Introduction to Architectural Design		 Are you fascinated by buildings and interested in trying your hand at architectural design? This course will introduce you to principles of architecture and teach you the skills architects use to explore and communicate design ideas. We will consider urban and rural settings, sustainability, energy efficiency, functionality, comfort, and the role architecture plays in shaping community. Classroom instruction by a practicing architect will provide hands-on drawing, model-making, and materials research.  Students will work to analyze existing buildings and design their own. Students seeking to improve their understanding of the built environment as well to develop their design-mind to reconcile social-ecological challenges are encouraged to take this course. No prior experience is needed.

Intermediate Architectural Design This studio course emphasizes the thought and method of architectural design. Members of this studio will be involved in developing their insights towards cultural value systems and their expression in the environments they create. Participants work primarily in the studio space and rely heavily on individual instruction and group review of their work. The course provides a foundation for more advanced study in the areas of architecture, landscape architecture, and other fields related to the design of the built environment, and an opportunity to work with the Cameron Visiting Architect.

AS/Habitat for Humanity Housing Unit: Construction Documents Architectural Studies at Middlebury partners with Habitat for Humanity of Addison County for the design and realization of high-quality, energy-efficient, and affordable housing. The objective of this interdisciplinary studio course is to finalize and generate the construction documentation for the housing unit design generated in HARC 0371 & HARC 0372. A schedule of deliverables with an accompanying set of deadlines will need to be met to allow for construction to start in spring 2021. The studio components include final architectural and constructional detailing; building code compliance; building permitting finalization; physical and CAD modeling; structural coordination; and construction specifications.  Students should expect a substantial amount of work outside of class time. (Approval Required)

DesignLab: Creating Innovation We live in a ‘designed’ world. Good design brings function and delight to everything we see and interact with. This course teaches fundamental principles of design and creative innovation. Students will learn how to articulate and develop design concepts through hands-on projects that explore a broad range of design types (graphic, digital, industrial, craft, and architectural). These projects will be catalysts for critique, as we consider the environmental and ethical aspects of design in our increasingly global and digital world. Materials and tools, as well as training for 3D printers, laser cutters, and power tools, will be provided. 3 hrs. lect

Thesis in Architectural Studies: Design This studio course constitutes the second part of the two-term senior design project in Architectural Studies.  Building upon the architectural research, analysis, and preliminary design work conducted during the fall semester, students develop their thesis projects to a higher level of understanding and refinement. Students also engage in intense peer review and work with visiting design critics, concluding with public presentations of the final projects, and a project portfolio describing all aspects of the completed design.

Thesis in Architectural Studies: Research This studio course constitutes the first part of the two-term senior design project in Architectural Studies.  Pre-design research includes precedent study, programming, site analysis, and formulation of a thesis to be investigated through the design process.  Preliminary design work begins with conceptual studies, and culminates in a coherent schematic design, to be developed further in Senior Architectural Design, Part II.  Students present their work in graphic, oral, and written formats.

Benjamin Allred

Reviews and ratings for Benjamin Allred at Middlebury College.Benjamin Allred teaches Intro. to Architectural Design, Interm. Architectural Design, AS/Habitat: Contr. Docs and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Benjamin Allred good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

This course is really great if you are interested in architecture. Ben is an amazing professor who is very accommodating but at the same time being a valuable professor. This class was very project heavy but if you spend the time outside of class it isn't too bad.

I am an arch major so I had to take this class. As with every arch class, this class consumed most of my time. It was fun to work on models, analyze the site, research, sketch, and brainstorm. It was worth it. 

I am a huge fan of professor Allred. He balances an appropriate amount of work with understanding that students have other classes to focus on as well. Since this is a 3 hour 2X a week class, we got lots of time to work on projects in-class. There was still substantial outside of class work, but it was typically just finishing up projects not something that needed much focus. The only stressful time was the final. Ben was a fair grader and extremely kind. It was entirely project based, no exams.