email:	arch.office@dal.ca

Introduction

The School of Architecture, which is part of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning at Dalhousie University, was established in 1961 to serve the Atlantic region. While it continues to fulfill its original mandate, the School also contributes nationally and internationally to architecture through its dynamic faculty and committed student body. Its primary aim is to educate individuals who intend to become a professional architect. The School’s professional degree program includes the two-year Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies degree and the two-year Master of Architecture degree. Most of the program is conducted within the School of Architecture by full-time faculty members. It also includes two co-op work terms in which students gain practical experience in an architectural office. The curriculum enables architectural education and practice to develop in parallel.

Design

The central activity of the professional degree program is architectural design: the creative study of buildings and cities. In the School’s design studios, students examine historical and contemporary buildings in Canada and abroad, and respond through the design of new architectural projects. From the core studies of the undergraduate program to the elective studies and design thesis of the graduate program, students learn to rely on their artistic skill, their knowledge of history and technology, their social and cultural awareness, and their critical imagination. Architecture is a multi-disciplinary profession, with alliances to the fine arts, the humanities and technologies. Many undergraduate disciplines provide an effective entry into architecture. Conversely, architectural studies provide an excellent foundation for careers in a variety of design-related fields.

Facilities

The School is located in the original home of the Nova Scotia Technical College, built in 1908 and renamed the Ralph M. Medjuck Building in 2005. Corresponding to the School’s emphasis on architectural design, one-third of the building is devoted to studio spaces that are open to students 24 hours a day. The Faculty's facilities include computer labs, a wood shop, photo studio, digital lab, and a large exhibition hall. The University Library's architecture collection is located nearby.

Co-op Work Terms

The School’s professional degree program includes two work terms that provide students with practical experience in building design and responsible professional practice. The School’s Co-op Program has been operating since 1970, and the university's SITE Co-op Office assists students in finding suitable work terms. In recent years, Architecture students have been employed in every province and territory in Canada, and approximately one-third have chosen to work abroad - most recently, in Australia, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, and Zambia.

Accreditation

The School’s Master of Architecture program is fully accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). The entire six-year program consists of two years of general studies at a recognized university, followed by two years of undergraduate study at the School of Architecture (BEDS) and two years of graduate study at the School of Architecture (MArch).

In Canada, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is the sole agency authorized by the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) to accredit Canadian professional degree programs in architecture for the purposes of architectural licensure.

Professional Registration

After receiving the professional degree, a graduate may fulfill additional requirements for professional registration, including a period of post-graduate practical experience and the completion of registration examinations. In Canada, these additional requirements are determined by provincial organizations that are empowered to register an individual for professional practice. A United States citizen who graduates from the School’s MArch program is qualified to become an architectural intern and complete the examination for professional registration there. Applicants from other countries are advised to contact their national architectural organization about requirements for professional registration.