Newcastle University

Architectural Design Research (MA)

Course duration: 12 months full time

This is an exciting new design-based international masters programme, which focuses on the relations between architecture and the complex conditions of the contemporary city.  It is aimed at students who have already completed their academic training in architecture, although they need not have gained their full professional qualification in order to be eligible for entry onto the degree.  Over the course of three semesters, the programme allows students to research and develop highly articulated and theorised architectural propositions for urban sites.  Each year the work of the programme will be concentrated on a particular city and will be co-ordinated in relation to a specific theme.  Over a number of years this will grow into a series of studies of global cities that connect urban and cultural analysis with creative practice and architectural speculation.  This programme builds upon the strength of existing research units at Newcastle University, such as the Global Urbanism Research Unit, and reciprocities with APL’s new masters degrees in Future Landscape Imaginaries and Architectural Theory and Criticism giving many possibilities for synergies.

Structure

The MA_ADR is driven through two intensive 40-credit design studios that run in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and which represent progressive stages in the development of the students’ projects.  Design Studio 1 will be concerned with conceptually establishing and orienting the projects, and will involve a field trip to the city being studied.  This process is likely to involve group work, both in terms of research and in debating and developing strategic frameworks for the projects.  In Design Studio 2 the emphasis is much more on the intense elaboration of each student’s individual work within the overall parameters established in the first semester.

This structure allows for 20 credits of optional modules to be taken in Semester 1 and Semester 2.  Here students will have the opportunity to select from an exciting range of modules offered from across a number of subject areas that include: Geography; Politics; Digital Media; Media and Cultural Studies; and Museum, Gallery and Heritage Studies.  These include modules such as Techniques of Interactive Media; Mobility, Sustainability and Media Environments; Global Politics and Popular Culture; Critical Geopolitics; and Cities, Security, Resilience.  Please note optional module choice is subject to availability.

The dissertation in Semester 3 is closely linked to the design project, and is conceived as its discursive component.  Within the dissertation the work is condensed and presented in a coherent commentary that – using text and graphics – extends and presents the course of the research and its outcomes.  The dissertation in MA_ADR is understood to be a highly designed document, with careful consideration given to format, mode of presentation, etc.

Director

The Director and principal tutor for this program is Professor Mark Dorrian.  Mark Dorrian is Professor of Architecture Research, Degree Program Director for the PhD in Creative Practice, and Co-Director of Metis, an atelier for art, architecture and urbanism.  International competitions and awards won by his students include, most recently, the Pamphlet Architecture 32 competition.

Field Trip

In 2013/14 the MA_ADR programme will focus on the city of Athens in Greece. Athens is an extraordinary historic city, which is going through many changes at the moment. During the programme we will develop major projects for it, which will move from large-scale urban speculations down to highly detailed and refined architectural objects. As part of the study we will make an extended field trip to the city during the first semester. The field trip is not covered by the basic fees for the MA, so you must make sure that you budget for this additional expense. The visit will last around 10 days and we estimate will cost around 600GBP per person (not including meals). While on the field trip we will meet with various architects and urbanists who are working in the city, and visit important contemporary and historic buildings, such as the Parthenon.

More Information

• Entry requirements
• How to Apply

A course description is also available on the University’s online prospectus.

Banner Image: Metis: Mark Dorrian + Adrian Hawker, Great Egyptian Museum (2003)