CAREERS IN NATURE-BASED ARCHITECTURE

A rapidly growing number of designers and builders make
their living in new ways.

Their work enhances human life and health while helping
to improve the environment.

They do it through Ecological Design and Nature-Based Architecture.

The need is enormous. Millions of people want nature-sensitive,
beautiful, and healthy homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods,
and cities.

But these places are still the exception, not the rule.

If you would like to learn how to create such environments and
help make the world a better place, you're cordially invited to
join us at SFIA.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AT SFIA

Many design schools treat the creative design process as a
mystery, as an arcane skill that you either "have or don't have."
In fact, anyone can learn how to be a good designer, and with
extra work, can become a great designer.

But you have to learn what the finest designers and architects
actually do when they design.

You have to be free to explore, experiment, and make mistakes,
in order to hone your skills. That requires a liberating and fully-
supportive environment such as SFIA.

ECOLOGICAL DESIGN AT SFIA

Ecological design is the least understood and utilized of all design
disciplines. Most architecture schools still only teach it in part, if at all.

SFIA has pioneered in creating a comprehensive Ecological Design
course program for architecture students and a Master of Ecological
Design degree program for those who want to work professionally
in this realm. A Distance Learning alternative is also now available
for certificate, undergraduate, and graduate work.

SFIA offers a full array of courses on alternative materials and
construction methods, solar and wind resources, bioremediation,
plantscaping and landscaping, recycling in construction, healthy
environments, alternative lighting, and related topics.

D-1 STUDIO: CREATIVE DESIGN
& NATURE-BASED ARCHITECTURE

Theories and practices of creative design and nature-based architecture.
(Semester 1 of 2.)

Instructor: Fred Stitt, Director, SFIA. Fred Stitt, Architect, is the Founder and Director of SFIA. He is the author of numerous books and manuals on architectural practice. His most recent book is The Ecological Design Handbook, published by McGraw-Hill.

5 units. Mondays, 7:45 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
Class starts Monday, October 3.

This core course shows how to create extraordinary buildings -- buildings that are wholly integrated with the needs of the users, with the site, and within themselves as works of art. The creative design process is extremely well understood, thanks to the testimonies of generations of the world's most creative architects.

The focus of this class is on how to use natural creative skills, experiment with them, and evolve and maximize your inherent and original design abilities.

D-1 is coordinated with other Core Courses:
D-4 The Architectural Mind, D-6 History & Theory of Architectural
Design, and T-1 Construction Materials & Methods.
No prerequisites are required.

D-4 THE ARCHITECTURAL MIND:
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

The world's most advanced creative thinking and problem-solving tools.

Instructor: Fred Stitt, Director, SFIA.
3 units. Mondays, 6:30 - 7:40 p.m.
Class starts Monday, October 3.

This course presents the mental and emotional processes that precede, precipitate, support . . . or hinder the process of design. It teaches today's most advanced methods for inducing inspiration, original thinking, independent thinking, and creative design and problem solving. You'll learn of the latest discoveries on brain function and creative problem-solving techniques, such as Mind Maps, advanced Brainstorming methods, Lateral Thinking, Synectics, Morphological Thinking, and many others. Includes much new information on the brain, consciousness, the design process, methods for enlarging the scope of consciousness, and the most effective methods for solving any type of problem.

D-6 HISTORY & THEORY OF
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

How architects design using organizing principles from ancient Egypt
through Asia and the Western world. (Semester 1 of 2.)

Instructor: Fred Stitt, Director, SFIA.
3 units. Wednesdays, 7:45 - 9:15 p.m.
Class starts Wednesday, October 5.

You can't understand architecture without understanding the little-known systems used to design buildings and the technologies required to build them. This course shows how architects designed and built the great monuments of Ancient Egypt, Northern Europe (e.g. Stonehenge), Greece, Rome, the Byzantine & Islamic Empires, India, China, and Japan. D-6 is unique among architectural history courses, in that it also focuses on the dominant ideas and methods of thought in each historical period.

D-7 STUDIES IN ECOLOGICAL DESIGN & ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE

Exceptional architects, designers, and consultants show their work in
this public lecture series. The lectures are free. Thursdays, 8:00 p.m.

Series starts Thursday, October 6 at 8 p.m.

Students can earn 3 units by enrolling in D-7 as an independent study course. The credit option will be explained at the first lecture on October 6. Future lecture events will be announced at that time.

