At the flagship public school of architecture in New York City, we focus on design for the betterment of our shared global community. Programs are shaped by the diversity of our students, the inventive research of our faculty, and by multidisciplinary collaborations. We prepare students to become engaged designers and to apply an expansive set of skills to address pressing social, cultural, environmental, and professional challenges. With a rigorous foundation in the core competencies of building design, history, critical thinking, material assembly, structures, and urban analysis, and with an emphasis on agile thinking, our Master of Architecture program aims to educate the next generation of innovators.
Our graduates are largely employed in professional architecture roles, mostly in the New York City region, where opportunities are vast. They work in all types of firms and agencies: public and private sector; from small “boutique” firms to some of the largest firms in the world.
Students from all undergraduate backgrounds are welcome in the M Arch I program. The only prerequisites are one semester of both college-level precalculus and physics.
HOW TO APPLY
Accreditation
The Master of Architecture I program is accredited. See the NAAB section of this site for more information and links regarding accreditation.
STEM Designation
Both the M Arch I and MS Arch programs are listed within the U.S. government’s official STEM fields list, meaning graduates with F-1 visas may be eligible for U.S. work authorization for up to three years. See the STEM OPT Hub for more information.
Curriculum Effective Fall 2024
Total Program Credits: 90
Per-semester course load: 15 credits
First Year
Fall Term 1
ARCH 61001: Visualization I
Through lectures and laboratory assignments, students learn the fundamentals of digital and analog drawing, modeling, and rendering. Students build fluency in current digital software. Students who complete the first visualization course will demonstrate a basic understanding of the requisite visualization techniques and current digital software for the architectural design process.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: ARCH 61100
ARCH 61100: Foundation Studio I
The first foundation studio introduces a range of formal, spatial, and cognitive skills fundamental to the architectural design process. In a sequence of exercises, students cultivate skills of conceptual and critical thinking, professional drawing conventions, and model making techniques, as well as the ability to work at different scales to translate spatial, social, and visual concepts into building design proposals. Students who complete the first foundation studio course will demonstrate a basic understanding of the core knowledge and skills of the architectural design process.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: ARCH 61001
ARCH 61201: Histories of World Architecture I
The first of a three-semester sequence that examines the physical forms of world architecture and related arts in history. It analyzes the built environment in response to place, politics, culture, and the people who use it around the globe in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
ARCH 61400: Urban Site Analysis
This course introduces students to reading urban and site contexts as compositions of environmental, built, and social factors and influences. Through lectures, readings, assignments, and workshops, students develop a toolkit of analytical techniques and methods to understand impacts of the designed built environment on human health, safety, and welfare, and to thoughtfully situate new building interventions in the urban realm.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Spring Term 2
ARCH 62001: Visualization II
Building on Visualization I, students hone their digital and analog representation skills through a series of technical drawing and model-making exercises. Students who complete the two-semester visualization sequence gain proficiency in the requisite visualization techniques and current digital software for the architectural design process.
Prerequisite: ARCH 61100, ARCH 61001
Corequisite: ARCH 62100
ARCH 62100: Foundation Studio II
The second foundation studio encourages a deeper engagement with fundamentals of the architectural design process. Students hone their skills of conceptual and critical thinking, professional drawing conventions, and model making techniques, as well as the ability to work at different scales to translate spatial and visual ideas into building design proposals. Students who complete the two-semester foundation studio sequence will demonstrate proficiency in the core knowledge and skills of the architectural design process.
Prerequisite: ARCH 61100, ARCH 61001
Corequisite: ARCH 62101
ARCH 62201: Histories of World Architecture II
The second of a three-semester sequence that examines the physical forms of world architecture and related arts in history. It analyzes the built environment in response to place, politics, culture, and the people who use it around the globe in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
Prerequisite: ARCH 61201
Corequisite: None
ARCH 62301: Construction Technology I
An introduction to building anatomy, including technical and expressive characteristics of basic construction materials, their organizational assembly, and the ecological impacts.
Prerequisite: ARCH 61400
Corequisite: None
Second Year
Fall Term 3
ARCH 73100: Architecture Studio III
This advanced studio explores an architectural project through extended design research and in-depth building design propositions. Engaging with a variety of contemporary architectural design topics, students analyze and synthesize human, socio-cultural, contextual, technical, and regulatory forces. Project work includes quantitative investigation of environmental impacts and articulation of mitigation strategies. Independent research methodologies are supported, and student work is expected to achieve the quality of a well-developed architectural design thesis and design proposition.
