Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at the ArchitekturWerkstatt

As a graduate of our Bachelor’s program in Architecture, you’ll be equipped to design and shape spaces across a wide range of scales—from urban planning and residential buildings to commercial structures, industrial facilities, and cultural landmarks. You'll master everything from construction details and material selection to building maintenance and the challenges of aging structures. This program prepares you to meet the needs of diverse projects with creativity and technical expertise.

Program at a Glance

Degree
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture

Program Start
Every September during week 38 (with an introductory week in week 37)

Duration of Studies
6 semesters full-time
8 semesters part-time

Tuition
CHF 1,000 per semester

Campus
St.Gallen campus

Registration Deadline
At the end of April of the desired year of entry.

Good to Know
Since the courses are taught in German, we kindly refer you to the German pages for more detailed information.

Advantages of a Bachelor in Architecture at OST

• Small, Personalized School: The ArchitekturWerkstatt is a small, personalized school where everything takes place under one roof. With a limited number of students, we ensure close interaction between students and faculty in the spacious studio spaces located on the second floor of the Hauptpost building, right next to St. Gallen's train station.
   
• Comprehensive Education: Our program provides a well-rounded approach, covering the planning and execution of spatial needs across all scales—from urban planning to residential and commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and public and cultural projects. You’ll learn about construction details, material selection, building maintenance, and strategies for addressing structural aging.
   
• Focus on Architectural Design: Architectural design is at the heart of our curriculum. However, it is always accompanied by key perspectives from essential disciplines such as building physics, technical systems, structural design, social spaces, and building regulations, while also addressing new demands for sustainable and resource-efficient construction.
   
• Architecture as a Hands-On Workshop: Throughout your studies, you’ll engage in a variety of workshops, working with your hands to physically create and understand different materials and methods. You’ll craft linoleum prints, cast plaster, build wooden models, and even sew, allowing you to gain a deep, practical understanding of design and its interconnected elements.
   
• Independent Thesis Project: In the final phase of the Bachelor's program, you’ll independently search for and develop your own thesis topic during a preparatory semester. You will then bring this vision to life as an original design project (Bachelor’s Thesis) in your concluding thesis semester

Program Focus and Content

At ArchitekturWerkstatt St.Gallen, our teaching approach is rooted in project-based learning. The curriculum covers the classic core disciplines and equips you with the expertise needed to understand and integrate the interdisciplinary knowledge essential for shaping architecture for a sustainable future.

• We embrace our responsibility to design future living environments while working with existing material and cultural resources. Our aim is to foster an understanding of how we can implement this responsibility at all levels – from politics and participatory processes to urban planning, project design, resource-efficient construction, atmosphere, detailing, and materialization.
• We aim to push the boundaries of what architecture can achieve for the world of tomorrow.