San Francisco Institute of Architecture
Encyclopedia
The San Francisco Institute of Architecture (SFIA) was founded in 1990 by Fred A. Stitt, architect, as a school devoted to innovation in design and experimental research and reform in architectural education. Its goal: to offer a new kind of architectural education, grounded in nature-based architecture
and sustainable design
. The school was co founded by Lou Marines, former CEO of the national American Institute of Architects
. A year later Marines left SFIA to pursue independent continuing education professional development programs.
Prior to SFIA, Fred Stitt taught for three years at UC Berkeley, where he studied and documented problems and potential reforms in architectural education. He previously conducted the same kind of research on all aspects of architectural practice at various architecture firms. The results were presented over time in 18 books authored by Stitt and published by McGraw-Hill
, John Wiley
, and others. He also created and published over 70 architectural manuals through his own publishing company, GUIDELINES. The most recent textbook produced by Fred Stitt, the The Ecological Design Handbook, was published by Mcgraw-Hill
(recently translated into Chinese), and is used as a university textbook around the world.
Stitt and SFIA's distinguished faculty are now applying extended problem seeking and creative problem solving to every aspect of contemporary sustainable architecture. In pursuit of this work, SFIA created the first major national and international green building conferences (the Eco Wave Series) and has held recurring workshops for
design professionals and educators in over 50 cities across the U.S.
Since 1997 SFIA has provided low-cost distance learning programs to architecture and engineering students and professionals in every state in the U.S. and on every continent around the world. Today, SFIA is the world's oldest and largest green building school in the world.
In 2007 SFIA relocated to Berkeley, California
. SFIA plans to eventually establish onsite programs in additional cities.
In 2008 SFIA introduced a new program--"Universal Green" -- which will ultimately offer universal online education on every aspect of architecture and green building, at no cost to anyone, anywhere--whoever wants it.
and Master of Ecological Design
distance learning degrees for those with an undergraduate degree in architecture, and a three-year (or longer) program for those with little or no previous architectural education. Graduates of four-year architecture programs who have experience working in design, construction, or related professions qualify for these degree programs. Licensed architects qualify. Licensed engineers may qualify, depending on experience and areas of specialization.
SFIA also offers a Master of Business Administration
in Sustainability
(Green MBA) degree, a Master of Project Management degree and a Master of Science
in Green Building
.
SFIA encourages working students who want to complete their degrees through part-time study. Classes are scheduled for evenings and occasionally on Saturdays.
Graduates of SFIA have gone on to teach at other schools, become licensed architects, and enter the profession in a variety of roles, from contractors and developers, to green building consultants and administrators, to responsible positions in such agencies as the San Francisco Department of the Environment
.
SFIA Director Fred Stitt received the award at a ceremony in the United States House of Representatives
building in Washington, D.C.
on February 26, 2009. There he briefed architect attendees and congressional delegates and officials concerned with the future of green building and green building education.
Organic architecture
Organic architecture is a philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world through design approaches so sympathetic and well integrated with its site that buildings, furnishings, and surroundings become part of a unified, interrelated...
and sustainable design
Sustainable design
Sustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability.-Intentions:The intention of sustainable design is to "eliminate negative environmental...
. The school was co founded by Lou Marines, former CEO of the national American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
. A year later Marines left SFIA to pursue independent continuing education professional development programs.
Prior to SFIA, Fred Stitt taught for three years at UC Berkeley, where he studied and documented problems and potential reforms in architectural education. He previously conducted the same kind of research on all aspects of architectural practice at various architecture firms. The results were presented over time in 18 books authored by Stitt and published by McGraw-Hill
McGraw-Hill
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Its primary areas of business are financial, education, publishing, broadcasting, and business services...
, John Wiley
John Wiley
John Wiley may refer to:*John Wiley & Sons, publishing company*John Cooper Wiley, US foreign service officer and ambassador*John D. Wiley, former Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison*John M. Wiley , U.S...
, and others. He also created and published over 70 architectural manuals through his own publishing company, GUIDELINES. The most recent textbook produced by Fred Stitt, the The Ecological Design Handbook, was published by Mcgraw-Hill
McGraw-Hill
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Its primary areas of business are financial, education, publishing, broadcasting, and business services...
(recently translated into Chinese), and is used as a university textbook around the world.
Stitt and SFIA's distinguished faculty are now applying extended problem seeking and creative problem solving to every aspect of contemporary sustainable architecture. In pursuit of this work, SFIA created the first major national and international green building conferences (the Eco Wave Series) and has held recurring workshops for
design professionals and educators in over 50 cities across the U.S.
Since 1997 SFIA has provided low-cost distance learning programs to architecture and engineering students and professionals in every state in the U.S. and on every continent around the world. Today, SFIA is the world's oldest and largest green building school in the world.
In 2007 SFIA relocated to Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
. SFIA plans to eventually establish onsite programs in additional cities.
In 2008 SFIA introduced a new program--"Universal Green" -- which will ultimately offer universal online education on every aspect of architecture and green building, at no cost to anyone, anywhere--whoever wants it.
Degree programs
SFIA is a graduate school offering two-year Master of ArchitectureMaster of Architecture
The Master of Architecture is a professional degree in architecture, qualifying the graduate to move through the various stages of professional accreditation that result in receiving a license.-Overview:...
and Master of Ecological Design
Ecological design
Ecological design was defined by Sim Van der Ryn and Stuart Cowan as "any form of design that minimizes environmentally destructive impacts by integrating itself with living processes." Ecological design is an integrative, ecologically responsible design discipline...
distance learning degrees for those with an undergraduate degree in architecture, and a three-year (or longer) program for those with little or no previous architectural education. Graduates of four-year architecture programs who have experience working in design, construction, or related professions qualify for these degree programs. Licensed architects qualify. Licensed engineers may qualify, depending on experience and areas of specialization.
SFIA also offers a Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
in Sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
(Green MBA) degree, a Master of Project Management degree and a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in Green Building
Green building
Green building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition...
.
SFIA encourages working students who want to complete their degrees through part-time study. Classes are scheduled for evenings and occasionally on Saturdays.
Graduates of SFIA have gone on to teach at other schools, become licensed architects, and enter the profession in a variety of roles, from contractors and developers, to green building consultants and administrators, to responsible positions in such agencies as the San Francisco Department of the Environment
Department of the Environment
Department of the Environment or Department for the Environment may refer to:-Australia:* Department of the Environment and Water Resources...
.
Awards
The San Francisco Institute of Architecture received the 2008 Beyond GreenTM Award from the national Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, for SFIA's Universal Green Initiative--Universal Education in Green Building and Whole Building Design.SFIA Director Fred Stitt received the award at a ceremony in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
building in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on February 26, 2009. There he briefed architect attendees and congressional delegates and officials concerned with the future of green building and green building education.
Affiliations and memberships
- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental DesignLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
)
- Registered Provider, Continuing EducationContinuing educationContinuing education is an all-encompassing term within a broad spectrum of post-secondary learning activities and programs. The term is used mainly in the United States and Canada...
, American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of ArchitectsThe American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
(AIA)
- Signatory: Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF)
- Build It Green member
- Architecture 2030 (collaborator)