Welcome to the Idaho Urban Research and Design Center

The Idaho Urban Research and Design Center (IURDC), located in Boise, is an educational and outreach program of the University of Idaho’s Architecture and Interior Design program.

Students in the Master of Architecture (M. Arch.) program have the option to study at the IURDC, with exceptional opportunities to explore architecture in an urban setting and to collaborate with professional design practitioners, developers, and community and business leaders on design and research projects that help shape the cultural and metropolitan identity of the Boise Valley.

Areas of study include architectural design, sustainability, energy efficient building design and performance, and urban outreach and community design.

The IURDC serves as an important resource for the professional design community in the Boise Valley and throughout the state of Idaho, offering seminars, research, and demonstrations on such areas as sustainable design and other emerging practices.

The IURDC is located at the Idaho Water Center, a center of interdisciplinary collaboration among government, business and higher education focused on water quality and usage. This location creates unique opportunities for M. Arch. students and faculty to examine water and other natural resource issues as they relate to urban design.