Faculty of Art and Architecture

 

Because of the importance of Art, architecture and planning at national and international levels and the rich history of the arts in western Iran, especially in Kurdistan, the University of Kurdistan launched programs in the aforementioned fields in the early years of its establishment as a university. The University of Kurdistan commenced offering degree programs in Architecture, Planning and Music in 1999, 2006 and 2016, respectively. These two departments were initially part of the Faculty of Engineering but in 2012 became part of the newly established Faculty of Art and Architecture. In light of its expansion and development plans, the Faculty of Art and Architecture is in the process of establishing degree programs in Handicraft as well as aiming to offer its existing degree programs at PhD level in near future.

In total, the faculty currently has three departments:

 

• Urban Development
• Architecture
• Music (Iranian)

 

The Faculty of Art & Architecture has 12 full-time academic staff and numerous part-time staff with a total student population of 302.

Staff in the faculty undertake research of the highest quality and renowned for its interdisciplinary orientation. The research fulfills University of Kurdistan’s mission to further its impact and national and international ranking by conducting research that shapes the actions of government, industry, and cultural life through practical and action-led modes of research and engagement.

Research in the faculty is clustered around a number of research themes including architecture, urbanism public sphere, environmental psychology, informal settlements and sustainability. The Urban Studies Journal was first published in 2010 with the aim of focusing on the results of scientific research and experiences of cities. It welcomes all original submissions that extent our understanding of the urban condition and the rapid changes taking place in cities in Iran and across the globe, whether from an empirical, theoretical, or a policy perspective. In addition, due to the research background of the Urban Planning Departmental staff, our faculty is pursuing to launch a Center of Excellence in Urban Regeneration and Upgrading by the start of next year. The main goal of this center is to provide the required settings for informal settlements and rundown urban textures studies based on the Urban Regeneration and Upgrading approach.

The Faculty of Art and Architecture’s current building has been built on 4600 square meters of land. In addition to administrative spaces, faculty members’ and departmental heads’ rooms, the present building has 6 design studios and workshops, computer center, materials and construction workshop, 2 classes for postgraduate students, 4 classes for undergraduate students, thesis defense hall, one large conference hall and a special exhibition hall. The Faculty building is located on campus with easy access to all University services. The students have access to the building six days a week and can use their dedicated studio spaces at all times with computing facilities and social space. As part of wider campus developments, the faculty has undertaken its own development projects over recent years, including site construction and landscaping. Throughout 2016 funds were invested in a new building annexed to the current building that will provide purpose built, expanded workshops and a dedicated fabrication suite. The workshops will have dedicated spaces for Music department and the soon to be established Handicrafts Department.