Program structure

Information on the ITECH program structure.

The program is structured in two parts: the group Design Research Project (first year) and an individual Master Thesis (second year). Both projects take advantage of the extensive collaboration among the partner institutes and are supported by a diverse range of seminar modules and expert colloquia, offered by the three institutes. The seminar modules provide the technical and conceptual foundation necessary for the successful development of research projects while allowing students to explore individual areas of interest.

The main fields of investigation for the Design Research and Master Thesis Projects include:

  • Morphogenetic computational design processes
  • Bottom-up design and engineering of material systems and hybrid structures
  • Investigation of novel production paradigms enabled by robotics and generative manufacturing
  • Integration of biomimetic strategies for the design and engineering of performance- oriented architectural morphology and ecologically embedded architectural physiology
  • Exploration of novel architectural tectonics and related performance capacities
  • Integrative testing through full-scale prototypes and mock-ups

First Year

During this first year, the curriculum is led by two design research projects that are developed as a collaborative undertaking between the involved institutes. The two Design Research Studios operate consecutively and culminate with the development of a full scale research architectural prototype. During this year, the students work collectively in studio under the close supervision of tutors and supervisors. The introduction to relevant topics in computational design, engineering and construction is provided through two supplementary seminar modules (6 ECTS, each) per semester. In addition, a series of regular colloquia (3 ECTS) will expose the students to presentations in cutting edge research by leading experts in the related fields. Both, seminar modules and expert colloquium are structured to provide relevant support for the research project development.

Within the winter semester Design Research Project the focus will be on investigating biological structures and abstracting studied principles into an architectural system. Based on initial studies of the performative morphologies of natural structures, new material-based fabrication concepts and their resulting morphospaces will be explored. By the end of the semester, students are expected to produce a series of biomimetically-informed fabrication concepts with proposals for their application as architectural systems. The most promising concepts developed during the design studio will be the starting point for the development and fabrication of the Design Research Project within the summer semester.

This explorative and comparative process will be supplemented by the closely related seminar ‘Architectural Biomimetics’, which will enable students to investigate related biologic role models in interdisciplinary teams.

In the summer semester, students will work as a group on the Design Research Project. Throughout the semester students develop the project starting with conceptual system development up to fabrication and construction of the design research project.

Second Year

The third and fourth semesters of the program are designated for the preparation and development of the master’s thesis dissertation. The third semester is aimed at laying the foundation for a promising master’s thesis through a Thesis Preparation Project (15 ECTS) supported by an integrated Master Thesis Preparation Seminar (3 ECTS) and two supplementary Seminar modules (6 ECTS each).

The thesis preparation project engages the students in the selection and development of a suitable master’s thesis research proposal. The entire fourth semester is dedicated to the development of the master’s thesis.

Thesis research topics can be developed from a wide range of starting points within the context of Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design Research. Each year a number of specialized topics and research areas are offered by the participating institutes, which are directly related to the topics being developed by the institutes at the time (for further details please visit ICD, and ITKE).
Additionally, students are also encouraged and supported in the development of their own research interest.

Students are responsible for conceptualizing, framing and developing their own thesis topic under the supervision of the tutors and supervisors. For more information on possible areas of research focus or examples of past thesis projects, please visit the institute´s websites.

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