The School of Architecture & Design at LAU continues on the path of establishing itself as a first-rate institution for education in the arts, design, and architecture in Lebanon and the region. After its consolidation as a school in 2009, it has emerged as a role model in terms of its educational standards and in fomenting a design culture that is creative, open, multi-disciplinary and proactive.
The School of Architecture & Design encompasses the programs in Fine Arts, Design Foundation, Architecture, Interior Design, and Graphic Design, under one school. These programs had a long history at LAU, with the program in Fine Arts dating back to 1957, Interior Design to 1982, Architecture to 1993 and Graphic Design to 1994. In Fall 2013, the School also launched the Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design, in collaboration with the international fashion designer Elie Saab. The School of Architecture & Design is structured into three main departments: Fine Arts & Foundation Studies, Architecture & Interior Design, and the Department of Design. The School offers Bachelor degrees in Fine Arts, Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, Graphic Design, and Fashion Design. We hope to expand our program offering in the near future to include other design specializations, as well as Masters' degrees in selected areas. The Bachelor of Architecture degree is officially recognized by the French Government, which allows our graduates to practice in France and the European Union. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) which accredits all architecture programs in the United States has recently approved the eligibility for candidacy of the Bachelor of Architecture. At the School of Architecture & Design, we don't believe that old-time reputation is a laurel bestowed upon anyone forever. Rather, the artistic field impels us to constantly challenge our long-held convictions, and to 'think outside of the box', as a key to success. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in part by our efforts to seek international accreditation, something that impacts positively on our educational system, and in other part by our self-motivation to seek new horizons, to constantly re-assess, re-evaluate, and redefine our educational system.
