Bachelor of Environmental Design in Honolulu United States | University of Hawaii at Manoa

The Bachelor of Environmental Design (BEnvD) is a four-year undergraduate program focused on built environment design, serving as a stepping stone for future design and construction careers. This pre-professional degree equips students for advanced studies in fields like Architecture and Landscape Architecture, qualifying them for two-year master's programs such as MArch or MLA at UHM or elsewhere. It also provides the groundwork for UH's three-year Doctor of Architecture (DArch) program.
The BEnvD curriculum emphasizes problem-solving within real-world systems, prioritizing sustainability and community resilience.
Through its studio courses, the program introduces fundamental design techniques and approaches, enabling students to tackle modern architectural, landscape, and urban design challenges across various scales. Some studios connect with research initiatives via the University of Hawaii Community Design Center, allowing students to engage in public interest design projects alongside agencies and community groups. Seniors can opt for immersive local or international projects during their first semester, culminating in a comprehensive capstone project that synthesizes their environmental design education.
Beyond studio work, students take diverse courses covering design communication, technology, architectural history, environmental systems, and professional practice, alongside fulfilling UH Mānoa's General Education requirements. The school also provides upper-level electives in specialized areas like digital design, architectural theory, and region-specific studies focusing on Hawaii, Asia, and the Pacific.