Plant Therapy: A personal manifesto to a healthy environment by Grace Turcich (BFA 20)
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.
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We love showing our appreciation to faculty who teach courses in our program! Today, we`re highlighting Clinical Assistant Professor Dustin Allred from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning! Read about his perspective on sustainable design and planning!
What class(es) do you teach in the Sustainable Design curriculum?
"UP 136 Urban Sustainability"
Can you tell us a bit about this class?
"This class looks at how we can create healthy, safe, resilient and inclusive communities without compromising the ecosystems upon which all life depends."
How is sustainability integrated into your practice/research?
"I’m interested in how cities are managing challenges related to social and environmental issues and the efficacy of different policy approaches in addressing these issues, particularly as they relate to influencing the built environment and the form of cities as a way to create more sustainable and equitable places."
We love showing our appreciation to faculty who teach courses in our program! Today, we`re highlighting Clinical Assistant Professor Dustin Allred from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning! Read about his perspective on sustainable design and planning!
What class(es) do you teach in the Sustainable Design curriculum?
"UP 136 Urban Sustainability"
Can you tell us a bit about this class?
"This class looks at how we can create healthy, safe, resilient and inclusive communities without compromising the ecosystems upon which all life depends."
How is sustainability integrated into your practice/research?
"I’m interested in how cities are managing challenges related to social and environmental issues and the efficacy of different policy approaches in addressing these issues, particularly as they relate to influencing the built environment and the form of cities as a way to create more sustainable and equitable places."
Join us on Thursday, April 17 from 4:30-6:30 PM at the South Quad between the Bell Tower and Stock Pavilion for a picnic potluck social. Celebrate Spring by coming together with your fellow Sustainable Designers to share a meal and enjoy the warm weather🌸!
The Sustainable Design Program will provide sandwiches as the main meal, and we ask that you bring something to share. We are looking forward to a fun day of crafts, good conversation, and great people! We hope to see you all there 🧺✨!
Join us on Thursday, April 17 from 4:30-6:30 PM at the South Quad between the Bell Tower and Stock Pavilion for a picnic potluck social. Celebrate Spring by coming together with your fellow Sustainable Designers to share a meal and enjoy the warm weather🌸!
The Sustainable Design Program will provide sandwiches as the main meal, and we ask that you bring something to share. We are looking forward to a fun day of crafts, good conversation, and great people! We hope to see you all there 🧺✨!
Sustainable Design seniors in FAA 431: Capstone Studio are hard at work on their capstone projects! The class, taught by Professor Eric Benson and Camila Madariaga Potthoff, allows students to apply skills they’ve learned from the major to design sustainable solutions to real-life problems.
This week, they met in small groups to present and receive feedback on their progress so far. Stay tuned to see their finished projects, which will be displayed in Laetzer Hall beginning May 7th!
Sustainable Design seniors in FAA 431: Capstone Studio are hard at work on their capstone projects! The class, taught by Professor Eric Benson and Camila Madariaga Potthoff, allows students to apply skills they’ve learned from the major to design sustainable solutions to real-life problems.
This week, they met in small groups to present and receive feedback on their progress so far. Stay tuned to see their finished projects, which will be displayed in Laetzer Hall beginning May 7th!
It is our absolute pleasure to honor the Teachers Ranked as Excellent who teach core courses in the Sustainable Design program for Fall 2024!
These teachers have gone above and beyond to pass their knowledge and experience onto the next generation of designers. Bravo! 🧡
It is our absolute pleasure to honor the Teachers Ranked as Excellent who teach core courses in the Sustainable Design program for Fall 2024!
These teachers have gone above and beyond to pass their knowledge and experience onto the next generation of designers. Bravo! 🧡
Welcome back from Spring Break, BSSD students! As you enter the second half of the semester, make sure to keep yourself updated on upcoming events and deadlines!
