(BAS) Conservation & Sustainability
The Bachelor of Architectural Studies (Conservation & Sustainability) program offers a specialization unique among all undergraduate architecture programs in Canada. Since 2009, this stream has focused on the conservation of historic architecture, paired with a study in the principles of sustainable design.
A growing proportion of architectural work – particularly in sustainable design – involves renovations with sustainability upgrades, or the adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Following the Understanding, Planning, and Intervening method set out in the Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places, students in this program learn to study and assess existing architecture so that they can formulate creative and compatible design solutions for historic built fabrics. Conservation studio projects are founded on strong historical and social understanding, along with deep knowledge of conservation theories.
Benefiting from collaborative course delivery between the School of Architecture and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, students in the BAS Conservation and Sustainability program receive in-depth technical education on integrated building systems, architectural materials and assemblies, green building techniques, and hands-on practice with heritage documentation. Through the study of conservation theory, ethics, and best practices, students also learn to research and analyze existing architecture.
The grid below displays the suggested course sequence for (BAS) Urbanism students for the 2025-26 year. Please note that Core and Free Electives may be taken in any order. To see the complete grid for your own calendar year, click on appropriate link at the bottom of this grid.
First Year
(for students who entered the Conservation & Sustainability program in the 2025/26 year)
Fall
- ARCH 1111 Studio 1A: Land
- ARCH 1221 Material Histories of Architecture
- ARCH 1331 Introduction to Architecture
- ARCH 1441 Drawing and Media
Winter
- ARCH 1112 Studio 1B: Fundamentals of Design
- ARCH 1222 Design, Climate, Environment
- ARCH 1422 Digital Drawing and Modelling
- ARTH 1201 History & Theory of Architecture: 1500 to Present
Second Year
(for students who entered the Conservation & Sustainability program in the 2024/25 year)
Fall
- ENVE 1001 Architecture and the Environment
- ARCH 2300 Introduction to Modern Architecture
- ARCC 2202 Architectural Technology 1
- ARCN 4100 Historic Site Recording & Assessment
- Free Elective
Winter
- ARCS 2302 Conservation Studio
- CDNS 2400 Heritage Places & Practices in Canada
- CIVE 2005 Architectural Technology 2
- Core Elective
Third Year
(for students who entered the Conservation & Sustainability program in the 2023/24 year)
Fall
- ARCS 3301 Conservation Studio 2
- ARCC 2203 Architectural Technology 3
- ARCH 4200 Architectural Conservation Philosophy & Ethics
- Core Elective
- COOP 1000 Co-op Preparation (0.0 credit)
Winter
- ARCS 3302 Conservation Studio 3
- ARCN 4200 Building Pathology & Rehabilitation
- Free Elective
- Core Elective
Fourth Year
(for students who entered the Conservation & Sustainability program in the 2022/23 year)
Fall
- ARCS 4105 Comprehensive Studio
- ENVE 4105 Green Building Design
- ARCC 3202 Architectural Technology 4
Winter
- ARCS 4107 Option Studio
- ARCC 4207 Advanced Building Assessment
- ARCH 4002 Canadian Architecture
- ARCC 4500 Design Economics
Course requirements have changed over time. For a complete layout of course sequencing for your entry year, please choose the appropriate link below. For course grids for students who entered the BAS prior to 2021, please email architectureundergrad@carleton.ca.
Course Requirements
First Year Students
Certain courses include TUTORIALS – in which you must also register when registering for the course. Please be aware that the system may not allow you to register in the LECTURE component of the course without also registering in an associated TUTORIAL (or vice versa).
When registering for the lecture component of ARCH 1442 -Digital Drawing and Modelling (CRN 10189), you must also choose a Tutorial from CRN 10190 to CRN 10194.
2024 Students and Earlier
Please consult the 2022 Course Calendar below for the latest list of approved Conservation & Sustainability Core Electives.