School of Architecture Strategic Plan
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Design Advocacy

Empower students to practice empathy-based and ethics-driven design rooted in collaboration and cultural competency

ARH 810 Yi-Ling-Liao-Concept-Diagram
Inquiry

Guide students to develop processes of inquiry through experimentation, making, and critical thinking

ARH 810 Soufiane-Zatla-The-New-Mosque-Western-Courtyard-02
Dialogue

Value dialogue with those who bring different lived experiences by listening without judgment, questioning previously held beliefs, and finding common ground

Graduate-course-ARH-604-Materials-and-Methods-of-Construction
Proficiency and Knowledge Base

Support students to achieve proficiency in tools to analyze, design, and represent built environments to be prepared for the evolving profession

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Inclusive Learning and Teaching

Adapt learning systems and teaching practices to meet the needs of diverse student populations

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Pipeline

Create and expand pipelines to careers in architecture and other design professions

Multiyear Strategic Priorities
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1. Design Advocacy

Empower students to practice empathy-based and ethics-driven design rooted in collaboration and cultural competency

1A Real world experience in design advocacy through B.lab projects

1B Participatory Design curriculum for online students

1C Committment to serve a local community in need

1D Submissions of student work to external awards (AIA California Urban Design Award, AIASF Leadership Award, SHLTR Competition, ACSA Conference Presentation, etc.)

1E Exhibit of student work and accomplishments in annual Spring Show

Shared Value 1 Design: Architects design better, safer, more equitable, resilient, and sustainable built environments. Design thinking and integrated design solutions are hallmarks of architecture education, the discipline, and the profession.
Shared Value 5 Leadership, Collaboration, and Community Engagement: Architects practice design as a collaborative, inclusive, creative, and empathetic enterprise with other disciplines, the communities we serve, and the clients for whom we work.
ARH 810 Yi-Ling-Liao-Concept-Diagram
2. Inquiry

Guide students to develop processes of inquiry through experimentation, making, and critical thinking

2A Self-critique of design proposals based on evaluative criteria

2B Transfer and application of knowledge to new contexts using conceptual frameworks

2C Questioning mindset, a habit of asking “why” and seeking answers

2D Emphasis on thinking through making, creativity through craft, and love of making

Part of Program Learning Outcomes

Shared Value 1 Design
Shared Value 4 Knowledge and Innovation: Architects create and disseminate knowledge focused on design and the built environment in response to ever-changing conditions. New knowledge advances architecture as a cultural force, drives innovation, and prompts the continuous improvement of the discipline.
Shared Value 6 Lifelong Learning: Architects value educational breadth and depth, including a thorough understanding of the discipline’s body of knowledge, histories and theories, and architecture’s role in cultural, social, environmental, economic, and built contexts. The practice of architecture demands lifelong learning, which is a shared responsibility between academic and practice settings.
3. Dialogue

Value dialogue with those who bring different lived experiences by listening without judgment, questioning previously held beliefs, and finding common ground

3A Resiliency by engaging with students and faculty with a wide range of perspectives brought together by inclusive admission and online modality

3B Expanded definition of good architecture to include how architecture can be a positive force in different communities

3C Inclusive classroom training for faculty

Shared Value 3 Equity in the Architecture Profession: Architects commit to fostering equitable opportunities and access for all in the profession, avoiding discrimination, and showing respect for the differences in the people and contexts we serve, in the environments we design, the words we speak, the actions we take, and the respectful learning, teaching, and working environments we create in the profession and in society. This includes support for a range of pathways for students seeking access to an architecture education.
4. Proficiency and Knowledge Base

Support students to achieve proficiency in tools to analyze, design, and represent built environments to be prepared for the evolving profession

4A Strategies for self-learning as preparation for changes in the profession

4B Skills for climate responsive design

4C Technical Advisors in architectural design studios for design and technical integration in student projects

4D Industry Advisory Board – invite alums to the board including IPAL alums

4E Network of architecture firms to host students for firm visits, shadowships, scholarships, internships, mentorships, etc.

4F Participation and leadership in professional organizations (AIASF Real Talk, etc)

4G Multidisciplinary skills through landscape and interior elective courses and recruitment of multi-credentialed faculty

Shared Value 1 Design
Shared Value 2 Environmental Stewardship and Professional Responsibility
Shared Value 3 Equity in the Architecture Profession
Shared Value 5 Leadership, Collaboration, and Community Engagement
Shared Value 6 Lifelong Learning
5. Inclusive Learning and Teaching

Adapt learning systems and teaching practices to meet the needs of diverse student populations

5A Support for faculty to hold students acccountable for learning outcomes while teaching with empathy

5B Addressing learning gaps and providing support to students who are historically underrepresented in architecture (Student Success Coach)

5C Support for students working full-time in architecture or in related disciplines to successfully manage course loads

5D Support for students working full-time in a different field preparing to transition to architecture

Shared Value 3 Equity in the Architecture Profession: Architects commit to fostering equitable opportunities and access for all in the profession, avoiding discrimination, and showing respect for the differences in the people and contexts we serve, in the environments we design, the words we speak, the actions we take, and the respectful learning, teaching, and working environments we create in the profession and in society. This includes support for a range of pathways for students seeking access to an architecture education.
6. Pipeline

Create and expand pipelines to careers in architecture and other design professions

6A Partnerships with youth-serving organizations to introduce architecture to K-12 students (SFUSD, AIASF Youth Design Festival, SFNOMA Project Pipeline, YAX, Engineers Alliance for the Arts, etc.)

6B High school summer Precollege program

6C Community college Transfer pathways and outreach visits to local campuses

6D Course credit for professional skills acquired in architecture firms or in other relevant professional settings (Credit for Prior Learning)

6E Support for IPAL students (ARE exam prep Amber Book, etc.)

6F Support for faculty completing architect license process

Shared Value 3 Equity in the Architecture Profession: Architects commit to fostering equitable opportunities and access for all in the profession, avoiding discrimination, and showing respect for the differences in the people and contexts we serve, in the environments we design, the words we speak, the actions we take, and the respectful learning, teaching, and working environments we create in the profession and in society. This includes support for a range of pathways for students seeking access to an architecture education.
Timeline of Strategic Plan Reviews and Updates
2026

Strategic Plan Session with Faculty (meeting notes, Conceptboard link)

2017

Faculty Retreat to review and update Strategic Plan

2014

Strategic Plan Retreat attended by faculty and student representative

2011

Strategic Plan adopted for B.Arch

2009

Undergraduate architecture BFA program launched