Our lives are constantly shaped by the places that we inhabit. We live our public lives in the spaces of our cities and towns - our streets, parks, and public squares. We conduct our day-to-day lives in the buildings that shape that public environment - where we live, work, learn and play. And we live our most personal lives in the interior spaces created by those buildings. At every level, we respond to the form, light, texture and dimension of the world around us. They inspire conditions that can enhance our lives and they create the foundations for community. 

Almost all aspects of our lives are influenced by the world we built around us - in positive as in negative ways. We recognize that our disciplines must be stewards of the environment and that our design and educational practices must prioritize justice, equity, diversity and inclusion to serve all people, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, nationality, citizenship status, ability, or socioeconomic standing as we dream up and build a better future together.

The Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism offers programs that explore the quality of place at each of these levels with programs in urban strategy, architecture and interior design. These programs are complemented with opportunities for advanced research in design. 

We welcome your interest in our programs and are always happy to have you visit us both online and in person at Drexel’s URBN Center, in one of this country’s great urban laboratories, the City of Philadelphia.

Dr- Ulrike Altenmüller-Lewis, AIA, NOMA
Department Head for Architecture, Design & Urbanism

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