Deadline to apply to Carleton University is Friday, March 1, 2024 by noon ET.

Deadline to submit your BAS portfolio is Sunday, March 3, 2024 by 11:45 p.m. ET.

The Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism (ASAU) at Carleton University requires prospective Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) students to submit a portfolio. Applicants will not be considered for admission if they do not submit a complete portfolio.

The four steps below are a synopsis of the BAS application process:

Step 1: Understand the opportunities of the three majors: Design, Conservation & Sustainability, and Urbanism – study them carefully.

• Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism website (https://architecture.carleton.ca/academic-programs/bachelor-of-architectural-studies-bas)

Step 2: Apply to Carleton University to get a Carleton ID number. The Carleton ID number is required to submit your portfolio.
NOTE: It can take some time to process your Carleton ID number. Please apply well before the March 1 deadline!

Step 3: Create an account in SlideRoom (https://asoaau.slideroom.com). The ASAU SlideRoom portal will be made available in mid-December.

Step 4: Submit your Portfolio via SlideRoom.

Part 1: Program description

The Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) has three majors:

Conservation and Sustainability
The BAS in Conservation and Sustainability major addresses both the conservation of historic architecture and principles of sustainable design as applied to existing buildings. C&S explores contemporary theories of critical conservation, adaptive reuse, and traditional and emerging construction methods to reconsider our past for tomorrow.

Design
The BAS in Design major explores the development of new buildings. Design is increasingly focused on community engaged, and environmentally responsive work. Studios are supported by a robust sequence of technology, history, and media courses to form a comprehensive understanding of building design practices, and its social and technical context.

Urbanism
The BAS in Urbanism major examines the complex network of forces, such as climate, technology, politics, transportation, and economics, that affect our cities. Studios explore the impact of urbanization on both the established core and expanding periphery. Urbanism courses are supported within the School and by the Department of Geography.

* Applicants submit only one portfolio, even if they are interested in multiple BAS majors.

Part 2: Portfolio requirements

An applicant’s portfolio submission must include:

• the applicant’s full name (the legal name used on their Carleton University application).
• the applicant’s Carleton ID number (nine digits starting with either 101 or 102).

* We have made significant changes to the 2024 Portfolio Requirements, please read the instructions carefully.

a) Personal Anecdote (150 words max.)

What is the one thing you think we should know about you?

b) Your preferred BAS major (150 words max.)

Explain why you selected your preferred major (Design, Conservation & Sustainability, or Urbanism).

c) Short Essay (250 – 300 words)

Please select two or three of the portfolio works you have submitted for this application and explain what compelled you to make the piece the way that you made it. Reflect on what makes the submission strong, and/or how it could be improved.

Write a short text, you can use any voice (first, second and/or third person). Please edit carefully and respect the word count.

d) Required Images

The four required images focus on creativity (idea) and technique (execution). We prefer if these images are analog (pencil, charcoal, watercolour, oil, sculpture, etc.). We are open to a range of techniques; the images may use mixed media. You do not have to show your process.

This year we have changed the format. We have only one theme. We would like applicants to create four different images based on the theme: MATERIAL. The theme is intentionally open ended to invite creative reflection rather than literal responses.

Required Images theme: MATERIAL – consider the term material; consider the material you will use to make your portfolio application, the material that gets discarded, the material you might reuse. Where does it come from, how is it made, what can it do? How can you use it in unique and inspiring ways?

We will look at each of the four images individually, and as a series. Therefore, please create an overarching narrative in each drawing and across the set of four drawings.

When you have finished your four required images, applicants might consider situating their work in a unique space that reinforces their narrative (i.e., on a lamp post, on a tree, in different rooms of their home) to add further dimension to their work. Please ensure the Required Image remains clearly visible.

Note: when you submit your images on SlideRoom, you have the opportunity to write a short annotation for each image. In the annotation please include: 1) a title, 2) the medium and 3) a brief description so that we can better understand the work.

• If you like, you can describe your process to help us better understand your work.

Please save the Required Images as #1, 2, 3, and 4.

e) Optional Images

We recommend that you submit four optional images to show other forms of your creative work. This work might include, but is not limited to, other drawings, sculptures, digital work, photography, dance, theatre, fashion design, textile arts, or making skills such as woodwork, etc. These images can be produced within the context of a (art) class.

Please save the Optional Images as #5, 6, 7, and 8.

We do not accept videos, PowerPoint/Keynote presentations or web links.

Portfolio Advice:

1. Photograph your work carefully. Ensure the image is sharp, clear, and free of distortion.
2. Keep the portfolio clean and simple. The Admissions Committee is focused on the images, not the graphic layout. Please refrain from unnecessary frames, borders and/or elaborate fonts.

Part 3: Using SlideRoom to submit your portfolio

You will submit your portfolio digitally using an online program named SlideRoom (https://asoaau.slideroom.com).

To submit, you must first create an account. We apologize that this has an associated cost (approx. $10.00 USD) and requires a credit card.

Please create an account early to prevent submission issues near the deadline date.

Save your written documents as PDF files.

Save your visual work (filenames: Image_1, Image_2, up to Image_8) as JPG files.

Uploading your portfolio

a) Fill out the required fields: full name as per your Carleton University application, and student number, etc.

b) Upload your images.

• You can make changes to your portfolio up until the moment you submit. After submission, no changes are possible.
• Do not make multiple submissions.

c) Submit before the deadline.
We get hundreds of submissions in the 24 hours before the deadline; please submit a day early.

Part 4: Prerequisites, assessment and offers, and contact information

Prerequisites and English language requirement

If you are completing the Math or Physics requirements in the summer, you will not receive an admission offer until all academic requirements are complete, and Admissions Services has received your final grade reports. You may be considered for a space on the waiting list.

You must submit your English Language Test results before March 1, 2024.

Assessment and offers

Your submission will be assessed carefully and in a timely fashion. Due to the high volume of applications and the competitive nature of the selection process, we aim to provide a decision before the end of April 2024.

Contact information

If you have questions, please contact the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism by telephone at +1 613-520-2875 or by email at architectureundergrad@carleton.ca.

Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism website: (https://architecture.carleton.ca/academic-programs/bachelor-of-architectural-studies-bas)

We invite you to join us for an upcoming event (https://admissions.carleton.ca/events).