Prerequisite: ARCH 62100
Corequisite: ARCH 73501
ARCH 73501: Research Workshop
This required seminar course focuses on special topics of study that support and broaden the design studio curriculum in the second year. Students co-enroll in this course with their architectural design studio. Repeatable 1 time for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: ARCH 73100 or ARCH 74100
ARCH 73201: Histories of World Architecture III
The third of a three-semester sequence that examines the physical forms of world architecture and related arts in history. It analyzes the built environment in response to place, politics, culture, and the people who use it around the globe in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
Prerequisite: ARCH 62201
Corequisite: None
ARCH 73301: Construction Technology II
Overview of the integration and representation of building systems and assemblies, with a focus on pragmatics of construction. Foundations, structure, and enclosure in relation to building codes and principles of sustainability are covered.
Prerequisite: ARCH 62301
Corequisite: None
Spring Term 4
ARCH 74100: Architecture Studio IV
Continuing work from the previous semester, this advanced studio explores an architectural project through extended design research and in-depth building design propositions. Engaging with a variety of contemporary architectural design topics, students integrate material assemblies and structural systems. Project work includes quantitative investigation of building performance measures. Independent research methodologies are supported, and student works expected to achieve the quality of a well-developed architectural design idea and design proposition.
Prerequisite: ARCH 73100
Corequisite: ARCH 73501
ARCH 73501: Research Workshop
This required seminar course focuses on special topics of study that support and broaden the design studio curriculum in the second year. Students co-enroll in this course with their architectural design studio. Repeatable 1 time for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: ARCH 73100 or ARCH 74100
ARCH 74501: Construction Technology III
Continuation of the building construction technology sequence, with a focus on designing for building performance. Both active and passive systems for regulating thermal comfort of occupants and managing energy usage in various climates are covered, along with other related topics.
Prerequisite: ARCH 73301
Corequisite: None
ARCH 74600: Structures I
Basic principles of structures for architecture, including statics of structural elements such as beams, columns, frames, and trusses. Rules of thumb for sizing structural systems and elements.
Prerequisite: ARCH 73301
Corequisite: None
Third Year
Fall Term 5
ARCH 85101: Architecture Studio V
This advanced studio explores an architectural project through extended design research and in-depth building design propositions. Engaging with a variety of contemporary architectural design topics, students analyze and synthesize human, socio-cultural, contextual, technical, and regulatory forces. Project work includes quantitative investigation of environmental impacts and articulation of mitigation strategies. Independent research methodologies are supported, and student work is expected to achieve the quality of a well-developed architectural design idea and design proposition.
Prerequisite: ARCH 74101
Corequisite: ARCH 85200
ARCH 85200: Research Workshop
This required seminar course focuses on special topics of study that support and broaden the design studio curriculum in the third year. Students co-enroll in this course with their architectural design studio. Repeatable 1 time for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: ARCH 85101 or ARCH 85210
ARCH 85310: Structures II
Overview of the behavior of structural materials in architecture, including wood, steel, and concrete. Basic principles of analyses and design, including conceptual understanding of various load paths.
Prerequisite: ARCH 74600
Corequisite: None
ARCH 00000: Elective
There are numerous elective offerings each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the school schedule.
Spring Term 6
ARCH 85210: Architecture Studio VI
Continuing work from the previous semester, this advanced studio explores an architectural project through extended design research and in-depth building design propositions. Engaging with a variety of contemporary architectural design topics, students integrate material assemblies and structural systems. Project work includes quantitative investigation of building performance measures. Independent research methodologies are supported, and student work is expected to achieve the quality of a well-developed architectural design idea and design proposition.
Prerequisite: ARCH 85101
Corequisite: ARCH 85200
ARCH 85200: Research Workshop
This required seminar course focuses on special topics of study that support and broaden the design studio curriculum in the third year. Students co-enroll in this course with their architectural design studio. Repeatable 1 time for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: ARCH 85101 or ARCH 85210
ARCH 85600: Professional Practice and Ethics
This course introduces students to the professional practice and ethics of architecture. Students learn professional ethics, the regulatory requirements, and the fundamental business processes. Exposure to career paths, alternative modes of practices, and changes to the profession are also explored.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
ARCH 00000: Elective
There are numerous elective offerings each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the school schedule.
