ARCHI 221 THESIS REVIEW

Skscraper Design
Every year architecture students obtaining their Associates of Science degree in Architecture Design complete the capstone design course ARCHI 221: Architectural Design III. 

The course focuses on a thesis project for a high-rise development in the San Francisco South of Market area.  Originally conceived as a studio that focused on the Transbay terminal area, the studio has expanded over the years to include other available sites in the San Francisco region, including Treasure Island, the San Francisco Downtown Financial District and various South of Market sites as well as the San Francisco Fourth and King area.  A number of field trips are coordinated exploring the city, its neighborhoods and identities and the opportunity for development as the city continues to change.

The challenge of this project is to integrate all aspects of architectural education into a single project, focusing on urban planning, the identity of a city skyline, structural, mechanical and mechanical considerations as well as a variety of topics in energy use, sustainability, enclosure and building performance.

Industry partnerships and support
The class meets throughout the semester with a variety of industry partners and constituent agencies, including the San Francisco planning department, Skidmore Owings and Merrill for structural engineering and design input, various architects from EHDD and Heintges have also participated in facade workshops and lectures on urban planning and design reviews.

The final review is one of the major events for students in the architecture program, representing the culmination of their work throughout two to three years at DVC.  A large group of notable architects attend from a variety of Bay Area firms.