The Department of Architecture & Fine Arts at Foundation University offers degree courses in Architecture and Fine Arts that are government recognized and evaluated by the Regional Quality Assessment Team, a CHED evaluating team.
The Archi & Fine Arts Department is comprised of Philippine licensed architects Alexander Udjaji, a product of FU and now president of the United Architects of the Philippines – Dumaguete Chapter; Eduardo í¢â‚¬Å“Nedí¢â‚¬ Carlos Jr., Val Vinarao, Griezl Bation, Leandro Sobredo, and Zorich Guia.
Prominent practicing award-winning artists in Negros Oriental comprise the faculty of the Fine Arts program namely: Antonio Mario í¢â‚¬Å“Babbuí¢â‚¬ Wenceslao, Rosela í¢â‚¬Å“Muffetí¢â‚¬ Villegas, Hersely-Ven Casero, and Elery Liboon. They teach in the areas of painting, photography, sculpture, and animation.
Takeshi Maruyama, a renowned Japanese artist and a visiting lecturer, has been sharing his knowledge, skills and artistic talent with the students.
The Department offers ArchiCAD, a leading architectural design software that is used in the internationally, as part of BS Architecture curriculum.
The students are required to provide their own laptops to design projects in their Architectural Design class ranging from simple to complex structures such as hospitals, beach resorts, hotel complexes, schools, bus terminals, churches, commercial banks, condominiums, airports, residential subdivisions, and public markets.
One of the several projects of the Department is to document existing streetscapes according to its architectural style along Perdices St., Locsin St., Dr. Miciano Road, and Rizal Boulevard.
Design presentations are held every semester before a jury of prominent personalities in the community to judge the designs of the students in the areas of conceptualization, site organization, planning and layout, interior spatial organization, exterior volumetric composition, sustainable design applications, aesthetic applications, elements of composition and drafting skills.
Moreover, exhibits that showcase the studentsí¢â‚¬â„¢ works such as scale models, digital works, painting, photos and sculptures are scheduled at the end of each semester, called Project Uno, which is usually staged at Robinsons Mall.
To be globally competitive, students are encouraged to express their ideas effectively and creatively and to think critically.
An Esquisse (French for í¢â‚¬Å“sketchí¢â‚¬) is staged three times a year, which recently came in the form of the Sandcastle Contest and the Pumpkin Carving Contest, where the design skills of the students are pitted against each other.
Architecture students are also required to design and create their own personalized workstations out of indigenous materials.
Ma. Zharysse Barona, a 4th year architecture student, remarked about her experience, í¢â‚¬Å“It was challenging and difficult, but it was fun and satisfying especially when you behold your own creationí¢â‚¬.
Starting June 2011, 3rd year students will undergo additional training in building techniques to prepare them for the í¢â‚¬Å“Rural Studioí¢â‚¬ project.
The Rural Studio is an extension program established by the late Samuel Mockbee at Auburn University. The essence is to select, design, and build a home for indigent families in the Province at no cost to these families. Students will provide the labor, and the University will enlist donations for the building materials.
The Department offers Summer Art Workshops such as Basic Drawing, Basic Painting, Photography, Animation, Sculpture, and Pottery Making. These are open to kids five years old and above.
It also offers ArchiCAD course for students and professionals.
Graduates of BS Architecture can find themselves in architectural firms, construction companies, or their own private practice as architects.
Bachelor of Fine Arts graduates can have a career in computer graphics, advertising, animation, art education, and industrial design.
Griezl Bation
Foundation University