D-12 MEDIA STUDIO:
PHOTOSHOP & ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

Instructor: David Waldorf
3 units. (Credit option only.) Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Class starts Thursday, October 6.

Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are the dominant computer graphics
programs in use by designers and architects everywhere. This course
shows how to do professional design studies, presentation drawings,
and first-rate graphics for your portfolio.

D-14 COMMUNICATING YOUR DESIGNS:
PERSPECTIVE DRAWING & MEDIA

Self-study video tape course created by Kirby Lockard, a master of
graphic techniques.
3 units. (Credit option only.) Scheduled at students' convenience.

Excellent introduction to the principles and techniques of manual perspective drawing and rendering. After your enrollment, we'll send video tapes and work materials as you complete each lesson.

C-10 SKETCHUP 3-D MODELING &
DESIGN PROCESS

Instructor: Matt Fulvio
3 units. (Credit option only.) Wednesdays, 7:45 - 9:00 p.m.
Class starts Wednesday, October 5.

SKETCHUP is the easiest to use and most versatile 3-D software for
Mac and PC. SketchUp can produce terrific drawings quickly for
beginners and experts alike. This course will teach not only the best
technique for using the software, but also how to integrate it into your
design process, from concept sketch to rendering to construction detailing.

You may bring your own computer or use an SFIA workstation.
Students will be required to purchase a one-year academic license of
the software ($99 in addition to the course fee). For information on
the software, see www.SketchUp.com.

C-11 VECTORWORKS COMPUTER-AIDED
DESIGN AND DRAFTING

Instructor: Paul Harbison
3 units. (Credit option only.) Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Six-week class.

An intensive, enjoyable, and rewarding introduction to the user-friendly
Macintosh version of VectorWorks.

This introduction to VectorWorks covers the basics of the Macintosh
operating system, the fundamentals of architectural design drawing
and production drawing on computer, and the essentials of efficient drafting, including layering, notation, and dimensioning. Concludes with an introduction to 3-D graphics.

Two people usually share each computer (team learning has been
proven to be most efficient and effective).

Or you may bring your own laptop if you prefer (but please notify us
if you are).

D-21 MATHEMATICS & GEOMETRY FOR
CREATIVE DESIGN

Instructor: Matt Fulvio, M.Arch. SFIA.
3 units. Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:40 p.m.
Class starts Wednesday, October 5.

The inner workings of the universe around us, from the structures of
minerals to the growth patterns of plants, are best understood by recreating the harmonic mathematical patterns that underlie all natural phenomena. These same patterns are also the "secret" behind the world's greatestarchitecture. Using a visual and hands-on approach to understanding polyhedra, tilings, proportion, gnomons, and magic squares, this course explores the mathematical mind and the evolution of math concepts throughout history. Topics include harmony, proportion, polyhedra, and much more.

D-111 ECO VILLAGE PLANNING, DESIGN, & CONSTRUCTION

Instructor: Fred Stitt, Director, SFIA.
3 units. Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:40 p.m.
Class starts Tuesday, October 4.

Phil Hawes, creator of the Biosphere 2 and one of the world's leading
experts on every aspect of ecological design, is creating a prototype
ecological village for 5,000 people. The likely site, near Amarillo,
Texas, will be a national showplace of ecological design principles,
best practices, and research.

Using Hawes' eco village as a case study, this course will provide
opportunities to learn large-scale site analysis, methodologies for
designing prototype green buildings, and eco community planning.

E-75 LIVING ROOFS, GREEN WALLS
& ECO LANDSCAPING

Instructors: Paul Kephart, Landscape Architect and horticulturist
and other guest speakers to be announced.
3 units. Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Class starts Tuesday, October 4.

This is a six-week course, to be followed in mid-November by a
five-week course on Timber Framing taught by Armstead Feland.
Watch for our detailed
announcement.

Never has a new concept in architectural design and construction
caught the imagination of the architectural profession as rapidly
as the greening of rooftops and exterior and interior walls.

Learn the principles and technology of integrating sitework, landscape
and architecture, from leading experts such as Paul Kephart,
who is currently responsible for the four-and-a-half acre green
roof of Renzo Piano's magnificent new Academy of Sciences
building in Golden Gate Park.

T-1 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & METHODS

The nature and best uses of traditional and alternative construction materials, from dirt to high tech. (Semester 1 of 2.)

Instructor: Fred Stitt, Director, SFIA.
3 units. Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:40 p.m.
Class starts Wednesday, October 5.

