Course summary

The Master of Architecture is a course that is dedicated to a design-based analysis of the relationship between environmental and socio-political considerations, and the wider historical, cultural and economic aspects of architecture and the city. Although based on a rigorous studio programme and wide-ranging series of lectures and seminars, the essence of the course is a research agenda that is developed by individual students and tested through architectural propositions. It expects each student to ground these propositions in current areas of discourse and to detail in full with the ‘real-life’ factors influencing their realisation. The M.Arch delivers intensive teaching in the qualitative and quantitative aspects of architecture and urbanism, in parallel with supervised design development, case study analysis, and discussion of the cultural and technical aspects of the subject. The multi-disciplinary nature of the course and the exchange of expertise that is encouraged between students of a variety of backgrounds, and national origins, makes the M.Arch a unique forum in which to explore some of the most pressing architectural problems of our time. The programme positively encourages students to develop complex architectural proposals that meet RIBA/ARB criteria for Part II exemption and to acquire knowledge and develop and apply research skills in the following areas:

• role of environmental and socio-political issues in architecture and urban design;

• The wider environmental, historical, socio-cultural and economic context related to architecture and cities;

• The building science and socio-political theories associated with architecture and urban design;

• Modelling and assessment of building and urban design;

• Monitoring and surveying of buildings and urban environments;

• Human behaviour, perception and comfort, and their role in building and urban characteristics;

• Research methods and their application through academic and design methods.