Modules WS 2023/2024

This module provides an overview and a comparative analysis of specific building cultures. It defines parameters forming a building culture, provides a historical overview and identifies definitions of building cultures and their role in contributing to the formation of identities. Building cultures are not only assessed according to their architectural output, but also analysed and understood within their social, economic and environmental context. Different Architecture languages must be experienced as part of a general cultural discourse. The course will encourage students to actively investigate the specificities of different cultures, positions and tools as necessary components for a conscious architectural attitude. Beside lectures and excursions the students will be actively participate to the shaping of the module through short presentations and essays.

The module provides a practice-based understanding of communication as well as insights into research strategies in architecture. By way of exploring architectural firms or institutions the participants develop and learn their communication and research skills through observing, reflecting and developing communication and research practices of architectural firms.

The Master's Thesis builds upon the Preliminary Study. It includes a developed hypothesis which is verified (or falsified) within the context of a given or freely chosen design project.

This module, to be undertaken in the third semester, allows students to compose a Preliminary Study. The Preliminary Study serves as a basis for the Master's Thesis. It contains a research question, an in-depth theoretical investigation as well as a conceptual outline for the Historical and Theoretical Report as well as the Technical Report.

The Pro Bono Project gives the student an opportunity to draw a close connection to the practice. Through the preparation of a Pro Bono project, the students gain a deeper insight into the three main areas of professional activity: concept phase, execution phase and reflection phase. In this way the students can complement and/or test their theoretical studies with practice-relevant work.

The sustainable operation within a professional environment is critically analyzed and applied. The Professional Practice gives the student an opportunity to draw a close connection to the practice. Through working on studies, competitions or real projects, the students gain a deeper insight into the different areas of professional projects: feasibility studies, preliminary projects, construction projects, building and execution projects, and building sites visits or supervision. In collaborating in real projects, students are enabled to complement their theoretical studies with practice-relevant work.

• Know and understand factors of successful individual or team work as well as put methods and rules of successful individual or team work into practice.
• Research on project-related data in the internet and in the library.
• Read and analyse complex texts critically, recognise structures, uncover contradictions and distinguish facts from interpretation.
• Visualise a project by intelligibly communicating it
• Adjust the presentation format to the project
• Self-evaluate the project
• Production of project documentation
• Create and execute appropriate and target group-specific presentations of the project.
• Structure and process project results according to scientific criteria (project documentation, final report, final presentation).

In the face of increasing global challenges, it is incumbent upon academics and practitioners to confront climate change, uneven development, migration, economic crises, and social conflicts. Cities and regions are key sites in which these challenges are staked, resulting in an uneven landscape of resources and opportunities. In order to create the kind of architecture that positively transforms the status quo, we require a deeper understanding of the processes that underlie the production of the built environment, from transdisciplinary engagement with the wide range of stakeholders in both local and global case studies to concrete applications for translating scientific knowledge into urban and architectural design.
This course presents cutting-edge discussions in urban theory that shed light into globally and locally connected processes of urbanization, in order to approach these topics.

To support the holistic educational aim of artistic and technically skilled graduates, this report unites technical disciplines embedded in the curriculum into a compulsory document/ report.
It is coordinated with the lecturers of the technical subjects that are supporting it by iterative consultations. Intensive research, experiments on material or processing level, simulations, cooperation with industries, innovative interpretation of taught content and tools, are just some examples how students prove their technical skills applied to the design process of their individual project.

To support the holistic educational aim of artistic and technically skilled graduates, this report unites technical disciplines embedded in the curriculum into a compulsory document/ report.
It is coordinated with the lecturers of the theoretical subjects that are supporting it by iterative consultations.