Architecture Foundations

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture believes no single ideal student exists. Instead, everyone arrives ideal in their own way

That’s why majors interested in architecture, historic preservation, or facilities management complete the same two-year architecture foundations program.

One-on-One Experience

Thanks to one-on-one instruction from your architecture faculty-mentors, your academic and career exploration remains unique to you — from day one through graduation. The foundations program prepares you well no matter what major ultimately choose, including community development or landscape architecture or another related field. 

Find Your Inner Playground

Like a playground for your creativity, Tyler’s Architecture Foundations Program gives you two years to try all kinds of things. The goal? Seeing your architecture school experience as a creative quest, based on both imagination and precedents:

  • Drawing
  • Drafting
  • Rendering
  • Fabricating
  • Visiting Sites
  • Thinking Through Design Problems
  • Giving + Receiving Feedback From Peers
An empty architecture studio space at Tyler, with walls full of large windows.

Discover Tyler

Learn more about everything Tyler offers by requesting more information,  seeing everything in person and meeting our incredible team. And, when you’re ready, we are happy to consider your admission application.  

See Philadelphia as More Than a City 

Put this next part in the plus column! You get to study architecture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You! In this legendary city. Seeing what’s what. Imagining your place in communities of your choosing.  

A historic building surrounded by trees in Old City, Philadelphia, with classic architectural details that reflect the city's rich history. The trees provide a natural contrast to the structure, adding greenery and a serene atmosphere to the area.

Historical Artifact 

Visit renowned buildings and locations to soak up methods and thoughts of the times.

Our Community in Philadelphia

Broad street in Philadelphia, people stand facing the buildings in the foreground

Living Laboratory

See the inner workings of a thriving city grappling with needs and changes.

Our Community in Philadelphia

An Eagles sports fan cheers loudly in a large crowd, celebrating with excitement. Surrounded by fellow fans, the atmosphere is electric, filled with team spirit and joy as they revel in the moment.

Vibrant Place to Live + Learn

Connect with the people, places, and spaces that embody this time in your life.  

Our Community in Philadelphia

Foundational Skills for Architecture Majors

Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s two-year Architecture Foundations Program challenges you to think about designs, spaces, and functionality in change-making ways. It prepares you to complete your remaining coursework to earn your 4-year bachelor’s degree. Yes, we’re an architecture school, but we’re also so much more.

A student builds a cardboard structure in a Tyler classroom. The structure features a square cardboard base, a central column, and a flat circular top, showcasing the student’s design and construction process. The workspace is filled with tools and materials for further adjustments.

Analyze Through Hands-On Work

In addition to the designing and making processes, doing hands-on creative work also builds your abilities to analyze projects and problems. 

A professor gives feedback to a student during a small architecture class, with the student attentively listening. Other students in the class are focused, quietly absorbing the discussion and feedback.

Practice Creativity as Problem Solving

Studying architecture foundations gives you time to explore what’s possible and ways to make functionality creative and beautiful.

A student looks at a wall covered in architectural posters, inspecting the images closely. The posters feature various designs and plans, and the student appears focused, taking in the details of the displayed work.

Learn Drawing, Mapping, + Modeling Techniques

Visual communication requires both skill and strategy so that others see + support your solutions and designs.

Woman standing in front of a class talking to them.

Create a Community of Peers

Tyler makes learning a team sport by requiring you and your peers to observe and critique each other’s designs and reflect on how your experiences shape how you (and others) see the world.

Watch Now

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture offers a close-knit community of interdisciplinary thinkers and creators dedicated to using art and design to drive change.

Meet the Architecture Foundations Faculty

Meet the working architects / faculty who teach Tyler’s first-year foundation courses for architecture majors. 

Fauzia Sadiq Garcia standing and smiling at the camera with her arms crossed.

Fauzia Sadiq Garcia, RA, LEED AP, IFMA 

Assistant Professor and Curriculum Coordinator 

“Tyler’s education is unique since students are part of an art and architecture school. Students can explore art classes, participate in exhibitions, various organizations, and have access to an arboretum with our Ambler campus. We encourage cross-disciplinary work, and I’m always cognizant of the ways to introduce students to our varied programs and faculty.” 

Visit Fauzia's Profile

Student Work

Browse the work of your future architecture classmates.

Image of the exterior entrance to the Tyler School of Art and Architecture building on Main Campus

WCC test publication

Alumni

Image of the exterior entrance to the Tyler School of Art and Architecture building on Main Campus

WCC test publication

Alumni

Architecture Foundations FAQ

With your future opportunities so wide open, questions always come up. Just ask! 

Will Tyler prepare me for getting an architecture license?

Yes, Tyler’s academic programs in architecture give you multiple pathways to become a licensed professional in architecture. 

What are my architecture career options?

The two-year foundations program exposes you to other career paths and job options — some not obvious — until you immerse yourself in the academic and professional field.  

To recap, you choose from these architecture majors or environmental design majors: 

  • Architecture (bachelor’s degree) 

  • Facilities Management (bachelor’s degree) 

  • Historic Preservation (bachelor’s degree) 

  • Community Development (bachelor’s degree) 

  • Landscape Architecture (bachelor’s degree) 

  • Horticulture (bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree) 

Can I study abroad as an architecture major?

Yes! Temple University features campuses in both Italy and Japan that allow you to experience different cultures, languages, and built environments.

What kinds of mentoring, networking, or job search help do you provide?
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  •  Tyler’s chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), a student-led organization, offers you mentors that both provide one-on-one help and foster community among your classmates.  
  • Our architecture faculty also encourage you to attend expert presentations throughout the year.  
  • The Tyler architecture community also includes recent alumni, hired to work with our internationally renowned faculty.  
  • To connect you with nearby architecture firms, Tyler hosts career and other types of professional / school fairs on campus. In addition, architecture firms in or near Philadelphia do guided tours of their offices for our students. 
  • Get additional career exploration and career prep help from the Temple Career Center.
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Do you require architecture internships or environmental design internships?

While not required, we encourage you to pursue internships and prepare you with the skills and professionalism needed to do a great job. Tyler’s staff and faculty support your internship goals with ideas on opportunities and even internship funding. Your professors also provide mentoring and guidance for building your portfolio.