National Accolades for Cal Poly Architecture and Environmental Design Programs

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Cal Poly's College of Architecture and Environmental Design received two top rankings in the 2007 DesignIntelligence survey of the nation's best architecture and design schools.

In a poll of western practitioners, the undergraduate architecture and landscape architecture programs were chosen as "Best in Nation" for 2007. Both Cal Poly and Cal Poly Pomona share the landscape architecture ranking.

"We are particularly proud of our rankings in this year's DesignIntelligence report because it's based on responses from practitioners who recognize the strong skills of our graduates," said Landscape Architecture Department Head Margarita Hill.

Cal Poly's landscape architecture program was ranked fifth nationally, moving up one position this year to tie with three other universities. The program also tied for first nationally with Kansas State and the University of Georgia in security design principles and ranked in the top five in computer applications and sustainable design practice.

The architecture program tied for second nationally with Texas A&M in construction methods and ranked third in analysis and planning. The undergraduate architecture program was ranked sixth along with two other universities in an overall ranking.

"This report gives much resonance to the integrity of our pedagogical responsibilities," said Architecture Department Head Henri de Hahn. "Our learn by doing philosophy combines common sense and intellectual curiosity, and our graduates are well positioned to become the next team players in a world of increased complexity."

DesignIntelligence Editor James P. Cramer notes, "Cal Poly has consistently ranked in the top ten U.S. accredited architecture and landscape architecture schools in the annual Design Futures Council/DesignIntelligence survey of firms responding to the question: In your hiring experience, which architecture and landscape architecture schools are best preparing their students for the future of their chosen profession?"

More information about the College of Architecture and Environmental Design is available at www.caed.calpoly.edu.

About DesignIntelligence
More than 450 firms and organizations employing more than 102,000 architects and design professionals participated in the 2007 survey. DesignIntelligence is a monthly journal published by the Design Futures Council, a Washington, D.C. based think tank that examines architecture, engineering and building technology. For further details, visit www.di.net .

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