Required Courses

ARCH6330: Seminar in Modern Architecture

Examines the state of architecture and urbanism in the two decades leading up to 2000. Explores contemporary issues in architectural theory and urban design. Examines a broad range of ideas affecting contemporary developments in architectural practice. Engages cultural and historical forces as well as contemporary criticism to define the nature of modernism, late modernism, postmodernism, and deconstruction. Case studies, analysis of theoretical models, and application of methods of history provide students with support for their own design work in studio and co-op experiences.

ARCH6430: Project Case Studies 1

Focuses on how architectural practice occurs and must be understood within a larger social context. The cultures - interests and objectives - of the constellation of participants in the bringing of a building to completion are dynamic, diverse, and complex, especially in an urban environment. Seeks to make sense of this broader social contract from within the perspective of professional design practice. As one of many participants in the process of bringing a building to completion, students review the roles, responsibilities, and interests of each contributor. Our task is to understand the obligations and constraints that constitute these relationships. Examines the products of design as manifestations of these relationships and situates them within a discourse of value-determined actions. Investigates normative and critical professional practices through selected readings and individual field research. Develops project case studies that provide examples of excellent design results achieved through the application of expert professional practices.

ARCH6440: Project Case Studies 2

Continues ARC G315. Builds on the understanding of professional practice developed in the previous course and investigates the array of "artful ways in which some practitioners deal competently with the indeterminacies and value conflicts of practice." These indeterminacies, uncertainties, and value conflicts are part of a rapidly changing, dynamic world. There is an unprecedented need for flexible and responsive practices that can bridge the gap between traditional professional techniques and these situations. Requires core competencies that are not mismatched with the changing situations of practice. Requires new skills as well as traditional analytic techniques to respond adequately to these unique conditions of work. Through a closer examination and development of an in-depth project case study, students speculate on possible approaches to a revised and restructured model of professional knowledge and guidelines for reflective practice that can sustain a culture of design excellence

ARCH7130: Master's Research Studio

The research portion a two-part graduate project focused on the complex issues facing the post-industrial landscape of the contemporary city. This studio examines in detail the design elements of everyday building types, such as office buildings, labs, parking garages, and retail spaces, with an eye toward creating new prototypes for urban architecture that are informed by the realities of contemprary market forces. Provides the foundation for the more speculative design proposals of the second semester

ARCH7140: Master's Degree Project

The second in a two-part degree project focused on manipulating contemporary market-driven building types. The studio seeks to invent new variations and hybrids from the existing store of urban building types to address new challenges, such as irregular sites, new adjacencies, and other unmet demands in cities. Based on research, analysis, and modeling of different types done in the first semester, students propose synthetic solutions to the complex problems of postindustrial development, housing, and identity facing the contemporary city.