3/27: BSSD Town Hall
All Sustainable Design students are welcome and encouraged to attend this town hall. This is an opportunity to gather with your fellow Sustainable Designers from across all years to share your opinions and experiences to help guide the future of the program! Additionally, we will have a group conversation about challenges in higher education and the current job/internship landscape. Join us in Art & Design Rm 312 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM!
3/28: Deadline to add POT B (2nd 8 week) Courses
This is the last day to add a POT B class to your schedule via Self Service. We recommend running a degree audit or scheduling an advising appointment if you are wondering whether an extra course this semester would be beneficial to you!
3/31: Senior Chancellor Survey Priority Deadline
Seniors, make your voice heard! Fill out the Chancellor Survey (check your inbox) before 3/31 for a chance to receive VIP graduation tickets and other prizes!
4/7: Priority Registration for Summer and Fall 2025 Begins
Make sure to check your time ticket for your exact registration slot, and plan out your schedule ahead of time!
Welcome back from Spring Break, BSSD students! As you enter the second half of the semester, make sure to keep yourself updated on upcoming events and deadlines!
3/27: BSSD Town Hall
All Sustainable Design students are welcome and encouraged to attend this town hall. This is an opportunity to gather with your fellow Sustainable Designers from across all years to share your opinions and experiences to help guide the future of the program! Additionally, we will have a group conversation about challenges in higher education and the current job/internship landscape. Join us in Art & Design Rm 312 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM!
3/28: Deadline to add POT B (2nd 8 week) Courses
This is the last day to add a POT B class to your schedule via Self Service. We recommend running a degree audit or scheduling an advising appointment if you are wondering whether an extra course this semester would be beneficial to you!
3/31: Senior Chancellor Survey Priority Deadline
Seniors, make your voice heard! Fill out the Chancellor Survey (check your inbox) before 3/31 for a chance to receive VIP graduation tickets and other prizes!
4/7: Priority Registration for Summer and Fall 2025 Begins
Make sure to check your time ticket for your exact registration slot, and plan out your schedule ahead of time!
The Sustainable Design Program is hosting a student townhall meeting on Thursday, March 27, from 5:30 – 7 PM at the Art & Design Building in Room 312. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend this townhall.
This is an opportunity to gather with fellow BSSD students from across all years to share your opinions and experiences to help guide the future of the program! We will have a group conversation about challenges in higher education and the current job/internship landscape. If you have any questions, please email sustaindesign@illinois.edu.
The Sustainable Design Program is hosting a student townhall meeting on Thursday, March 27, from 5:30 – 7 PM at the Art & Design Building in Room 312. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend this townhall.
This is an opportunity to gather with fellow BSSD students from across all years to share your opinions and experiences to help guide the future of the program! We will have a group conversation about challenges in higher education and the current job/internship landscape. If you have any questions, please email sustaindesign@illinois.edu.
Stay prepared to register for your Fall 2025 courses! Here is a general schedule of when you should expect to register for next semester’s classes. Your time ticket will be available to view on Self-Service TODAY, Monday, March 24.
For guidance on course selection, schedule an advising appointment with a BSSD advisor before your time ticket at: go.illinois.edu/BSSDadvising.
Stay prepared to register for your Fall 2025 courses! Here is a general schedule of when you should expect to register for next semester’s classes. Your time ticket will be available to view on Self-Service TODAY, Monday, March 24.
For guidance on course selection, schedule an advising appointment with a BSSD advisor before your time ticket at: go.illinois.edu/BSSDadvising.
Learn what it’s like to study Sustainable Design at Illinois from current students! First up in this new series of student interviews, hear from junior Quinn Connolly about their experiences in the major, as well as their work with sustainable lumber! For the full story, visit the Fine and Applied Arts YouTube channel.
Learn what it’s like to study Sustainable Design at Illinois from current students! First up in this new series of student interviews, hear from junior Quinn Connolly about their experiences in the major, as well as their work with sustainable lumber! For the full story, visit the Fine and Applied Arts YouTube channel.