The School of ArchitectureStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for The School of Architecture. Free for students.

School in Scottsdale, AZ. Operating on a semester system.

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6

Total Enrollment

School

Institution Type

3

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Spring Immersion 2027 (4 weeks)

The semester, explained for The School of Architecture

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Spring Immersion 2027 (4 weeks)
Campus terms
12
Local details
9

Academic calendar

Spring Immersion 2027 (4 weeks) runs Jan 19, 2027 – Feb 19, 2027. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

4 entries
  1. Spring Immersion 2027 (4 weeks)Relevant now
  2. Spring Immersion 2027 (8 weeks)Spring Semester 2027
  3. Fall Semester 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

12 terms

A

AIAS
The campus chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students.
Arcology
The philosophy of 'Architecture + Ecology' that guides the school's curriculum.

E

East Crescent
A residential complex at Arcosanti where some students and staff live.

F

FBF
The Foundation for Barefoot Forensics, a student-led research initiative.

S

Shelters
Student-designed and built dwellings located on the desert mesa where students reside.
Silt-casting
The unique construction method of pouring concrete over shaped earth, central to the campus aesthetic.
Soleri
Refers to Paolo Soleri, the founder of Arcosanti and the school's original pedagogical model.

T

The Bakery
The on-site facility providing fresh bread and pastries for the community.
The Cafe
The Arcosanti Cafe, the primary dining facility for students and the public.
The Mesa
The high-desert site in Mayer, Arizona, where the Arcosanti campus is located.
The Vaults
Housing units located beneath the large iconic concrete silt-cast vaults.
TSOA
The School of Architecture (the institution's primary acronym).

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

9 details
Colly Soleri Music Center
The outdoor amphitheater used for performances and large gatherings.
Cosanti
The school's secondary site in Paradise Valley, used for specific workshops and historical study.
Mindshelter
A communal space used for lectures, meetings, and quiet study.
Shelter Program
The unique requirement where students must build, renovate, or maintain their own living structures.
The Ceramics Studio
The facility dedicated to silt-cast ceramic production.
The Foundry
The bronze-casting facility where Arcosanti's famous bells are made.
The Lab
The primary studio and classroom space for TSOA students.
The Van
The shuttle service used for student transport between the Arcosanti and Cosanti sites.
Work-Life
The integrated schedule where students participate in the physical maintenance and operation of the campus.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Spring Immersion 2027 (4 weeks) runs Jan 19, 2027 – Feb 19, 2027.
How much campus context is included?
12 approved campus terms and 9 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Get to know your university

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Find a few communities to try at The School of Architecture

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  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

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Using DormWay at The School of Architecture

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The School of Architecture on DormWay

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Life in Scottsdale for The School of Architecture Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Scottsdale.

Timezone

Mountain Time (no DST)

Median Rent

$1,800

Cost of Living Index

135

Student Population

25,000

City Transportation

Walkability

32

Bikeability

57

Public Transit

Valley Metro bus system, Ollie the Trolley and local circulators, Nearby Valley Metro light rail (in Phoenix/Tempe)

Nearest Airports

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Scottsdale Airport (general aviation)

Climate Averages

Climate

Hot desert (BWh)

Avg Annual Temp

72°F

Avg Snowfall

0 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Cattle Track Arts Compound Parking

surface_lot

On-site parking for students, residents, and visitors of the arts compound.

Campus News

Latest updates from The School of Architecture

Year 94: TSOA Holds Fall Orientation and First Day of Classes

The School of Architecture welcomed students for its 94th year with a combined orientation and first day of classes at the Cattle Track Arts Compound.

Sep 14, 2026

Read More

Alumna Kaya Orona Named 2026 Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree

TSOA alumna Kaya Orona (B.Arch '23) was recognized for her accomplishments in the construction industry as a preconstruction manager at The PENTA Building Group.

Aug 24, 2026

Read More

TSOA Reorganizes Cattle Track Campus for 2026-2027 Academic Year

The school reorganized its existing spaces to include a second studio, a dedicated model-making area, and a relocated library to better support hands-on learning.

May 7, 2026

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at The School of Architecture

ArtSpark Kickoff Barn-Raising

September 26, 2026

Cattle Track Arts Compound, Scottsdale, AZ

A special event introducing the first ArtSpark cohort, featuring a tour of Cattle Track and a talk about new creative programs.

Desert Design Week

October 6, 2026

Various locations, Phoenix & Scottsdale, AZ

A citywide platform for discovery and connection featuring 19 events across showrooms, galleries, and architecturally significant spaces.

Cattle Track Talks: Gail Morris

October 13, 2026

Cattle Track Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

A talk by Gail Morris, Director of Southwest Monarch Study, on tracking monarch butterfly migration through Arizona.

Art Meets Architecture

October 21, 2026

15455 N Greenway Hayden Loop, Scottsdale, AZ

An event presented by Art & Company exploring the intersection of art and architectural design.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at The School of Architecture

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

3 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.

29 3rd Avenue Student Residence Hall

Capacity: 170

Room types: two-bedroom apartments shared by four people, units accommodating three to five people

Ernie Davis Hall

Shaw Hall

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Email Domain

@tsoa.edu

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