Required Course
Credits: 1-18-6 (6 semester hours)
Type of Course: Architectural Design Studio
Instructors: Varies
Prerequisites: ARCH 6053 and ARCH 7060
Course Overview: Architectural thesis projects emphasizing the integration of disciplinary and professional skills through the formulation of architectural propositions grounded in critical, speculative, and creative research. Thesis projects are conducted within Masters Project Studios focusing upon changing topics framed within a variety of critical and ideological constructs.
Learning Objectives: Specific learning objectives appropriate to individual thesis projects are established by each student in consultation with the Masters Project Studio instructor. In general, the thesis work should demonstrate the student’s grasp of professional knowledge as evidenced within the graphic, written, and verbal presentations of the architectural project. Areas emphasized include:
1) History, Theory, and Criticism: The ability to use knowledge of history and theory of architecture in order to engage in critical discussions and observations of architecture; to inspire the formulation of design approaches; and to inform the design process.
2) Programming, Analysis, and Design Methodology: The ability to articulate project goals and objectives and plan relevant problem solving and design activities that are appropriate for the problem situation.
3) Project, Site, and Context: Understanding of the relationships between the project, site, and environment, including physical and environmental conditions; and ability to incorporate this understanding into the design process through analysis and integration of the project and site.
4) Design and Composition: The ability to relate ethical, social, environmental, aesthetic, and technical values in the formation of architectural design approaches and architectural judgments through the resolution of urban, contextual, programmatic, and both interior and exterior spatial issues.
5) Communication and Representation: The ability to select appropriate means of communication and representation to convey the essential features of the problem situation and the architectural design. This may include communication among peers, with studio critics, to the public, and to those involved in the construction of the project.
Course Requirements: Students are encouraged to utilize the means most appropriate for communicating the argument of the thesis proposal. The following guidelines indicate the expectations of the Faculty with regard to thoroughness and depth:
1) an oral presentation that conveys the depth, breadth and relationships between the thesis proposal, research and design project.
2) a graphic presentation that provides the necessary qualitative graphic evidence of research and design to support the thesis proposal. The design process, the instruments, method and materials employed, should directly address the thesis proposal. Examples of such evidence may include: context and site analyses; program statement, analytical diagrams, context plans and sections, models or other means to convey the overall design intentions; organization of space and surface, including site and building plans and sections, elevations, physical and virtual models, at appropriate scales and diagrams; vertical organization of space and surface, such as site and building sections, at appropriate scales; three-dimensional organization of internal and external spaces, such as models, perspectives, and axonometrics; primary technical characteristics, including diagrams, drawings, models, and/or calculations of project structure and systems.
3) a written report that presents the thesis proposal and describes the ways that the design project confirms, illuminates, questions or extends it. The report is considered both an argument for the thesis and design project, and a reflection upon the work at its conclusion. In effect, the MP Report is an update and re-articulation of the CP Report set in relation to the design project.