Currciulum Prior to Fall 2024
Total Program Credits: 108
Per-semester course load: 18 credits
First Year
Fall Term 1
ARCH 61001: Digital Techniques
Introduction to digital technology. Through lectures and laboratory assignments, students learn the basics of digital drawing, modeling, and rendering. Focus on software such as Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and others.Corequisites: ARCH 61100 Architecture Studio 1.1, ARCH 62301 Materials/Construction S
ARCH 61100: Architecture Studio 1.1
The first in a sequence of four core design studios, this course introduces students to critical thinking, the fundamental principles of sustainable design, professional drawing conventions and model making techniques. The subject of domestic architecture is explored with special emphasis on the relationship between building and site in non-urban contexts. Through the investigation of landform and climate as well as the social dimensions of dwelling, students explore architecture as a negotiation between cultural and natural environments. All exercises are designed to develop the student’s abilities to translate spatial concepts into physical design proposals.Corequisites: ARCH 61001 Digital Techniques, ARCH 62301 Materials/Construction S
ARCH 61201: Survey of World Architecture 1
This is the first of a four-semester sequence that examines the physical forms of world architecture and related arts. It analyzes the built environment in response to place, politics, culture, and the people who use it. This semester students will study architecture from the Neolithic period to the 14th century in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Two lectures and an advanced seminar are required weekly.
ARCH 62301: Materials/Construction S
An investigation into the systems, techniques, and materials employed in the making of architecture. Focus on case studies in wood, masonry, and other construction materials.Corequisites: ARCH 61100 Architecture Studio 1.1, ARCH 61001 Digital Techniques
ARCH 73500: Site Design
The study of urban patterns, environmental context, and the natural environment; technical instruction concerns surveying, grading, drainage and layout, and fundamentals of city planning for architects; theoretical basis for site planning investigated with site plan prototypes in varied urban contexts.
Spring Term 2
ARCH 62001: Visual Studies
Building upon the lessons and skills learned in Digital Techniques, students sharpen their critical representation skills with a series of multi-media drawing and model-making exercises.Corequisites: ARCH 62100 Arch Studio 1.2, ARCH 61301 Materials/Construction L
ARCH 62100: Architecture Studio 1.2
The second core studio builds upon the experience of the previous studio through a series of increasingly demanding design problems.Using Manhattan as a laboratory, students are introduced to the urban context and address a medium-scale institutional building with a nuanced and complex program. Through the rigorous study of building precedents and site visits, students address the role of architecture in the public realm.
Corequisites: ARCH 62001 Visual Studies, ARCH 61301 Materials/Construction L
ARCH 62201: Survey of World Architecture 2
This is the second of a four-semester sequence that examines the physical forms of world architecture and related arts. It analyzes the built environment in response to place, politics, culture, and the people who use it. This semester students will study architecture from the 15th to the 18th centuries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Two lectures and an advanced seminar are required weekly.
ARCH 61301: Materials/Construction L
An investigation into the systems, techniques, and materials employed in the making of architecture. Focus on case studies in concrete, steel and other construction materials.Corequisites: ARCH 62100 Arch Studio 1.2, ARCH 62001 Visual Studies
ARCH 62401: Structures 1 - Introduction to Structures
Basics of structures including structural stability, statics of basic structural elements such as beams, columns, frames, and trusses. Rules of thumb for structural systems and elements. Introduction to strength of materials. Prereqs PHYS 21900 Physics for Architects, MATH 19500 Precalculus or department permission.
Second Year
Fall Term 3
ARCH 73100 : Architecture Studio 1.3
The third core studio focuses on sustainable housing. In turn, the emergent scales and patterns of sustainable housing become the operative means to address and examine larger urban design concerns. Students work in teams and consider socio-economic factors, urban density and morphology in the design of housing solutions in complex and multi-layered urban contexts. Emphasis is placed on the research of urban and building precedents as well as on the use of environmental modeling and visualization tools to measure and integrate complex data into housing solutions.
Prerequisite: ARCH 62100 Studio 1.2
ARCH 73201 : Survey of World Architecture 3
This is the third of a four-semester sequence that examines the physical forms of world architecture and related arts. It analyzes the built environment in response to place, politics, culture, and the people who use it. This semester, students will study architecture in the 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. Two lectures and an advanced seminar are required weekly.
