Mary Anne Alabanza Akers, Dean
Andrew O. Wilcox, Associate Dean
The College of Environmental Design (ENV) includes four academic departments that offer accredited professional degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate level in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning, as well as undergraduate degrees in Art History and Visual Communication Design. Also within ENV is the John T. Lyle Center with a Master of Science degree in Regenerative Studies. All department websites can be accessed via the main ENV page: https://www.cpp.edu/env/
The online Master of Interior Architecture (MIA) degree is offered through the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE). For further information, call (310) 794-3747 or visit: https://www.cpp.edu/ceu/degree-programs/interior-architecture/index.shtml.
Students in the College of Environmental Design develop strong connections to their discipline by working closely with faculty and other students in their Department. Across ENV, students address complex environmental, social, cultural, and economic challenges in the built and natural environments and the importance of communicating ideas through design. Programs share a commitment to the development of individual skills and experience working in interdisciplinary teams to provide a sound basis for a successful professional career. These skills are enriched by the courses taken across the College and the University. The faculty is comprised of professionals and academics involved in research, practice, and instruction.
All undergraduate and graduate students entering College of Environmental Design majors are required to purchase a laptop computer that meets departmental specifications. All applicants are invited to check with their department office or go to the department’s website to obtain these specifications. Students qualifying for financial aid may submit a request with the financial aid office to add the cost of the laptop to their overall Cost of Attendance by completing a Cost of Attendance Appeal Form by following instructions on the Appeals web page: https://www.cpp.edu/financial-aid/resources/appeals.shtml. Ways to connect with the financial aid and scholarships office are listed on their website: https://www.cpp.edu/financial-aid/resources/contact.shtml.
The John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies
Andrew O. Wilcox, Acting Director
The mission of the John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies is to advance the principles of environmentally sustainable living through education, research, demonstration, and community outreach. The Center uses the term regenerative to emphasize the development of systems that restore and revitalize themselves, ensuring a sustainable future. It offers unique interdisciplinary education through its Master of Science degree program and its undergraduate minor program, both of which prepare students to integrate regenerative theories and practices into a wide variety of professional fields. The Lyle Center has earned an international reputation for its innovative educational programs and has hosted visiting scholars and students from around the world.
Situated on 16 acres within the Cal Poly Pomona campus, the Center operates as a living laboratory for research and projects related to environmental design, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy production, water quality, landscape ecology, and human communities. The Center showcases a wide array of regenerative principles as it pursues a varied research agenda, focusing on issues of sustainability including passive-solar building design, solar energy technology, organic agriculture, native plant community restoration and an array of faculty led projects.
The Lyle Center is actively involved in the community, participating in service-learning projects, sustainable community development efforts, and community educational programs. In addition, the Center periodically offers workshops related to regenerative living for community members, professionals, and policy makers.
The Lyle Center can be contacted at (909) 869-5155 or by email firstname.lastname@example.org. For information, visit the website at https://www.cpp.edu/env/lyle/index.shtml.
The College encourages students to participate in the CSU International Programs as well as in College-sponsored and faculty-led programs. Departments in ENV have offered a variety of recurring and one-time study-abroad opportunities in recent years for students to experience Italy, South Korea, Japan, China, Mexico, and a variety of other European countries.
Neutra VDL Studio and Residences
Noam Saragosti, Resident Director
The Neutra VDL Research House was the residence and office of architect Richard Neutra from 1932 until his death in 1970. The house stands as an exemplar of Neutra’s Belief in “Survival through Design.” Neutra posited “biorealism” as the generative theory for environmental design. Bio referred to the biology of humankind, and the necessity for habitats that promote physiological and emotional well-being; realism follows from the artistic movement, examining how people actually live from day to day. Neutra’s architecture facilitated the daily rhythms of activity for the inhabitants of his environment. The Neutra research examined the physiology of the human being as it interacted with the environment, and materials and planning that would promote the health of the environment. Neutra’s “Survival by Design” concepts also had a profound impact on John T. Lyle, founder of the Center named in Lyle’s honor.
