Architecture
About this program
Technology has redefined building design and planning. At Penn College, you’ll learn how to harness industry-leading software to create the buildings of tomorrow. Coursework covers everything from mechanical and structural systems to estimating, building design, and more. With expert faculty by your side and lots of hands-on hours in the lab, you’ll be ready to take on tomorrow in as few as four semesters!
The architecture labs are undergoing major renovations for the Fall 2024 semester. Check out the details. →
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
Seamless Associate-to-Bachelor Degree Option
17
Average Class Size
24/7
Access to Design Studios
Careers
- Architectural draftsperson
- CAD operator
- Detailer
- Specification writer
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- Introduction to Architecture (ACH101)
- Architectural Graphics (ACH111)
- Architectural History (ACH112)
- Building Materials I (ACH119)
- Architectural Computer-Aided Drafting (ACH135)
- Building Materials II (ACH129)
- Construction Documents - Residential (ACH139)
- Building Codes & Accessibility (ACH141)
- Architectural Design Studio I (ACH181)
- Architectural Graphics II (ACH211)
- Construction Documents - Commercial (ACH239)
- Structural Principles (ACH243)
- Architectural Design Studio II (ACH261)
- Sustainability: Building & Living Green (ACH262)
- Computers & Estimating (ACH264)
- Environmental Systems (ACH240)
- Structural Applications (ACH253)
- Architectural Design Studio III (ACH281)
- Specified Architectural Elective (ACH)
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
Featured Video
Q & A
Meet Naim Jabbour, architecture and sustainable design professor. In this video, he dives into some of the most commonly asked questions about architecture.
Facilities
Fully Equipped Computer Labs
Bring your latest designs to life our expansive labs outfitted with the latest software from AutoCAD, Revit, Trimble Sketchup, and Adobe Photoshop.
Maker Profiles
Student
Alejandro Huaman
Architecture & Sustainable Design
He's an aspiring architect, guitarist, soccer player, runner, and self-taught barber. What's next?
Student
Megan Bugbee
Architecture & Sustainable Design
She's driven to succeed on the field and in the classroom.
Faculty
Naim Jabbour
Architecture & Sustainable Design
He's a true tomorrow maker who is determined to change the future for the better.
Tour Schedule
Seeing is believing.
Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.
Mar 1
Undergraduate Open House
Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM
Apr 6
Undergraduate Open House
Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM
Tomorrow is in the Making
The Dr. Welch Workshop
The makerspace is an open workshop for all students. Take hands-on learning to the next level. Explore your creativity. Bring your ideas to light. Collaborate with other students, faculty and staff, or work independently to test theories, explore ideas, and gain real-world skills to power your career.
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Industry
JENA Engineering, Corporation
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Construction Management
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Industry
Allan Myers
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Construction
Civil Engineering
Collision Repair & Restoration
Construction Management
Diesel Truck, Heavy Equipment & Power Generation
Heavy Equipment Operations
Industry
Clark Associates, Inc.
Accounting & Business Administration
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Construction Management
Information Technology
Industry
Oldcastle Infrastructure
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Automated Manufacturing & Machining
Building Construction
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
Polymer Engineering
Industry
Murray Associates Architects, PC
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Industry
The Tri-M Group
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Automation Engineering
Building Construction
Construction Management
Electrical
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Workforce Development
Industry
Lithko Contracting
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Construction
Civil Engineering
Construction Management
Industry
JEM Group
Building Construction
Construction Management
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Industry
High Construction Company
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Construction
Construction Management
Industry
Outdoor Illumination & Irrigation Management
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Construction
Construction Management
Electrical
Landscape/Plant Production
Student Life
Lead and put your skills to the test
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
Appreciate architecture with friends and make connections that last a lifetime. This organization focuses on building leadership skills and community outreach.
SkillsUSA
Participation in SkillsUSA gives students a chance to compete in more than 80 national competitions.
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
Penn College News
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Lester shares tactics to retain employees at industry conference
Sunday, October 20, 2024
October's recruitment harvest continues
Saturday, October 19, 2024
'Build My Future' opens doors to explore
Study Abroad
Gain global experience
See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.
Internship
Your knowledge in practice
Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your know-how in the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.
Student Experience
Sitting idly by? Not these students!
Six teams of third-year students in Architectural Design Studio V pursued the literal “seat of knowledge” in fashioning functional furniture out of corrugated cardboard on each side of the recent Spring Break. Offered annually since at least 2016, the creative exercise gives the groups two weeks each to design and build full-scale chairs from sheets of the recyclable material that integrate the concepts of function, aesthetics, ergonomics and detail.
More Information
In addition to the transfer standards established by the College, students seeking transfer credit from another institution for architecture program courses may be asked to submit examples of coursework to the architecture department head. Determination by the department head as to whether transfer credit is given will be based on alignment of the transfer course with Penn College course content.
View the Architectural Technology Tool List
Architecture Related Software and Computer Specifications
Students in the Architecture Department programs are required to purchase their own laptop computers for use during our courses and labs. The minimum computer specifications below are based on the hardware requirements needed to run the software that we utilize including:
- Autodesk AutoCAD®
- Autodesk Revit®
- Adobe Photoshop®
- Act-3D Lumion®
- Microsoft Office®
Minimum Laptop Computer Requirements
- 64-bit Windows 10 or higher (recommended).
- Multi-core Intel Core i7 or i9 CPU running at 2.5 GHZ or higher (recommended).
- 32+ GB RAM (required).
- 1+ TB M.2 NVMe Drive (recommended).
- Dedicated 8+ GB graphics card (required).
- Video Display Resolution 1920 x 1080 (could be higher, but will impact Lumion® performance).
- Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
- Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
- Broadband Internet connection when working off campus.
- Additional plug-ins for software may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
- Multi-year support plan including accidental damage protection (recommended).
- The specifications above are based on requirements for Revit ® 2023 “Performance” system recommendations and Lumion® 12.5 “Recommended requirements”. Please review those sites to ensure your laptop meets the requirements.
- *Apple computers and Chromebooks are prohibited.
Tools are available for purchase through The College Store.
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
- Mr. Larry Basile, '91, Executive Vice President, Supply Source, Inc.
- Mr. David W Daneker, '81, Construction Project Manager, UPMC Susquehanna
- Mr. Robert J Gehr, AIA, NCARB, '86, Vice President, Retail Design & Buildings, Larson Design Group, Inc.
- Mr. Jeff A LeFevre, '75, President, LeFevre Wilk Architects, LLC
- Ms. Erica Schreffler, '12, Architecture Project Coordinator, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates
- Mr. Brent A Stebbins, '88, Partner/Architect/Designer, RLPS Architects
- Mr. Anthony H Visco, Jr., '69, Owner, Anthony H. Visco, Jr., Architects
- Mr. Daniel Willis, Emeritus Professor of Architecture, Penn State University