ARCH 71301 : Building Modeling
Concepts, methods, current techniques and application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) including creating digital models of buildings and building systems for measurement, analysis and evaluation of performance and appearance.
ARCH 00000 : Elective
There are numerous elective offerings each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the school
schedule.
Spring Term 4
ARCH 74100 : Architecture Studio 1.4
The fourth and final studio in the four-semester core sequence focuses on building systems integration, structural systems, and technical documentation. In this integrative design studio students develop a building from schematic design through design development, and finally through the construction documents phase. With an emphasis on energy efficiency, this studio provides students with an opportunity to synthesize the knowledge they have acquired in their core studies with respect to program preparation, sustainable design and building technology.
Prerequisite: ARCH 71301 Building Information Modeling
Corequisite: ARCH 73401 Structures 2
ARCH 74501 : Environmental Systems
This course will focus on the performance of buildings relative to environmental impact and operational response. Starting with the building’s skin, systems will be understood as being in contact and in manipulated exchange with the thermal, luminous and acoustic environment surrounding them, to serve the ambiance and comfort of the interior. Basic knowledge of exchange, distribution and regulation will be related to construction and mechanical systems. The goal is to integrate structural, mechanical and spatial requirements to make appropriate choices during the design phase, allowing students to understand the building as a holistic regulated environment.
ARCH 73401: Structures 2 – Design of Structural Elements
Introduction to structural materials including steel, concrete, and wood. Basic principles of analyses and design with respect to various materials.Prerequisite: ARCH 62401 Structures 1
Corequisite: ARCH 74100 Architecture Studio 1.4
ARCH 85201 : Survey of World Architecture 4
This is the fourth in a four-semester sequence that examines the physical forms of world architecture and related arts. It analyzes the built environment in response to place, politics, culture, and the people who use it. This semester students will study architecture in the 20th and 21st centuries in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. Two lectures and an advanced seminar are required weekly.
Third Year
Fall Term 5
ARCH 85101 : Advanced Studio
Students explore a range of research-driven advanced studio options developed to engage topics within the expansive discipline of architecture, and reflective of the expertise and interests of the full design faculty. Studio project sizes, types and sites will vary, along with pedagogical methods. Course is taken two times in sequence to meet third-year M Arch program requirements.Prerequisites: ARCH 74501 Environmental Systems, ARCH 85201 Survey 4
Corequisite: ARCH 85200 Design Seminar
ARCH 85200 : Design Seminar
This required seminar course focuses on special topics of study that support and broaden the third-year M Arch design curriculum.Corequisite: ARCH 85200 Advanced Studio
ARCH 85300 : Advanced Computing
Builds upon the digital skills students have acquired over the 4 semesters of the core and introduces them to advanced topics in computing. Emphasis is on scripting, parametric modeling, and data visualization and covers such software as Revit, Grasshopper, Solid Works, and Ecotect.
ARCH 85600 : Professional Practice
This course introduces students to the professional practice of architecture with a special emphasis on the challenges facing architects that maintain a strong design emphasis. This course covers the general organization of the profession and its relation to client, community, and the construction industry; new management techniques, information organization and retrieval, project delivery, construction and construction documents, cost control, legal surety, contracts, and financial management.
ARCH 74401: Structures 3 – Behavior of Structural Systems
Behavior of structural systems including gravity and lateral load paths in buildings; Seismic effects.Prereq. ARCH 62401 Structures 2.
Spring Term 6
ARCH 85101 : Advanced Studio
Students explore a range of research-driven advanced studio options developed to engage topics within the expansive discipline of architecture, and reflective of the expertise and interests of the full design faculty. Studio project sizes, types and sites will vary, along with pedagogical methods. Course is taken two times in sequence to meet third-year M Arch program requirements.Prerequisites: ARCH 74501 Environmental Systems, ARCH 85201 Survey 4
Corequisite: ARCH 85200 Design Seminar
ARCH 85200 : Design Seminar
This required seminar course focuses on special topics of study that support and broaden the third-year M Arch design curriculum.Corequisite: ARCH 85200 Advanced Studio
ARCH 00000 : Elective
There are numerous elective offerings each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the school
schedule.
ARCH 00000 : Elective
There are numerous elective offerings each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the school
schedule.
ARCH 00000 : Elective
There are numerous elective offerings each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the school
schedule.
