Undergraduate
Bachelor of Architecture
A professional architecture education built around studios, technical knowledge, history, theory, and independent design work.
School of Architecture and Design
Design as inquiry. Beirut as a living laboratory.
SoAD approaches design as cultural practice, professional craft, and critical investigation shaped by Beirut, the Arab region, and the wider world.
About SoAD
A design school grounded in its region.
The School of Architecture and Design brings together undergraduate and graduate students with faculty, practitioners, researchers, and public audiences across architecture, landscape, graphic design, planning, and urban design.
Studios, laboratories, fieldwork, exhibitions, and research use Beirut and the region as sources of knowledge while preparing graduates to contribute internationally.
~400
undergraduate and graduate students
60
full- and part-time faculty
3
undergraduate degrees
3
graduate degrees
Study at SoAD
Programs across scales and forms of design.
Follow each official program page for curricula, admission requirements, degree rules, and current contacts.
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Landscape education focused on ecological, social, spatial, and infrastructural questions across the region.
Undergraduate
BFA in Graphic Design
Visual communication grounded in conceptual inquiry, typography, image making, production, and cultural context.
Graduate
Urban Planning, Policy, and Urban Design
Graduate routes examining cities, policy, spatial practice, development, and design in regional and international contexts.
Graduate
MSc in Environmental Sciences
An interfaculty master's degree with a major in Ecosystem Management.
Minors
Urban Studies and Integrated Product Design
Two interdisciplinary options for students who want to extend their study of cities or product development.
Distinctive education
Professional preparation with regional purpose.
Design education at SoAD connects making and representation with cultural, environmental, social, and political questions.
Students move from foundational skills toward advanced thematic studios, interdisciplinary work, field electives, and independent thesis projects.
The Landscape Architecture program is presented by AUB as the only program of its kind in the MENA region and the first outside the United States accredited by LAAB, receiving accreditation in 2021.
- Studio-centered learning and critique
- Technical and professional preparation
- Design research grounded in Beirut and the region
- Public engagement, exhibitions, and interdisciplinary work
Research and making
Labs, centers, and design initiatives.
SoAD supports research, teaching, fabrication, visual practice, and public scholarship through a network of specialist spaces and programs.
Fabrication
ArD TechLab
Digital and physical production resources supporting experimentation, prototyping, and studio work.
Environment
Climate Design Lab
Research and design focused on climate-responsive environments and performance.
Cities
Beirut Urban Lab
Collaborative research on urbanization, spatial change, policy, and public life in Beirut and the region.
Visual culture
Sawaf Center for Arab Comics Studies
Research, archives, scholarship, and public programming centered on Arab comics.
Interdisciplinary practice
IDPP
A platform connecting design methods with interdisciplinary projects, organizations, and public challenges.
Design research
Di-Lab and Arabic Typography
Initiatives examining reconstruction, emergency architecture, lettering, type, and regional visual heritage.
Public life
Ideas shared beyond the studio.
SoAD's recurring public program connects students and faculty with practitioners, scholars, and wider audiences.
Talks
Annual lecture series
Lectures and conversations bring design practice and scholarship into the School's public life.
Conference
City Debates
A public platform for critical discussion of cities, planning, architecture, and urban change.
Design and environment
Sustainable Design Week
A recurring program focused on environmental responsibility and design practice.
Visual storytelling
Comics Symposium
A forum for research, practice, and public conversation around comics and visual culture.
School resources
Work, community, and archives.
Explore official collections and resources maintained by SoAD and AUB.
Portfolio
Student Work
Selected work from architecture and design students.
↗
Community
Student Societies
Student-led groups and shared activities across the School.
↗
Recognition
Student Awards
Awards and distinctions received by SoAD students.
↗
Scholarship
Publications
Books, journals, reports, and other published work connected to the School.
↗
History
50th Architecture Anniversary
An archive marking five decades of architecture education at AUB.
↗
People
Faculty Directory
The authoritative directory of current School faculty.
↗
School leadership
Program and School contacts.
The official contact directory remains authoritative for current appointments, rooms, and staff details.
Director
Dr. Howayda Al-Harithy
School director. Offices SoAD-103c and SoAD-327.
Architecture
Prof. Trevor Patt
Architecture Program Convener. Office SoAD-319.
Landscape design
Dr. Yaser Abunnasr
Landscape Design Program Convener. Office SoAD-326.
Graphic design
Prof. Ahmad Gharbieh
Graphic Design Program Convener. Office SoAD-218.
Urban planning and design
Dr. Mona Harb
MUPP/MUD Program Coordinator. Office SoAD-306.
Official source
Confirm requirements and deadlines with AUB.
This page presents the most useful information in a clearer format. AUB remains the authoritative source for admissions, curricula, policies, dates, and forms.
Need help?
Contact the School of Architecture and Design.
The main office is SoAD-103. Email ard@aub.edu.lb or call +961 1 374444, extensions 3660 or 3661.