Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments

Architecture focuses on the relationship between people and their environments. Study architecture at AUT and gain an understanding of the critical, ethical, aesthetic, social cultural and technological components of architecture and the design of sustainable future environments.

You’ll develop a critical approach to architectural design, become familiar with architectural history and contemporary architecture practice, and learn to apply Te Aranga Māori design principles to your work.

What you study

Throughout your studies, you’ll be based in the studio, a great environment to share ideas, collaborate with your classmates and develop your ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams and diverse cultural settings.

Year 1

This year introduces you to architecture as a discipline and Te Aranga Māori design principles. Courses cover architecture methodologies, tools and skillsets, including mapping, scaling, drawing, diagramming, coding and modelling, as well as technical knowledge and material fabrication. You’ll apply your skills through a series of design projects.

Semester 1 courses

• ARCH500 Wānanga/Studio I: Relationships (30 points)
• ARCH502 Architectural Intelligence I: Anthropocene (15 points)
• ARCH503 Architectural Communication (15 points)

Semester 2 courses

• ARCH501 Wānanga/Studio II: Materials and Making (30 points)
• ARCH504 Architectural Ecologies I: Material Assemblies (15 points)
• Plus a course from your chosen minor

Year 2

Your second year focuses on the social context of architecture, and designing for individuals and communities in future environments.

You build on your knowledge of Te Aranga Māori design principles, and the concept of mauri ora (a state of wellbeing or living well) and notions of eudemonia (the good life), to explore historical and emerging conceptions of home and housing. You’ll also explore wider urban, civic or work-based interactions.

Semester 1 courses

• ARCH600 Wānanga/Studio III: Mauri Ora I (30 points)
• ARCH604 Architectural Ecologies III: Structures and Envelopes (15 points)
• Plus a course from your chosen minor

Semester 2 courses

• ARCH601 Wānanga/Studio IV: Mauri Ora II (30 points)
• ARCH602 Architectural Intelligence II: The Pacific City (15 points)
• Plus a course from your chosen minor

Year 3

Explore the overlap between architectural and entrepreneurial thinking as strategies for working in uncertain contexts, and the impact of innovation, computational intelligence, emerging technologies and integrated systems on architecture.

In your second semester you develop a proposal for a building of medium to large scale and complexity.

Semester 1 courses

• ARCH700 Wānanga/Studio V: Innovation (30 points)
• ARCH603 Architectural Ecologies II: Climate - Responsive Design (15 points)
• Plus a course from your chosen minor

Semester 2 courses

• ARCH701 Wānanga/Studio VI: Building Complex (30 points)
• ARCH702 Architectural Intelligence III: Innovation in Practice (15 points)
• ARCH703 Architectural Ecologies IV: Integrated Systems (15 points)

Include a minor in your degree

As part of your degree, you can study a minor from another AUT degree, enabling you to pursue an area of interest from a wide range of subjects. A minor is smaller than a major. It usually consists of four courses.

Creative Technologies is a minor we would recommend but you can also choose from a wide range of other minors from across AUT.

View minors you can study