Architecture
23 courses · San Diego Mesa College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
ARCH 100 Graphic Design Communication I
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
This course is designed for all students who wish to develop basic hand drafting skills for use in Architectural, Construction, and Interior Design programs. Topics include lettering, line control, sketching, use of drafting instruments and the development of architectural presentation drawings. This course is designed for students interested in developing hand drawing skills for use in architecture, interior design, and construction.
ARCH 101 Archicad
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 24 - 27 hours lecture/72-81 hours lab
This course is a practical study Archicad software and its application to architectural design. Emphasis is placed on the use of Archicad software to develop and document architectural models. This course is designed for architecture majors and anyone interested in 3-D architectural modeling.
ARCH 103 Introduction to Architecture and Environmental Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
This course introduces students to the professions of Architecture and Environmental Design. Students are exposed to the education requirements, professional practice, and applications in three major design fields that encompass Architecture and Environmental Design: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design. Presentations include education, history, theory, professional practice, applications, guest lecturers and field trips. This course is recommended for students interested in exploring the field of Environmental Design.
ARCH 107 Revit
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 24 - 27 hours lecture/72-81 hours lab
This course is a hands-on study of computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) using three-dimensional (3-D) parametric solid modeling programs, such as Revit and AutoCAD. Emphasis is placed on the use of CADD to electronically assemble projects from instructor-defined programs and to coordinate those drawings into architectural construction documents. This course is designed for architecture, interior design, and construction management majors.
ARCH 112 AutoCAD
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 24 - 27 hours lecture/72-81 hours lab
- Advisory
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: ARCH 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a hands-on study of computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) for design drawings and construction document purposes using AutoCAD. Emphasis is placed on two-dimensional drawing commands to digitally assemble project drawings and to coordinate those drawings into architectural design, interior design and related construction documents. This course is intended for students majoring in architecture, construction management, and interior design.
ARCH 113 Rhino for Architecture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 24 - 27 hours lecture/72-81 hours lab
- Advisory
- CBTE 180 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a practical study of Rhinoceros (Rhino) software and its application to architectural design. Emphasis is placed on 3D digital drafting techniques, skills and concepts. It includes topics related to the digital fabrication of architectural models. This course is designed for architecture majors and anyone interested in 3-D architectural modeling.
ARCH 126 History of Ancient World Architecture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
This course is an introductory survey of global history of architecture. It covers early stone and wood architecture in relation to cultural and aesthetic elements of world civilization. Emphasis is placed on comparing and contrasting architectural structures including those from the Ancient World, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. Historically significant structures are analyzed and technical, regional, and natural influences on architecture are explored. This course is intended for architecture students.
ARCH 127 History of World Architecture: Renaissance Through Contemporary
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
This course is an introductory survey of Renaissance through Contemporary architecture. Emphasis is placed on comparing and contrasting architectural structures, including those from Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. Cultural and aesthetic elements of world civilization are emphasized. This course is intended for students majoring in architecture and construction management.
ARCH 130 Materials of Construction
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
This course is a study of the construction constraints and program criteria for the selection and installation of building materials for residential and commercial construction projects. This course is intended for architectural design and construction management students, design professionals, construction trades people transitioning to supervisory positions, persons preparing for the trades portion of the general contractor's license exam, appraisers and others requiring knowledge of building materials and installation for residential and commercial buildings.
ARCH 141 Professional Practice in Architecture
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: ARCH 130 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course introduces regional codes and regulations and their application to the professional practice of architecture. Students research regional codes and regulations and apply them to develop architectural construction documents that include site development plans and details, floor plans, reflected ceiling plans and details, roof framing plans and details, floor framing plans and details. Foundation plans and details, door, window, cabinet, and stair details for light wood frame and masonry structures are also included. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, sustainability, energy conservation, and life safety is introduced in this course. This course is designed for architecture, interior design and building construction technology students.
ARCH 170 Architectural Design
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course is an introduction to architecture and environmental design. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of form and space as applied to two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) design projects. This course is intended for all students interested in architectural design.
