University of Tennessee School of Architecture and Design

What University of Tennessee School of Architecture and Design does

The University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design is a public higher-education college within the UT Knoxville land-grant system, organized into four schools—Architecture, Design, Interior Architecture, and Landscape Architecture—and serving approximately 800 students with roughly 100 faculty and staff in Knoxville, Tennessee. Its offerings span NAAB-accredited B.Arch and M.Arch programs, LAAB-accredited MLA and MSLA programs, a BFA in Graphic Design, a BS in Interior Architecture, and a dual M.Arch-MLA, plus a Summer Design Camp for high schoolers and the Digital Futures Fellowship for technology-oriented research.

Teaching is studio-led and supported by specialized infrastructure: the downtown Fabrication Lab (3D printing, CNC, waterjet, woodshop), the Digital Futures Lab (VR/AR workstations running Rhino, Unity, and Unreal Engine), Studio 02 (risograph and large-format production), and the Materials Library. Research outputs include the UTK Filament Tower composite demonstrator at Exhibit Columbus 2019, the CLOUD atmospheric-form project, and The Nuclear Chronicles animated film.

Revenue mechanics reflect a public-university model rather than a commercial SaaS or services business: tuition and fees, state appropriations through the UT system, externally funded research grants, and philanthropic giving through the Dean Excellence Endowment and CoAD Exchange. Pricing is administered centrally by UT (not publicly disclosed at the college level), admissions are routed through UT portals, and GTM relies on centralized university admissions augmented by recruitment events, transfer information sessions, alumni receptions, and the Summer Design Camp funnel.

Name

University of Tennessee School of Architecture and Design

Legal name

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville - College of Architecture + Design

Website

https://archdesign.utk.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1907

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design is a public higher-education college within UT Knoxville, serving 800 students across four schools—Architecture, Design, Interior Architecture, and Landscape Architecture—with NAAB- and LAAB-accredited degree programs, advanced fabrication and VR facilities, and a studio-led pedagogy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Architecture and Design

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAJAG

Architecture Schools (within Arts & Design institutions)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Arts, Music & Design Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHAJAB

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Arts, Music & Design Colleges

Keywords

• Architecture education
• Design education
• Landscape architecture
• Interior architecture
• Graphic design programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Public university education funded through state appropriations and student tuition. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs in architecture, landscape architecture, and design disciplines.
2. Research Grants and Contracts: Faculty research funding from college, university, and external organizations including government agencies, foundations, and industry partners.
3. Philanthropic Giving: Donor support to Dean Excellence Endowment and named spaces within CoAD Exchange supporting design education, faculty, staff, and student resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design is a higher education institution delivering professionally accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs across four schools: Architecture (B.Arch, M.Arch), Design (BFA in Graphic Design), Interior Architecture (BSIA), and Landscape Architecture (MLA, MSLA), plus a dual M.Arch-MLA degree. Education is studio-based, supported by advanced facilities including the Digital Futures Lab (VR/AR), Fabrication Lab (3D printing, CNC, waterjet), and Studio 02, with concentrations in Conservation and Stewardship, Computational Design and Fabrication, Sustainable Design, and Urbanism.

Product overview

The University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design is a higher education institution offering a portfolio of undergraduate and graduate degree programs across four schools: Architecture, Design, Interior Architecture, and Landscape Architecture. The undergraduate offerings include a five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (BFA), and a four-year Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture (BSIA). Graduate programs include a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) with 2G and 3G tracks, a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), a Master of Science in Landscape Architecture (MSLA), and a Dual M.Arch-MLA degree. Supporting resources include the Digital Futures Lab (providing VR/AR technologies and design software), the Digital Futures Fellowship (a rotating two-year research appointment), and a Summer Design Camp for high school students. The institution emphasizes studio-based learning, digital fabrication, and interdisciplinary collaboration as part of its educational approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)

