The Common Foundation Programme amalgamates the 3 built environment design diplomas- namely, Diploma in Architecture, Diploma in Interior Design and Diploma in Landscape Architecture, into a cohesive common Year 1 programme. The programme aims to
provide an opportunity for students to experience the rich fundamentals of an industry-centric and explorative curriculum. This engenders a holistic preparation and foundation for an exciting, challenging and enriching career in the built environment.
Students will study an array of topics including Design Fundamentals and Techniques, Technology and Sustainability Fundamentals as well as Design Representation. These core fundamentals will build up their foundational knowledge and skills that
are relevant to their area of practice. Students will be guided by lecturers with industry experience as well as current practitioners through a rigorous studio-based, explorative, highly challenging and self-directed learning experience. This
will develop the core skills needed to enrich their academic abilities in their respective diplomas.
Is this course for me?
Have you found yourself stopping to admire and wonder how skyscrapers, museums and bungalows were designed? From the simplest Lego blocks to Minecraft, do you find fulfilment in seeing ‘bricks’ turn into buildings? Do you have a dream
of impacting the way people live, breathe and interact with the spaces they fill? If you do, then unlock your talent here at DARCH, Singapore’s first full-fledged architecture diploma.
Why DARCH@SP?
With more than 60 years of history, we at DARCH believe that anyone with the right passion and attitude can be trained in architecture. From laying your design foundations in the first year, to strengthening your technical expertise by the third,
DARCH’s unique project-based learning approach will develop you into an investigative design innovator backed by know-hows of the latest building technologies.
Global trends shaping the industry and the course
Notwithstanding the anchorage of its legacy, the curriculum at DARCH is continually evolving to remain true to its commitment of delivering industry relevant graduates. In the most recent Built Environment Industry Transformation Roadmap, the 3 ways
that the industry hopes to transform itself was summarized into 3 succinct ways, to ‘Build Smart, Efficiently & Green’, as a response to challenges from arising from digital revolution, rapid urbanisation and climate change. The
curriculum at DARCH is strategically position to provide you the foundation to meet these transformations. With modules dealing specifically in these areas, you will receive training in skillsets that will make you a valuable asset to the industry
upon graduation. Our representations and results in the IBEW, International Building Design Competition is a strong testimony of the effectiveness of the course.