History of the School

The School of Architecture evolved from a single interior design course in 1980 to its current status with enrollment of over 650 Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture majors.

In 1980, Textile Design majors were offered an elective course in Interior Design.  Recognizing the interdisciplinary relationship between textiles and interior design, Dr. Stephen Grout was hired to develop an Interior Design Program., which officially began in 1982 as part of the Evening Division. The Program continued to grow, and in 1985 the School of Textiles introduced a full-time day program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design.

Coincident with the introduction of the bachelor's program, the curriculum was significantly revised. In 1990 Alexander Messinger was appointed Director of the Interior Design Program. Concurrent with this restructuring the University began exploring the feasibility of a professional program in Architecture.  In 1990, an initial proposal was refined into an implementation plan for a Bachelor of Architecture Program. Gary Crowell, AIA, was selected as the Founding Director in 1991.

In the fall of 1991, the Bachelor of Architecture Program was initiated with eighty first-year students.  That semester also marked the opening of the Ravenhill Studios and the Architecture and Design Center, providing immediate proximity to the new library and created new office, conference, exhibit/gallery, review space and new dedicated studios for over 200 upper level architecture and interior design students. 

In the summer of 1992, the Department of Architecture and Interior Design was established as a separate academic unit. Professor Crowell was appointed Chair of the Department and continued in his position as Director of the Architecture Program.  When the Department became the School of Architecture and Design in the summer of 1995, Professor Crowell was appointed Dean of the School.

Now in its 12th year as a School, current activities focus on building new programs, refinement of professional curricula, and development of electives and enrichment.  In 2003, a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program was implemented.  In addition, the School has developed new elective courses and five new concentrations: Multimedia and Visualization, Historic Preservation, Photography, Landscape Architecture and Construction Management. Currently the School is preparing a feasibility study for new graduate and undergraduate programs in urban design and planning with a focus on sustainable communities.

During the academic year 2004-2005, the University changed the name of the School of Architecture and Design to the School of Architecture and created a new School of Design and Media.  Five of the School of Architecture and Design’s original undergraduate programs remain in the School of Architecture and the remaining undergraduate programs were assigned to the new School of Design and Media. 

The University has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the School by establishing two new centers located near the campus in Philadelphia’s Manayunk area: the Engineering and Design Institute (focusing on green/sustainable research and design) and the Center for Urban, Community, and Housing Design (focusing on design services for the community).  Funding through the Institute and Center has provided research and design opportunities for faculty and students.

In 2007, Dean Crowell, having retired from the positions of Dean and Director of the Architecture Program, received the honor of appointment as Dean Emeritus. Spring 2008 saw Vini Nathan appointed to the position of Dean, and Carol Hermann finished a term as Interim Director of the Architecture Program.