NAAB Studio Culture Condition 3.5

The efforts of the AIAS to have the entire profession of architecture thinking critically about the studio model of education, has made remarkable progress.

The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is the sole agency authorized to accredit US professional degree programs in architecture. Since most state registration boards in the United States require any applicant for licensure to have graduated from a NAAB-accredited program, obtaining such a degree is an essential aspect of preparing for the professional practice of architecture.

NAAB employs the expertise and opinion of a team of practitioners, educators and an AIAS member to visit schools, investigate and understand their programs and ultimately recommend or not recommend accreditation. The guidelines NAAB equips its accreditation teams with are the NAAB Conditions for Accreditation. This document was amended in 2004 by the NAAB Board of Directors to include a 13th condition concerning studio culture, that reads:

Condition 3.5:
The school is expected to demonstrate a positive and respectful learning environment through the encouragement of the fundamental values of optimism, respect, sharing, engagement and innovation between and among the members of its faculty, student body, administration and staff. The school should encourage students and faculty to appreciate these values along with an understanding of time management as guiding principles of professional conduct throughout their careers.