This course shows how creative architectural design is derived from the
nature of materials and construction processes. We start with the simplest materials of earth and stone, then brick, tile, concrete, and wood. In the second semester the progression continues through more complex material combinations, with an emphasis on the causes and prevention of building failures. T-1 is coordinated with the D-1 Studio and D-6 History course. Each material is reviewed from the standpoint of its internal nature and how to best utilize that nature in creative architectural design. Each is illustrated in many variations of historic use and studied in terms of potential failure and the most creative applications.

Adobe, tamped earth, straw bale, recycled materials and other alternative materials are given special attention, along with all basic conventional building methods and materials.

TE-3 ECO CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOPS

Help build one of the few authentic ecological architectural complexes: Dan Liebermann's Ridge project in Inverness, in Marin County.

Instructors: Daniel Liebermann, architect, and construction supervisors. Weekend, one-week, and two-week options: Study nature and the nature of construction, do some drafting, camp in the beautiful Inverness landscape, and put in lots of hands-on labor, while learning how to build with alternative materials and construction methods. Daniel Liebermann is one of the few uncompromising organic/ecological architects of our time. Dan integrates design theory, nature study, and the hands-on, nuts-and-bolts mechanics of construction -- an exceptional learning experience.

Weekend workshop meetings will be announced after the semester begins.

Many other courses are available from SFIA through
distance learning.

See Architecture Distance Learning and Eco Distance Learning
at the www.sfia.net Web site.

ALL ARE WELCOME AT SFIA

SFIA is a new kind of school with none of the traditional barriers to education.

There are no entrance exams, no prerequisites, no restrictions on enrollment.

To enroll, choose your classes, fill out the enrollment form, and come to class.

If you're not in the Bay Area, see our Distance Learning programs in Ecological Design and Architecture.

If you would like an evaluation of past work and credit that can be applied to degree work, send your transcripts and work resume for review These are not required for enrollment, however.

Please enroll me in the courses listed below:

Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

E-mail:

Daytime Phone:

Evening Phone:

Fax number:

__ New student

__ Current/previous student

__ Degree Candidate for:

__ Master of Ecological Design

__ Master of Architecture

__ Not a degree candidate at this time.

Note credit or noncredit options. Some courses shown
are for credit only (no noncredit option).
D-7 is free for noncredit.

Asterisked courses comprise the Core Program recommended
for all students.  

CR NC

__ __ D-1*
STUDIO: CREATIVE DESIGN & NATURE-BASED ARCHITECTURE
5 units.

__ __ D-4*
THE ARCHITECTURAL MIND: CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
3 units.

__ __ D-6*
HISTORY & THEORY OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
3 units.

__ __ D-7*
STUDIES IN ECO DESIGN & ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE
Free lectures with 3 unit credit option.

__ D-12
MEDIA STUDIO: PHOTOSHOP & ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
3 units, credit option only.

__ D-14
COMMUNICATING YOUR DESIGNS:
PERSPECTIVE DRAWING & MEDIA
3 units, credit option only. (Video course.)

__ __ D-21
MATHEMATICS & GEOMETRY FOR CREATIVE DESIGN
3 units.  

__ __ D-111
ECO VILLAGE PLANNING, DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
3 units.

__ __ E-75
LIVING ROOFS, GREEN WALLS & ECO LANDSCAPING
3 units.

__ C-10
SKETCHUP 3-D MODELING & DESIGN PROCESS
3 units, credit option only.

__ C-11
VECTORWORKS CAD
3 units, credit option only.

__ __ T-1*
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & METHODS
3 units.

__ TE-3
ECO CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOPS
(Dates and credit options to be announced.)

FEES

3-unit classes are $395 for credit, $295 noncredit.

5-unit studio classes are $695 for credit, $495 noncredit.

Credit option only.

TOTAL TUITION FOR YOUR COURSES: $ __________

Students may withdraw with full refund minus $30 administration fee
through October 14. After that date refunds are made on a prorata basis.
Noncredit classes can be upgraded with added payment, but credit classes cannot be changed to noncredit.

__ I am paying by check or money order (payable to SFIA).

__ I am paying by Visa or MasterCard:

Card number:

Expiration date:

Cardholder's full name:

__ I need an installment payment plan. I am paying 50% down,
and I will pay the balance in two equal installments to be received
at SFIA by October 28 and November 18, 2005. (If you are paying installments by credit card, SFIA will charge your account on those dates.)

If paying by check or money order, please mail your payments at least
three days before the due dates.