Business Details
Your Trusted Partner for Architecture Education Solutions
San Francisco Institute of Architecture (SFIA) has been a pioneering force in architectural education since its founding. Established with a vision to reform traditional architectural pedagogy, SFIA specializes in sustainable and ecological design education, offering comprehensive degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The institute emphasizes affordability and accessibility, providing distance learning opportunities to students globally. SFIA's curriculum integrates practical, textbook-based learning with a focus on green building, project management, and ecological design.The institution prides itself on fostering a community of professionals dedicated to advancing sustainable practices in architecture. With a faculty comprising industry leaders and innovators, SFIA continues to shape the future of architectural education through its commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.
Services
Architecture Degrees
Ecological Design Courses
Green MBA Programs
Project Management Courses
Distance Learning Programs
Highlights and features
- We offer the world's first and most comprehensive ecological design programs.
- Our distance learning model provides accessible education for global students.
- We integrate sustainable practices into all architecture degree programs.
- Our faculty includes industry-leading architects and sustainability experts.
- We provide financial aid and payment plans for all distance learning programs.
What people say
Changed my life
Excellent school
Practical approach
Global networking
Affordable programs
Services
Architecture Degrees
SFIA offers comprehensive architecture degree programs from bachelor's to master's levels. Our curriculum emphasizes sustainable design principles and practical application. Students gain expertise in ecological building practices and innovative architectural solutions through flexible distance learning formats.
Ecological Design Courses
Specialized courses focusing on sustainable building practices and environmental stewardship. Curriculum covers energy efficiency, material selection, and site analysis. Programs prepare professionals for leadership roles in ecological architecture and design.
Green MBA Programs
Business administration degrees integrating environmental responsibility with project management. Courses develop skills in sustainable operations, green finance, and eco-conscious leadership for architecture-related industries.
Distance Learning Programs
Flexible self-paced learning accessible to students worldwide. Programs use textbook-based study with personalized faculty support. Designed for working professionals seeking career advancement in architecture and sustainability fields.
Project Management Courses
Specialized training in architectural project coordination and execution. Curriculum covers quality control, specification writing, and construction administration. Develops skills for managing complex building projects efficiently.
People
Fred A. Stitt
Director
Architect and author who founded SFIA to reform architectural education. Pioneered ecological design programs and distance learning initiatives. Recognized for integrating sustainability into architectural pedagogy.
Laura Allen
Cofounder
Co-founder of Greywater Action with expertise in sustainable water systems. Contributes to SFIA's ecological design curriculum with practical experience in environmental engineering solutions.
Jay Baldwin
Instructor
Industrial designer and author teaching innovative design approaches. Brings decades of experience in sustainable product development and architectural innovation to SFIA students.
Douglas Cardinal
Architect
Award-winning architect known for organic design principles. Teaches advanced architectural concepts at SFIA, sharing expertise in sustainable building forms and environmental integration.
Bruce King
Structural Engineer
Expert in sustainable construction materials and methods. Educates SFIA students on eco-friendly structural systems and green building technologies through practical case studies.
Questions
What degree programs does SFIA offer?
SFIA offers architecture, ecological design, green business, and project management degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Are SFIA programs available online?
All SFIA courses are available through distance learning with flexible self-paced study options.
Does SFIA provide financial aid?
Yes, financial aid and payment plans are available for all distance learning programs.
How long does it take to complete a course?
Average study time ranges from 36-48 hours per course, with flexible completion timelines.
What makes SFIA unique?
SFIA combines architectural education with ecological sustainability and offers the first distance learning Green MBA program.
Reviews (2)
Alan W.
May 10, 2018
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I enrolled with the San Francisco Institute of Architecture six years ago, for their Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree. Despite having been practicing as an architect for several years, the whole emphasis of Sustainable Architecture and Construction opened up a whole new world to me. I realised at the outset that their degrees were not accredited, but the knowledge I gained was enormously helpful to me, so much so that after completing my bachelors degree, I went on to do a combined Masters degree in Architecture and Green Building, which I completed at the end of last year. Over the course
Stacey W.
Dec 01, 2015
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Sadly, this school is a scam.
Years ago, I enrolled in a distance learning program through SFIA. The entire coursework consisting of emailing the school my responses to a set of questions for each assigned book. Initially the school responded to my emails promptly and in some detail, but over time the response rate and quality declined dramatically, until there simply stopped even acknowledging the receipt of my emails. When I complained and asked for a refund (repeatedly) they ignored all my phone calls and emails. Even if you do somehow manage to get a degree or certificate from SFIA, because
Years ago, I enrolled in a distance learning program through SFIA. The entire coursework consisting of emailing the school my responses to a set of questions for each assigned book. Initially the school responded to my emails promptly and in some detail, but over time the response rate and quality declined dramatically, until there simply stopped even acknowledging the receipt of my emails. When I complained and asked for a refund (repeatedly) they ignored all my phone calls and emails. Even if you do somehow manage to get a degree or certificate from SFIA, because
