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Last year, high school students of all technical backgrounds were invited to Space Lab, a four-day workshop hosted by the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) to pave the way for its new Bachelor of Science in Design (BS Design) programme. Under visionary mentors, participants mastered geospatial data visualisation, cinematic storytelling, and immersive gaming environments. In the Arts District of Los Angeles, they forged a path to innovation, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination.
“It was really cool to be able to create something and see it in three dimensions in front of me, from my imagination to the computer screen,” shares student Dylan Brough.
Ultimately, the opportunity served as a sneak peek into the immersive journey awaiting those who chose SCI-Arc’s latest programme as their launchpad to success. It also instilled a holistic understanding of architectural education and its various applications.
Apart from the design and construction of the built environment, the influence of architecture extends to other realms, like urban planning and design, where data-driven approaches are revolutionising the way cities are conceived and constructed. In gaming, architects are leveraging their expertise to design virtual environments that captivate and engage players in unprecedented ways. In recent years, architects have even played an instrumental role in crafting immersive worlds and breathtaking visual spectacles for blockbuster movies.
SCI-Arc’s four-year BS Design aims to evolve students into civic-minded creative technologists, prepared to make meaningful contributions across a spectrum of industries, shaping the world in which we live and redefining the possibilities of what architecture can be.
“It’s one of the most original architectural programmes that I’ve seen. It is definitely on the cusp of where architecture is heading,” shares faculty member Jeremy Kamal Hartley. “We always use stories to tell, to teach, and to learn and by embedding that inside of the curriculum, students can insert themselves in it a bit more.”
The programme starts with a two-year Foundation Sequence — a blend of liberal arts classes and tailored coursework in Applied Studies, History + Theory, and Visual Studies. This period sees students deep-diving into SCI-Arc’s rich design culture while mastering essential skills and concepts. Then, they will transition into specialised tracks, choosing from three exciting pathways.
The Data Environments track empowers students to navigate urban policies, develop fluency in geospatial data analytics, and explore alternative data visualisation techniques while delving into machine learning models and dataset creation. The Film + Narrative track blends cinematic art, technology, and architectural thinking to shape future visual storytellers. Meanwhile, the Games + Interaction track immerses students in the culture and techniques of video game technologies and immersive media, readying them for diverse applications such as video game development, spatial computing, and virtual world creation.
Across all tracks, students tackle multifaceted issues and opportunities crucial to post-digital economies and societies. “Environment is more than an aggregate of spatial data points, and I am looking forward to working on representations of spatial patterns that don’t overshadow the knowledge they produce,” explains Masha Hupalo, who leads the Data Environments track.
“Media-based cartographies, algorithmic visualisations, commitment to fieldwork, and a wide understanding of existing urban planning and governance systems will support students in offering tangible models of possible ways of living together.”
The BS Design combines a comprehensive academic education with advanced training in a broad set of the most sought-after creative digital skills. Source: SCI-Arc
In the final two years of the programme, students dive deeper into their chosen focus area, honing their expertise through advanced coursework and hands-on studio experiences. The four Case Studios are set to be a highlight. This is when students refine their analytical, visualisation, and design skills by tackling complex projects spanning digital and physical environments. And as the programme draws to a close, students embark on their Final Project — a showcase of their creative and technical prowess.
“Through the design programme, students are going to be engaging with cutting-edge tools,” says faculty member Kordae Henry. “From using these tools, we can implement new ways of pushing these students into new industries.”
Such exposure primes graduates to seize opportunities at the intersection of emerging technologies and make their mark across industries and entrepreneurial ventures. They’re ready for roles as game designer, production designer, creative director, concept artist, interaction technologist, asset developer, worldbuilder, narrative designer, urban strategist, data visualisation specialist, 3D generalist, and architectural designer.
Of course, BS Design graduates are well-equipped to pursue a postgraduate or professional architecture programme, too. With over 50 years of experience in producing world-class architects, SCI-Arc is home to plenty of those. Learn more about applying to this world-renowned centre of innovation.
