Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design
Incorporating the disciplines of design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban and regional planning, the Sustainable Design major focuses on the places, things, systems, and policies needed to help solve problems in a sustainable society.
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design
The College of Fine and Applied Arts recognized a unique opportunity to draw on the expertise from across the college to create a new degree program: the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design. Incorporating the disciplines of design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban and regional planning, this undergraduate major will focus on the places, things, systems, and policies needed to help solve problems in a sustainable society. Through a combination of existing and newly developed classes, students will experience an innovative, interdisciplinary, and unique course of study that will prepare them to enter jobs in the public or private sector guiding institutions and society to greater sustainability or continue their educational pursuits in a variety of graduate programs.
Why a Degree in Sustainable Design?
- Rigorous broad-based education in design with a focus on building sustainable communities through intentional design of environmentally sensitive products, buildings, landscapes, and cities
- Draws on disciplines of design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban and regional planning
- Focuses on the places, things, systems, and policies needed to help solve problems in a sustainable society
- Prepares you for the future in a sustainable world where ideas from many disciplines will be necessary to solve complex problems
- After graduation
- Enter jobs in design firms, planning agencies, industry, nonprofits, and public policy institutes
- Continue preparation in a variety of graduate or professional programs such as landscape architecture, architecture, industrial design, graphic design, urban design, and urban planning or accelerated graduate design programs at Illinois
Study sustainable design at Illinois, a 2022 Gold STARS campus for sustainability performance awarded by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Opportunities and Events for Sustainable Design Majors
Join Sustainable Design and related organizations in these ongoing events and activities, virtually and in person! As the faculty committee learns of relevant opportunities related to the major, they will be listed here. RSOs can email sustaindesign@illinois.edu to have their events included.
BSSD Newsletter Archives
Catch up on news, opportunities, and events through our weekly newsletter! Subscribe here.
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📢 Attention BSSD Students! Receive individualized feedback on your portfolio from distinguished faculty and alumni. Then, gain insights into multiple sustainable design career paths from successful alumni.
👥 Juniors and Seniors are expected to attend in preparation for the Design Illinois Career Fair. Freshmen and Sophomores are strongly encouraged to participate.
Friday, February 6, at Siebel Center for Design, Room 1002
1:00 - 3:00 pm Portfolio Reviews with Faculty & Alumni
3:00 - 4:00 pm Career Panel with BSSD Alumni
👥 Join fellow Sustainable Design students, faculty, and staff for a community-centered conversation about the Sustainable Design program! Together, we`ll discuss the state of Sustainable Design, survey current trends in sustainability and design, and explore the evolving career landscape.
💬 This is a great chance to ask questions, share ideas, and connect with others who are shaping the future of Sustainable Design. We welcome your voice and encourage your participation.
🗣️ BSSD Town Hall Meeting
Monday, February 2 | 5:30 - 7 PM
Seibel Center for Design Room 1002
Questions? Reach out anytime at sustaindesign@illinois.edu
☀️ Jasper Nord, an alum of BSSD, visited Casa Pueblo as part of the Community-Based Sustainable Design in Puerto Rico study abroad program in 2024.
☀️ Q. BSSD: Tell us a bit about yourself and your experience with Casa Pueblo.
☀️A. JN: “I participated in the Casa Pueblo Program in March 2024, and graduated in May 2025. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to plan a design intervention for an actual physical site. Going through this process of planning, site visits, and community engagement was immensely valuable, and a wonderful experience.
"Our assignment was to propose interventions for a vacant space adjacent to Bosque Solar in Adjuntas, designated by Arturo Massol Deyá and Casa Pueblo. Plazas are an important third space for the community, welcoming visitors late into the night. I was inspired by seeing citizens of Adjuntas playing dominoes at local gathering areas and wanted to create a system of modular seating and tables to inhabit the vacant space. With my design partner, Pooja Paramesh, we proposed a multifunctional system that incorporates sun-inspired shading, community gardens, and a modular system of domino benches. The purpose of the instruction manual is to foster community engagement via workshops to build the furniture together, and it is available in both English and Spanish."
"On our fifth day in Puerto Rico, we also worked planting coffee trees, cultivated by Casa Puelo and grown under shade in a biodiverse forest. The following day, I was able to see the roasting process and then helped to package Casa Pueblo`s signature Madre Isla coffee."
☀️A. JN: “I participated in the Casa Pueblo Program in March 2024 and graduated in May 2025. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to plan a design intervention for an actual physical site. Going through this process of planning, site visits, and community engagement was immensely valuable and a wonderful experience.
Jan 20 - First day of classes for the Spring Semester 📚❄️
Jan 26- Deadline to add or drop a 1st 8 week class via self-service✏️
🖼️ Ongoing- Casa Pueblo Exhibition | Our first exhibition is on view on the 2nd floor of the Architecture Building, near the BSSD offices. Stop by to visit and learn more!
Attention Sustainable Design Seniors graduating this spring, don’t forget that the guest count for the Sustainable Design convocation must be emailed to sustaindesign@illinois.edu by January 31, and you’ll need to add yourself to the pending degree list by February 3 (link in bio).
Sustainable Design Convocation, Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 11:30 AM at Siebel Center for Design
University-wide Commencement Ceremony, Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9:30 AM at Memorial Stadium
We look forward to celebrating with you and your guests in May!
Reminder! If you’re planning to apply for one of the 3 Accelerated Graduate Programs for Sustainable Design Majors, don’t forget the deadline is coming up January 15th! These programs allow you to earn your BSSD degree and a graduate degree in an accelerated timeline. Swipe to learn about each program and see the link in bio for more information.
❄️ Wishing everyone a restful break and a happy new year! We look forward to welcoming you back to campus on January 20th!
Tim is getting a dual degree in Sustainable Design and Industrial Design. Check out a day in his life as he takes us around to see the projects he’s working on and all the great spaces and resources he has access to as a student at the College of Fine and Applied Arts!!
