Aims and Fit of Module

This module accompanies and supports students during the writing component of their Masters thesis..  Aiming at the learning outcomes listed below, the objective is to enable students to individually design, execute and report self-contained research projects in the context of applied architectural design.

Building on the module "Architectural Design and Research Methods" and running in parallel with Studio 4, this module guides individual students in the preparation and production of a research thesis in the field of architectural design research in a largely self-guided and otherwise seminar-based learning mode.  Students conduct and document, in thesis format, a research project in the field of design research.

The topic of this module must be related to and directly inform the topic of research in Studio 4.

Learning outcomes

A. Synthesize knowledge of the cultural, social and intellectual histories, theories and technologies that influence the design of buildings, as well as the theories, practices and technologies of the fine arts, and present evidence of critical reflection in the application of these to studio design projects. 

B. Present critical reflections of current architectural issues, originality in the application of subject knowledge and evidence of the capacity to enrich a design process through hypotheses and speculations.

C. Present evidence of the ability to identify individual learning needs, and of an understanding of the personal responsibility required to prepare for the qualification as an architect.

Method of teaching and learning

seminar discussion, writing assignments, individual tutorials