The University of Oregon’s architecture program has been ranked as best in the nation for its sustainable design program out of 154 other accredited architecture programs, says America’s Best Architecture and Design Schools 2015. According to a survey that was put out, sustainability and climate change are among the most important subjects currently being worked on by design professionals.
The undergraduate architecture program at the University of Oregon is ranked overall at No.16 and in the top five architecture programs at public universities. The Interior Architecture programs are ranked No.1 in the western United States, and the graduate program for architecture is in the nation’s top 10.
The data gathered for the surveys by America’s Best Architecture and Design Schools 2015 were pulled from a total of 1,425 professional organizations comprising of the reviews from leading practitioners, deans, and head of programs.
The architecture department as a whole was excited to reclaim their ranking, according to Judith Sheine, head of the Architecture Department. The sustainability department has always ranked quite high and held the No.1 spot in 2013, went down to No.3 in 2013, and now has regained the No.1 for 2015. Sheine said the program flourishes when high rankings are awarded – it tends to attract people to the university for both undergraduate and graduate work.
“The program deals with how to reduce energy usage, reduce carbon emissions, and make more sustainable and livable communities so that the world can be a better place,” Sheine said.