Environmental Design Program

The Bachelor of Environmental Design provides a solid foundation in design education. This program is for students interested in any number of design careers or those who want to pursue graduate studies within the Faculty of Architecture or in institutions around the world. 

Environmental design students work together in pairs in a classroom.

Bachelor of Environmental Design

The Bachelor of Environmental Design Degree (BEnvD) is a four-year program consisting of two years of common foundation studies, followed by two years of pre-professional intermediate studies in one of three areas of focus:

  • Architecture

  • Interior Environments

  • Landscape + Urbanism

Years 1 and 2 of the program provide a solid grounding in the basic knowledge and language shared by all of the environmental design disciplines. Students come to understand the holistic nature of environmental design and, at an early stage, begin to establish a rich and multidisciplinary dialogue with their peers, while discovering strengths and interests relating to a particular design discipline. Years 3 and 4 provide opportunities to be challenged by academic and professional design theories and practices specific to a particular discipline.

Students holding a BEnvD are eligible to apply to the graduate departments of Architecture, City Planning, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture and to other graduate programs globally.

Admission requirements

Eligibility requirements

To be considered for admission into the Bachelor of Environmental Design Program an applicant must have completed 30 credit hours of university-level coursework with an overall minimum adjusted grade point average of 2.50.

The Environmental Design applicant admission requirements page is required reading for all applicants. It provides a comprehensive look at the Environmental Design Program’s admission requirements and processes.

Review the applicant admissions information

Foundation studies courses (Year 1)

Requirements for students seeking entry into the Environmental Design Program

EVDS 1660 and EVDS 1670 (History of Culture, Ideas and the Environment 1 &2) with minimum grades of C+ are required as part of the degree program either prior to, or after admission to the program. Students should be aware that these courses are a pre-requisite pathway and EVDS 1670 is a pre-requisite for EVDS 2600 (Tectonic Precedent). It is highly recommended that applicants take all five EVDS first year courses for progression through the program. Those who do not take them or do not achieve the minimum grade of C+ for progression should be aware that these courses are typically offered in the Summer term.

Students must also meet the University of Manitoba’s English Language Proficiency requirements. Students applying from outside the University of Manitoba may wish to contact us for more information about courses transferring with regard to our eligibility requirements.

Courses

Foundation studies courses (Year 2)

Environmental Design Year 2 (foundation studies) courses

  • EVDS 2100: Urban Media Lab (Pre-Fall, 3 credit hours)
  • EVDS 2200: Ecology and Design (3 credit hours)
  • EVDS 2300: Materials, Structures and Assemblies (3 credit hours)
  • EVDS 2400: Visual Media 1 (3 credit hours)
  • EVDS 2500: Design Studio 1 (6 credit hours)
  • EVDS 2600: Tectonic Precedent (3 credit hours)
  • EVDS 2702: Natural and Human Systems (3 credit hours)
  • EVDS 2800: Visual Media 2 (3 credit hours)
  • EVDS 2900: Design Studio 2 (6 credit hours)

Environmental Design Architecture Option

Environmental Design Architecture Option Year 3 (ED3 Arch) and ED AMP Year 1

  • EVAR 3000: Pre-Modern History and Theory I (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3002: Pre-Modern History and Theory II (3 credit hours)

EVAR 3000 and EVAR 3002 are not offered in 2024 - 2025

  • EVAR 3004: Architectural Technology 1: Structural and Sustainable Use of Materials (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3006: Architectural Technology 2: Building Construction, Structures and Envelopes (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3008: Architecture Design Studio 1 (9 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3010: Architecture Design Studio 2 (9 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3014: Drawing: Freehand & Digital (3 credit hours)

Environmental Design Architecture Option Year 4 (ED4 Arch) and ED AMP Year 2

  • EVAR 4000: Modern Architectural History and Theory I (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4002: Architectural Technology 3: Building Systems (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4004: Architecture Design Studio 3 (9 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4006: Modern Architectural History and Theory II (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4008: Architectural Technology 4: Comprehensive Design Technology Report (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4010: Architecture Design Studio 4 (9 credit hours)
  • Elective (3 credit hours)

EVAR 4000 and EVAR 4006 are required courses for ED3 + ED4 Architecture students for 2024 - 2025

Environmental Design Interior Environments Option courses

Year 3 (ED3 IE)

  • EVIE 3002: Interior Design History and Theory 1 (3 credit hours)
  • EVIE 3004: Materials, Assemblies and Detailing (3 credit hours)
  • EVIE 3006: Interior Design Media (3 credit hours)
  • EVIE 3008: Interior Design Studio 3.1 (6 credit hours)
  • EVIE 3010: Interior Design Studio 3.2 (6 credit hours)
  • EVIE 3012: Interior Light and Colour (3 credit hours)
  • EVIE 4006: Design Methods and Processes (3 credit hours)
  • EVIE 4008: Digital Media (3 credit hours)
  • Elective (3 credit hours)