ARCH 172 Architectural Design II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/96-108 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and ARCH 170 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a practical study of architectural design and project development. Emphasis is placed on the creation and presentation of building designs. Topics include an introduction to contemporary design theory. This course is intended for architecture majors.
ARCH 173 Architectural Site Design: Creating Exterior Spaces
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and ARCH 170 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the basic principles of site design, composition and design process in the creation of exterior spaces. This course is designed for any student interested in environmental design.
ARCH 175 Advanced Architectural Design I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/96-108 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 172 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: ARCH 173 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Advisory
- ARCH 220 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course an advanced practical study of architectural design based on advanced contemporary architectural theory. Students analyze and design architectural projects with emphasis on the plan, section, building form and issues of sustainability. Students are required to present their design projects to the class. This course is designed for architecture students.
ARCH 180A Advanced Architectural Design IIA
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/96-108 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 175 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and ARCH 220 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and Advisory: ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and ARCH 101 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and ARCH 112 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and ARCH 221 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is the second semester of advanced architectural design. Emphasis is placed on building plan, section, and form, as well as on environmental concerns, urban design and sustainability. Students design complex architectural projects to develop their creative abilities and critical thinking skills. Students are required to present their design solutions to juries comprised of class members and design critics from industry. Design projects may also be submitted to various regional student architectural competitions. This course is intended for students majoring in Architecture and professionals in the field who want to hone their design skills.
ARCH 180B Advanced Architectural Design IIB
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/96-108 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 180A with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is the third semester of advanced architectural design. Emphasis is placed on issues related to sustainability, materiality, and urban design and context as they relate to building plan, section and form. Students resolve major design problems to further develop their creative abilities and critical thinking skills. Students are required to present their design solutions to juries comprised of members of the class and design critics from industry. This course is intended for students majoring in Architecture and professionals in the field who want to hone their design skills.
ARCH 180C Advanced Architectural Design IIC
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/96-108 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 180B with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is the fourth semester of advanced architectural design. Emphasis is placed on the application of contemporary architectural theory as the basis for design decisions related to one comprehensive design project. Students are required to present their design solutions to juries comprised of members of the class and design critics from industry. This course is intended for students majoring in Architecture and professionals in the field who want to hone their design skills.
ARCH 220 Graphic Design Communication II
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a practical study in the development of architectural presentation drawing. Various media may include, but are not limited to, pencil, pen and ink, and color rendering techniques in both non-digital and digital formats. This course is designed for architecture, landscape architecture and interior design majors.
ARCH 221 Graphic Design Communication III
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 220 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is the second course of a sequence. It includes a series of miscellaneous problems designed to develop a digital rendering library. Various media may include, but are not limited to, 3-dimensional (3-D) digital models and color rendering techniques. This course includes an introduction to 3-D modeling and presentation software. This course is designed for architecture and interior design majors.
ARCH 226 Architectural Theory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This seminar course examines the theory of contemporary architectural design. Emphasis is placed on comparisons between architectural theory and current practice in the region. Students interview a local architect and present an analysis and critique of that architect's work to the class comparing and contrasting it with the theoretical information presented throughout the semester. This class is designed for architecture majors and anyone interested in architectural theory and practice.
ARCH 231 Sustainability in the Built Environment
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course is a study of sustainable building design. Students design and present projects with emphasis placed on current sustainable design methods and technologies. This course is recommended for students majoring in architecture, interior design, building construction technology and students interested in exploring the field of sustainable building design.
ARCH 270 Work Experience
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 54 - 216 hours other
This course of on-the-job experiences in architecture is designed for students employed in a job related to their major or their educational goals. One unit of credit may be earned for every 54 hours of work experience. A maximum of fourteen credit hours for all work experience subject areas may be earned during one enrollment period.
ARCH 290 Independent Study
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 48-162 hours other
This course is designed for students who wish to conduct additional research, a special project, or learning activities in the field of architecture. It is not intended to replace an existing course in the discipline. In this course students have a written contract with their instructor for activities such as: preparing problem analyses, engaging in primary research, preparing reports, and meeting with the instructor at specific intervals.