The San Fernando Valley Business Journal and reporter Michael Aushenker recently featured Woodbury School of Architecture in its Blueprint for Success story. The article touches on the School of Architecture’s recent work to prioritize new visions for education, real-world experience, and social responsibility.
As Aushenker states, Woodbury’s programs infuse students with real-world experience before they receive their diplomas. The School of Architecture, with satellite sites in Hollywood and San Diego, has 400 students who study architecture, interior design and real estate development each year.
Last year, the school awarded nearly 80 student scholarships, supported by generous gifts by Nick Roberts and Nielsen Travel Scholarships, AIA SFV Scholarships, Ignacio Rodriguez Scholarships and Ward-Lombardo Scholarships. Advocating real-world experience, students designed a courtyard this spring for the National Health Foundation, a recuperative care facility for homeless in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pico-Union. In total, around 800 students have built 12 projects serving 30 communities.
As the Chair of Architecture in Los Angeles, Heather Flood touched on the importance of social responsibility and supporting students as they shape the future of practice. “Students are leveraging design toward pressing problems in our world, like the housing crisis and our environmental climate crisis.” Today, Woodbury School of Architecture remains the San Fernando Valley’s only five-year accredited professional architecture degree program.