Engineering design of structures and building systems is a practical and theoretical field that architectural engineers specialize in. The objective is to design high-performance structures that are economically viable, resilient, and safe for inhabitants' safety, health, comfort, and productivity.
Architectural engineers employ their specialized knowledge to develop, design, construct, operate, and maintain built environments in interdisciplinary team settings by combining scientific principles from structural, mechanical, electrical, lighting, acoustical, and construction engineering.
Graduates of architectural engineering are widely considered to be creative systems engineers, with formal training in creativity and design through architectural design studios married with a solid engineering education.
Architectural engineers have a lasting impact on society. Because people spend 86% of their time in indoors, architectural engineers concentrate on indoor building environments that prioritize the human condition and well-being of society. They also promote sustainable practices by lowering energy consumption and occupants’ carbon footprint, so much so that architectural engineering has been identified as the discipline with the highest potential to combat climate change.
The employment opportunities for architectural engineers are endless and wide-ranging! Graduates regularly accept job offers from architectural engineering firms, consulting engineering firms, real estate developers, building equipment designers, manufacturers, designers and producers of building materials and products, facilities engineering and management groups, building owners, specialty contractors, forensic engineering consultants, building technology consultants, software developers, contractors, and construction managers. Other non-traditional employment fields for architectural engineers are in finance, outer space construction, government and policymaking, code developing, and much more. Many Penn State AE alums are in key positions in their firms or even own their own businesses.
Taught by world-class faculty who come from interdisciplinary fields and countries around the globe, architectural engineering students are poised to become leaders in the building industry immediately after they graduate.
You might like architectural engineering if …
- You have aptitude in math and science.
- You appreciate the artistic and emotive aspects of buildings and architecture.
- You are fascinated by the design and construction of buildings and building systems.
- You are passionate about sustainability and energy conservation.
- You are concerned about climate change.
- You are concerned about building environment-related illnesses like asthma or allergies.
- You like to organize parts of a system or process.
- You enjoy solving problems and helping others.
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