School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) national rank - How do we rank? (PDF:38KB)

What house do you want to live in?

Choosing a college to attain skills, knowledge and training in a specific career path is much like deciding what type of house you want to design, build and live in.

When building a house, a high level of self-reflection is important to make sure the decisions you make will lead you to the right design for your lifestyle— physically, intellectually and emotionally.

Will the house fit your functional needs? Is it the style you like? Is it the right size? What will it look like on the inside? When people drive past this house, what message will it send to the world about you? How much will it cost? How long will it take to build? What will it take to keep the house maintained and in good repair? And once you've done the work, will it be a place where you will want to live for a long time?

When deciding on a place to study a career, the questions are not that much different.

Will this school and area of study fit your intellectual, emotional, and physical needs? Do you have the skills, abilities and interests that will make this choice a good fit for you? Will this career provide you with the lifestyle you desire? What support systems does the school provide to help you be successful? How long will it take you to complete your studies and other requirements to pursue a career in this field? Will you be able to find a job in your field and will it provide you with professional and personal satisfaction?

The UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning helps prospective students find the answers to these questions and many others. The information you see here is only a beginning. Think of this as a first set of blueprints that will lead you to a career you will want to "live in" for a long time. We recommend that you review this information and then contact one of our academic advisors to answer specific questions and help you make one of the most important decisions of your life: Is a career in architecture and urban planning the right choice for me?

Architecture: More than art. More than science.

Santiago Calatrava’s Quadracci Pavilion addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum, topped by the impressive “sails” of the brise soleil, has become an architectural icon in Milwaukee since its completion in 2001. This structure is a true example of the art and science of architecture. From its fluid lines, to the delicate balance of the brise soleil, to the practical elegance of the bridge that joins the museum with Milwaukee’s downtown— each element establishes unification between artistic aesthetics, mathematical calculations, engineering innovations, forces of physics and nature, and the needs of the people of the community.

A passion for architecture is what brings all these elements together. This passion persists through long hours when projects demand an architect’s full attention. Through all the details and the individual challenges, the architect continually keeps an eye on “the big picture.” The architect’s creativity and science must work in harmony to create practical and beautiful places for people to work, live and enjoy life to its fullest.

There is no better reward for the passion and creativity of the architect than seeing a building or landscape take physical form. The faculty at SARUP know this feeling, and they know how to shape students’ passions about design. We are passionate about design and our role as mentors and teachers for new generations of architects. SARUP—there is no better place to learn about the art, the science, and the passion of architecture.

for more information about our Architecture program, click here

Urban Planning: Creating Communities of the future

Urban Planning: Creating Communities of the Future

An airport is planning to expand its runway area to meet an increasing demand for flights. A real estate developer would like to create a new subdivision adjacent to a wetlands area. A city wants to expand and improve its traffic flow through a busy residential area. Finding solutions and developing plans to solve issues such as these are the everyday work of urban planners. The evolution of a community and how it will take shape is the responsibility of urban planners.

Urban planners study a variety of options and possibilities and help governments, organizations and members of communities decide which solutions best meet the needs of all. Planners need to be thoughtful and considerate of the differing concerns, motivations, and desired outcomes of people who are going to be affected. A skilled urban planner is dedicated, ready to put in long hours, can stand up to pressure, and has an ability to see—and help others see— the big picture. A highly effective urban planner not only finds solutions, but has the ability to effectively negotiate solutions and mediate disputes.

These are skills and concepts that SARUP Urban Planning faculty and instructors help their students explore and develop within themselves. We go beyond textbooks; through our applied planning projects, we offer students real world experiences, working with clients to solve urban planning problems right in our community. The integration of classrooms with community projects gives SARUP students meaningful learning opportunities.

for more information about the Urban Planning program, click here

The School of Architecture and Urban Planning's Faculty

An essential part of the SARUP philosophy and practice is for faculty and students to be accessible to one another. Students work with instructors who help them develop skills and talents in specific areas or points of interest. This makes SARUP a very close-knit community. Faculty and students work together within the walls of SARUP, and then go beyond to form relationships that reach outside our School.

Community involvement, working in an urban laboratory, and traveling to other cities and countries to explore architecture and urban planning are all ways SARUP faculty, staff and students build bridges, establish relationships, and explore new vistas of learning. Our instructors are passionate about what they teach and research. Dedication. Leadership. Mentoring. These are elements that SARUP faculty and staff impart to students who share their passions.

We currently have over 30 members on our faculty. Their research areas, professional activities and classroom content span a myriad of topics and approaches to the disciplines of architecture and urban planning. SARUP instructors stay connected to architecture and urban planning projects through professional work and projects, helping them maintain an awareness of changes and trends in the workplace. We also have talented adjunct staff—practitioners in the field—who dedicate a portion of their time to sharing their knowledge and first-hand experience with SARUP students.

Overview of Life at UW-Milwaukee

UWM has been described as a community within a big city. What it has to offer is a very welcoming and small-community feel settled within a larger metropolitan area. This gives the people who study, live and work at UWM access to the best of all worlds. One only has to go a short distance off campus to find a wide range of cultural and social activities including theatres, restaurants, shops, galleries and other attractions an urban environment has to offer. However, students can find a broad range of those same types of activities right on campus. UWM has on-campus theatres, shops, galleries, concerts, health services, sports facilities, restaurants and much more.

Just a few UWM on-campus amenities and social venues include:

The Gasthaus

UWM Union Theatre

UWM Bookstore

Kenwood Inn

Norris Health Center

Klotsche Athletic Center

Milwaukee: A Big, Small Town

Milwaukeeans often describe our hometown as a big, small town. With a city population of 600,000 and 1.5 million in the entire metro area, Milwaukee is definitely a big city. As such, Milwaukee has "big city" amenities—major league sports, world-class museums, concerts, theatres, diverse neighborhoods and many interesting places to eat, shop, and enjoy life. But Milwaukee also has many quiet neighborhoods, wonderful parks and miles of trails for biking, jogging, skiing, roller-blading, or taking a walk. Whether you are looking for a cup of latte at a quaint cafe along Lake Michigan or seeking the excitement that a downtown metropolitan area has to offer, you can find it right here in Milwaukee .

Click here for a more extensive list of activities and amenities in the greater Milwaukee area.

Milwaukee won the 2006 Dozen Distinctive Places award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.