In 1979, Mrs. Neutra and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, came to an agreement Neutra VDL Research House would become a University facility to be managed by the College of Environmental Design. Through the generosity of Mrs. Neutra and the entire Neutra family, the University has gained an architectural work of great significance and an invaluable instructional aid. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 2009 and in 2017 the Neutra VDL House was named a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The primary mission of the College of ENV and CPP ARC with respect to VDL is to use the house as an educational resource for students and faculty, to preserve and maintain the property, to make the house accessible to visitors through tours given by CPP ENV, especially ARC students, and to host arts and culture programs that strengthen the facility’s mission as a community resource. For further information visit the website at www.neutra-vdl.org.
ENV Archives Special Collections
Robert Alexander, Professor of Architecture, Director
The College owns a number of special collections, including the works of Craig Ellwood, Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Donald Wexler, and Francis Dean. As an aid to research, archival materials are available for use by faculty, staff, students, and visiting scholars. Several of these collections have been exhibited at the University galleries and off campus. Finding aids for this material will soon be available on the University’s website.
For further information, contact Robert Alexander or email email@example.com.
University Art Galleries and College of Environmental Design Collections
Michele Cairella-Fillmore, Curator
The College of Environmental Design Collections include the large Burr-Benevides and Jones Fine Art Collections, the Ink and Clay Collection, the Jewett Collection of Beatrice Wood Ceramics, the Don Huntley Western Art Collection, and the Gilson Midcentury Industrial Design Collection (which includes the Reinecke Collection), as well as several smaller collections. Artworks are available for loan on a limited basis to approved institutions for exhibition purposes. The College also manages and programs exhibitions and events in the W. Keith and Janet Kellogg University Art Gallery, located at the north end of the Bronco Student Center, and Don B. Huntley Gallery, located inside the University Library.
For further information, contact Michele Cairella-Fillmore at (909) 869-4301, or email firstname.lastname@example.org.
Student Success Office
Ashley Ysais, Advising Center Coordinator
Michelle Martinez, Retention and Graduation Specialist
Monique Wesley, Student Success Advisor
Admissions: Prospective students for all programs in the college may obtain admissions information in this office, as well as in the appropriate departmental offices. Information about articulation agreements with community colleges is also available.
Registration: Information is provided regarding adding and dropping classes, simultaneous enrollment at other colleges, petitions for undergraduate credit in a graduate course, etc.
Records: Files for students currently enrolled in the undergraduate Architecture program are maintained in this office. All other active student files are maintained in the respective department offices. Student files may be checked-out by faculty only. Student addresses and telephone numbers are confidential and will be given only to faculty.
Advising: This office assists the student’s faculty advisor in providing undergraduate students with academic advising and information regarding University and College policies and procedures. Graduate students should contact the graduate coordinator in their major department for academic advising and graduate program information. All petitions that require the Dean’s signature are submitted to the Coordinator for approval after the student has obtained all other signatures required on the form.
For further information, contact the College at (909) 869-2666.
Departments and Majors
Robert Alexander, Chair
Bachelor of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Interior Architecture (offered through the College of Professional and Global Education)
Anthony Acock, Chair
Bachelor of Arts in Art History
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design
Minor in Art History
Minor in Studio Arts
Claire Latané, Chair
Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture
Master of Landscape Architecture
Minor in Landscape Architecture
Andrew O. Wilcox, Acting Director
Master of Science in Regenerative Studies
Minor in Regenerative Studies
Urban and Regional Planning
Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Minor in Urban and Regional Planning
For further information, contact the College at (909) 869-2666.
Special Admissions Criteria for Architecture
The undergraduate program in Architecture is designated as an impacted program (see earlier section of catalog on “Admissions”). To alleviate the pressure of impaction and properly evaluate applicants for the programs in question, a special admission policy has been adopted. Candidates interested in applying to Architecture must apply by November 30th (check with university admissions-currently there are NO DEADLINES for the next cycle posted) to be considered for the following academic year. All candidates must meet regular University admission standards as well as additional standards required by the Department of Architecture. For specific admission information, interested students should contact the College of Environmental Design at (909) 869-2666.