Year 4 (ED4 IE)

  • EVIE 3014: Human Factors and Environmental Experience (3 credit hours)
  • EVIE 4000: History and Theory 2 (3 credit hours)
  • EVIE 4002: Indoor Systems 1 (3 credit hours)
  • EVIE 4004: Indoor Systems 2 (3 credit hours)
  • EVIE 4010: Interior Design Studio 4.1 (6 credit hours)
  • EVIE 4012: Interior Design Studio 4.2 (6 credit hours)
  • EVIE 4014: Advanced Interior Design Media (3 credit hours)
  • Elective (6 credit hours)

All students in 4th Year IE Option must do 6 credit hours of Elective courses. EVIE 3000 and/or EVIE 3016 can be used towards this requirement, if they are offered

Environmental Design Landscape + Urbanism Option courses

Year 3 (ED3 LU)

  • EVLU 3000: History of Designed Environments (3 credit hours)
  • EVLU 3002: Site Planning (3 credit hours)
  • EVLU 3004: Ecology and Design 2 (3 credit hours)
  • EVLU 3006: Studio 3: Dwelling / Precinct / Everyday Life (9 credit hours)
  • EVLU 3008: Studio 4: Networks and Infrastructure (9 credit hours)
  • EVLU 3010: Landscape + Urbanism Theory (3 credit hours)
  • EVLU 3012: Site Morphology + Grading (3 credit hours)

Year 4 (ED4 LU)

  • EVLU 4000: Philosophy, Ethics and Aesthetics (3 credit hours)
  • EVLU 4012: Studio 5: Possible Urbanism(s) (9 credit hours)
  • EVLU 4014: Studio 6: Emergent Futures (9 credit hours)
  • EVLU 4016: History of Landscape + Urbanism (3 credit hours)
  • EVLU 4018: Principles of Urban Design (3 credit hours)

At least two of:

  • EVLU 4002: Construction Materials (3 credit hours)
  • EVLU 4006: Special Topics in Community Design (topics updated each academic year, 3 credit hours)
  • EVLU 4008: Plants, Ecosystems and Design (3 credit hours)

Students progressing to the Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Manitoba are required to take courses EVLU 4002: Construction Materials and EVLU 4008: Plants, Ecosystems and Design.

Environmental Design Program: Architecture Master Preparation Option (ED AMP)

For students who already have an undergraduate degree, the Environmental Design Program: Architecture Master Preparation Option is a great way to qualify for application to the Faculty's Master of Architecture program.

Stream one (ED AMP 1: two years of study)

For students who have a recognized undergraduate degree but little or no formal design education. Upon successful completion of all the requirements for this two-year option, students will be eligible to receive a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree.

Stream two (ED AMP 2: one year of study)

For students who already have an undergraduate design degree in an allied design field such as interior design or landscape architecture. These students may be considered on a case-by-case basis for placement into Year 4 Environmental Design Program Architecture Option, but will be ineligible to receive the Bachelor of Environmental Design degree.

ED AMP Courses

Environmental Design Program: Architecture Master Preparation Option ED AMP1

  • EVAR 3000: Pre-Modern History and Theory I (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3002: Pre-Modern History and Theory II (3 credit hours)

EVAR 3000 and EVAR 3002 are not offered in 2024-2025

  • EVAR 3004: Architectural Technology 1: Structural and Sustainable Use of Materials (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3006: Architectural Technology 2: Building Construction, Structures and Envelopes (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3008: Architecture Design Studio 1 (9 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3010: Architecture Design Studio 2 (9 credit hours)
  • EVAR 3012: Architecture Technology Preparation: Structural Concepts
  • EVAR 3014: Drawing: Freehand & Digital (3 credit hours)

Environmental Design Program: Architecture Master Preparation Option ED AMP2

  • EVAR 4000: Modern Architectural History and Theory I (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4002: Architectural Technology 3: Building Systems (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4006: Modern Architectural History and Theory II (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4008: Architectural Technology 4: Comprehensive Design Technology Report (3 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4004: Architecture Design Studio 3 (9 credit hours)
  • EVAR 4010: Architecture Design Studio 4 (9 credit hours)
  • Elective (3 credit hours)

EVAR 4000 and EVAR 4006 are required courses for ED AMP 1 & ED AMP 2 students for 2024–2025

Supplies

Student experience in the Environmental Design Program

  • The Environmental Design curriculum is structured around a design studio sequence that provides a forum for exploring the complex relationships between humans and the natural and built environments that constitute the places and artifacts of cultural production. Over a four-year period, students will develop the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue work in a wide variety of design practices.

  • Students sit at their desks working on projects with various supplies and tools.

Contact us

Environmental Design Program
Faculty of Architecture
201 John A. Russell Building
84 Curry Place
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6

env.design@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8769
204-474-7532