Quantifiable outcome

• Dual degree M.Arch + MLA can be completed in 4 years (accelerated from 5+ years separately)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Bell and McCoy Lighting and ControlsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 September 2026Hosting Atlanta Alumni and Friends Reception on September 11, 2026 at Indie Studios in Atlanta, supporting alumni engagement and networking.
• Exhibit ColumbusflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019University Design Research Fellowship program where UTK Filament Tower was installed in Columbus, Indiana as part of Exhibit Columbus 2019, an annual exploration of innovative research advancing architecture field. Full-scale demonstrator of novel multi-nodal coreless filament winding process standing 30 ft tall.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Manufacturing Demonstration FacilitycoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on UTK Filament Tower research project exploring lightweight fiber composite fabrication processes for architectural applications. Provided manufacturing expertise for coreless filament winding research.
• Format Engineers Ltd.coreTechnology or IntegrationEngineering collaboration on fiber composite structural design for UTK Filament Tower project.
• Fiber and Composite Manufacturing FacilitycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner facility contributing to fiber composite fabrication processes for the Filament Tower research.
• Entomology and Plant Pathology DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterdisciplinary collaboration contributing biological expertise to biomimetic investigation of Cholla Cactus skeleton for structural principles in Filament Tower design.
• GenslercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partnership with architecture firm providing students engagement with the profession through internships, project collaboration, mentorship, and exposure to current industry trends.
• SESCO LightingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partnership providing students with professional exposure and career development opportunities in lighting design and electrical engineering.
• Smith Gee Studio (SGS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNashville-based, alumni-owned firm (Hunter Gee, FAIA, 1992 alumnus) leading design of CoAD Exchange administrative space renovation. Reviewed McCartys original drawings to honor building traditions while implementing college vision.
• JE DunncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for CoAD Exchange renovation project, completing work in phases to minimize disruption while Art + Architecture Building remains fully operational.
• Facility SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner for CoAD Exchange renovation providing mechanical and electrical systems design.
• Teijin CarbonminorOthersSponsorship of carbon fiber materials for UTK Filament Tower research project.
• Owens CorningminorOthersSponsorship of glass fiber materials for UTK Filament Tower research project.
• Techmer PMminorOthersSponsorship of materials for UTK Filament Tower research project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning: Public university with NAAB-accredited architecture, landscape architecture, and interior architecture programs of comparable scale. Operates under similar state-university funding dynamics and competes for similar applicant profiles.
• Clemson University School of Architecture: Another southeastern public university with an NAAB-accredited architecture program offering studio-based learning and dual-degree options. Directly competes for the same regional applicant pool.
• University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning: SEC peer institution with architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and construction management programs under similar state-university structure. Direct competitor for the same regional applicants and faculty.
• University of Kentucky College of Design: SEC peer institution with architecture, interior architecture, and historic preservation programs operating under similar state-university funding and accreditation constraints. Comparable scale and program structure.
• Auburn University School of Architecture: Another SEC public university architecture program with comparable studio-based pedagogy, NAAB accreditation, and similar scale of architecture, interior architecture, and landscape architecture offerings. Most directly comparable in governance structure, funding model, and regional recruitment footprint.
• Virginia Tech College of Architecture, Arts, and Design: Public land-grant university architecture school with comparable program mix across architecture, interior architecture, and landscape architecture, plus strong fabrication and computational design resources. Similar public-university funding model and SEC/ACC-adjacent recruiting geography.

Broad incumbents

• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Elite private institution with strong architecture and graphic design offerings. Aspirational peer for top-tier applicants; relevant comparator on design pedagogy and faculty quality even though not a direct competitor on price or geography.
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): Large private institution with deep architecture, interior design, and graphic design programs. Competes for the same high-school applicant pool regionally but operates at materially larger scale and higher tuition, positioning it as a broad incumbent rather than head-to-head peer.
• Georgia Tech College of Design: Larger southeastern public university design school with broader portfolio including industrial design, music technology, and architecture. Same regional recruiting footprint but materially larger scale and higher national ranking, making it an aspirational peer rather than direct competitor.
• Pratt Institute School of Architecture: Private NYC institution with strong architecture and interior design programs. Competes for top national applicants but at a different price point and urban setting; relevant peer for benchmarking program quality and graduate outcomes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/utkcoad
• Facebookfacebook.com/utkcoad
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-tennessee
• Instagraminstagram.com/utkcoad
• Xx.com/UTKCoAD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Tennessee School of Architecture and Design