Architecture & Sustainable Design

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)

About this program

When you define your future at Penn College, you’re investing in yourself. With a degree in Architecture and Sustainable Design, you’re taking that impact to a whole new level. Explore alternative building methods and technologies that promote energy efficiency, preserve natural resources, and reduce negative environmental impacts.

The architecture labs have been completely renovated for the Fall 2024 semester. Check out the details. →

See Student Work

Graduate School Pathways

24/7

Access to Design Studios

Sustainability Careers are Rapidly Growing

Careers

  • Sustainable designer
  • Sustainability contractor
  • Detailer
  • Architectural project team member
  • Graduate school
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 Architecture & Sustainable Design Elective (ASD)
  • Architectural Design Studio IV (BSD332)
  • Detailing & Applications (BSD340)
  • Historic Preservation (BSD410)
  • History of Modern Architecture (ACH272)
  • Sustainable Community Planning & Design (BSD322)
  • Architectural Design Studio V (BSD352)
  • Renewable Energy Technologies (BSD420)
  • Architectural Design Studio VI (BSD432)
  • Architectural Theory (BSD442)
  • Sustainable Rating Systems (BSD450)
  • Architectural Design Studio VII (BSD452)

​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.

  • Physics Survey (PHS103) or
  • Physics with Technological Applications (PHS114)
  • Core Global & Cultural Diversity Perspective (CDP)
  • Core Social Science Perspective (SSP)
  • Science Elective (SCI) or
  • Science Elective with lab (SCL)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • College Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH181)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Speech Elective (SPC)
  • English Composition II (ENL121) or
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
  • Introduction to Geometry (MTH172) or
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry II (MTH183)

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

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.
Guaranteed Momentum

Pursue your Master of Architecture at RIT

Penn College and Rochester Institute of Technology have established an articulation agreement that grants students in the Architecture & Sustainable Design major advanced placement into the second year of RIT's master's program. And the best part? RIT will offer up to three annual scholarships equivalent to at least 25% of tuition costs. 

Learn More
Facilities

Collaborative Studio Space

Mixed use studios carve out space for design presentation, computer work, and layout table with designated model-building areas. 

Maker Profiles
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.

Apr 6

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM

Register

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

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. 

Read About What Happens Here
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. 

Learn More
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.

Career Fair Connections

Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

Learn More About Career Fair
Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) at Penn College

Appreciate architecture with friends and make connections that last a lifetime. This organization focuses on building leadership skills and community outreach. 

Learn more

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.

Get Involved
Penn College News

Monday, March 10, 2025

'Women Building the Future' features Lester

On Monday evening, Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction & architectural technologies at Pennsylvania College of Technology, appeared on WVIA-TV’s “Women Building the Future,” an episode of the “Keystone Edition: Business” program.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Lester on WVIA-TV series Monday evening

Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction & architectural technologies, will be a panelist on WVIA-TV’s “Keystone Edition: Business” program. The episode, “Women Building the Future,” premieres Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m. on the PBS affiliate for Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Spring 2025 magazine features feats

Read the Spring 2025 edition of Penn College Magazine, featuring the feats of the Diesel Performance Club and its lightning quick “Accelerated Learning” Mack truck; the Hall of Fame-worthy tool collection of Eric L. Anstadt, assistant professor of electrical technology/occupations; the Clean Energy Center’s expanding reach; the architecture & sustainable design program’s past and present, and much more.

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.

Learn More
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.

Read More
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 general transfer information

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